Hidden Gems Places To Visit in Illinois, United States


  1. 5.0 Edwards Place Historic Home (100 reviews)
    - Interesting and educational
    Historic Sites
    Edwards Place Historic Home image
    The tour guide was excellent. She was full of information and her presentation was very good. I love history so enjoyed it from that perspective. My wife loves old homes with unique furniture and architecture and she enjoyed it from that perspective. Glad we chose to visit. See more..
  2. 5.0 Awesome Ottawa Tours (98 reviews)
    - Take the walking Underground Railroad tour!
    Cultural Tours
    Awesome Ottawa Tours image
    The Underground Railroad tour was excellent. Tom captivated both guests from out of state and long-time Ottawa residents. We can’t recommend this tour highly enough! His research is thorough — and his breadth and depth of knowledge is impressive. We will definitely return for another tour soon! See more..
  3. 5.0 Grafton Zipline Adventures (96 reviews)
    - Far exceeded the expectation
    Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks
    Grafton Zipline Adventures image
    My daughter wanted a special birthday after covid killed our plans last year. Well she got her wish. Seven of the immediate family hit the zip lines and finished the day riding the ski life to the restaurant for a scenic dinner. Zak and Dek were great guides on the zip lines, staying professional while playfully reassuring the family chickens how safe they were. Thus, everyone had a great time and vowed to do it again real soon... thanks guys... you rock. Dinner was amazing and two bottles of delicious wine was just the right way to top it all off. AERIE'S RESORT in Grafton is a must stop on any river adventure See more..
  4. 5.0 Battle House (95 reviews)
    - SUPER FUN
    Sunday: 10:45 AM - 7:30 PM Spent 2-3 hours Game & Entertainment Centers
    Battle House image
    Battle House Laser Combat provides an absolutely thrilling, adrenaline pumping, calorie burning experience. We offer a massive, multi-story, 15,000 square foot gaming arena designated with the simple purpose of having fun for nearly all ages. Game play is virtually continuous for you and your teammates once you complete the initial briefing and training process. Equipment is realistic, state of the art, fast, accurate and fun. Regular business hours and gameplay are held on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays but we will book upon request for the weekdays for your event. Call us to explore this option further! See more..
  5. 5.0 Nauvoo Temple (93 reviews)
    - Wow, you can see this from everywhere when in Mauvoo
    Spent < 1 hour Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals
    Nauvoo Temple image
    It is not a regular church. It is a Mormon temple: so you can just walk in and visit like a regular church. Even if it is open. Tourists are not really welcomed inside but at the entry there is a lobby/ desk and you can ask for a brochure about its history and done interiors. Very impressive from outside . See more..
  6. 5.0 Adagio Teas (83 reviews)
    - Humongous Tea Selection
    Sunday: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM Speciality & Gift Shops
    Adagio Teas image
    Adagio Teas Old Orchard: A sensory playground of superior loose-leaf teas. Located in Skokie, IL. Sample any tea in our vast collection. Explore novel varieties and discover new favorites. Offering knowledgeable staff, top-notch tea, and a low-pressure shopping environment, we'd love to help guide your tea journey, at Adagio Teas Old Orchard. Book a tasting event for yourself or with friends and learn about what sets us and our teas apart. We buy our loose-leaf tea directly from the farmers who grow them, ensuring the ultimate experience in flavor and freshness. Create custom blends of teas and inclusions (fruits, flowers and herbs) to find a flavor that's uniquely yours. Want to drink and run? Enjoy tea-to-go. Available hot or iced, but always brewed fresh. Let us make your favorite or help you discover something new. Either way, we guarantee your enjoyment of fresh leaves, perfectly prepared. Come and let us share with you our passion for tea! See more..
  7. 5.0 Mermet Springs Scuba (77 reviews)
    - Best fresh water diving
    Scuba & Snorkelling
    Mermet Springs Scuba image
    Great place to dive in fresh water. There's so much to see below the surface. It does get cold when you get deep about 40-55 feet according to the time of year. Planning many more trips. See more..
