But the Galena end of the highway yields to no other area in its River Road attractions. Fermanagh Lakelands - for incredible views of Lough Erne. Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive - Pass through six beautiful Wisconsin counties and 50,000 acres when you explore the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive. If you time it right, you can end your day watching the sun go down over the Big Muddy at Savanna. Here are 15 of the best scenic drives in Illinois for you to take on your next road trip. Scenic Drives Carroll County Carroll County Barn Quilt Trail Various locations Carroll County, IL Barn quilts enhance the beauty of the countryside and are enjoyed by those who pass by. Even if you just drive right through, youll enjoy the serene Illinois woodlands, forests, and wetlands. One of the most scenic stretches of highway in the entire USA. AllTrails/Taylor Tuomey. Things To Do There are also loads of other historical tidbits along the route ranging from Civil War heroes, river pirates, and more. If being near water calms your soul then you wont want to miss out on spending time near the Illinois River. Visit the largest state park in Illinois and one untouched by glaciers that once blanketed much of the state. Route 66, otherwise known as Main Street of America or Mother Road is one of the original and most famous highways in the United States and one of the most scenic byways in Illinois. The river looked very beautiful, and the leaves were changing colors. From there take US 30 west to the Mississippi River. Make sure to check out the event calendar to see what kind of special activities are happening along this beautiful drive in Illinois. While it doesnt boast an intimidating amount of driving miles (only nine miles, to be exact) you will still enjoy driving through about 1,700 lush acres of bountiful gardens and trees. 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! Wind through this 140-mile backroad, and you'll find more than 20 amazing Illinois attractions that everyone must visit. 1999 Wisconsin Act 9 directed the Wisconsin Department of Transportation . In fact, eight of the 126 America's Byways are right here in our state. This project was funded in whole or in part through a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation, This project was funded in whole or in part through a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation. About Advocate Aurora Health. Use our easy Lodging Search to find exactly the type of accommodation you are looking for at the right price. THINGS TO DO 550 miles packed with adventure! By the editors of MidwestLiving.com In addition to wine, the drive is filled with trails, creeks and lakes, small cabins, and sprawling orchards. Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway. The downtown area here is meticulously preserved in its historical state, and there are plentiful things to doGrant Park, the Ulysses Grant Home, a three-state view from Horseshoe Mound, and the Blaum Brothers Distillery. You are in The national byway preserves the nature along the river, providing amazing views of serene Illinois woodlands and wetland as well as prairies and lakes, which makes it perfect for nature lovers. 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. Beginning with America's First Mile in Fort Kent, Maine, U.S. Route 1 stretches the length of the eastern United States for more than 2,400 miles from Maine to Key West. places in Illinois where you can spot eagles during winter. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. If you are looking for more hikes in Northern Illinois, click here. With about 300 miles of highway in Illinois alone, you could make a whole day of sight seeing. 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. Click here to view all the guides avialable for Illinois. Learn more about the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway on the website. Along your drive, you'll see the convergence of the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois Rivers, gorgeous limestone river bluffs, glorious trees, and local plants. Plan on visiting in October if you want to participate in the countys annual drive event and witness the activities and entertainment. Enjoy observing wildlife in their natural habitat or pull out the trusty snowmobile during the winter and check out 61.5 miles of pristine, snowy trails. FourSquare/Alex N. Start off your scenic drive with a visit to this old-fashioned soda fountain, tucked in Saults Drug Store in Fulton. Whether youre cruising the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River or winding through charming towns in the countryside, there are over 57,000 square miles of Illinois roads to explore. Sign up for our daily email to stay up to date with Illinois politics. #4 Illinois Ultimate Scenic Rivers Route Illinois Rivers Route is an illustrious 140-mile road that stretches along the Illinois River. 