The sky was a deep blue, the windows were rolled down, Patricia sailed her hand out the window. Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity. 581 South Deere Road | Macomb, Illinois 61455 Not only will you connect with these stories, but youll have the opportunity to do so while enjoying great food, fun attractions, and lively festivals. Related read: 10 Amazing Small Towns in Wisconsin for a Charming Escape. 2023 Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, Eco-Friendly Hotels and GreenGetaways in Illinois, Five Champaign Restaurants Perfect for a Romantic Outing, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The scenic byway boasts 300 miles in Illinois alone, ending where the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers converge near Cairo, IL. Sign up for our daily email to stay up to date with Illinois politics. You've probably worked up an appetite upon completing your hike. While enjoying the long, relaxing stretch of highway be sure to make a few pit stops to check out Ronald Reagans childhood home in Dixon, the amazing Fabyan Villa (they have their very own windmill! An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. Also, be sure to check out the famous Cahokia mounds and visit the Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower where you can experience breathtaking 150-foot views of Ol Man River. As one of the most scenic drives in Illinois, there's nothing else quite like it. Get more stories delivered right to your email. You'll have your camera out almost all the time for this one. Order a copy of Enjoy Illinois and also receive the Illinois State Park Guide and an Official Highway Map. -- John Steinbeck in "The Grapes of Wrath".Route 66 means different things to different people, but freedom is a common theme. Insider tip: Ottawa is considered as being the heart of Starved Rock county. The northern end of the 115-mile route begins at Sheboygan County's Elkhart Lake. Dawn Brandt / Getty Images. Request additional information, schedule a showing, save to your property organizer. The Great River Road follows the mighty Mississippi, the nations longest river, along Illinois western border. They capture rich history, and unique landscapes, and feature the fascinating but often overlooked communities that cherish and celebrate these scenic routes. It also sits along the Illinois River and you can hike to an overlook to get sweeping vistas of the water. Were already there.. There youll find flea markets, tasty meals like homemade chili or pie, handcrafted art, soaps, furniture, and collectibles. Northwest Illinois Loop scenic drive Visit state parks and recreation areas near Galena on our scenic loop drive. McHenry County is a picturesque landscape of expansive vistas, fertile farmlands, ancient oak groves, historic homes, and winding waterways. Visit These 12 Incredible Charming Small Towns In Illinois, One For Each Month Of The Year, This Walkable Stretch Of Shops And Restaurants In Small-Town Illinois Is The Perfect Day Trip Destination, Few People Know One Of The Nicest Restaurants In America Is Hiding In Small-Town Illinois, The Illinois Resort Where You Can Go Ice Skating, Make Homemade Smores, And More This Winter, Here are 9 Hidden Gems Along the Mississippi River in Illinois, Take These 11 Country Roads In Illinois For A Gorgeous Scenic Drive, Youll Want To Take This Picture Perfect River Trail Through Illinois, If There Are Only 5 Hikes You Ever Do In Illinois, Make Them These, seven places in Illinois boonies that are so worth the drive. This remarkable historic drive offers numerous panoramic views of the Illinois River Valley. You are in The Tunnel of Trees spans 20 miles, beginning . Bring your fishing rod or your canoe and commune with nature. It's a 39-mile loop drive with 16 designated scenic overlooks and eight hiking trails. I especially loved the Corpus Christi Church in Galesburg which was built in 1832 and is just a beautiful display of architecture. Continue to Mobile Site Many use it to visit antique shops, farmers markets, and other attractions, but you can also drive the whole thing and see the best parts of Southern Illinois. Re: Fall Foliage Scenic Drive. The M-119, aka the Tunnel of Trees, is one of Michigan's most popular scenic drives. Check it out: If you love road trips, check out these seven places in Illinois boonies that are so worth the drive. New Mexico is home to 25 magnificent scenic byways, totaling over 2,900 miles across a diverse landscape. Our integrated delivery model allows our clinicians to offer state-of-the-art, top tier quality care throughout eastern Wisconsin and northern and central Illinois. I think best place to see the Chicago skyline. THINGS TO DO 550 miles packed with adventure! But now it connects Galena with the beauty of the whole region. Visit the largest state park in Illinois and one untouched by glaciers that once blanketed much of the state. Dirt roads spread out from settlements at random, some not leading anywhere, and travelers found it easier to take the train to the next town over. Discover top travel stories and even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois with our free magazine. You don't need much time to conquer this route, making it perfect for a day trip. The history and cultural significance that is now preserved along the route makes the Lincoln Byway one of the best scenic drives in Northern Illinois. One of the most scenic stretches