60 days in Illinois Itinerary

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

Discover out-of-the-way places like Richard H. Driehaus Museum and Maggie Daley Park. Let the collections at Chicago History Museum and Oriental Institute Museum capture your imagination. Venture out of the city with trips to Chain 'O Lakes State Park (in Spring Grove), Independence Grove Forest Preserve (in Libertyville) and Volo Museum (in Volo). And it doesn't end there: admire the striking features of Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House, tour the pleasant surroundings at Centennial Beach, see the interesting displays at Money Museum at the Federal Reserve Bank, and take in the spiritual surroundings of Baha'i House of Worship.

To see maps, more things to do, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Chicago trip planner.

Vancouver, Canada to Chicago is an approximately 7.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a train. Traveling from Vancouver to Chicago, you'll lose 2 hours due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Vancouver in June, things will get a bit warmer in Chicago: highs are around 32°C and lows about 20°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Mon) so you can fly 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. You'll explore and learn at Galena / Jo Daviess County Historical Society and Museum and Savanna Train Car Museum. Discover out-of-the-way places like Spas and Chestnut Mountain Resort. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Galena: Thomson Causeway Recreation Area (in Thomson), Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park (in Lena) and Stockton Heritage Museum (in Stockton). There's lots more to do: contemplate the long history of Belvedere Mansion, shop like a local with River Bend Gallery, learn about winemaking at Galena Cellars Vineyard, and stroll around Grant Park.

For reviews, traveler tips, maps, and other tourist information, read Galena road trip planning website.

You can fly from Chicago to Galena in 2.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. In June, daytime highs in Galena are 30°C, while nighttime lows are 17°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Mon) to allow time 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. Your inner history buff will appreciate Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home and Birthplace of Ronald Reagan. Let the collections at Illinois Railway Museum and Discovery Center Museum capture your imagination. Explore Rockford's surroundings by going to Dixon (Loveland Community House & Dixon Riverfront Plaza), Firehouse Ministries Fire Museum (in Rock Falls) and Barnacopia (in Polo). The adventure continues: admire the natural beauty at Anderson Japanese Gardens, see the interesting displays at Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum & Gardens, brush up on your military savvy at Historic Auto Attractions, and identify plant and animal life at Franklin Creek Grist Mill.

For where to stay, ratings, more things to do, and more tourist information, refer to the Rockford trip itinerary builder website.

Traveling by car from Galena to Rockford takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 32°C in June, and nighttime lows around 18°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Pontiac.

Pontiac is a city in Livingston County, Illinois, United States. IL Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum and International Wall Dog Mural and Sign Art Museum are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Popular historic sites such as Weber House and Garden and Norwegian Settlers Memorial are in your itinerary. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Pontiac: Starved Rock State Park (in Oglesby), Utica (Matthiessen State Park, Mix's Trading Post, &more) and Ottawa (Allen Park, Starved Rock River Adventures, &more). There's still lots to do: see the interesting displays at Pontiac-Oakland Automobile Museum, walk around Humiston Woods Nature Center, get engrossed in the history at Bureau County Historical Society Museum, and cool off at Pirate's Cay Indoor Water Park.

To find ratings, reviews, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Pontiac trip itinerary planning website.

You can drive from Rockford to Pontiac in 2.5 hours. In June, daily temperatures in Pontiac can reach 33°C, while at night they dip to 19°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 1st (Sat) early enough to go by car to Springfield.

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

Give yourself a bit of retail therapy at White Oaks Mall and Market Place Shopping Center. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Caterpillar Visitors Center and Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices State Historic Site. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Springfield: Peoria (Grand View Drive, Lakeview Museum of Arts & Sciences, &more), Lincolns New Salem State Park (in Petersburg) and East Peoria (Murray Baker Bridge & Rooster in a Top Hat). There's still lots to do: get curious at Illinois State Museum, brush up on your military savvy at Air Combat Museum, take an in-depth tour of The Lincoln Home Visitor Center, and get a sense of history and politics at Illinois State Capitol.

To see reviews, more things to do, ratings, and more tourist information, read our Springfield trip planner.

Traveling by car from Pontiac to Springfield takes 2 hours. In July in Springfield, expect temperatures between 35°C during the day and 22°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Sun) so you can drive to Collinsville.

Collinsville is a city located mainly in Madison County, and partially in St. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site and Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site. Illinois Rural Heritage Museum and Fort de Chartes are good opportunities to explore the local culture. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Collinsville: Hidden Lake Winery (in Aviston), Excel Bottling Company (in Breese) and Carlyle (Eldon Hazlet State Park & Carlyle Sailing association). There's lots more to do: see the interesting displays at Popeye Museum, try to win big at DraftKings at Casino Queen, immerse yourself in nature at Stephen A Forbes State Park, and take in the views from Little Mary's River Covered Bridge.

For ratings, other places to visit, maps, and tourist information, go to the Collinsville trip planning tool.

You can drive from Springfield to Collinsville in 1.5 hours. July in Collinsville sees daily highs of 37°C and lows of 23°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Harrisburg.

Harrisburg is a city in and the county seat of Saline County, Illinois, United States. Museum-lovers will appreciate Shawneetown Bank State Historic Site and Hall of Honor & Military Museum. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Garden of the Gods and Boo Rochman Memorial Park. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Harrisburg: Cobden (Rustle Hill Winery, StarView Vineyards, &more), Makanda (Makanda Trading Company, Giant City State Park, &more) and Olney City Park (in Olney). The adventure continues: delve into the lush surroundings at Shawnee National Forest, admire the masterpieces at Southern Illinois Art and Artisans Center, look for all kinds of wild species at Henry N Barkhausen Cache River Wetlands Center, and sample the tasty concoctions at Von Jakob Winery & Brewery.

To see ratings, traveler tips, reviews, and more tourist information, read Harrisburg tour builder website.

Traveling by car from Collinsville to Harrisburg takes 2.5 hours. In July, daily temperatures in Harrisburg can reach 34°C, while at night they dip to 22°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 23rd (Sun) early enough to go by car to Nauvoo.

Nauvoo is a small city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States, on the Mississippi River near Fort Madison, Iowa. Visiting Wildcat Springs Park and Siloam Springs State Park will get you outdoors. Kibbe Hancock Heritage Museum and All Wars Museum will appeal to museum buffs. Get out of town with these interesting Nauvoo side-trips: Bishop Hill (Bishop Hill Illinois, Henry County Historical Museum, &more), Argyle Lake State Park (in Colchester) and Quincy (John Wood Mansion, Gardner Museum, &more). There's lots more to do: take in the spiritual surroundings of Nauvoo Temple, examine the collection at Galesburg Railroad Museum, contemplate the long history of Carthage Jail, and gain insight at Historic Nauvoo.

For maps, traveler tips, ratings, and tourist information, read Nauvoo online vacation planner.

You can drive from Harrisburg to Nauvoo in 5.5 hours. In July, daily temperatures in Nauvoo can reach 34°C, while at night they dip to 22°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 30th (Sun) to allow time for travel back home.