Just a short trip from Chicago, the Chicago Botanic Garden is a 385-acre complex of flora, footbridges and waterways.See more..
5.0Grand View Drive(291 reviews) - Most Beautiful! Spent < 1 hour Scenic Drives • Scenic Walking Areas
Grand View Drive is undoubtedly a very beautiful site to visit and to enjoy -- it's 2,5 miles of smooth driving on a waving road, flanked by a lavish residential area in the west and fantastic panoramic views of the Illinois River in the east. Pedestrian walk runs parallel to the road, the top of the steep bank is very well maintained and nicely landscaped, and picnic areas with benches and tables add more comfort to the scenery of sheer beauty. The place is popular with walkers (including the pets), runners, bikers, people of all ages, really. Tourists usually visit Grand View Drive too, and take tons of photos! Grand View Drive was constructed between 1910 ~ 1925, it is listed on the US National Register of Historic Places (1996), and the US President Theodore Roosevelt called it "the world's most beautiful drive". It most certainly is. Love Grand View Drive!See more..
4.5Downtown St. Charles(129 reviews) - Charming River Town Spent More than 3 hours Scenic Walking Areas
Discover your City Side! Downtown St. Charles is home to two theatres, five breweries, one cidery, boutique shopping, award winning events, and an endless array of dining options. Enjoy riverfront views on the patios of our great restaurants, easy accessibility with over 2,000 parking spots and so much more.See more..
4.5Cedarhurst Center for the Arts(90 reviews) - Always fun! Sunday: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Paint & Pottery Studios • Lessons & Workshops • Art Museums • Scenic Walking Areas
Cedarhurst celebrates the arts year-round with exciting visual/performing arts, galleries, outdoor sculptures, classes, Music, & Art & Craft Fair.See more..
Nice walk by the riverfront. Good place to walk around and enjoy the Dixon riverfront stores. Several unique shops to explore.See more..
4.0The Big Yardstick(17 reviews) - Still a yard stick? Spent < 1 hour Architectural Buildings • Monuments & Statues • Scenic Walking Areas
I thought this was cool, but my friend questioned how it's a yard stick if it's larger than a yard...but it did take up their whole yard ;-)See more..
4.5Jefferson County Historical Village(15 reviews) - A sweet stop. Great people! Spent 1-2 hours Historic Walking Areas • Scenic Walking Areas
We came upon this by accident but it looked interesting so we stopped. It happened to be a day there was an ice cream social. The staff greeted us very warmly. They are volunteer caretakers and docents who were very friendly and helpful. I consider the village to be a museum, with replica and authentic cabins and structures from the 1800s. A walking path connects them and our tour was mostly self-guided. There is a hospital, a school, a church, a print shop, a blacksmith shop (we could smell it before we arrived) and others complete with antique equipment and furniture from the time period. Some buildings are air conditioned. The main building seems to house county historical information as well as some interesting items and photos. The setting is very shaded and pleasant. There is no admission but we made a donation in the box upon entry.See more..
5.0Glacial Park(5 reviews) - Great oasis Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas • Scenic Walking Areas
Great place to enjoy a quiet hike with beautiful scenery. Loved the variety of wildflowers as well as the different settings from the Marsh to the Kames. Bring mosquito spray. Restrooms in parking lot were well-maintained. See more..
4.5Sugar Grove Nature Center(5 reviews) - A place to retreat Sunday: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Scenic Walking Areas
Sugar Grove Nature Center is a beautiful, remote place to pause the speedy wheel of time and reflect upon the things that matter. It is situated in the middle of Funk's Grove, a place laden with wildlife, winged creatures, and flora galore. Be sure to bring a camera.See more..
5.0Crow Island Woods(3 reviews) - The best place to have a family gathering or hike.... Scenic Walking Areas
This park is the finest place for a family reunion or a class reunion. The shelter and large fields are perfect!See more..
4.5Twin Groves Wind Farm(3 reviews) - Windy Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Scenic Walking Areas
Good place to view all the wind turbines everyone complains about. Don't blink trying to find it you might miss the viewing point.See more..
5.0Cliff View Park(2 reviews) - What a view! Spent < 1 hour Lookouts • Scenic Walking Areas
View to dead for. Lovely drive to & from the park. Part of the Shawnee Wine Trail. A must stop when in the areaSee more..
4.5Trail Of Hope(2 reviews) - Exodus of Nauvoo Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Scenic Walking Areas
This is the trail that the members of the early pioneer took when they were driven from their homes by mobs, threatening to kill them and their families. Along the trail are quotes from journals and letters of some of these early Saints as they left there homes and the temple they had sacrificed so much for to construct. Their courage and faith is unbelievable and inspiring.See more..
3.0Fort Edwards(1 review) - I almost missed it... Historic Sites • Scenic Walking Areas
It is a state memorial in the Warsaw, IL but it is very poorly designated. Whe I was there, I couldn't find it on google (maybe Internet was slow...but than I had to actually report it to google so hopefully future visitors will get there with no trouble). There was no signage for this fort when on my way driving to it from the Quincy, IL - from the southside...poor signage and than the view (on Mississippi River and 3 states meeting nearby ) is spectacular from its location but there is no benches, parking is poor....I was kind of thinking that this spot was neglected . Too bad, it should be more inviting for tourists. Warsaw could make money on it!See more..
Tiny Elsah(0 review) Historic Sites • Mysterious Sites • Scenic Walking Areas See more..
