You'll experience towering bluffs, rolling hills, river communities, farmlands and sweeping views. It also sits along the Illinois River and you can hike to an overlook to get sweeping vistas of the water. Noah Clayton/Getty Images. Beginning in Hartford, take Illinois Route 3 northwest to The Great River Road and cruise past the idyllic waterfront villages of Wood River, East Alton, Alton, Elsah, Chautauqua, and Graftonall. Beautiful views! Just beautiful escape. By the editors of MidwestLiving.com I especially loved the Corpus Christi Church in Galesburg which was built in 1832 and is just a beautiful display of architecture. Be sure to check out London Mills and Spoon River Dam along the Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive, one of the most beautiful drives in Illinois. Along the way you might just discover that theres more to the road than the river. Read more about these and other Southern Illinois State Parks here. Picnic at a scenic overlook for lunch. There was a moment in time where Sundays meant that you piled the kids into the car and took a long relaxing drive. It stretches 15.83 miles from Hollywood Avenue or 5700 North to Marquette Drive and Jefferey Drive at 6600 South and is often described as the "most scenic roadway in the country" as it embraces the lakefront, the city's skyline and most major tourist attractions. Peoria Grandview Drive ("World's Most Beautiful Drive"), The "castle" on Grandview DriveScenic overlooks of the Illinois River ValleyForest Park Nature Center, Long Hollow Scenic OverlookDutch Windmill "De Immigrant"Black Hawk State Historic Site, Ginkgo Restaurant and CafTrails around Meadow LakeSterling Morton Library. Originally, the Illinois portion was an attempt to make it easier for farmers to get their crops to the markets but then began to draw in travelers in automobiles. From there take US 30 west to the Mississippi River. If you are looking for interesting cities in northern Illinois, click here. An incredible hike in southern Illinois. 1. Mliz | June 6, 2019 | America > United States > Illinois Motorcycle Roads > IL - Daviess/Stephenson/W. If being near water calms your soul then you wont want to miss out on spending time near the Illinois River. The northern end of the 115-mile route begins at Sheboygan County's Elkhart Lake. list of more small cities in Illinois that are worth a visit. 11: Northern California Scenic Drives: Lake Tahoe Loop (US 50, NV 28 and US 89) Distance: 72 miles. After I came out of the Adler Planetarium the weather changed but even that got a good photo. It begins at the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, at Pere Marquette State Park, and it ends at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri River at Lewis and Clark State Historic Site. If you're looking to escape the bustle of the city, pack up the car and set out on one of these scenic drives in Illinois. Our integrated delivery model allows our clinicians to offer state-of-the-art, top tier quality care throughout eastern Wisconsin and northern and central Illinois. I think best place to see the Chicago skyline. Go-Illinois.net, part of The Go Travel Sites family, is among the largest websites covering travel and vacationing in Illinois. Theodore Roosevelt named it the "world's most beautiful drive," so have that camera ready and drive both ways up and down the road for all the best sights. So vistas abound, taking in rolling country, beautifully maintained farms and rural cottages perched on manicured properties. This scenic drive on the Illinois River is the perfect place to park and immerse yourself in the surrounding natural beauty. Whether youre cruising the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River or winding through charming towns in the countryside, there are over 57,000 square miles of Illinois roads to explore. This project was funded in whole or in part through a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation, This project was funded in whole or in part through a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation. Our section is about 166 miles long. Gary Ennis/Getty Images/iStockphoto. Take the weekend and even consider camping out under a blanket of stars. Traveling along its namesake, this road is partially an old route marked by French explorers and other immigrants who were drawn to Illinois. Byway Bites Travel back in time as you make your way through original one-room schoolhouses, an 1832 log cabin, century-old chapels, and a historic railroad depot. Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive. Walk the quiet, lush grounds and take in the countless varieties of trees, including red oak, sycamore, black walnut, Norway spruce, Ohio buckeye and many, many more. Why you should go: The ultimate great lakes drive when you have a few days to spare. But the Galena end of the highway yields to no other area in its River Road attractions. In the midst of vast Illinois farmland, weekend travelers discover a topographic Kitsch, awe inspiring, quirky, colorful, beautiful and unforgettable. Home Illinois' seven national Scenic Byways: the Great River Road, the Lincoln Highway, Meeting of the Great Rivers, Historic National Road in Illinois, Ohio River Scenic Route, Illinois River Road and Historic Route 66 offer every traveler convenient and informative ways to experience the diversity of scenery offered throughout our great state. Lake Shore Drive, or Outer Drive, is a multilevel expressway that runs alongside Lake Michigan through the city of Chicago. Dont be fooled by the fact that its only 2.52 miles. Six Romantic Spots Along the Great River Road in Illinois, Explore the Regions: Colorful Fall Getaways, Eco-Friendly Hotels and GreenGetaways in Illinois, Five Champaign Restaurants Perfect for a Romantic Outing, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Locations in Illinois, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Click on any scenic byway or backway listed below for complete information. See our web stories that accompany this post. Whether you are looking for a day trip, weekend getaway or planning a road trip, our guides provide you with the perfect scenic drive. The red, yellow, and orange leaves on the trees are straight from a postcard. Here is a list of more places in Illinois where you can spot eagles during winter. The river looked very beautiful, and the leaves were changing colors. Heavenly diningOn the way back to Galena, stop for a steak or seafood dinner in Elizabeth at The Holy Mackerel in a renovated white clapboard church. Routes 127, Old Hwy 51, 51DISTANCE: 46 milesTIME: 1 hour. Our supportive staff and leadership are committed to an autonomous practice . Midwest Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. 581 South Deere Road | Macomb, Illinois 61455 One of the major features of LSD is the Outer Drive Bridge, also known as Link Bridge, which carries LSD traffic over the Chicago River. If a particular destination isnt on the agenda, there arent many options better than Blackjack Road, which winds southward out of Galena down to Savanna. Sununu has carefully built a Potemkin Village to convince the national media he is a somewhat safe Republican presidential alternative to Donald Trump or Gov. Scenic drives follow rivers and creeks through woods and past parks, playgrounds and numerous roadside attractions. We've driven this route, mainly Alton to Pere Marquette State Park, numerous time, and always enjoy the river scenes, the bluffs, the small towns and in the fall, the foliage. Spoon River Valley. The best part? Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway, 11304 N Prairie Rd, Lewistown, IL 61542, USA. The Shawnee Hills Wine Trail features 11 family-owned wineries and vineyards surrounded by the lush splendor of the Southern Illinois landscape. Roadside land is often the first and most visible land to be converted to residential or commercial uses. We've mapped out the drives and included several must-see scenic pit stops along the routes. The Lincoln Highway was the first highway in America to be paved all the way across the state in the early 1900s. Although there is a trail that runs along the I & M Canal, you can also take a tour of the canal on a riverboat thats pulled by a mule! In fact, eight of the 126 America's Byways are right here in our state. You'll also pass by some of the state's most beautiful rivers, including the Spoon River and the Illinois River, and the river starts . Fermanagh Lakelands - for incredible views of Lough Erne. A scenic driving guide to Kentucky state. Northwest Illinois Loop scenic drive Visit state parks and recreation areas near Galena on our scenic loop drive. Ohio River Scenic Byway, Cairo, IL 62914, USA. Curves twisting through walls of rugged rock pinnacles, buttes, and multi-colored spires. With 164 miles to travel in the Land of Lincoln, the Illinois National Road makes it possible to follow the life and political career of Abraham Lincoln, as well as enjoy amazingly old and rare automobiles at MY Garage Museum, just to name a few. FourSquare/Alex N. Start off your scenic drive with a visit to this old-fashioned soda fountain, tucked in Saults Drug Store in Fulton. Illinois Tourist Information Centers Stop in Fulton, IL to check out the working windmill imported from Holland. Map: Illinois property taxes are the second-highest in the U.S. Want to tell your elected officials what you think of the state of government in Illinois? Glacial Park in northern Illinois is a lesser-known park filled with wetlands formed by a glacier that was once here. The cave's history is full of tales of pirates ambushing travelers along the river in the 18th and 19th centuries. If youre lucky, youll see some of the several stern-wheeler paddleboats plying the river down below, just like in old times. 