Discover these empowering women's history destinations selected by the U.S. News travel editors. While some of the rooms at the London House boast views of the skyline or the historic landmark district, every room is . Eat & Drink Regional Getaways Illinois Made Chicago Activities Family Fun Architecture Arts & Culture & History Outdoors & Regional Offbeat Illinois 4-5 Days 5+ Days From Local Experts 1-3 Days Top 10 Winter Events & Festivals in Illinois Skiing? Set on 17 acres of land, this bed and breakfast is a hikers and bikers dream getaway; trails are available to two nearby state parks and the I&M Canal Trail. in I enjoy helping adult individuals of all ages and couples that still want to work things out, providing a safe place for you to find clarity, seek healing . Public art installations and gardens are strewn throughout, making exploring the park an exciting and enjoyable adventure. For couples looking for this experience, our post on romantic cabins with hot tubs is ideal for finding your ideal accommodation. 1. Eight suites, plus three luxury suites each come with complimentary breakfast - some suites even feature spa Jacuzzi tubs and fireplaces. It is a beautiful, open, state-of-the-art facility. When visiting Chicago, Navy Pier is a must-go spot, ideal for catching some landscape and cityscape photos in one place, relaxing and enjoying the good weather, and taking part in some interesting local events. Millennium Park 25,012 Points of Interest & Landmarks Parks Millennium Park Open now By LUchicago By night, consider holding your loved one close for a walking ghost tour: Alton is considered one of the most haunted small towns in the U.S., and locations such as the McPike Mansion have been featured on paranormal TV series. Some of these include the ever-popular Giant City State Park, Dixon Spring State Park, and Cave in Rock State Park. The small Illinois town of Galena boasts stunning 19th-century architecture preserved in time and historic accommodations. Mundelein, Illinois, United States. Recreate some iconic movie romance with a tour of the North Shore and keep an eye out for the many places used as filming locations. This 170-acre park and prairie's guided tours give context to Indigenous communities that lived here up to 11,000 years ago. To see our full list of the best waterfalls in Illinois and how to plan your visit to see them, check out our post here. The Magnificent Mile is an area of Michigan Avenue in Chicago that serves as one of the main retail areas in the city as well as home to a number of Chicago landmarks, upscale restaurants, museums, and more. In the warmer months you can enjoy watersports, a caf, beach rentals, and activities on the shore. The museum features over 11,000 pieces of art dating from as far back as the 4th Century BCE. Featuring indie artists, Pitchfork Music Festival is a great way to support up-and-coming music talent and discover new artists. Chicago River dyeing. From the outside of this stunning Resort and all throughout, couples will be engulfed in a romantic ambience from arrival until departure. is perfect for couples who can't decide where to eat. Bunk with the bison and stay here in one of 13 unique lodging rooms or 20 tent campsites. If you prefer something a bit more local and community-based, Makanda Boardwalk may be a better option. Galena is a beautiful historic city in northern Illinois with a wide range of things to see and do. 2023 Guide, 12 Best Airbnbs in Sagres You Need To Stay At. around Illinois. For more information about this beach, click here. Stroll through downtown Chicago on this walking food tour. When visiting Illinois it only makes sense to spend some time in the capital of the state, Springfield. Spanning the Mississippi River into St. Louis, the bridges most interesting feature is the 22-degree bend it makes towards the middle of the bridge. in Both options require a combination of patience and advance reservations, but they're well worth it, according to patrons. The zoo also expands beyond just animals with over 1200 different plant species and a dedicated arboretum. Book your trip. For your overnight stay, check out the circa-1930s Starved Rock Lodge, which has an indoor pool and trails on the property. Illinois prides itself on embracing visitors with a warm welcome, which you can experience at one of its many bed-and-breakfasts on your next couples retreat. Read Enjoy Illinois magazine online or download the PDF and start exploring trip ideas From harvest festivals to German-themed Oktoberfests, theres something for everyone. Get Inspired For a unique winter activity, you can try the popular Midwest activity of snow tubing. The institute is located in one of the most well-known buildings in Chicago with two impressive bronze lions flanking the entrance. You can also visit the original State Capitol Hall, first built in 1837. For a more unique theme park experience, you can check out Boo Castle Park, originally built as a memorial park for Jeremey Boo Rochman after a car accident but themed around a childhood love of dragons, wizards, and role-playing games. The latter contains presidential artifacts found nowhere else and a theater that shows educational films and living history performances to immerse you in the time of Lincoln. There is a really good chance that this post contains affiliate links. Here is an overview of quaint cabins on the southern Illinois wine trail. These include Lincolns house, the presidential library, and more. Many of these breweries provide unique craft beers which are both locally produced and delicious. If youre planning a family vacation to Illinois, you may be looking for fun, kid-friendly activities to enjoy together. Bring your partner to Belleville whose name means "beautiful city" in French for a romantic trip. Shuttle transportation is available to all of the local wineries, so exploring the area is easy and seamless. History, We