Design and Development by J Rudny, LLC. Picnic at a scenic overlook for lunch. A non-partisan organization dedicated to involving Illinois residents in the state's political process. Hop in the car and enjoy the best scenic drives in Illinois, from bluffs along the Mississippi River to winding roads through a national forest and the famous Route 66. Color Key: top-5 ranked routes in the state #1#2#3#4#5 Routes ranked below the top-5 are drawn in gray Newest Motorcycle Roads & Rides in Illinois Schaumburg's many lush, tree-dense neighborhoods contain an array of apartments, condos, townhomes, and houses available for rent, in an overall peaceful environment. THINGS TO DO 550 miles packed with adventure! The scenic drive around Lake Tahoe may not be one of the state's longest but is most certainly among the most scenic drives in northern California (and Nevada). Order a copy of Enjoy Illinois and also receive the Illinois State Park Guide and an Official Highway Map. This byway was recently named one of the Seven Wonders of Illinois because of the stunning bluffs, mighty rivers, abundance of historical sites, and quaint villages. Be an explorer as you climb the stairs to the top of the largest prehistoric settlement in North America, or rent a canoe and spend an hour or two on the waters of the mighty Mississippi, where Lewis and Clark began their famed expedition. Interested in historic sites? You can have these simpler times back. How did we decide to drive? We've mapped out the drives and included several must-see scenic pit stops along the routes. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! There was a moment in time where Sundays meant that you piled the kids into the car and took a long relaxing drive. This is the Badlands Loop scenic drive through the Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Searching for 55+ Communities on Retirenet.com is simple and easy. If you are looking for a list of more Central Illinois attractions, click here. Here you can find more info about planning a trip to Starved Rock. The southern end is at Whitewater Lake in southeastern Walworth County. Cutting through Illinois is a 300-mile stretch of the mythical Route 66. Byway Bites It's known for its cheesy attractions, quirky restaurants, and unique museums. From Bernalillo highway sr 550 , turn right onto CR-11, Turn left onto Southern All Around Road1.2 miles Turn right onto NM 126, Turn Right onto Miller road end of the road last property on your right hand side.COMBO code needed for gate on Miller RoadCombo box on front window, for front door key* top lock only.Codes on showing time. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. You'll have your camera out almost all the time for this one. If youre looking to escape the bustle of the city, pack up the car and set out on one of these scenic drives in Illinois. 1. 8. While enjoying the long, relaxing stretch of highway be sure to make a few pit stops to check out Ronald Reagans childhood home in Dixon, the amazing Fabyan Villa (they have their very own windmill! With 105 miles of gorgeous scenery and natural beauty, Skyline Dive makes a fantastic day trip from Washington DC. Check out these cozy cabins. This post may contain affiliate links. Saults Drug Store - Fulton. Fantastic day or weekend trip. A typical Sunday drive might leave you finding a new general store to stock up on sweets and other treats. A scenic driving guide to Kentucky state. A haven for nature lovers, this drive is sure to give you a sense of tranquillity and oneness with the natural world. Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway, The Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Route. As you may have imagined, there are a ton of river-related activities and attractions in which to partake. This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Check out these 10 scenic drives in Wisconsin that showcase the very best natural attractions in Wisconsin. Were already there.. 9. Get inspired by top travel stories, gain access to exclusive promotions and contests, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois. Here is a list of more fun stuff to do in Illinois. Not only does it span the entire state, but this famous road actually begins at Lake Itasca in Northern Minnesota and winds the length of the country as it follows the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico. There are also many festivals as well as flea markets and farmers markets that take place along this remote road. Along the way you might just discover that theres more to the road than the river. Use our Sound Off tool. Youll find the little town of Elizabeth along US Highway 20, where this road branches north and connects about 12 miles away with Stagecoach Trail. Scenic Drives in Illinois Hop in the car and enjoy the best scenic drives in Illinois, from bluffs along the Mississippi River to winding roads through a national forest and the famous Route 66. Spoon River Valley. While Shenandoah National Park is a bit further west, no list of scenic drives in Virginia would be complete without Skyline Drive. Thank you! Road Trip From red and yellow trees to roads dusted with vibrant leaves, this is an incredibly scenic fall drive in Northern Illinois. These are the 14 most scenic drives in the United States, from sea to shining sea. Get complete property information, maps, street view, schools, walk score and more. The short stretch of the Lake