10 days in Illinois Itinerary

Harrisburg is a city in and the county seat of Saline County, Illinois, United States. On the 9th (Fri), get a dose of the wild on Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour, take a peaceful walk through Shawnee National Forest, and then identify plant and animal life at Garden of the Gods. Keep things going the next day: identify plant and animal life at Cache River State Natural Area, then look for all kinds of wild species at Henry N Barkhausen Cache River Wetlands Center, and then get a new perspective on things with Mermet Springs Scuba.

Ask Inspirock to suggest an itinerary and make planning a trip to Harrisburg fast, fun, and easy.

Belleville to Harrisburg is an approximately 2.5-hour car ride. In October, daily temperatures in Harrisburg can reach 71°F, while at night they dip to 48°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Sat) to allow time to travel to Springfield.

Springfield is the capital of Illinois, but its real significance is as the hometown of Abraham Lincoln.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Dana-Thomas House and Lincoln Tomb & War Memorials. Let the collections at Illinois State Museum and Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum capture your imagination. When in Springfield, make a side trip to see Lincolns New Salem State Park in Petersburg, approximately Petersburg away. And it doesn't end there: get a sense of history and politics at Old State Capitol, get engrossed in the history at Lincoln Home National Historic Site, take in the views from Sugar Creek Covered Bridge, and pause for some photo ops at Illinois Korean War Memorial.

To see maps, reviews, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the Springfield day trip planner.

You can drive from Harrisburg to Springfield in 3.5 hours. In October, daytime highs in Springfield are 70°F, while nighttime lows are 47°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 13th (Tue) early enough to go by car to Utica.

North Utica, often known as Utica, is a village in Utica Township, LaSalle County, Illinois. Start off your visit on the 14th (Wed): relax and rejuvenate at SaltTreeYoga, take an in-depth tour of Westclox Museum, then immerse yourself in nature at Matthiessen State Park, and finally admire the majestic nature at Starved Rock State Park.

To see where to stay, ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the Utica day trip planning tool.

Getting from Springfield to Utica by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus, train, and taxi; or do a combination of flight, shuttle, and taxi. Expect little chillier weather when traveling from Springfield in October: highs in Utica hover around 65°F, while lows dip to 46°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Chicago.

A huge and vibrant city, Chicago is home to top-notch theaters, shops, museums, galleries, and restaurants.

Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Chicago Riverwalk and Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple. Discover out-of-the-way places like Lake Michigan and Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio. The adventure continues: admire the masterpieces at The Art Institute of Chicago, get curious at Museum of Science and Industry, see the interesting displays at Swedish American Museum, and stroll around Millennium Park.

To see photos, other places to visit, ratings, and tourist information, you can read our Chicago planner.

You can drive from Utica to Chicago in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus; or do a combination of taxi and train. In October, daytime highs in Chicago are 65°F, while nighttime lows are 49°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 17th (Sat) so you can go by car to Galena.

Galena is the largest city in and the county seat of Jo Daviess County, Illinois, with a population of 3,429 at the 2010 census. Start off your visit on the 18th (Sun): get engrossed in the history at Galena / Jo Daviess County Historical Society and Museum, contemplate the long history of Ulysses S. Grant Home, and then sample the fine beverages at Blaum Bros. Distilling Co..

To find photos, reviews, more things to do, and more tourist information, go to the Galena online holiday planner.

Traveling by car from Chicago to Galena takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. Plan for slightly colder nights when traveling from Chicago in October since evenings lows in Galena dip to 42°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel back home.