  8. 5.0 Halim Time & Glass Museum (77 reviews)
    - Magnificent Museum
    Sunday: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums
    Halim Time & Glass Museum image
    The Halim Time & Glass Museum is a world class collection of historic timepieces, stained glass windows, and other decorative arts. Permanent exhibits include the American Stained Glass Masters, The Louis Comfort Tiffany Gallery and Clocks of the World. Our Museum Café Gallery hosts rotating exhibits as will our 3rd floor Special Exhibits Hall when it opens. See more..
  9. 5.0 River Bend Gallery (75 reviews)
    - Beautiful Artwork! Worth the time to visit the gallery
    Sunday: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Art Galleries
    River Bend Gallery image
    Exclusive home to Geoffrey Mikol's Nature scape photography. His artwork is stunning, catching elusive light that the eye sees but that cameras often miss. He has a talent for capturing moments in nature that still the soul and quiet your senses. See more..
  10. 5.0 Kruta Bakery (71 reviews)
    - best donuts in this world
    Sunday: Speciality & Gift Shops
    Kruta Bakery image
    The service is so friendly that it made my day. The donuts were so sweet and made fresh. The prices were very reasonable for the quality. See more..
  11. 5.0 Krannert Center for the Performing Arts (70 reviews)
    - Come join and fell the atmosphere of music
    Sunday: Theaters
    Krannert Center for the Performing Arts image
    Krannert Uncorked. My neighbor was playing. they were having Uncorked for about 4 thursdays in July. Packed with people of all ages. Large selection of wines, etc. I prefer not getting the house wines as they are very vinegary. Grab two wines so you don't have to wait in the line again. Get their very early to sit at a small table. there's open seating, as well as, tall tables towards the back. sound is great as they use the best equipment. usually two bands. One at 5 and one at 7pm. restrooms are always very clean and next to the venue. Below ground parking with large elevator. no charge for the underground parking. plenty of places to eat and drink around and next to Krannert. See more..
  12. 5.0 The Lory Theater (69 reviews)
    - Visiting The Lory Theater is more than the average movie going experience!
    Movie Theaters
    The Lory Theater image
    The newly reopened and remodeled Lory Theater is what all movie theaters should aspire to be! A friendly vibe welcomes you as you walk up to building and even friendlier employees when you walk through the doors. They show the same movies that are showing in the big chain theaters but the tickets and concessions are less expensive. They serve sodas from a local company in Breese (the makers of SKI) and I admire that they are supporting a local business. The employees behind the counter are extremely friendly and personable. You feel like you've made an instant friend! Before the show, the employees come out and perform and when you leave, you get a mint! My family frequents this incomparable establishment and highly recommends that you do too! :) See more..
  13. 5.0 Washburne House State Historic Site (68 reviews)
    - Galena's best kept secret
    Sunday: Historic Sites
    Washburne House State Historic Site image
    Volunteer tour guides give a warm welcome and leisurely tours of this authentically restored 1840s mansion where U.S. Grant received the news of his presidential win via a telegraph set up in the home's library. This was a real treat to see a family home from the period and not having it commercialized. Donations are appreciated and go for ongoing restoration projects. A must see while in Galena but it is only open on Friday mornings. Convenient parking. See more..
  14. 5.0 John Deere Harvester Works Factory Tour (64 reviews)
    - Factory tour.
    Sunday: Factory Tours
    John Deere Harvester Works Factory Tour image
    A tractor pulls visitors seated in open cars with everyone having a headset to hear the tour guide. The factory is huge and you get to watch every step in making the largest harvesting machine in the world. We got to walk up close to the painting operation and all our questions were answered by the tour guide, who was a retired Deere machinist See more..
  15. 5.0 Lincoln Heritage Museum (63 reviews)
    - Great museum on Lincoln
    Sunday: Spent 1-2 hours History Museums
    Lincoln Heritage Museum image
    This museum is fantastic. I enjoyed all the information in the first floor as well as the guided tour that Ron provided me on the second floor which story-tells the thoughts that may have gone through Abraham Lincoln's mind during his last hours. This small museum is a very good complement to the Lincoln Museum in Springfield and I am glad I was able to visit both. See more..
  16. 5.0 Rees Memorial Carillon (61 reviews)
    - Do the Tour!!
