Do you have a long weekend coming up and looking to explore some of what the Prairie State has to offer? Well, there’s a lot to explore here, but we’ve narrowed it down to a list of just seven places to get you started. Whether you prefer the hustle and bustle of city life or want to slow down a bit out in nature, here are a few ideas for some memorable long weekend getaways in Illinois.
- Explore the canyons and waterfalls at Starved Rock State Park
Todd Ryburn Photography/Moment Collection via Getty Images Considered the best state park in Illinois, Starved Rock is a place of wonder. Throughout its 1,630 acres, you’ll find 13 miles of trails, many of which lead to extraordinary canyons with waterfalls. To make a weekend out of it, consider spending the night at the historic Starved Rock Lodge located right in the park! Starved Rock State Park, 2678 E 875th Rd, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA
- Visit the towns along the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway
cwillini/TripAdvisor At 33 miles, the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway is a smaller portion of the 550-mile Great River Road and takes travelers on a breathtaking journey through the area where the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois Rivers meet. Start the journey at the Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower, then travel the road and stop at the small towns along the way. The byway eventually ends at Pere Marquette State Park. If you need a place to spend the night, try the Pere Marquette Lodge in Grafton. Grafton, IL 62037, USA
- Galena
Steve_Gadomski/ iStock via Getty Images Plus We can never say enough good things about Galena! With its history, scenery, and incredible downtown area with numerous shops, restaurants, and place to stay, you can certainly spend an entire weekend getting to know this charming town. Read our previous coverage to find out why Galena is a top choice for weekend getaways. Galena, IL 61036, USA
- Chicago
Bjarte Rettedal/Stone Collection via Getty Images Whether you’re visiting for the weekend or live in the city and want to explore it on a staycation, Chicago offers plenty to see and do. From award-winning restaurants, world-class museums, stunning architecture, and an endless list of attractions, Chicago is a perfect place to explore over a long weekend. Chicago, IL, USA
- Check out the wineries along the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail
Shawnee Hills Wine Trail/Facebook Throughout the Shawnee Hills wine country in southern Illinois, you can take a weekend to explore the wineries and small towns along the route. Featuring 11 wineries over the course of 40 miles, you’ll enjoy the scenery and wine tastings along the way. There are even a few wineries that offer accommodations. You can read about those wineries in this post. Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, 2865 Hickory Ridge Rd, Pomona, IL 62975, USA
- Have a blast visiting all the big things in the small town of Casey
Big Things in A Small Town/Facebook Casey, Illinois, may be small in stature – but it’s home to many big things. In fact, a dozen of the large objects found around town are in the Guinness Book of World Records! You’ll have a blast exploring Casey and taking photos of all the massive attractions here. You can learn more in this post. Casey, IL 62420, USA
- Explore Illinois’ capital city
tacojim/E+ Collection via Getty Images If you want to explore a city, but one that’s not as big as Chicago, Springfield is an excellent place for a getaway. As the state’s capital city, there’s plenty of historical sites, inns, and restaurants. You can check out this post for a fun weekend itinerary in Springfield. Springfield, IL, USA
Where do you prefer your long weekend getaways in Illinois? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Todd Ryburn Photography/Moment Collection via Getty Images
Considered the best state park in Illinois, Starved Rock is a place of wonder. Throughout its 1,630 acres, you’ll find 13 miles of trails, many of which lead to extraordinary canyons with waterfalls. To make a weekend out of it, consider spending the night at the historic Starved Rock Lodge located right in the park!
Starved Rock State Park, 2678 E 875th Rd, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA
cwillini/TripAdvisor
At 33 miles, the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway is a smaller portion of the 550-mile Great River Road and takes travelers on a breathtaking journey through the area where the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois Rivers meet. Start the journey at the Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower, then travel the road and stop at the small towns along the way. The byway eventually ends at Pere Marquette State Park. If you need a place to spend the night, try the Pere Marquette Lodge in Grafton.
Grafton, IL 62037, USA
Steve_Gadomski/ iStock via Getty Images Plus
We can never say enough good things about Galena! With its history, scenery, and incredible downtown area with numerous shops, restaurants, and place to stay, you can certainly spend an entire weekend getting to know this charming town. Read our previous coverage to find out why Galena is a top choice for weekend getaways.
Galena, IL 61036, USA
Bjarte Rettedal/Stone Collection via Getty Images
Whether you’re visiting for the weekend or live in the city and want to explore it on a staycation, Chicago offers plenty to see and do. From award-winning restaurants, world-class museums, stunning architecture, and an endless list of attractions, Chicago is a perfect place to explore over a long weekend.
Chicago, IL, USA
Shawnee Hills Wine Trail/Facebook
Throughout the Shawnee Hills wine country in southern Illinois, you can take a weekend to explore the wineries and small towns along the route. Featuring 11 wineries over the course of 40 miles, you’ll enjoy the scenery and wine tastings along the way. There are even a few wineries that offer accommodations. You can read about those wineries in this post.
Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, 2865 Hickory Ridge Rd, Pomona, IL 62975, USA
Big Things in A Small Town/Facebook
Casey, Illinois, may be small in stature – but it’s home to many big things. In fact, a dozen of the large objects found around town are in the Guinness Book of World Records! You’ll have a blast exploring Casey and taking photos of all the massive attractions here. You can learn more in this post.
Casey, IL 62420, USA
tacojim/E+ Collection via Getty Images
If you want to explore a city, but one that’s not as big as Chicago, Springfield is an excellent place for a getaway. As the state’s capital city, there’s plenty of historical sites, inns, and restaurants. You can check out this post for a fun weekend itinerary in Springfield.
Springfield, IL, USA
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