1 Here are 9 of the best scenic drives you'll find in Northern California: 2 1) Golden Gate National Recreation area scenic drive: 3 2) Hendy Woods scenic drive (Route 128): 4 3) Vineyard scenic drive to Fort Bragg (Route 128): 5 4) Russian Gulch scenic drive: 6 5) Fort Bragg scenic drive (also route 1): A Lancaster County woman has been charged with multiple crimes for her involvement in a fraudulent business scheme, according to the Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Department. All 26 of Colorado's scenic and historic byways (11 of which are also designated America's Byways), and countless other scenic drives that crisscross the highest and lowest altitudes of Colorado, welcome motorcycle riders, leisure drivers and all others hungry for a taste of Colorado's history and scenic beauty. Insider tip: If you enough time we would advise you to spend a weekend in Grafton. About The Byway A Sunday drive elicits connotations of happier, simpler Rockwell-esque times. Check out these cozy cabins. Slow down, she says. If you want to take a unique boat tour along the Illinois River and Lake Michigan, check out Chicago Fireboat Tours. Along your drive, you'll see the convergence of the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois Rivers, gorgeous limestone river bluffs, glorious trees, and local plants. We take your privacy seriously and will never sell your data to anyone. You are in Grandview Drive, Grandview Dr, Peoria, IL, USA. hand laid back in the 1930s and Harrys Rabbit Ranch, which contains old Route 66 memorabilia and other kitschy items that made this one of the most renowned Illinois byways. Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, Whitefish, Montana, is winter lover's dream. The downtown area here is meticulously preserved in its historical state, and there are plentiful things to doGrant Park, the Ulysses Grant Home, a three-state view from Horseshoe Mound, and the Blaum Brothers Distillery. Love Illinois? Youll have the best seat in the house. flanked by a lavish residential area in the west and fantastic panoramic views of the. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. This incredible route is the iconic American road trip. One of the most scenic stretches of highway in the entire USA. We have been enjoying visiting several of the Presidential libraries, museums, historic homes, etc. Insider tip: Ottawa is considered as being the heart of Starved Rock county. Sprawling through 33 miles of southwestern Illinois, this gorgeous road travels through the Mississippi flood plain and coincides with a portion of the Great River Road. Each of these routes is so much more than a simple drive through Illinois. A typical Sunday drive might leave you finding a new general store to stock up on sweets and other treats. Design and Development by J Rudny, LLC. With about 300 miles of highway in Illinois alone, you could make a whole day of sight seeing. Lake Shore Drive's origins date to 1882 when hotel magnate Potter Palmer built his "castle" at 1350 North Lake Shore Drive and coerced the city to build the street adjacent to his lakefront property to enhance its value. You've probably worked up an appetite upon completing your hike. Find a scenic drive or plan a road trip with myscenicdrives.com Find a Scenic Drive Road Trip Planner Plan, edit, save, and share your custom day trips, weekend getaways, and cross-country adventures. Visit These 12 Incredible Charming Small Towns In Illinois, One For Each Month Of The Year, This Walkable Stretch Of Shops And Restaurants In Small-Town Illinois Is The Perfect Day Trip Destination, Few People Know One Of The Nicest Restaurants In America Is Hiding In Small-Town Illinois, The Illinois Resort Where You Can Go Ice Skating, Make Homemade Smores, And More This Winter, Here are 9 Hidden Gems Along the Mississippi River in Illinois, Take These 11 Country Roads In Illinois For A Gorgeous Scenic Drive, Youll Want To Take This Picture Perfect River Trail Through Illinois, If There Are Only 5 Hikes You Ever Do In Illinois, Make Them These, seven places in Illinois boonies that are so worth the drive. 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