    Points of Interest & Landmarks
    Rees Memorial Carillon image
    Do the tour! The tour of the Carillon’s is about 30 minutes and you learn about how they’re played and how they came to be and how they’re made. Then if you can stay or come back for the concert when they play, it’s worth it. The concert is about another 30 minutes and sounds just wonderful. There are places to sit and relax and geese to feed too. The tour costs a nominal amount but listening to the Carillons is free. See more..
  17. 5.0 Urbana Public Library (60 reviews)
    - Great family library
    Sunday: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Libraries
    Urbana Public Library image
    I visit this library with my son on a fairly regular basis. The entire bottom level of the building is the children's library, and it is extensive with books, music and videos. There are interactive play areas for the kids and a few cute book nooks for reading. If you are planning to go check the library calendar for current events as there are often child-friendly performances and story hours. My only pet peeve is that you must pay to park, but that is everywhere in Champaign-Urbana. See more..
  18. 5.0 Monticello Railway Museum (60 reviews)
    - Top 10 things to do in Illinois
    Sunday: 11:30 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums
    Monticello Railway Museum image
    The Monticello Railway Museum is one of the best places to visit in Illinois period. Their collection is amazing. The pieces are incredibly restored. The staff are all very friendly and knowledgeable. The ride was the perfect length. My kids 5 & 7 loved it. We will be stopping frequently now. We really wish we’d visited sooner. The gift shop is also very nice in the old depot. The ride will quickly take you back to a time that was a much easier pace and things weren’t so hectic. I give this 5 stars. If you don’t love it you may just be impossible to please. See more..
  19. 5.0 Rim Rock Recreational Area (59 reviews)
    - Fun easy hike with the family
    Nature & Wildlife Areas
    Rim Rock Recreational Area image
    Really enjoyed out hike at rim rock. Highlights were fat man squeeze and the ox lot cave. It is a pretty easy hike, a bit of climbing down to get into the canyon and then back up at the end, but rest was pretty flat. Really enjoyed our visit. If you are running short on time, don't worry about the hike to the lake. See more..
  20. 5.0 Frank Lloyd Wright's Laurent House (59 reviews)
    - A unique Frank Lloyd Wright home with a wonderful backstory
    Speciality Museums
    Frank Lloyd Wright's Laurent House image
    The Laurent House in Rockford, IL is the only building ever designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for a person with a disability. Wright considered the home one of the best 35 works of his career. This single-story Usonian home is both functional and beautiful, decades ahead of ADA requirements. The home features a solar hemicycle footprint, patio, fishpond, carport, and outdoor connectivity to nature. See more..
  21. 5.0 Lake County Forest Preserves (59 reviews)
    - Great Resource for hundreds of activities for the whole family
    Forests
    Lake County Forest Preserves image
    Great forest preserves with many activities for the whole family. We love these forest preserves for hiking, camping and fun interactive activities. Check out the play dates with nature, Discovery Museum and Independence Grove hiking, play grounds, water sports for the whole family. See more..
  22. 5.0 Writers Theatre (57 reviews)
    - Parents Proud
    Sunday: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Theaters
    Writers Theatre image
    Writers Theatre boldly looks to the future as it begins its 31st season. Having captivated audiences for years with its dedication to creating the most intimate theatrical experience possible, the theatre is now a major Chicagoland cultural destination with a national reputation for excellence, being called “America’s finest regional theater company” by The Wall Street Journal. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Braden Abraham and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, the company is charting a path forward for the next 30 years. Since its founding in 1992, Writers Theatre has stayed true to its core values: valuing the power of the written word and uplifting the artists who bring that word to life. The company has produced over 120 productions—everything from inventive interpretations of classics to groundbreaking new work. In 2016, Writers Theatre opened a new, state-of-the-art facility designed by the internationally renowned Studio Gang Architects. See more..
  23. 5.0 Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in Movie Theatre (57 reviews)
    - Awesome staff and pet friendly what more could you ask for
    Sunday: 7:30 PM - 11:30 PM Spent More than 3 hours Movie Theaters
    Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in Movie Theatre image
    All American Drive-in Movie Theater showing the latest theatrical releases, plus affordable family entertainment. Multiple events over the course of the season, Open March through October each year. See more..