take your privacy seriously and will never sell your data to anyone. Taste quintessential Chicago foods such as deep-dish pizza, hot dogs, plus chocolates and pastry. He attended St. Joseph's Academy and graduated from the last class at Corpus Christi High . The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge is a great example the bridge forms an important part of American engineering history while also being unique and interesting to see. In that case, check out our ranking of the best resorts to try out for a romantic couples trip in Illinois. The Lincoln Home National Historic Site is located in Springfield, the hometown of Abraham Lincoln. Whether youre hoping to visit multiple state parks or explore just one or two in more depth, finding out the top state parks and deciding which ones you wish to visit is a great way to help plan your visit to Illinois. Yes, that means you can have a beach day in Illinois, which also comes with the opportunity to soak in the serenity of the untouched North Dunes and Illinois Beach nature preserves, located inside the state park. More information on the Science Center as well as many other museums which are great for children can be found here, in our guide to museums in Illinois. This tour is so popular and intriguing that it has been named the number 1 boat tour in Chicago. Less than 10 miles south of Cloran Mansion sits the grand Goldmoor Inn near the Mississippi River. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission (for which we are deeply grateful) at no extra cost to you. There are many wineries in the area, and going on a winery tour while enjoying the beautiful scenery is a great way to support local businesses while also experiencing the area. The center also offers visitors the chance to operate machinery simulators and learn about how real engineers work at the company. The acclaimed Main Street's more than 100 storefronts showcase everything from clothing to collectibles. You won't taste quite the same bread there today, but your stay includes a full breakfast made with seasonal ingredients, which can be enjoyed on the patio or in the dining room. Amusement parks and theme parks are always as hit with kids and luckily, Illinois has a great range to choose from. Water parks are another great option for entertaining the family, especially during the heat of summer. This boardwalk features a number of locally-owned artisanal shops run by members of the community. When you're both ready to tuck in, the Beall Mansion B&B will serve you well, with fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, included continental breakfast and free Wi-Fi. Chicago Architecture Cruise. Goldmoore Inn & Resort doubles as the most romantic resorts in Galena as well as romantic couples resort Illinois has to offer. The Chicago Architecture Foundation Center in conjunction with Chicagos First Lady cruise boat has designed a river cruise to feature some of Chicagos most beautiful, interesting, and historic architectural delights. Many of these places have been turned into small museums or historic pieces, which is a great way to explore the history of the city as well as the daily life of our ancestors. Find out how to get to Illinois by plane, train, bus and driving. These range from the Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington, which has many species of animals and features interactive experiences with the supervision of a zookeeper to Brookfield Zoo, a zoo at over 216 acres with over 400 different species of animals. Three of the rooms in this once-school are set up as romantic luxury suites, and you can treat yourself to extras like wine, roses or candle lighting in your room. These range from hiking to horse-riding to picnicking. There are many amazing museums to be found throughout Illinois. For example, Cairo is a unique town with many abandoned structures. Some animals are part of interactive programs such as goat grooming and meeting penguins. For a getaway within a getaway, head to Galena's year-round Chestnut Mountain Resort, which offers skiing and snowboarding in the winter or zip lining and river cruising in the summer. Located on the Chicago Loop, the lavish London House Chicago is perfectly situated for a couples weekend getaway. Many of the wineries along the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail include on-site lodging so you don't have to wander far from your new favorite red. There are many beaches and lakes in Illinois where kayaking is available as an activity, and many of these offer guides or lessons, making it accessible to all experience levels. With over 33 in southern Illinois, visitors are spoilt for choice. The Ledge is a glass balcony or glass box that extends 4.3 feet from the edge of the building. Fall is a great time to visit Illinois. The Caterpillar Visitors Center is a unique museum covering the beginnings and development of the machinery company, Caterpillar. While fall foliage can be beautiful anyway, something about the cool, windy weather and ambient atmosphere of Illinois makes it ideal for really appreciating the stunning colors. Best Things to Do in Illinois for Couples. With so many winter activities available, it is a great opportunity to experience many of the popular places without the crowds, as well as take part in winter-exclusive experiences. Article Discover Local Meet the makers, the creators, and the artisans of Illinois. Illinois is ideal for family vacations with everything from theme parks and water parks to educational yet fun museums and tours. The giant silver bean is embedded in the public consciousness. All food tastings are included, and the tour covers an easy 1.5 miles (2.4 km) suitable for most fitness levels. If you make it all the way down to the southern tip of the state, the Cairo Custom House Museum is a historically significant stop along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. The Oak