Michigan Circle Tourthrough Illinois travels along Route 137 and then joins Lakeshore Drive (US-41) right at the Lake Michigan coastline through the suburbs of Chicago. It parallels the 18-mile Chicago Lakefront Trail, a multi-use path that runs through city parks and is popular with joggers and cyclists. The scenic park offers heavily wooded areas overlooking the river, and is named for the 55-foot wide cavern situated in the bluffs along the river's edge. Start in Murphysboro, south to Anna, and back up north to Carbondale. The stretch of the Mississippi River north of Rock Island, Illinois is considered by many to be the most scenic drive along the Mississippi. While this region of southern Illinois definitely can feel off the grid, there is no shortage of restaurants offering tasty meals after a day of driving, hiking, or wine tasting. Even if you just drive right through, youll enjoy the serene Illinois woodlands, forests, and wetlands. There is so much history and pride in the locals here. You'll experience towering bluffs, rolling hills, river communities, farmlands and sweeping views. Below Galena, the US 20 rolls along inland out of sight of the river, but there is still plenty to see. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Photos and Property Details for 1209 SCENIC DRIVE, KNOXVILLE, TN 37919. Along the way, you will enjoy the farms, rolling hills, and stunning vista views. The views over the Illinois River are beautiful and well worth the drive. To celebrate the people and customs of this region, the riverside towns are known for hosting a variety of festivals and events with art, music, and loads of food. You will also pass several beautiful state parks including Cave-in-Rock and Fort Massac State Park. Last but not least on our list of the best scenic drives in Illinois is the Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail. On your drive, youll likely see many of these community members on the land working hard on their harvest. BYWAY BITES 581 South Deere Road | Macomb, Illinois 61455 From Peoria's Grandview Drive-deemed the "world's most beautiful drive" by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1910-to Illinois' seven nationally designated Scenic Byways, there are plenty of routes you can take to appreciate the state's autumn landscapes. 1. If you have time and love hiking we would advise you to spend one or more days in this amazing state park. "and they come into 66 from the tributary side roads, from the wagon tracks and the rutted country roads, 66 is the mother road, the road of flight." list of more small cities in Illinois that are worth a visit. Time needed: 2.5 hours to 2 days. 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. It has run every year since 1968, attracting tourists from all over to drive through 17 little towns and appreciate the local history and culture while being surrounded by fall colors. Navigate the charming small towns of Knox County on this self-guided car tour. Love Illinois? It originally ran from Chicago all the way to Los Angeles, California. This is truly one of the most remarkable Illinois byways to drive. Plan Your Trip From Naperville take Ogden Aveue west to US 30. Home Here is a list of more places in Illinois where you can spot eagles during winter. There is no better place to take a selfie than at this scenic overlook in Galena, with its picturesque rolling countryside that will make you feel like you are in rural England (no passport needed!). Insider's Guide Below are the Free Visitor Guides for Illinois Area. At just over 153 miles, this road spans the Illinois section of U.S. 30 which connects Iowa and Indiana. You pass by famous landmarks such as Navy Pier, Soldier Field, Lincoln Park Zoo and Calumet Park. Notable sites along the route are Burnham Park, Chicago Yacht Club, Drake Hotel, Du Sable Park, Grant Park, Jackson Park, Lake Point Tower, Lincoln Park, Montrose Beach, Adler Planetarium, Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Museum of Science and Industry, Promontory Point, Navy Pier, Soldier Field, North Avenue Beach, Oak Street Beach, Belmont Harbor and Temple Sholom. From Peoria's Grandview Drive-deemed the "world's most beautiful drive" by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1910-to Illinois' seven nationally designated Scenic Byways, there are plenty of routes you can take to appreciate the state's autumn landscapes. 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. If you time it right, you can end your day watching the sun go down over the Big Muddy at Savanna. Learn more about Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail on the webpage. It spans about 10 states and has become one of the most iconic byways in the United States. In fact, eight of the 126 America's Byways are right here in our state. Carroll County is very Published in History and Heritage, Scenic Drives Read More 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. Midwest Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. Besides the history; the lovely scenery; the bountiful fertility of the region giving rise to wineries, farm-to-table dining, fun-packed U-pick orchards, pumpkin, strawberry and sweet corn destinations, half the fun is just in getting there. The route spanned the entire width of the state because it was part of the larger highway system that ran from New York to California. 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