From contemporary Chicago to historic Galena, Illinois is a diverse destination that embraces differences and welcomes everyone. Question is, are you up for amazing?
Illinois is amazing. In fact, we once said it was all the best bits of America in one open-minded state. From Chicago’s vibrant scene, to the charming streets of Galena, to the historic and not to mention quirky Route 66, we have always felt right at home in Illinois.
In Chicago, any visitor will immediately feel a sense of pride all across the city. From its iconic skyline, to miles of sandy lakeside beaches, the city never fails to surprise and delight. Here, you’re able to explore world-class museums, shop till you drop and enjoy some of the best gastronomy in the United States. Then there are the famous LGBT+ neighbourhoods – Andersonville, Boystown and the up-and-coming Edgewater and Uptown – hubs of the community in the city. Each boasts a calendar of colourful and fun-filled events, especially in the summer, but they also feature all-year round attractions, including the illustrious Chicago Pride month.
Beyond Chicago, Illinois is home to great OutThere experiences in every corner of the state. The capital Springfield teems with history and the waterfalls of Starved Rock State Park are stunning, natural delights. Oak Park is a must-visit for architectural buffs and Route 66 provides for a roadtrip to remember. Galena is utterly romantic and the state’s winelands and distilleries will surprise even the most discerning of noses and palates.
With so much to see, do and experience, we thought you’d appreciate a few tips. So here is a run-down of some inspirational travel ideas for your next visit to this amazing state.
A proud Chicago scene
The LGBT+ scene is a game-changer in Chicago, no matter what time of year. It has grown with the community from its spiritual home in Boystown out into many different parts of the city. Summer in Chicago heralds its legendary Pride season and all of the LGBT+ neighbourhoods embrace the great weather and get in the spirit by hosting some fabulous goings-on. First, there’s the Midsommarfest festival in Andersonville, celebrating the area’s Swedish heritage. The Pride Fest party and street fair, Chicago’s Pride parade and Pride in the Park are spectacular highlights (some say it’s the best celebration in all of the US). Later in the summer, the Northalsted Market Days festival keeps the revelry going. But at any time, regardless of whether an event is LGBT+ themed or not, you can expect the community to support it with gusto!
Celebrating our community
The Legacy Walk is the world’s only outdoor LGBT+ History Museum Walk, spanning one half-mile of the North Halsted Street Corridor in the Lakeview/Boystown neighbourhood of Chicago. The exhibit features beautiful bronze biographical markers affixed to ‘Rainbow Pylons’; an international and multicultural installation celebrating the contribution of LGBT+ people to world history and culture. It was developed as a way to inspire and educate bullied youth by helping them to understand the important roles people like them have played in human history. It features iconic LGBT+ people like social-justice pioneer Jane Addams, civil-rights icon Bayard Rustin, British mathematician Alan Turing and Mexican artist Frida Kahlo – a breathtaking way to instil a genuine sense of pride for all.
For museum-lovers
Chicago is no stranger to world-class museums and cultural institutions – The Museum of Science and Industry, The Field Museum and, of course, The Art Institute of Chicago are fantastic ways to spend a day, but there are also many smaller museums that are worth a visit. As publishers, we particularly enjoyed the American Writers Museum on Michigan Avenue. It celebrates the works of authors from Dr Seuss to Jack Kerouac. The DuSable Museum of African American History has a large collection of thought- and emotion-provoking African-American art and historic memorabilia. We also loved the Museum of Broadcast Communications, a temple to radio and TV. Further north of Chicago in Evanston, the Halim Time and Glass Museum took us by surprise – we weren’t expecting to be as interested as we were in clocks and stained glass.
Garden of solitude
Winding paths, escapist nooks, lush flora, reflective waterfalls and koi-filled ponds – Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford presents a study in contrasts. It’s the perfect getaway for losing yourself in (perhaps after some hedonistic times in the city), but it also hosts some great musical events. The versatile, 12-acre formal Japanese gardens – designed by master landscape architect Hoichi Kurisu – is just minutes from downtown Rockford, so whether you’re interested in yoga, a guided tour, its almost daily classes or just to up your Instagram cred, it’s one for the Illinois bucket list. If you’re into gardens, there are a number of others worth visiting. Check out the Washington Park Botanical Garden in Springfield, the Quad City Botanical Center in Rock Island, the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe and the Morton Arboretum in Lisle.