  24. 5.0 Marytown - The National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe (54 reviews)
    - A little piece of Rome...
    Points of Interest & Landmarks
    Marytown - The National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe image
    I have been going to Marytown for more than 5 years. A little piece of Rome right here in Northern Illinois! impressive Catholic art and architecture, beautiful Liturgy, friendly people. 24/7/365 Eucharistic Adoration. Outstanding Catholic gift shop open weekdays. Beautiful grounds and garden. (Note to "Dan C.": Do you go to a church for fun and snacks and to be entertained? Don't think so! Sorry you were "bored". Go to Great America next time, hey?) See more..
  25. 5.0 Utica Electric Bike Rental Inc (53 reviews)
    - A great experience
    Sunday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Bike Tours • Gear Rentals
    Utica Electric Bike Rental Inc image
    Ashley was great. My son and I chose a late tour at 4:30pm so we did not get to have a guided ride along however it was awesome navigating on our own. Ashley provided directions for the I & M Canal trails in both directions which we took and since the instructions was bit much as well as overwhelming, she gave me her cellphone number just in case. Although, we did not have to use it, I felt it was very thoughtful of her to extend it to me. Overall, the experience was great and a first for us and I would recommend this tour to anyone that plans to visit the area. See more..
  26. 5.0 Tighthead Brewing Company (52 reviews)
    - Great Beers and Neighborly Locals
    Sunday: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Breweries
    Tighthead Brewing Company image
    Taste great local beers, created and brewed on-site. If you enjoyed them, you can take home your own growler. Easy, friendly ambience, noise-level is moderate. Beer is a delicious range for every beer palette. See more..
  27. 5.0 Cave In Rock Ferry (50 reviews)
    - Neat ride and something different
    Spent < 1 hour Ferries
    Cave In Rock Ferry image
    Maybe I'm weird but I think this is so cool, and interesting to watch! We had a very short wait on both sides, but I enjoyed watching the workers and everything they have to do for each trip across the river, and how they deal with the current of the river. It amazed me that we were loaded with a semi truck so close that we could reach out the window and touch it. We went across to Kentucky to visit the Amish stores, but they were closed until March. But we would have done the ferry anyway. We got some neat pictures of the river and it's a great view of Cave-in Rock as you cross! See more..
  28. 5.0 Rusty Wallace Racing Experience, Chicago Speedway (49 reviews)
    - Birthday gift
    Auto Racing Tracks
    Rusty Wallace Racing Experience, Chicago Speedway image
    I bought this as a birthday gift for my husband, who is a fan of all cars and of fast driving, but not a big Nascar fan. He loved the ride along, which he said really got his heart pumping because the car never stopped drifting. When he drove himself, he said it was a little annoying with the instructor in his ear telling him to slow down one second and close the gap the next. When he was finally able to pass the slower car in front of him, he really enjoyed himself, but by then, he only had a little more than one lap left. All in all, he understood why the constraints, but it wasn't all it could have been for the price. See more..
  29. 5.0 Giant Bird Cage (47 reviews)
    - Thoughtfully Made Birdcage
    Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks
    Giant Bird Cage image
    This was more than a bird cage. The swing inside was a nice touch and I love the bible scripture verse inscribed on top of the cage to give a thought to ponder. "Look at the birds of the air; They Do not sow or reap or store away in barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than them? See more..
  30. 5.0 Escapade 360 (47 reviews)
    - Most unique escape rooms!
    Sunday: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Escape Games
    Escapade 360 image
    Escapade 360 is the leading escape room center serving Elgin, South Elgin, St. Charles, Schaumburg, Naperville, Crystal Lake, Arlington Heights and surrounding areas since 2017. We pride ourselves in the quality of our rooms, you will not be disappointed after completing any of our four escape rooms to choose from, which are available for birthday parties, corporate events, family entertainment, and much more. For your next escape room adventure, contact Escapade 360 in Elgin today! See more..
  31. 5.0 Accelerate Axe (44 reviews)
    - Melvin review
    Sunday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Game & Entertainment Centers
    Accelerate Axe image
    Melvin was a great coach loved playing against him he made it easy to learn and the games were a lot of fun too See more..
