Name 3 Sites in Illinois That Are a Must to See (Chicago: to rent, amusement park)

[Southside Shrek]

any real Chicago pizza place is a must stop....try Giovanni's.

[Travel'r]

Something I could do a hundred more times and it can never lose luster:
At Union Station's Canal-Adams/Jackson entrance, stand at the river railing right there and just look. Then proceed to Wacker Drive, sloooowly walking along the river, and take it all in as you approach Michigan... Awesome. Literally breathtaking (IMO).

Hope Chicagoans who work in town aren't laughing at me for something they've been seeing for years rushing to work. But this city is downright stunning, no matter how stressful the downtown rushes may be :>). You lucky folks certainly have a gem! (not to mention, Sinatra wasn't exaggerating, that's for sure).

[cstan2]

Originally Posted by kathy58

try Garden of the Gods, Cave-in-Rock, and Shawnee Forest. All are the southern part of the state and all are close to each other.

I have to agree though Cave-in-Rock & Garden of the Gods are inside of the Shawnee National Forest so I'll just count that as 1.

2. Watertower Place in Chicago

3. Springfield: I've lived in IL my whole life and this past summer was the first time I went to the State Fair & it is definately worth going to see. Also, the Lincoln sites are worth seeing as well as the old state capitol.

[Evlevo]

What exactly to you find so great about Starved Rock State Park (I saw it listed several times)?

I lived in Chi-Town for just over a year, and a big reason that I left was the lack of good outdoor stuff. To me starved rock seemed like a joke, no real trails anywhere and not much to do (but then again I like to backpack the mountains of Yosemite & the Olympics) Chain-o-lakes was pretty good (but distant), and was better for short-range mountain biking.

I'm pretty sure it was just not a good fit for me (that's why I moved), but I am still a bit curious.

[heidegger]

1. Historic Long Grove village - on the outskirts of the NW suburbs of Chicago. Especially fun during the Christmas season when you can take a carriage ride.

2. Frank Lloyd Wright district of Oak Park, IL, again a suburb of Chicago - an amazing and IMHO one of the best collections of FL Wright homes around Chicago. Also, you can visit Hemingway's birthplace in the same location. Oak Park in general is a wonderful place to visit.

3. In Southern Illinois, visit the historic french district in Randolph County, along with well preserved forts.

BTW you can't beat a walk along the lakefront in downtown Chicago for a relaxing summer evening.

[mikea54]

1st.- the sub state of Chicago.Great to visit.
(then there is the real state of Illinois)
2nd.- Shawnee National forest, wonderful playground."Garden of the Gods"
3rd. Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. Belleville area.
A limit of 3 is not fair to the state. Contact "Illinois DNR",online, for enough locations to fill anyone's summer. Enjoy.

[redboar]

Originally Posted by Southside Shrek

any real Chicago pizza place is a must stop....try Giovanni's.

Lou Malnati's, the best and the only one Julio hasn't ruined yet.

[Drover]

My fave stuffed pizza is from Calo up in Andersonville. Favorite chain stuffed pizza is a close tie between Edwardo's and Gino's East.

[Kalysa19]

I'll break it down a bit....because I am housesitting and quite bored tonight!
In no particular order:

Top 3 Restaurants
1. Gibson's Steakhouse (Only been there once because it is pricey...but it's goooood)
2. Lou Malnati's (ONE of the many fantastic pizza joints).
3. Billy Goat Tavern (Come on...ya'll know why...)!

Top 3 Suburban Towns/Areas
1. Downtown Naperville & Riverwalk (If you can stand the thousands of high schoolers)
2. St. Charles Bar Scene
3. Lake Forest (because you might just see someone famous)

Top 3 Bars--not Clubs (This one was tough)
1. Cubby Bear (Especially before/during/after a Cubs game).
2. Dick's Last Resort (Okay probably not one of the greatest, but quite entertaining)
3. Joe's (only because they play country )

Top 3 Events
1. Blue's Fest
2. Venetian Night
3. Grant Park Outdoor Film Fest
4. Taste of Chicago (although it's not really one of my favs)

Top 3 Outdoor Areas:
1. Apple River Canyon
2. Rock Island Trail
3. Shawnee National Forest

[brightmidnight]

My favorites:

Grafton/Alton. Contrary to what was previously said, you need not go to Missouri to see some beautiful Mississippi sights-- the best are right here on the Great River Road. Pere Marquette State Park, the eagles flying on the cliffs, the Piasa Bird, so perfect!

The Lincoln sites in Springfield. That's what people come from all over the world to see.

The quad on the University of Illinois campus in Champaign/Urbana. There's nothing like it, and it's so beautiful. It really makes me proud of our state.