Every state in the United States is unique. It’s part of why traveling is so important for everyone to do. In doing so, society can understand why different places think differently. Visitors can also bring new ideas to new places that weren’t previously thought of. One of the most beautiful places with tons of different attractions is Illinois.
The biggest city and most enticing city in Illinois is Chicago. This is where the bulk of top activities can be tracked down in Illinois. Millions of people go to the Windy City to enjoy themselves every year. Most people think this nickname comes from the city being windy thanks to its location next to Lake Michigan. However, that’s not the case. The reason Chicago is nicknamed the Windy City is because of the back-and-forth politics the city dealt with back in the day.
Navy Pier and Willis Tower are two Chicago icons the city regularly boasts about. When you get to the top of Willis Tower, there are see-through panels that show you how high up you are. Aside from Chicago, Abraham Lincoln’s home in Springfield is another popular place to visit. He’s such a key part of American history that everyone who gets a chance should visit his home. For more Illinois content, click here to read about the most popular sports teams there.
To compile this list of the 20 things Illinois is known for, 24/7 Tempo consulted travel-related sources. These include Only In Your State, 1KeyData, and Awesome America.
Magnificent Mile
Accessing diverse stores for shopping is part of every beautifully designed downtown area. Chicago takes it to a whole new level with Magnificent Mile, though. Here, luxury brands like Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton set up storefronts and charge customers more than they would on average. This stretch of businesses is also home to restaurants like Terrace 16, which overlooks the city. Going to Magnificent Mile is one of the reasons people love visiting Chicago.
Navy Pier
Chicago North Skyline from the Navy PierJuly 2019 - Edited and uploaded 2021/03/28
A great place to spend time during warm Chicago summers is Navy Pier. This pier goes out onto Lake Michigan and is home to different rides and events throughout the year. Since this is an outdoor place, and Chicago is known for having brutally cold winters, it’s not advised to visit until the weather improves outside.
Willis Tower
For 25 years, Willis Tower, formerly known as Sears Tower, was the tallest building in the world. Its purpose was to serve as an office building at first, but it has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world since then. The observation tower is unique because you can look out onto Lake Michigan, which seems to go on forever, in one direction. The other view reveals the midwest.
Abraham Lincoln’s House
Chicago isn’t the only city in Illinois with attractions worth visiting. In the state capital of Springfield, visitors can see Abraham Lincoln’s home. Lincoln’s influence on society today makes this one of the most important places in the world to visit. The Lincoln home is set up museum-style for guests to explore.
Barack Obama’s House
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 03: U.S. President Barack Obama waves to reporters after returning to the White House on board Marine One September 3, 2015 in Washington, DC. Obama spent three days in Alaska this week where he became the first sitting president to go to the Arctic Circle. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Another president who is deeply connected to Illinois is Barack Obama. The 44th president was formerly a Senator from Illinois, and his family’s home in Hyde Park is a tourist destination in the area. Anyone can visit and learn more about what President Obama and his family did to further the United States when stopping by his old residence.
Ronald Reagan’s House
Another president who grew up in Illinois was Ronald Reagan. He grew up in the small town of Dixon, which is near the Iowa border. Before running for president, Reagan was a well-liked actor who became governor of California. He was so successful that he decided to run for president, which he won two terms. In 2024, Reagan is still thought of as one of the best presidents the United States has had. His childhood home is a tourist destination.
Lollapalooza
Not much compares to attending a music festival like Lollapalooza. This event takes place every year in downtown Chicago and features some of the biggest names in all of music. The backdrop of the city skyline makes this weekend one of the busiest for Chicago. Since Chicago is the hometown of some of the biggest names in rap like Chance the Rapper and Kanye West makes it easy to book artists every year.
Route 66
Going on road trips is something Americans love to do. Route 66 is one of the longest running roads in the United States, and it starts in Chicago. Anyone driving to the St. Louis area can take Route 66 to get there. The small towns you pass through while driving are the main reason why this stretch of road has become so popular.
Chicago Jazz Festival
Jazz music is ingrained in the city of Chicago. Every year, the Chicago Jazz Festival takes place, reminding people of how amazing the sounds of swanky instruments are. The event draws tons of jazz fans in from around the world who want to hear the best of the best play incredible music.
