31 days in Illinois & Saint Louis Itinerary

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

You've now added Shoreline Sightseeing to your itinerary. There's much more to do: walk around Millennium Park, get a taste of the local shopping with The Magnificent Mile, learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Lincoln Park Zoo, and appreciate the history behind Cloud Gate.

To see maps, more things to do, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Chicago trip planner.

Use the Route module to find travel options from your starting location to Chicago. May in Chicago sees daily highs of 71°F and lows of 52°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 7th (Thu) early enough to drive to Rockford.

Rockford is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Illinois, the 171st most populous city in the United States, the largest city in Illinois outside of the Chicago metropolitan area, and the city of the 148th most populous metropolitan area in the United States. Get out of town with these interesting Rockford side-trips: Honey Hill (in Waterman), Lock & Dam 13 Recreation Area (in Fulton) and Selmi's Greenhouse and Farm Market (in Rock Falls). Next up on the itinerary: take in nature's colorful creations at Anderson Japanese Gardens, look for gifts at Galena Garlic Company, take an in-depth tour of Historic Auto Attractions, and contemplate the long history of Washburne House State Historic Site.

Discover how to plan a Rockford trip in just a few steps with Inspirock's itinerary builder.

Traveling by car from Chicago to Rockford takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of subway and bus. Expect a daytime high around 72°F in May, and nighttime lows around 50°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Peoria.

Change things up with these side-trips from Peoria: Hennepin Canal State Park (in Sheffield), Evergreen Memorial Cemetery (in Bloomington) and Funks Grove Church & Chapel in the Trees (in McLean).

For ratings, traveler tips, maps, and tourist information, read Peoria tour planner.

Drive from Rockford to Peoria in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. May in Peoria sees daily highs of 75°F and lows of 54°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Fri) so you can drive to Springfield.

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

Step out of Springfield with an excursion to Sand Creek Conservation Area in Decatur--about 54 minutes away. There's lots more to do: contemplate the long history of Dana-Thomas House, brush up on your military savvy at Air Combat Museum, explore the different monuments and memorials at Camp Butler National Cemetery, and get engrossed in the history at The Lincoln Home Visitor Center.

To find photos, where to stay, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Springfield trip planner.

Traveling by car from Peoria to Springfield takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. May in Springfield sees daily highs of 76°F and lows of 55°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 19th (Tue) early enough to go by car to Marion.

Marion is a city in and the county seat of Williamson County, Illinois, United States. Get out of town with these interesting Marion side-trips: Rim Rock Recreation Trail (in Golconda), Cape Girardeau (Trail of Tears & A.C. Brase Arena Building & Park) and Garden of the Gods (in Harrisburg). There's lots more to do: identify plant and animal life at Henry N Barkhausen Cache River Wetlands Center, make a trip to Centralia Carillon, take in breathtaking views at Little Grand Canyon, and trek along Pomona Natural Bridge.

To find photos, other places to visit, ratings, and tourist information, read our Marion trip planner.

Traveling by car from Springfield to Marion takes 3 hours. In May, daytime highs in Marion are 76°F, while nighttime lows are 57°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 24th (Sun) so you can go by car to Saint Louis.

Test the local claim that Saint Louis is second only to Washington, D.C. in the number of free activities available by spending your holiday exploring the city's central neighborhoods, famous for their restored century-old red-brick buildings.

Explore Saint Louis' surroundings by going to Elephant Rocks State Park (in Belleview), Thierbach Orchards & Berry Farm (in Marthasville) and John Colter Memorial (in New Haven). There's much more to do: take in panoramic vistas at The Gateway Arch, learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Saint Louis Zoo, relax in the rural setting at Grant’s Farm, and pause for some serene contemplation at Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.

For maps, ratings, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Saint Louis trip itinerary builder tool.

Traveling by car from Marion to Saint Louis takes 2 hours. In May, daily temperatures in Saint Louis can reach 77°F, while at night they dip to 57°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 31st (Sun) early enough to catch the flight back home.