  32. 5.0 Fountaindale Public Library (44 reviews)
    - A Treasure for Bolingbrook, IL.
    Libraries
    Fountaindale Public Library image
    Providing resources for all ages. Exceeds Expectations. More than you could imagine - stop-in and ask for a tour... See more..
  33. 5.0 Big River Fly Fishing (40 reviews)
    - Legit best option to catch Smallmouth in Illinois
    Fishing Charters & Tours
    Big River Fly Fishing image
    We went fly fishing with Will and highly recommend Big River Fly if you want to catch Smallmouth in IL. From start to finish, Will was helpful to ensure we had an enjoyable time on the river. He even let me borrow sunglasses since I left mine in the truck. He gave us a short cast lesson when we got on the boat to build on our prior trout fishing experience and gave us helpful feedback throughout. Will shared a ton of knowledge about fishing but also the local habitat and area. Oh yea, and Will put us on fish! See more..
  34. 5.0 World Shooting & Recreational Complex (40 reviews)
    - Never Miss The Grand American, 43 years Straight
    Shooting Ranges
    World Shooting & Recreational Complex image
    Sparta, Il. has a gorgeous facility. Never ending traps, well kept equipment. Illinois needs to market this facility. It has full RV hook-ups, tent camping, fishing. We truly couldn't wait to get on the road for The Grand. My husband will shoot every event from 1 to 24. We are seniors and love to travel. Sparta is a great place to visit, let's keep it that way. See more..
  35. 5.0 Red Oak Nature Center (40 reviews)
    - Get a piece of nature...
    Sunday: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas
    Red Oak Nature Center image
    I love to visit the Center - always have things happening - visit the animal room, see the observation hive, grab a pair of binoculars and view the birds from a distance. Great trails, and always activities going on. Very scenic view of the Fox River from the observation deck, high above the river! Check out Devil's Cave too! See more..
  36. 5.0 Quincy Street Distillery (39 reviews)
    - Wonderful find
    Sunday: Distilleries
    Quincy Street Distillery image
    A craft distillery producing hand-made artisan spirits in historic Riverside, Illinois. Speakeasy Cocktail Bar open Fri & Sat, Retail Shop Wed, Fri, & Sat, Tours Sat, & Sun. Web reservations required. See more..
  37. 5.0 Fremont Public Library (38 reviews)
    - Great well stocked library!
    Sunday: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Libraries
    Fremont Public Library image
    Public library to engage the community, inspire creativity, and enrich minds. Between programs, books, DVDs, or even streaming devices, the library has everything anyone could want! See more..
  38. 5.0 White Crane Canoe Rentals & Guide Service (38 reviews)
    - A hidden gem!
    Kayaking & Canoeing
    White Crane Canoe Rentals & Guide Service image
    A hidden gem! Found it by accident because our son wanted to kayak and it was the only rental place around. The surprise was the setting: absolutely gorgeous wildlife preserve with a cool water trail to follow through to a pond with the oldest bald cypress in Illinois (1000 years +) in the middle of Eagle pond. The place is unassuming and it is pretty much a swamp. The staff though is super friendly and there wasn’t much bugs. We spent a couple hours paddling around. The map we were given is rudimentary and the markers not always clear and easy to find but it is never the less hard to get lost. Saw lots of herons and turtles. Highly recommend!! See more..
  39. 5.0 Schaumburg Township District Library (36 reviews)
    - Gorgeous facility with a huge collection
    Sunday: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Libraries
    Schaumburg Township District Library image
    We inspire, inform, and connect our community. Schaumburg Library serves around 130,000 residents in Schaumburg Township, including portions of Elk Grove Village, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg and Streamwood. We have three locations: our Central Library in Schaumburg and our Branch Libraries in Hoffman Estates and Hanover Park. See more..
  40. 5.0 Beall Mansion Tour (36 reviews)
    - Great tour and hosts
    Spent < 1 hour History Museums
    Beall Mansion Tour image
    No visit to Alton, IL is complete without a tour of the turn-of-the-century mansion built as a wedding gift. Museum tours are by appointment. Call now to schedule. See more..
