Illinois
What you need to know before you go
Illinois is a Midwestern state in the middle of America’s heartland, bordering the Mississippi River to its west. While the region features vast forests, rolling hills, farms and wetlands, it’s widely known as the birthplace of America’s 21st-century intellectuals and innovations. Illinois represents the essential Middle America that has brought up great leaders and thinkers, including Presidents Lincoln and Obama, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Oprah Winfrey.
The scenic Great River Valley has a countryside dotted with historic towns, while the southern plains of Illinois are home to over 50 state parks. Starved Rock State Park is where you can enjoy spectacular scenery and learn about the US state’s Native American heritage. If you’re planning a city break, Chicago is the place to enjoy live blues and baseball games in Illinois.
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Chicago
Read itChicago will captivate you. You’ll marvel at its avant-garde, soaring skyscrapers, which give unparalleled views of their surroundings. Explore the Field Museum and the Art Institute before perusing the stores on Magnificent Mile, or spend a day cheering with baseball fans and a night munching on mouthwatering deep-dish pizza.
The city’s loftiest attraction is the world-famous Willis Tower. Imagine the thrill as you whiz up to the Skydeck on the 103rd floor. From there, take a heart-stopping step into The Ledge—a glass box that extends out 4 feet from the building—and enjoy jaw-dropping views of 4 states.
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