The Most Beautiful Places in Illinois Feature Waterfalls, Stunning Vistas, and Wildflowers

Buckle up and hit the road for soaring architectural feats, breathtaking vistas, and more.

Shawnee Camel Rock Garden of the Gods
Shawnee Camel Rock Garden of the Gods
Shawnee Camel Rock Garden of the Gods

Illinois may not have the obvious natural wonders of, say, California, but our fair Prairie State still has its share of beauty. If you can endure the comically bad winters, this is a state that rewards its hearty denizens with forests to frolic in, canyons to explore, and quaint small towns preserved in time. With spring upon us, and flowers abloom, it’s a perfect time to hit the road and escape the city. Sure, Chicago teems with beauty all its own, but to really immerse yourself in the beauty of the season, nature is calling and you must answer. What we lack in elevation and altitude, we more than make up for in national forests, state parks, charm, and more Abraham Lincoln ephemera than you know what to do with. From hiking and scenic drives to museums and Native American heritage, here are 15 destinations that prove Illinois is far prettier than you might think.

Zion

Illinois Beach State Park sits just under two hours north of the city and is a killer place for some all-season recreation. The park stretches 6.5 miles along Lake Michigan with expansive beach dunes, prairie full of wildlife, and 5 miles of trails where guests can hike, bike, and camp. For those not looking to rough it, the park’s Illinois Beach Hotel is a great destination for a relaxing weekend, offering rooms with beach-facing balconies to catch the most stunning sunsets and sunrises, and its locally sourced restaurant opens for the season in April.

Anderson Japanese Gardens

Rockford
What was once a creekside swamp has blossomed into one of the most serenely beautiful locales in the entire state. Anderson Japanese Gardens is the vision of Rockford businessman John Anderson, who drew inspiration from the Portland Japanese Garden to create something similar in his hometown. Thus, he worked with designer and craftsman Hoichi Kurisu to create a magical landscape of Japanese trees, waterfalls, meandering pathways, and artful rocks. Embark on a guided Serenity Walk to really channel your zen, indulge in a traditional tea ceremony, and dine al fresco.

Bahá'í House of Worship
Bahá'í House of Worship | Flickr/Shutter Runner

Wilmette
Citydwellers may not realize that one of the “Seven Wonders of Illinois” sits right beneath our noses. The Bahá'í House of Worship, nestled inside the northern Chicago suburb of Wilmette, is the oldest Bahá'í temple still standing and is open for all to enjoy. The impressive structure took 50 years to complete, incorporating meticulous detail and architectural elements in groupings of nine, a number that symbolizes “perfection” in the Bahá'í faith. As a result, the buildings and surrounding gardens fosters an ethos of oneness and peace. In the spring and summer months, the temple welcomes visitors to come and revel in its grandeur—who knows, you might even get in touch with your inner spirituality along the way.

Great Rivers National Scenic Byway
Great Rivers National Scenic Byway | Photo courtesy of Enjoy Illinois

Hartford
Tracing the border of Illinois and Missouri in southwest Illinois is a winding national highway slicing through towns and countryside and running along stunning cliffs and forested bluffs. One of the country’s most historic river valleys, this byway spans the confluence of the Illinois, Missouri, and Mississippi Rivers for 33 breathtaking miles. Beginning in Hartford, take Illinois Route 3 northwest to The Great River Road and cruise past the idyllic waterfront villages of Wood River, East Alton, Alton, Elsah, Chautauqua, and Grafton—all imbued with their own unique charms like antique shops, guided tours, live music venues, and plenty of romantic inns, hotels, and bed and breakfasts to make for a memorable getaway.

Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods | Sandeep Pinjerla/Shutterstock

Southern Illinois
This massive 280,000-acre southern Illinois national forest is simultaneously the state’s most beautiful natural attraction and its best kept secret. Revel in the sweeping views from atop Fountain Bluff, complete with sweeping panoramas of the mighty Mississippi River. And the iconic Garden of the Gods Wilderness is a great place to set up a year-round campsite or get some serious steps along the 160-mile River to River Trail.

Starved Rock State Park
Starved Rock State Park | Flickr/Tom Gill

Oglesby

The most visited state park in Illinois is popular for good reason. All 2,630 acres of Starved Rock State Park are stunning, but it’s the numerous caves and bluffs and countless frozen waterfalls cascading down the sandstone walls truly make traversing the park’s 18 canyons and 13 miles of trails worth it. Also worth it? A post-hike seasonal cocktail inside the historic Starved Rock Lodge, where you should also spend the night, if you know what’s good for you. And if you’re game, up the ante by hopping over to the historic, hard-drinking nearby town of LaSalle while you’re at it.

Illinois State Capitol
Illinois State Capitol | Flickr/Brandon Bartoszek

Springfield
We wouldn’t exactly call watching politics in action beautiful, but the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield is definitely one of America’s most stunning statehouses, especially when juxtaposed by verdant wildflowers. Built in 1868 in the French Renaissance Revival style and capped with an ornate dome, the 361-foot-high building is currently open for tours and stands even taller than the US Capitol in Washington, DC. Afterwards, pay a visit to Abraham Lincoln’s home, where he lived before becoming the 16th president of the United states. Heck, if you add on a stop at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum, you can make your entire Springfield visit Abe-themed.

Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa
Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa

Galena
Unabashedly crowned one of the most charming small towns in America, downtown Galena and its corresponding 800-property historic district is quite simply a spectacular sight to behold under any conditions. Stroll down Main Street to admire the Americana-soaked shops and restaurants, seemingly preserved in time, then spend a few hours exploring the stately Ulysses S. Grant Home before taking a load off at the DeSoto House Hotel, the state’s oldest operating lodging since 1855, or opting for an epic Airbnb like the Historic Owl House or a cozy stay at Inn at Irish Hollow. Before speeding back over to the big city, stretch your legs by hitting the slopes at Chestnut Mountain, working up a sweat along the Galena River Trail’s cross-country ski path, or strapping into a pair of snowshoes and taking in the sights at Eagle Ridge Nordic Center.

Giant City State Park
Giant City State Park | Wildnerdpix/Shutterstock

Makanda

From guided moonlit hikes and spring birding opportunities to multiple public art displays, Giant City State Park is home to all sorts of seasonal fun. Nearly a dozen miles of equestrian trails makes this southern Illinois park special for every type of recreational outdoors-person. Particularly noteworthy, however, are the "Giant City Streets'' along the main nature trail—colossal sandstone bluffs formed some 12,000 years ago. Treat yourself to a cozy cabin at the historic Giant City Lodge and bask in the rustic grandeur that’s enticed visitors for decades.

Matthiessen State Park
Matthiessen State Park | Flickr/Joseph Gage

Oglesby
Attracting far fewer crowds than the 2.5 million souls who file into nearby Starved Rock State Park every year, this unassuming but equally awe-inspiring state park offers an array of canyons, cascading waterfalls, pristine prairies, beautiful rock formations, and forested hiking. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails, popular in the winter, have thawed in time for spring and summer hiking.

Peoria
Don’t let the fact that it’s only 2.52-miles long fool you into writing off this nationally registered historic destination as just another glorified driveway. Established in 1903, this well-trodden trail packs killer all-season panoramic views of the Illinois River Valley and was even dubbed “the world’s most beautiful drive” by none other than President Teddy Roosevelt in 1910. Cruising along the scenic tree-lined stretch past stately homes, the view is so enchanting you just might want to cash in and become a full-time resident.

Cahokia Mounds
Cahokia Mounds | Flickr/Doug Kerr

Collinsville
Stationed just a stone’s throw northeast of St. Louis, Missouri, this sweeping 2,200-acre expanse stands as Illinois’ one and only UNESCO World Heritage site, and, no joke, encompasses the remnants of the biggest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico. Who knew? The to-do list includes climbing Monk’s Mound, the continent’s largest prehistoric earthwork, checking out Woodhenge, an ancient astronomical observatory, and delving into the site’s Interpretive Center to get a taste of daily life between 1050 and 1200 AD. Though the exhibits and gallery are closed for most of 2024 due to mechanical renovations, the grounds are open dawn until dusk, and guided tours are available by appointment.

Explore Savanna
Explore Savanna

Savanna
A favorite among big sky aficionados, this state park is located near the confluence of the mighty Mississippi and Apple rivers and features 15 miles of rugged and groomed cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking trails plus ample opportunities for ice fishing, weather permitting. Make your way around soaring cliffs, limestone caves, and wooded ravines, and if you’re feeling confident, bring your own gear and have a go at Twin Sister and Indian Head, two of the most popular rock-climbing formations in the state.

Downtown Urbana Historic District
Downtown Urbana Historic District | Henryk Sadura/Shutterstock

Urbana
While most folks visit Champaign-Urbana to rage with college kids at the University of Illinois or catch Big 10 football at Memorial Stadium, off-season road trippers will find a wealth of more cultured delights just outside the campus area. Case in point? The Downtown Urbana Historic District, which landed a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 2019 thanks to an array of captivating landmarks including Busey’s Hall/Princess Theatre, an Art Deco masterpiece dating to 1870.

The Morton Arboretum
The Morton Arboretum

Lisle
Tug on your hiking boots, because there’s never a wrong time to hit the looping trails at this 1700-acre preserve conveniently close to Chicago. Established in 1922 by Joy Morton (of Morton’s Salt Company, no less), you don’t have to be a botanist to appreciate this suburban oasis’ extensive inventory, a collection that spans more than 200,000 cataloged plants representing 4,100 different species. There’s always something new to explore here too, like the Wonder Woods Mini Golf pop-up running May 24 through summer. And at just 25 miles outside of the city, it’s one of Chicagoland’s easiest and quickest fresh air getaways.

The Walldogs
The Walldogs

Kewanee
Dubbed one of the best small towns in America by the fine map-making folks at Rand McNally, Kewanee has been drawing crowds with its ambitious and eye-catching public art collection since an esteemed international group of 210 painters known as the Walldogs descended upon the northwestern Illinois hamlet in 2013, brushes in hand. Grab your selfie stick and immerse yourself in local lore along Kewanee’s self-guided “History in the Paint” tour that guides gapers through 15 Instagram-worthy outdoor murals.

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Matt Kirouac is a Thrillist contributor.

Meredith Heil is a Senior Cities Editor at Thrillist.
Elanor Bock is a contributor for Thrillist.