  41. 5.0 Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery (36 reviews)
    - Serene and Beautiful Memorial Place
    Spent 1-2 hours Cemeteries
    Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery image
    Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery is a memorable place to visit that many people are not aware of (so it seems, in spite of it being the second largest National Cemetery). I wish more people are made aware of such awesome places that help in appreciating the selfless contributions from our Veterans. I was blown away by the vastness and the serenity of the place when I visited recently during a weekday afternoon. The road leading to the entrance does not appear to introduce the importance of the place; hopefully that will be addressed in the future. There are various interesting places to walk around and absorb the significance of the place. The statue of Lincoln, and the surrounding walking area are spectacular. There is a small bell carillon that plays select military tunes which adds to the melody of the place. I wish to visit this place again and attend a memorial service to pay tribute to the Veterans. See more..
  42. 5.0 Rusty Wallace Driving Experience (35 reviews)
    - Best Birthday Gift Ever
    Adrenaline & Extreme Tours
    Rusty Wallace Driving Experience image
    My wife surprised me with this experience for my Birthday. She read all the reviews and said others had recommended the ride-a-long w a Pro prior to driving alone for 10 laps so that is what I did and enjoyed it and wished that it didn't end so fast! The entire process of purchasing, checking in, training, help from the pit crew, was an exceptional customer service experience! We had not been to Gateway Raceway in years and I can say the new owner has done an amazing job making so many improvements at this track! My wife went with me and said everyone was so nice and did a great job! Next time we go she is going to purchase that ride-a-long w Pro for herself! I received the plaque and already have it in my office. She also purchased the video which is also something really nice to have! If your trying to decide...go for it you will not regret it! Best Birthday Gift Ever. Thanks again to all involved! See more..
  43. 5.0 EagleRider (35 reviews)
    - Great way to get a motorcycle for the weekend or tour
    Gear Rentals
    EagleRider image
    I rented from Eagle Rider several times after I finished Harley Davidson Riders Academy to try different bikes for a weekend before buying. It was a great help in getting used to progressively larger Harleys without buying a bike. Danny Brown, especially, has always been friendly, helpful and a great resource on how different bikes ride differently. Now I've purchased a bike, but I still like to rent something different from time to time, and Danny and the team at Eagle Rider continue to be great to work with. Highly recommended! See more..
  44. 5.0 Rickshaw Rick's Tours & Taxi (35 reviews)
    - Frank Lloyd Wright Homes
    Cultural Tours • Historical & Heritage Tours • Taxis & Shuttles • Bike Tours • Walking Tours
    Rickshaw Rick's Tours & Taxi image
    Our guide (Rick himself) was very friendly and very knowledgeable of his tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright homes. He was funny too! I would recommend this tour to all my friends! See more..
  45. 5.0 Route 66 Shield Mural (33 reviews)
    - Southern Illinois is one of the best parts of Rte 66 and Pontiac has the most information and sites except Springfield.
    Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks
    Route 66 Shield Mural image
    One would think that Chicago would be the Holy Grail of Route 66 in Illinois, but not so. Chicago marks the beginning and the end, but Pontiac is the soul of the road and one of the best museums on the entire journey across the Western United States. If you only had one or two places to stop in Illinois, Pontiac would be number one on your list. The guide books describe in detail the museum, the school bus, and the murals. Pontiac has done an exceptional job of collecting memorabilia and documenting the Mother Road. Plan on a couple hours at least especially if this is just a quick stop up or down Interstate 55 which is just a few minutes away. See more..
  46. 5.0 The Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial (33 reviews)
    - Beautiful site on the river, very moving experience.
    Monuments & Statues
    The Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial image
    We stumbled upon this memorial somewhat on accident while driving from central Illinois toward home in the SW Chicago suburbs. The onsite museum was closed for the night, but a caretaker was very informative and proud of the additions and improvements to the memorial. He also pointed out some of the moving personal mementos that the families of the fallen leave when they visit. The Illinois River rapids directly behind the memorial wall add to the serenity and solemnity of the site, but the sound of the river seems to remind you that life, indeed, does go on. I hope to go back soon to tour the museum. See more..