Lincoln Park Zoo
Some of the most amazing animals in the world can be seen in downtown Chicago. The Lincoln Park Zoo is known for having animals like lions, bears, monkeys, and everything in between. This zoo is constantly adding new animals every day. One thing they pride themselves on is treating the animals with respect and dignity.
Pumpkins
Believe it or not, Illinois is considered the pumpkin capital of the world. The state grows, produces, and ships out more pumpkins than any other state in America. One town in particular, Morton, takes extra pride in this. Libby’s Pumpkin plant is where the bulk of the pumpkin growth and processing takes place. Next time you see a pumpkin, odds are it came from Illinois.
Shedd Aquarium
Zoos aren’t the only major attraction in Illinois that has animals present. The Shedd Aquarium is popular because it’s one of the few things that people can do in Chicago year round. Being inside the aquarium with its warm indoor temperatures helps attract people during the harsh winters that Chicago experiences. Inside the aquarium, there are sharks, penguins, turtles, and countless other animals to see up close. Since it’s located downtown, the aquarium is easy for most visitors to access.
The Bean
Few places around the world are as “Instagrammable” as the Bean in downtown Chicago. While it’s a place where most people spend around ten minutes to snap a memorable picture, there’s never a moment when the area is empty. People love taking pictures with the cityscape in the background since the Bean structure reflects off other surfaces. The best part of all? Spending time there is completely free.
Chicago St. Patrick’s Day
Few events have the same amount of hype as Chicago on St. Patrick’s Day. One of the main reasons is because city officials turn the Chicago River green to celebrate. Chicago has a rich Irish history, which becomes clear and evident with how much the people love to party on that day. The city essentially shuts down, bars remain open all day, and people take a step back from the hustle and bustle to enjoy themselves.
Chicago Style Pizza
Pizza is one of the most popular foods in the world. Chicago-style pizza has taken over as one of the most universally liked and eaten foods in the world. The thick layers of pizza are incredibly filling. Whenever you go somewhere in Chicago that serves this meal, be ready to wait around 45 minutes at the minimum until you’re served. Since the slices are so thick, it takes a lot longer for this food to cook than other meal options. Those who like thin crust pizzas are in luck, because Chicago has great thin crust pizza as well.
Wrigley Field
Baseball is America’s pastime, and one of the cathedrals of the sport happens to be in Illinois. Wrigley Field is where the Chicago Cubs play their home games. Unlike most teams and venues, Wrigley Field has been up and running for over a century. The Cubs ballpark has a certain mystique to it whenever fans come to watch a game.
Corn
Like pumpkins, much of Illinois’ landscape is full of vast corn fields. The state produces more corn than any other state. The humidity in the air gives soil the perfect amount of moisture necessary to grow stocks of corn. Many people might not realize how high corn stalks go until they drive past them for the first time in a place like Illinois.
First McDonald’s
One iconic American brand happens to be McDonald’s, no matter how unhealthy it is. The first location opened in Illinois before it was franchised out into California. The way society eats food changed forever once McDonald’s locations started spreading. Interestingly enough, McDonald’s makes the bulk of its money is through real-estate – not the actual food they serve customers. Still, the McDonald’s brand and food menu is iconic to the people of Illinois.
Colleges
Some of the most beautiful colleges and universities were built in Illinois. For starters, the University of Illinois is about an hour outside of Chicago. Its prime location gives it the perfect blend of city and country energy that people from Illinois love so much. Aside from that, universities like Northwestern, the University of Chicago, and DePaul sit beautifully in downtown. The high-quality education students can gain in Illinois is hard to beat.
Lake Michigan
The Great Lakes make up a big part of the United States. Illinois is one of the states this lake hits. During the summers, the lake is filled with boats, fishermen, and vacationers cooling off from the humid weather. Photographers have captured tons of winter pictures that showcase the lake in a frozen and icy state. Lake Michigan is one of the most iconic places to see with your own two eyes in Illinois. For more Illinois content, click here to read about the 10 biggest sports stars from Illinois.