16 days in Illinois Itinerary

Chicago is known for sightseeing, museums, and nightlife. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: explore the world behind art at The Art Institute of Chicago, get to know the resident critters at Lincoln Park Zoo, enjoy breathtaking views from 360 Chicago Observation Deck, and take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports.

To find more things to do, maps, photos, and tourist information, you can read our Chicago tour itinerary planner.

Sao Paulo, Brazil to Chicago is an approximately 13.5-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Brasilia Standard Time (BRT) to Central Standard Time (CST) is minus 3 hours. Prepare for a bit warmer weather when traveling from Sao Paulo in August: high temperatures in Chicago hover around 33°C and lows are around 22°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Tue) to allow time to drive to Rockford.

Venture out of the city with trips to Lock & Dam 13 Recreation Area (in Fulton), Galena (Ulysses S. Grant Home, Blaum Bros. Distilling Co., &more) and Shabbona Lake State Park (in Shabbona).

To see where to stay, maps, more things to do, and tourist information, refer to the Rockford road trip planning website.

Traveling by car from Chicago to Rockford takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus; or do a combination of subway and bus. Traveling from Chicago in August, Rockford is slightly colder at night with lows of 19°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Sat) early enough to drive to Springfield.

Explore Springfield's surroundings by going to Lincoln County Illinois Courthouse (in Lincoln), Great Rivers Scenic Route (in Alton) and Mount Pulaski Courthouse State Historic Site (in Mount Pulaski). And it doesn't end there: get engrossed in the history at Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, contemplate the long history of Old State Capitol, get a sense of history and politics at Illinois State Capitol, and browse the exhibits of Lincoln Home National Historic Site.

To see photos, more things to do, other places to visit, and other tourist information, refer to the Springfield tour itinerary planner.

You can drive from Rockford to Springfield in 3.5 hours. Other options are to fly; or do a combination of bus and train. In August, daily temperatures in Springfield can reach 34°C, while at night they dip to 20°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Thu) early enough to fly back home.