22 days in Illinois Itinerary

Waukegan is a city and the county seat of Lake County, Illinois, United States. Escape the urban bustle at Rosewood Beach and Waukegan Municipal Beach. Baha'i House of Worship and Cuneo Museum & Gardens are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Change things up with these side-trips from Waukegan: Fisher Nuts Store (in Elgin), Deer Grove Forest Preserve (in Palatine) and Shalom Memorial Park (in Arlington Heights). The adventure continues: identify plant and animal life at Prairie Wolf Slough, stroll around Independence Grove Forest Preserve, see what you can catch with Diamond Ghost Charters, and kick back and relax at Illinois Beach State Park.

To find photos, other places to visit, more things to do, and more tourist information, go to the Waukegan trip planning tool.

Manchester, UK to Waukegan is an approximately 15.5-hour combination of flight and car. Traveling from Manchester to Waukegan, you'll gain 6 hours due to the time zone difference. Expect a bit warmer temperatures when traveling from Manchester in July; daily highs in Waukegan reach 30°C and lows reach 18°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Tue) to allow time to drive to Dixon.

Dixon is a city and county seat of Lee County, Illinois, United States. Kick off your visit on the 26th (Wed): contemplate the long history of Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home, then steep yourself in history at John Deere Historic Site, and then look for all kinds of wild species at Nachusa Grasslands. Here are some ideas for day two: steep yourself in history at Dillon Home Museum, look for all kinds of wild species at Thomson Causeway Recreation Area, then steep yourself in history at Heritage Canyon, and finally admire the engineering at Lock & Dam 13 Recreation Area.

To see ratings, other places to visit, more things to do, and more tourist information, refer to the Dixon day trip planner.

The Route module can help you plan travel from Waukegan to Dixon. Expect a daytime high around 32°C in July, and nighttime lows around 19°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 27th (Thu) so you can go by car to Nauvoo.

Nauvoo is a small city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States, on the Mississippi River near Fort Madison, Iowa. On the 28th (Fri), steep yourself in history at Joseph Smith Historic Site, contemplate the long history of Historic Nauvoo, and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Nauvoo Temple. On the next day, steep yourself in history at Brigham Young Home, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Nauvoo State Park, then contemplate the long history of Carthage Jail, and finally hike along Wildcat Springs Park.

Plan a Nauvoo trip in moments using our itinerary builder.

Traveling by car from Dixon to Nauvoo takes 3 hours. In July, daily temperatures in Nauvoo can reach 34°C, while at night they dip to 22°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 29th (Sat) early enough to go by car to Makanda.

Makanda is a village in Jackson County, Illinois, United States. Kick off your visit on the 30th (Sun): get a dose of the wild on Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour, then contemplate the waterfront views at Cache River State Natural Area, and then identify plant and animal life at Henry N Barkhausen Cache River Wetlands Center. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: identify plant and animal life at Heron Pond-Little Black Slough Nature Preserve, then take a tour by water with Mermet Springs Scuba, and then stroll the grounds of Mound City National Cemetery.

For reviews, other places to visit, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Makanda route planner.

You can drive from Nauvoo to Makanda in 5.5 hours. In July, daytime highs in Makanda are 35°C, while nighttime lows are 22°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Mon) so you can drive to Springfield.

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

You'll visit kid-friendly attractions like Lincoln Home National Historic Site and Dana-Thomas House. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Mount Pulaski Courthouse State Historic Site. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Springfield: Lake Shelbyville (in Shelbyville), Atlanta Public Library (in Atlanta) and Funks Grove Church & Chapel in the Trees (in McLean). The adventure continues: look for all kinds of wild species at Lincoln Memorial Garden, tour the pleasant surroundings at Sugar Creek Covered Bridge, contemplate the long history of Old State Capitol, and explore the different monuments and memorials at Camp Butler National Cemetery.

To find ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the Springfield trip builder app.

You can drive from Makanda to Springfield in 3.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 35°C in July, and nighttime lows around 22°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (Fri) to allow time to fly to Chicago.

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

Head to The Magnificent Mile and Ernest Hemingway Birthplacefor plenty of shopping. Popular historic sites such as Cantigny Park and Pleasant Home are in your itinerary. Step out of Chicago to go to Naperville and see Centennial Beach, which is approximately 44 minutes away. The adventure continues: admire the masterpieces at The Art Institute of Chicago, get to know the resident critters at Lincoln Park Zoo, take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports, and engage your brain at Museum of Science and Industry.

To find reviews, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our Chicago attractions app.

Traveling by flight from Springfield to Chicago takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. In August, daily temperatures in Chicago can reach 33°C, while at night they dip to 22°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 12th (Sat) early enough to catch the flight back home.