16 days in Illinois Itinerary

Take a break from Chicago with a short trip to Century of Progress Architectural District in Beverly Shores, about 1 hour away. Next up on the itinerary: explore the world behind art at The Art Institute of Chicago, enjoy breathtaking views from 360 Chicago Observation Deck, get to know the resident critters at Lincoln Park Zoo, and get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Shedd Aquarium.

For traveler tips, photos, and other tourist information, refer to the Chicago online route maker.

If you are flying in from United Arab Emirates, the closest major aiports are Chicago Midway International Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Gary Chicago International Airport. February in Chicago sees daily highs of 2°C and lows of -7°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Tue) to allow enough time to fly to Rock Island.

Kick off your visit on the 8th (Wed): stroll through Quad City Botanical Center, then brush up on your military savvy at Rock Island Arsenal Museum, then examine the collection at Colonel Davenport House, and finally try your luck at Jumer's Casino Rock Island. Keep things going the next day: appreciate the history behind Atomic Cannon, then have fun and explore at Family Museum of Arts and Science, then examine the collection at Iowa 80 Trucking Museum, and finally look for gifts at Iowa 80, World's Largest Truck Stop.

To see photos, reviews, more things to do, and other tourist information, read our Rock Island online tour itinerary builder.

Traveling by flight from Chicago to Rock Island takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In March, plan for daily highs up to 9°C, and evening lows to -3°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Thu) to allow time to drive to Galena.

On the 10th (Fri), steep yourself in history at Ulysses S. Grant Home, then brush up on your knowledge of spirits at Blaum Bros. Distilling Co., then indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, and finally appreciate the extensive heritage of Root Beer Revelry. On the 11th (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: don't miss a visit to Julien Dubuque Monument, then get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, then make a trip to Fenelon Place Elevator Co., and finally get the lay of the land with Walking tours.

To find more things to do, maps, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Galena visit planning tool.

You can drive from Rock Island to Galena in 2 hours. Another option is to take a bus. When traveling from Rock Island in March, plan for slightly colder days in Galena, with highs around 6°C, while nights are about the same with lows around -5°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 11th (Sat) so you can go by car to Rockford.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Rockford: Starved Rock State Park (in Oglesby), Whiskey Acres Distilling Co. (in DeKalb) and Bavaria Sausage Kitchen (in Fitchburg).

To see ratings, reviews, maps, and other tourist information, read our Rockford sightseeing planning tool.

Drive from Galena to Rockford in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi; or take a bus. In March in Rockford, expect temperatures between 7°C during the day and -3°C at night.