Your fave region in IL

[JerichoHW]

Originally Posted by JoshB

Jericho, Not to go off topic but I know what you mean by peaceful, when I was at Field of Dreams in Dyersville, IA it was so peaceful and beautiful much like central Illinois.

Iv'e been near that area it is really peaceful, I was in Cascade, IA.

[runninfiend]

1. Western IL, "Forgotonia," or roughlythe area between, say south of Macomb, west of Jacksonville, all the way to the Miss. River. Just a beautifully area of charming small towns, rolling crop and woodlands, not much development, and a laid back vibe.

2. Central Illinois, Peoria/Bloomington to Spfld: Farmlands but interspersed with hidden gems, creeks, rivers and woods, that most people never explore--I like it that way.

3. Southern IL.-Little Egypt, may as well be in KY. or MO.--I like it that way too.

4. Northern IL-Nice area but the hot spots are too touristy imho. Also, more of a Great Lakes-ish culture vibe north of I-80. Not sure what that means, but I can feel the difference rather than articulate it.

5. Eastern Illinois- Too many people in Chi-land, although I like the cultural aspect of the city. East central IL not as appealing as central and west because those hidden gems are fewer and farther between.

[AaronK]

Southern Illinois. Only area of Illinois I wouldn't mind moving to. It reminds me of Kentucky in many ways.

[linicx]

I vote for Central Illinois. I agree that after three hourrs of corm, beans, melons hogs and cows and interstate ramps, central Illinois can be boring. Bu the same taken I can show you where you can take a slow romantic drive on a quaint, peacfrul road that follows the course of the river, high bluffs where indians lived 12,000 years ago, one of the largest night time Chrismas parades in the nation, a few thousand acres of newly calimed lake, a forest with horse trails, a fish hatchery, a couple of winerys. hand rolled cigars. hot jazz, carriage rides, glass blower, patters, a medallion hunt worth a few grand, and som other neat but quirky places and things, too.

Central Illinois isn't all prairie land any more than Chicagoland is all EL and nothing else. It is what you make og it. Father Marquette called the Illinois River Valley "magic" four hundred years ago.

Highways are built not for creature comfort, they are built where the land will wupport the weight. Most of Illinois roads are built on farm land..

For anyone who wants to visit, Take ii-80 to IL 29 south and folllow it in to Peoria.
And if you get a chance to stop at the Ranch House, and its open, grab a glass, a cup, or a bite. The chow used to be superb. Chanticleer in Eureka (US 24 is awesom too. To experience this you gotta like knotty pine and friendly foolsm good food, rauncy bartender and do n't be in a hurry.

[Probender]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Just curious as to what region of IL you find the most attractive.

Today, my wife and I drove down to St. Charles, Mo, went north and crossed the Mississippi at Eagles Landing on the ferry. From there we wandered north on county roads until we got to Kampsville where we crossed the Illinois on another ferry.
Every area has their own beauty but that part of Illinois in Calhoun and surrounding counties between the Illinois and Mississippi River north of Grafton has some great scenery.