The river looked very beautiful, and the leaves were changing colors. It stretches 15.83 miles from Hollywood Avenue or 5700 North to Marquette Drive and Jefferey Drive at 6600 South and is often described as the "most scenic roadway in the country" as it embraces the lakefront, the city's skyline and most major tourist attractions. Illinois' seven national Scenic Byways: the Great River Road, the Lincoln Highway, Meeting of the Great Rivers, Historic National Road in Illinois, Ohio River Scenic Route, Illinois River Road and Historic Route 66 offer every traveler convenient and informative ways to experience the diversity of scenery offered throughout our great state. For the stout of heart, theres a narrow rope suspension bridge to cross and zip line adventures. While this region of southern Illinois definitely can feel off the grid, there is no shortage of restaurants offering tasty meals after a day of driving, hiking, or wine tasting. The River Road National Scenic Byway showcases Illinois natural wonders and theyre truly breathtaking. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Explore Ulysses S. Grants home, the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area, and the home of Popeye. Starting in the state's southern delta, drive north to Pine Bluff, with museums, history, and numerous family-friendly attractions.. Continue to Little Rock, and explore the state capital and the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum. Insider tip: If you enough time we would advise you to spend a weekend in Grafton. Here is a list of scenic drives in Central Illinois. This incredible route is the iconic American road trip. 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. From red and yellow trees to roads dusted with vibrant leaves, this is an incredibly scenic fall drive in Northern Illinois. All Rights Reserved. Get inspired by top travel stories, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois. Galena in the north and Cairo to the south. 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. But now it connects Galena with the beauty of the whole region. After I came out of the Adler Planetarium the weather changed but even that got a good photo. Plan on visiting in October if you want to participate in the countys annual drive event and witness the activities and entertainment. 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. #4 Illinois Ultimate Scenic Rivers Route Illinois Rivers Route is an illustrious 140-mile road that stretches along the Illinois River. Whitefish, Montana. Enjoy the slow-moving waters of the Illinois River, the roadside stands selling fruits and vegetables, and the cultural history of the Native Americans, French explorers, and American settlers that built their communities around this river. Spanning a total of 20 miles, this beautiful route starts near Cross Village, eventually taking visitors up and along a bluff that towers over Lake Michigan. Garden of the Gods in Shawnee National ForestCave in Rock State ParkSuperman Statue in Metropolis, Old Chain of Rocks BridgeOriginal Brick RoadHenry's Rabbit Ranch, 3. Simply a refreshing, beautiful drive no matter the time of the year. Midwest Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. TheGreat River Road, which travels along the Mississippi River, has countless o Fall is when many of the states best qualities truly shine. Part of HuffPost News. It's a 39-mile loop drive with 16 designated scenic overlooks and eight hiking trails. Experience what the American Dream really felt like while driving along legendary Route 66. Interested in historic sites? Curves twisting through walls of rugged rock pinnacles, buttes, and multi-colored spires. 4. There are many riverside attractions in Illinois along the road such as Cahokia Mounds, an ancient Native American settlement that is a must-see for all. The ranch is situated on the front range minutes from I-25 and Highway 160, which crosses Colorado from east to west. 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. Along the way youll pass Hanover (site of Whistling Wings, a mallard duck hatchery), Blackhawk and Marcus, not to mention Hanover Bluff Nature Preserve and Palisades State Park. around Illinois. This is truly one of the most remarkable Illinois byways to drive. We offer a compact version of Go-Illinois for mobile users, allowing you to access just the information you need on the road. The road has its northern source near Galena before tracking the Mississippi River all the way to Cairo, at the far south end of the state. Download a PDF map of the favorite Fall Color Drives. 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 endpoint is in Cairo, an abandoned town that is packed with history. 10 - Great River Road Flickr user: Dave Herholz Starting Location: East Dubuque, IL Ending Location: Cairo, IL Length: 543 miles Best Season to Drive: All See this drive on Google Maps It has run every year since 1968, attracting tourists from all over to drive through 17 little towns and appreciate the local history and culture while being surrounded by fall colors. 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. Things To Do
Lake Shore Drive's origins date to 1882 when hotel magnate Potter Palmer built his "castle" at 1350 North Lake Shore Drive and coerced the city to build the street adjacent to his lakefront property to enhance its value. It stretches 15.83 miles from Hollywood Avenue or 5700 North to Marquette Drive and Jefferey Drive at 6600 South and is often described as the "most scenic roadway in the country" as it embraces the lakefront, the city's skyline and most major tourist attractions. A great stop is at Tapley Woods Conservation Area. 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. Color Key: top-5 ranked routes in the state #1#2#3#4#5 Routes ranked below the top-5 are drawn in gray Newest Motorcycle Roads & Rides in Illinois When you travel through one of the most scenic Illinois byways, you are taking the same route the French explorers once did. Galena, the starting point, is well known for its well-preserved 19th-century buildings, ancient ceremonial sites, and delicious vineyards. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The roadside attractions along Route 66 were designed to attract travelers to local towns and businesses. If youre lucky, youll see some of the several stern-wheeler paddleboats plying the river down below, just like in old times. About Advocate Aurora Health. Beautiful winding river through farm country thats peaceful and quiet. 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. You are in The southern end is at Whitewater Lake in southeastern Walworth County. This remarkable historic drive offers numerous panoramic views of the Illinois River Valley. If you're not one to hit the black diamond slopes out in Colorado, Trail Ridge Road is your best way to see the Rocky Mountains. AllTrails/Taylor Tuomey. It is also known as "The Old Pike" or "The Road That Built the Nation" and it has existed since 1811, making it one of the oldest backroads in the state. 5 of the Best Scenic Drives Through Illinois. 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 . If you love a good, old fashioned drive through beautiful rural Illinois and have a spot thats your favorite we certainly want to hear about it in the comments. This area spans three different states: Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. The Great River Road is one of the most scenic road trips in the midwest. Go at night for the sunset! On your drive, youll likely see many of these community members on the land working hard on their harvest. 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. These are the 14 most scenic drives in the United States, from sea to shining sea. Picnic at a scenic overlook for lunch. Here, the Illinois forest crowds in close to the roadside, and low speeds and open windows will treat you to birdsong and the buzz, drone and plaintive croaks of a myriad of insects and hopping residents of the woods vernal pools. 1. Click here to view all the guides avialable for Illinois. A 300-mile stretch of American roadway, steeped in legend and packed full with e Drive some of Illinois oldest and greatest roads for classic Midwestern culture Get inspired by top travel stories, gain access to exclusive promotions and contests, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois. You can send yourself an email as well. At least one scenic byway runs through each of the IDOT regions. If you time it right, you can end your day watching the sun go down over the Big Muddy at Savanna. Read our full coverage on the Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway to learn more. If theres one problem we have on any of these Galena-area road trips, its remembering that there is no hurry. It was the widest and longest bascule bridge in the world when it was constructed in 1937, a year after LSD was completed by architect Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe. Request additional information, schedule a showing, save to your property organizer. We take your privacy seriously and will never sell your data to anyone. THINGS TO DO 550 miles packed with adventure! Initially, the land was an over 22,000 acre working cattle ranch, split in the 1990s into 172 parcels of 40 to . Location South Dakota. Get inspired by top travel stories, gain access to exclusive promotions and contests, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois. 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. Glacial Park in northern Illinois is a lesser-known park filled with wetlands formed by a glacier that was once here. Needles Highway (Highway 87), is found in the Black Hills of South Dakota, on a stretch of road through Custer State Park. Return to Main Site. Copyright 1997 - 2023 The Go Travel Sites. Learn more about Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail on the webpage. 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