Street Beach is one of the most unique and fun things to do in Illinois. Enjoy cocktails at Green Mill Jazz Club. With many interactive exhibits covering a wide range of topics including natural sciences, inventions, and discoveries as well as arts, the Science Center is a great day trip for the whole family. With its many parks and gardens, it is great for wandering through natural landscapes and enjoying the scenery. Fall is the ideal time to attend a festival and Illinois has you covered. Situated on Lake Michigan, Chicago is ideally located for enjoying the beautiful surrounding nature as well as the highlights of city life. Many of the beautiful waterfalls are frozen, making exploring the state parks of Starved Rock and Matthiessen even more unique and interesting. Canopy Tours are an exciting and unique way to experience the forest from a different point of view. For our full list of winter activities in Illinois, see our more detailed post here. One of the most popular fall festivals in Illinois is the Apple n Pork Festival in Clifton. Experience the best of main street shopping and more. These are great for enjoying all the fun of the attractions with fewer crowds. Sip some wine and take in the view of Galena Cellar's Vineyard (Galena). Some highlights include the 16th Century style Ravenstone Castle, Bettendorf Castle which was modeled after the original Vianden Castle in Luxembourg, and Old Main Castle, built in a traditional Gothic style. Another great option is Oak Street Beach with its white sands and clear waters. There are also many shops in this area, including a number of flagship stores, international designers, and boutiques. For golfing enthusiasts, it can be an interesting experience as there is a range of types of courses available throughout the state. To find out more about the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, click through to see our more detailed post. Rich Harvest Farms is a more modern, but very unique course in that it has been designed purely to suit the whims of the billionaire owner, meaning it doesnt always fit regulation standards. Set just outside Chicago you'll find the affluent suburb of Northbrook, where filmmaker John Hughes once called home and which inspired the setting for many of his cult classics such as "Sixteen Candles," "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and "The Breakfast Club." You can also check out the Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery for farm-fresh goat cheese and goat's milk gelato tremendous additions to any picnic. When visiting Illinois, the Science Center is perfect for children of all ages and offers both day camps as well as standard visiting hours. Illinois has many unique historic bridges and with many still standing today, visiting them can be a fun and interesting activity. Look beyond the large chains to find boutique hotels, mom-and-pop shops and locally owned restaurants for a truly romantic getaway to small-town America. If youve already decided to visit Illinois, it might now be time to narrow down which areas of the state to visit. Many of the wineries have a cozy, rustic yet gourmet feel and offer a wide selection of wines. From here, the nearly 400-acre Chicago Botanic Garden is just 10 miles away in Glencoe and makes for a scenic way to pass an afternoon; look for special nighttime events like Lightscape, an after-dark illuminated trail ideal for hand-holding during the winter holiday season. While you're browsing for something special, peek into bakery-meets-wine bar Bread & Vine or fuel up with a cup of joe from Galena Roasters. Arts & Culture, Close to Pere Marquette State Park, Grafton is blessed with amazing autumn foliage and stunning rock formations within easy reach. Visitors are sometimes surprised to hear that Illinois has many stunning waterfalls, but with the range of well-preserved state parks and rock formations, it is really no surprise. Bask in pure luxury at this gorgeous bed and breakfast in Galena. Table games, more than 800 slot machines and dining options make this a potentially late night out. Recent patrons praise the variety of brews and the fact that the menu accommodates those of all tastes, including vegetarians and small kids. For those more interested in the history of Lincoln, following the Lincoln and Civil War Legacy Trail in Alton could be a fun and informative activity. If you are planning a romantic couples trip, Illinois is an ideal place with a variety of things to do. To make your choice of which state park, or parks, to visit, see our post on the top state parks in Illinois here. Allowing the both of you to enjoy some pampering together is a great way to connect without any stresses of daily life interfering. Nestled in the Chain O'Lakes region of Illinois is Cypress Resort & Marine, a great escape for couples looking for a lakeside retreat. Lincoln Park Zoo is located inside the beautiful Lincoln Park and is a great addition to a day at the park. A fun schedule of events at the museum includes film series like the Richard Pryor Film Festival and activities like Yoga Under the Stars. Airbnb in Clifton, Cape Town: 11 great places to stay in 2023, What are the best Airbnbs in Tokyo? However, hiking isnt limited to just the state parks. , couples will be engulfed in a romantic couples Resort Illinois has you covered a retreat. Giant city state Park, and activities like Yoga Under the Stars contains links. District, every room is down which areas of the state parks fun museums and tours the! As there is a unique museum covering the beginnings and development of the skyline or the historic landmark,... And enjoying the scenery wandering through natural landscapes and enjoying the scenery an easy miles..., bus and driving whose name means `` beautiful city '' in for... During the heat of summer pool and trails on the shore the machinery,... 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