of highway in the entire USA. On your drive, youll likely see many of these community members on the land working hard on their harvest. Here is a list of more small cities in Illinois that are worth a visit. Use our Sound Off tool. Nearby is the 1,200-feet high Charles Mound, the highest point in the state. While no longer an official highway, Illinois still celebrates its 300-mile stretch with restored 1940s gas pumps, quirky museums, and eccentric art and memorabilia on one of the most historic drives in Illinois. One of the major features of LSD is the Outer Drive Bridge, also known as Link Bridge, which carries LSD traffic over the Chicago River. If you have a day or two to just breathe in all the sites, then take on Spoon River Valleys scenic 140-mile drive. Each community has its own contribution, but one of the most scenic drives is in Alton, Illinois which is known for its historic homes that are perched on the bluffs overlooking the river. Go at night for the sunset! You'll also pass by some of the state's most beautiful rivers, including the Spoon River and the Illinois River, and the river starts . Heavenly diningOn the way back to Galena, stop for a steak or seafood dinner in Elizabeth at The Holy Mackerel in a renovated white clapboard church. There was a moment in time where Sundays meant that you piled the kids into the car and took a long relaxing drive. If you time it right, you can end your day watching the sun go down over the Big Muddy at Savanna. A couple drive in an open top car along the Great River Road, Illinois. Then enjoy the highlights of beautiful South Africa, including wine tours, scenic road trips, wildlife safaris, mountain biking, caving, hikes up Table . The River Road National Scenic Byway showcases Illinois natural wonders and theyre truly breathtaking. The Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive Festival. Capital of Illinois and one-time home of Abraham Lincoln, Springfield is parts political center and historic hub, well-stocked with museums and Lincoln sites. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. Check out these cozy cabins. Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway, The Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Route. In the midst of vast Illinois farmland, weekend travelers discover a topographic Kitsch, awe inspiring, quirky, colorful, beautiful and unforgettable. The smooth blacktop curves gracefully through countryside gradually getting nearer the Mississippi River. Discover top travel stories and even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois with our free magazine. 9 years ago. For example, there are the Fulton Dutch Days in May, the Cahokia Native American Holiday Market in Collinsville during the month of November, and the Eagle Ice Festival in Alton in January. The cave's history is full of tales of pirates ambushing travelers along the river in the 18th and 19th centuries. When you travel through one of the most scenic Illinois byways, you are taking the same route the French explorers once did. The stretch of the Mississippi River north of Rock Island, Illinois is considered by many to be the most scenic drive along the Mississippi. Time needed: 2.5 hours to 2 days. If you want to take a trip back in time, then pack up the car and head down the historic Lincoln Highway. places in Illinois where you can spot eagles during winter. If you live in a highly trafficked area, you might forget how meditative it is to drive on the open road. Each issue offers a mix of travel stories, stunning photography and timely trip ideas that make the most of each season. Pack a delicious picnic and enjoy a relaxing day at this peaceful spot before hopping back in the car and taking in the rest of the beautiful landscape laid out before you. 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Originally from the quaint beach town of Fenwick Island, Delaware, Stephanie has called Chicago home for nearly a decade. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission (for which we are deeply grateful) at no extra cost to you. Whether you are a professed history buff, a lover of nature, or a boatman you will enjoy all that these sweeping 96 miles of the Illinois and Michigan canals have to offer. Visit state parks and recreation areas near Galena on our scenic loop drive. It begins at the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, at Pere Marquette State Park, and it ends at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri River at Lewis and Clark State Historic Site. You will also pass several beautiful state parks including Cave-in-Rock and Fort Massac State Park. Insider tip: If you enough time we would advise you to spend a weekend in Grafton. Grandview Drive, Grandview Dr, Peoria, IL, USA. Get inspired by top travel stories, gain access to exclusive promotions and contests, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois. Originally, the Illinois portion was an attempt to make it easier for farmers to get their crops to the markets but then began to draw in travelers in automobiles. Bird watchers add to their Life Lists at every casual stop along this natural migratory flyway, and the sharp-eyed will spot the telltale white heads of bald eagles soaring above the tree line. Schaumburg's many lush, tree-dense neighborhoods contain an array of apartments, condos, townhomes, and houses available for rent, in an overall peaceful environment. Even if you just drive right through, youll enjoy the serene Illinois woodlands, forests, and wetlands. Photos and Property Details for 1209 SCENIC DRIVE, KNOXVILLE, TN 37919. Read this post in which we share the best things to do in Grafton. Love Illinois? It's known for its cheesy attractions, quirky restaurants, and unique museums. If youre lucky, youll see some of the several stern-wheeler paddleboats plying the river down below, just like in old times. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeths articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals. BYWAY BITES Theodore Roosevelt named it the "world's most beautiful drive," so have that camera ready and drive both ways up and down the road for all the best sights. These are the 14 most scenic drives in the United States, from sea to shining sea. You may even find a new greasy spoon with all the comfort foods you could imagine. The drive gets its name from granite rock formations that you'll see along the way, and includes two spectacular tunnels, including the famous Needle's Eye Tunnel. Facebook/Saults Drug Store. Take the weekend and even consider camping out under a blanket of stars. Youll find local businesses and vendors from all over the county delivering amazing food and homemade treats, handcrafted goods, unique art, and plenty of antiques. While Shenandoah National Park is a bit further west, no list of scenic drives in Virginia would be complete without Skyline Drive. the Shawnee Hills Wine trail? As one of the most scenic drives in Northern Ireland, Lough Neagh covers an area of 391 square km (151 square miles) in Mid Ulster. It really helps take your mind off all the stressors in life. Follow the Mother Road to discover a myriad of quirky roadside attractions, or hit one of the scenic highways crisscrossing the state. Cutting through Illinois is a 300-mile stretch of the mythical Route 66. Illinois Scenic Drives Byways, Backways, Historic Routes,. We always enjoy visiting Galena Cellars, but the Stagecoach Trail also gives access to Apple River Canyon State Park, a wonderland of canyons and rugged rock formations great for hiking. We take your privacy seriously and will never sell your data to anyone. See our web stories that accompany this post. Allen V. Peloquin and Y C Cheryl, 9254 Scenic Bluff Drive, Austin, TX 78733 Find homes for sale, market statistics, foreclosures, property taxes, real estate news, agent reviews, condos, neighborhoods on Blockshopper.com Its a world of natural beauty, where white-tail deer plunge into the roadside underbrush, duck families toddle across the highway, and gangly great blue herons launch awkwardly, but fly away in graceful good order. Although there is a trail that runs along the I & M Canal, you can also take a tour of the canal on a riverboat thats pulled by a mule! A flowing stream to drop a line for trout or crappie is never far with the Noblett Lake Recreation Area, where two streams and a lake reside, being a prime location for fishing and other water fun. In addition to the stunning natural landscape, this scenic drive is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places along with many of the surrounding homes. The best part? Some of the most popular stops along the way include the restored 1891 opera house, the Spoon River Dam, and the London Mills Docks along the Illinois River where visitors can enjoy a picnic or spend time fishing. Run by Veterans, youll board a historic fireboat for one of the most memorable tours in the state. Route 66 plays a pretty major part in Americas history. Ive traveled much of the U.S. and Ill rank this drive as one of the more scenic Ive ever taken. This byway was recently named one of the Seven Wonders of Illinois because of the stunning bluffs, mighty rivers, abundance of historical sites, and quaint villages. Home Return to Main Site. With about 300 miles of highway in Illinois alone, you could make a whole day of sight seeing. We offer a compact version of Go-Illinois for mobile users, allowing you to access just the information you need on the road. When we say homes, these arent your typical cozy houses. Illinois Great River Road: Follow the river But no road trip in the region would be complete without a journey down the Illinois Great River Road, one of the most scenic drives in Illinois. Along the way, you'll pass many historic places including an old railroad depot, a log cabin from 1832, and a couple one-room schoolhouses. Check out these, If you want to take a unique boat tour along the Illinois River and Lake Michigan, check out, Visit These 12 Incredible Charming Small Towns In Illinois, One For Each Month Of The Year, This Walkable Stretch Of Shops And Restaurants In Small-Town Illinois Is The Perfect Day Trip Destination, Few People Know One Of The Nicest Restaurants In America Is Hiding In Small-Town Illinois, The Illinois Resort Where You Can Go Ice Skating, Make Homemade Smores, And More This Winter, The 10 Best Backroads In Illinois For A Long Scenic Drive, 7 Paved Trails In Illinois That Make Hiking The Great Outdoors Easier, Theres A Mule-Pulled Canal Ride In Illinois That Is The Most Unique Thing Youll Ever Do, Take This Road To Nowhere In Illinois To Get Away From It All. Comfort foods you could imagine ; ve probably worked up an appetite upon completing your hike flea markets tasty! Road, Illinois deep blue, the highest point in the state in.. 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