Best Summer Road Trips In Illinois

ILLINOIS — National Road Trip Day is May 28 and the Illinois Office of Tourism has released over 60 sample road trip itineraries to get you started on your journey.

After a year of mandated staying at home, AAA released predictions that Memorial Day weekend would see 60 percent more travelers than last year. If you plan to join the growing number of people looking to reconnect with the outside world, take a look at some of these trips, which can be anywhere from one day to one week.

Arts & Culture:

• The Birthplace of the Road Trip — The legendary Route 66 begins in Illinois and offers over 300 miles of roadside attractions, vintage charm and I-Spy sessions. This itinerary includes pit stops in Pontiac, Joliet and Springfield.
  • STOPS AT: Chicago, Joliet, Pontiac, Springfield, Collinsville, Grafton.
• Illinois’ African American History — This itinerary pulls from hundreds of Illinois museums that focus on African American history. Bronzeville in Chicago and Jacksonville down state make this route rich in history and legacy.
  • STOPS AT: Downtown Chicago, Bronzeville, Oak Brook, Lombard, Wheaton, Springfield, Jacksonville, Alton.

Adventure With Friends:

• Girls Trip to Galena — This 3-day, 70 mile trip includes trolley rides, hot air balloons and plenty of wine tastings. For a scenic route that ends in a drive down Historic Main Street, Galena is the best place to start.
  • STOPS AT: Galena, Shenandoah Riding Center.
• Destination Shawnee — From ziplining and horseback riding adventures to hikes surrounded by majestic rock formations, there's no better place to explore the outdoors than the Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois. Local breweries and wine tastings along the way make this the perfect couples trip for the wild at heart.
  • STOPS AT: Cache River Wetlands, Shawnee Country Forest Area, Metropolis.

Old-Fashioned Fun:

• Roadside Distractions — The larger-than-life statues and signs you may have seen as a kid are still family favorites. White squirrels, pink elephants, sasquatches, giants, supermen — they all call Illinois home. If you're looking for quirky photo opportunities, this weeklong trip is for you.
  • STOPS AT: Chicago, Pontiac, Springfield, Collinsville, Chester, Metropolis, Olney, Casey, Rockford.
• Instant Childhood Memories — If you want to fit as much fun into as short a time as possible, Chicago's surrounding cities have major attractions that you've got to check off your list. From amusement park thrills, captivating museums, gorgeous gardens and splash-filled stays, you can't go wrong with this traditional vacation.
  • STOPS AT: Gurnee, Lake County, Rockford.
• All The President's Men — Illinois was home to four former presidents. Follow in their paths and see how their towns and communities led them to the White House. This trip goes deeper than a day in Springfield.
  • STOPS AT: Springfield, Eureka, Tampico, Dixon, Galena, Chicago.

Architecture:

• Enter the Architectural Revolution — Illinois' architecture is a surprising hidden gem. While Chicago is home to a towering skyline, other famous architects and styles used Illinois as the blueprint for some of their most famous work. Check out the structures in a socially-distanced way.
  • STOPS AT: Chicago, Oak Park, Rockford, Geneva, Plano, Kankakee, Springfield.
• The Wright Stuff — Illinois is a larger-than-life gallery filled with many of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural masterpieces. Tour 13 of his most renowned buildings, including two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and experience the sites designed by the legend himself.
  • STOPS AT: Chicago, Oak Park, Rockford, Kankakee, Springfield.