Taste the open road
The most seasoned of roadtrippers will tell you that Route 66’s diners, drive-ins and dives are a big draw. Feel-good food is the must-eat here and the Mother Road has plenty of it. In Chicago, Gino’s East Pizza offers what is arguably the best deep-dish experience in the city. The forever-open White Palace Grill is a South Loop institution, an old-school diner famed for its Greek Chicken. Poultry fans should make a pilgrimage to Willowbrook for fried chicken and baked mac ’n’ cheese at Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket. In Springfield, Charlie Parker’s Diner is known for its belly-busting portions and horseshoe sandwiches, although if you have room for more, stop at Cozy Dog’s Drive-In too. They won’t be as big as muffler man Paul Bunyon’s hotdogs in Atlanta, Illinois, but if you’re heading there, make sure you try the mouthwatering pies at Palms Grill Cafe.
The truth against the world
Architectural genius Frank Lloyd Wright is famed for designing structures that were boundary pushing and ahead of their time. Just 10 miles west of downtown Chicago, we found the beautiful Oak Park, where he lived, loved and fine-tuned his work. It’s no wonder that there is a large collection of his iconic buildings here – we’d go so far as to say that this small suburb is a veritable gallery of his masterpieces – he treated the neighbourhood like his personal canvas. From the Frank W Thomas home, to Hills-DeCaro house, from the Moore-Dugal residence, to Arthur Heurtley house, from his own home and studio (now a museum where you’ll learn all about the quote “the truth against the world”), to the incredible Unity Temple (often regarded as his greatest public work), Wright certainly made his mark on the area.
Galena getaway
The quaint, historic town of Galena tops our list of LGBT+ friendly weekend getaways in Illinois and it’s also a great opportunity to discover the state’s rich history. It’s home to a large number of gay-owned guesthouses, each with a similar tale of Chicagoans who visited one weekend, fell in love with it and wanted to set up a home that they could share with others. It’s a charming place – a nice mix of country, town and city vibes – with lovely stores and delicious restaurants on its Main Street (a staggering 130 individual businesses, in fact). You see, while there are only 3,200 residents, Galena gets nearly a million visitors each year. It is also the gateway to some fantastic natural wonders – the fields of fireflies will light up your life – and when you’re done with the great outdoors, you can always take advantage of its great wineries and distilleries.
The secrets of Starved Rock
Just a hundred miles from Chicago, there’s a place where once melting glaciers left their mark, carving a labyrinth of canyons into the sandstone. Take a visit to Starved Rock State Park and you’ll see exactly what we mean – a wonderland of tree-shrouded bluffs, 18 different canyons and seasonal waterfalls. It’s a hikers’ paradise, featuring 15 miles of walking trails; the four-mile trek to the views of Council Overhang, Ottawa and Kaskaskia canyons is our particular favourite. Staying in the park is a great experience too – try the Starved Rock Lodge. For a less strenuous trip, take a narrated tour aboard an old paddle-wheel boat, the ‘Belle of the Rock’. If that’s not enough trekking, nearby Matthiessen State Park has five more miles of picturesque hiking trails.
Unique basecamps
After the luxury hotels of Chicago and quaint inns of Galena, OutThere travellers may be tempted to look for something truly original to call their home away from home in Illinois. If you’re after some offbeat places to stay, Illinois has you covered – there are a number of very unexpected rentals that make for some great memories. Ten Acre Treehouse village in out-of-the-way Nauvoo boasts a 400-square-foot ‘Captains Quarters’ with a nautical theme. At Rocky Comfort Cabins in Makanda, Hobbit-living comes to life. On the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, close to Shawnee National Forest, OutThere families or groups of friends can take over an old barn that’s been converted into a super-stylish 3,000+ square-foot party house. There really is something for everyone.
Illinois, I do
Fancy a charming Midwestern wedding? Join the trend of same-gender couples tying the knot in Illinois. From upscale, Chicago hotel ballrooms, to designer spaces and rustic barns, Illinois has a great array of fancy and individual LGBT+ friendly venues, perfect for that party of a lifetime. For that quintessential society wedding, check out LondonHouse Chicago’s 22nd-floor rooftop with stunning views over the city. Collinsville’s Willoughby Farm is the antithesis – a hay-baled, twinkly lit venue to make all your corn-fed dreams come true. For somewhere in between, lovebirds can opt for The Mansion, an imposing century-old Georgian stately home in the sprawling Allerton Park and Retreat Center in Monticello. The park has a number of venues, from a two-storey Dutch barn to its beautiful formal gardens, so whatever your fantasy wedding, there’ll be something that suits.
Photography courtesy of Illinois Office of Tourism and LondonHouse Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton
Enjoy Illinois
From urban excitement and outdoor adventures to delicious food and fascinating history, Illinois is an iconic destination with something for everyone. Plan your next big adventure and explore the diversity of experiences in The Middle of Everything.
www.enjoyillinois.com
In partnership with
