Welcome to Illinois — The Land of Lincoln
Illinois is known as the Land of Lincoln, and for good reason—over 30 historic sites throughout the state are attributed to his life and work. Illinois was also known as the place where the sky began as pioneers emerged from the eastern woodlands. Don’t let the flatness of the plains fool you, however. There are plenty of tall hills, wooded trails, and river valleys to keep you occupied. In addition, the big city of Chicago has everything from tall skyscrapers to Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. A great number of state parks and outdoor attractions also make for a great and affordable weekend getaway. Illinois destinations include national and state parks with miles of hiking and biking trails, lush forests, and mighty rivers.
Capital: Springfield
Largest City: Chicago
Area: 57,915 square miles
Major Rivers: Illinois, Kaskaskia, Mississippi
Elevation: 279 ft at the Mississippi River and 1,235 ft at the Charles Mound
Bird: Cardinal
Flower: Native violet
Tree: White oak
Motto: State Sovereignty – National Union
Song: “Illinois”
State Travel Site: Illinois Travel Guide
The area in Northwest Illinois called the Driftless area is also called the Land the Glaciers Forgot due to its…
Springfield, Illinois, is the state capital of Illinois with lots of historic sites, gorgeous architecture, many memorials, and more. Springfield…
With over 140 national and state parks, lakes, and historic sites, Illinois is a nature lover’s dream. Follow the Louis…
The area in Northwest Illinois called the Driftless area is also called the Land the Glaciers Forgot due to its…
Springfield, Illinois, is the state capital of Illinois with lots of historic sites, gorgeous architecture, many memorials, and more. Springfield is often called the Land of Lincoln, with good reason. You can step back in time to see historical sites where Abraham Lincoln lived and worked, raised his…
With over 140 national and state parks, lakes, and historic sites, Illinois is a nature lover’s dream. Follow the Louis & Clark trail down the Mississippi River or discover your own waterfalls, riverside cliffs, rocky vistas, and stone canyons. What’s your next outdoor adventure?
I’ve taken the first step by having a pre-Memorial Day road trip across the country. My original plan involved a trip to the Virginia Beach, Virginia, area. I realized late that it was Victoria Day weekend and thought it would be fun to travel back to my old…
The area in Northwest Illinois called the Driftless area is also called the Land the Glaciers Forgot due to its high bluffs and land of rolling hills along the Mississippi River. In geological terms, the 10,000-square mile area is called that because of the absence of glacial drift.…
Nearby State Attractions
