Illinois

Vintage - North Outer Drive
and Skyline of Chicago

Illinois State Capitol and
 Statue of Abraham Lincoln

Illinois is the land of many things…cornfields, college towns, river cities, the home of Abraham Lincoln, wine country, LGBT travel, the beginning of the famous Route 66 and of course, Chicago, one of America’s big cities.  I think of Illinois as both a Midwest state and a Great Lakes state because of its location.  There are several regions of Illinois, each with something special to see. 

One of my favorite places is in Pontiac where we toured the Route 66 Museum.  The highway connected Chicago and Los Angeles prior to the Interstate Highway System.   I grew up in the 1940s and 1950s so Route 66 was the highway we traveled on when our family moved to California and the times we traveled back to see my grandparents.  I remember many of the little motels, the diners and of course the attractions along the side of the road.  My Dad called them tourist traps and we seldom stopped.  Every once in a while he would give in to our pleas and we were able to see these wonderful places.  A shop in the shape of a huge teepee was one that I thought was great.  Route 66 was a fun highway.  If you have ever seen the movie Cars then you will have a better understanding of why so many Americans love this highway. 

1960s Fun Map of Illinois

The western border of Illinois is the Mississippi River and there is a scenic byway for those who would like to travel by car alongside the great river.  Much of the state is farmland with corn and soybeans as the main crops.  There are no mountains in Illinois although there is an area in the northern portion that is higher in elevation than the remainder of the state. 

In Peoria, the Caterpillar Company has a visitors’ center which includes a theater inside a two story mining truck that they manufacture.  There is a modest fee but children are free with the purchase of adult tickets.  Little boys love tractors and big trucks and this is the place for a little boy to be amazed.



Museum of Science and Industry
Vintage mini folder of Chicago



Chicago is on Lake Michigan so it boasts water attractions like the Navy Pier as well as the Magnificent Mile for those who love to shop.   Special events and Festivals are held throughout the year to celebrate almost everything.  Like most big cities, Chicago has much to offer from historic places to great museums, gardens, parks, unique neighborhoods and big league sports teams. I really enjoyed the Museum of Science and Industry.  It is an excellent place to spend an afternoon.   

As always, my recommendation is to check out the website for up to date information if you plan to visit Chicago or Illinois.  Their website is:  http://www.enjoyillinois.com/ .