  47. 5.0 Weber House and Garden (32 reviews)
    - Storybook House and Amazing Gardens
    Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Historic Sites • Gardens
    Weber House and Garden image
    See more..
  48. 5.0 Larry Kanfer Photography (31 reviews)
    - Great Place to visit, and artwork was phenominal
    Sunday: Art Galleries
    Larry Kanfer Photography image
    Larry Kanfer Photography is a midwest based, nationally collected photographic artist. Most known for his Prairiescapes® (Midwest landscape photography celebrating the rural lifestyles of the American heartland), he also has extensive collections of Cityscapes, International, University of Illinois, Woodlands, Tropical, Close-ups and Abstract fine art photographs. Larry Kanfer Photography, in Champaign, IL, is the premier photographer serving Champaign, Savoy, Urbana, Mahomet, Peoria, Bloomington, Normal, Carbondale and surrounding areas since 1979. We specialize in custom photography, original wall and framed artwork, home decor, office art, architectural, landscape, woodlands and scenic photography, conceptual artwork, artwork installation packages, licensed imagery and much more. Larry Kanfer Photography is perfect for corporate, health care, hospitality, custom installations, as well as residential artwork and gifts. See more..
  49. 5.0 Pekin Park District (30 reviews)
    - Pekin Park District has something for everyone
    Parks • Golf Courses • Miniature Golf
    Pekin Park District image
    The Pekin Park District has numerous well maintained locations. Enjoy the paddle boats, mini golf, golf, swimming etc. GGreat programs as well. Come enjoy! See more..
  50. 5.0 Vermilion County War Museum (30 reviews)
    - Impressive war memorabilia.
    Sunday: Military Museums
    Vermilion County War Museum image
    This museum was packed with so much memorabilia from the Revolutionary War to more recent. A volunteer, Ron, gave me a personal tour. Almost everything has been donated from veterans, families, and even the whole collection from the V-day veterans group! I was very impressed. See more..

What's a Hidden gem?

We call places hidden gems that are new, extremely good, but are not that popular yet - you should check them out. The criteria is to have a rating of 4.5 or more and more than 20 reviews and less than 100 reviews.

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  64. Educational sites
  65. Sports Complexes
  66. Government Buildings
  67. Theatre & Performances
  68. Horse Tracks
  69. Aquariums
  70. Cemeteries
  71. Military Museums
  72. Forests
  73. Scenic Drives
  74. Operas
  75. Science Museums
  76. Ski & Snowboard Areas
  77. Libraries
  78. Playgrounds
  79. Arenas & Stadiums
  80. Mysterious Sites
  81. Farmers Markets
  82. Natural History Museums
  83. Kayaking & Canoeing
  84. Bars & Clubs
  85. Fishing Charters & Tours
  86. Historical & Heritage Tours
  87. Distilleries
  88. Casinos
  89. Convention Centers
  90. Cultural Events
  91. Dance Clubs & Discos
  92. Beer Tastings & Tours
  93. Coffee & Tea Tours
  94. Food Tours
  95. Factory Tours
  96. Distillery Tours
  97. Ghost & Vampire Tours
  98. Bar, Club & Pub Tours
  99. Segway Tours
  100. Self-Guided Tours & Rentals
  101. River Rafting & Tubing
  102. Air Tours
  103. Civic Centres
  104. Bus Tours
  105. State Parks
  106. Paint & Pottery Studios
  107. Missions
  108. Gear Rentals
  109. Symphonies
  110. Skydiving
  111. Wine Bars
  112. Shooting Ranges
  113. Auto Racing Tracks
  114. Department Stores
  115. Boat Rentals
  116. Exhibitions
  117. Dinner Theaters
  118. Factory Outlets
  119. Music Festivals
  120. Karaoke Bars
  121. Bowling Alleys
  122. Coffeehouses
  123. Yoga & Pilates
  124. Miniature Golf
  125. Horse-Drawn Carriage Tours
  126. Other Outdoor Activities
  127. Sporting Events
  128. Wedding Chapels
  129. Concerts
  130. Cigar Bars
  131. Comedy Clubs
  132. Food & Drink Festivals
  133. Piano Bars
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