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. All Rights Reserved. list of more small cities in Illinois that are worth a visit. Read more about these and other Southern Illinois State Parks here. Read our full coverage on Peorias Grand View Drive to learn more. We've mapped out the drives and included several must-see scenic pit stops along the routes. Lovely small communities and towns in farm country with something new around every bend. Grandview Drive, Grandview Dr, Peoria, IL, USA. Plan Your Trip Priceless. Illinois Tourist Information Centers Beautiful winding river through farm country thats peaceful and quiet. Get the Guide Roadside Attractions Classic Cars Scenic Drives Travel Illinois Stories from the Road Outdoors Unlock the Secrets of Starved Rock It also sits along the Illinois River and you can hike to an overlook to get sweeping vistas of the water. If you are a Republican fan, a fan of Reagan's or just love history, this is a wonderful tribute to a great man. Go-Illinois.net, part of The Go Travel Sites family, is among the largest websites covering travel and vacationing in Illinois. Learn more about The Morton Arboretum on the website. This scenic drive through Missouri's Ozark hill country cuts right through the heart of the Mark Twain National Forest, full of hardwoods and pines. At the confluence of the Illinois and Fox rivers, Ottawa marks the northeast gateway to the Illinois River Road. Were already there.. Location South Dakota. In 1912, the idea of roads as fast transportation did not exist in America. McHenry County is a picturesque landscape of expansive vistas, fertile farmlands, ancient oak groves, historic homes, and winding waterways. One of Chicago's most attractive attractions. Doing the road one way is just half the funits a new and different experience retracing your drive the other direction, and one youll enjoy just as much. Searching for 55+ Communities on Retirenet.com is simple and easy. If you love the idea of a good old-fashioned Sunday drive then youll love getting into the car and heading down Grand View Drive in Peoria. Not only does it span the entire state, but this famous road actually begins at Lake Itasca in Northern Minnesota and winds the length of the country as it follows the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico. Step back in time to the golden age of train travel and settle in for a peaceful ride to discover some of Illinois most charming towns and hidden treasures. I especially loved the Corpus Christi Church in Galesburg which was built in 1832 and is just a beautiful display of architecture. Lake Shore Drive, or Outer Drive, is a multilevel expressway that runs alongside Lake Michigan through the city of Chicago. IMN Heaven Ranch is located within Majors Ranch, comprised of numerous large acreage parcels with varied terrain. Hop out of the car and snack at one of the picnic tables, then try a hike. turn left onto Route 30 and stay on the road as it becomes Illinois 83, then . Check out antique shops, artist studios, and local farmers markets along the way. They capture rich history, and unique landscapes, and feature the fascinating but often overlooked communities that cherish and celebrate these scenic routes. Besides the history; the lovely scenery; the bountiful fertility of the region giving rise to wineries, farm-to-table dining, fun-packed U-pick orchards, pumpkin, strawberry and sweet corn destinations, half the fun is just in getting there. This is an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites without extra cost to you. One day we were driving to Galena Cellars Vineyard along Stagecoach Trail. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. It,s a nice relief to get off the interstate roads. Each issue offers a mix of travel stories, stunning photography and timely trip ideas that make the most of each season. Galena in the north and Cairo to the south. Have you ever been up and down these roads? The entire stretch is filled with kitschy roadside relics, museums, classic midwestern food, drive-in theaters and restaurants, and 1940s charm, Ottawa, Illinois to the north and ending in Havana in the south, The River Road Byway is one of the most scenic drives in Illinois because of the astounding natural beauty of its wetland prairies, hardwood forests, woodland seeps, diverse wildlife, and winding river, A historic stretch of road that showcases charming towns and communities and the countrys first transcontinental highway, This is a quintessential Midwest scenic drive showcasing the unique culture of rural heritage, Located in the city of Peoria, Grandview Drive stretches from Prospect Road to Illinois Route 29, Dubbed the worlds most beautiful drive by President Roosevelt in 1910, Grandview Drive is the shortest on this list but well worth the trip, The drive takes you through Fulton County, beginning in Astoria and ending in London Mills, There are plenty of attractions along this drive to keep the entire family entertained, Venture into the Shawnee National Forest for delicious wine, untouched natural beauty, and some of the best hiking in Illinois, Begin in New haven and end in Cairo where the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers converge, From natural splendor, heartland farming, and the vast river to the charming communities that call this region home, the Ohio River Scenic Byway has something for everyone, Also known as the Road that Built the Nation, Historic National Road was built in 1806 and opened Illinois to settlement, It begins in Hartford on Illinois Route 3 and New Poag Road and ends in Grafton at Pere Marquette State Park, The great meeting of the rivers is the point of convergence for three great rivers: The Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois rivers. 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