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06-13-2009, 05:23 PM
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Genealogy and Illinois mod
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Not where you ever lived
2,923 posts, read 1,509,786 times
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Some great things about East, West, Central and Southern Illinois
Chicago is the third largest City in the US. It has everything the rest of the state does not have from Lake Michigan and the Loop to the tallest skyscraper in the US to Chinatown, to one of the two oldest zoological parks in the US (both are in Illinois), to the Navy Pier, Trader Joe's and Cosco.
The following are great links to other destinations in Illinois. Feel free to comment, but please be polite. This post is meant to be informational.
Illinois Byways and River Roads - Fox River
iBi - June 2009 | peoriamagazines.com
Eastern Illinois
Eastern Illinois Sights & Attractions: Sights & Attractions in Eastern Illinois, Illinois
Southern Illinois
Southernmost Illinois Tourism Bureau
Central Illinois
http://www.peoriazoo.org/africa.html - Africa Exhibit
Official website of Wildlife Prairie State Park - Native Illinois Animals
Western Illinois
Sightseeing
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06-13-2009, 10:26 PM
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Moderator
Status:
"Thanksgiving is 66% over, only one more meal left."
(set 19 hours ago)
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Columbia County, Wisconsin
3,519 posts, read 2,986,390 times
Reputation: 1223
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I love how rural southern IL is. I remember stopping in a town called Dix, IL. Seemed as if timed stood still. Man, if I could find a place like that up here. The beauty of southern IL is so underrated it's not even funny! I love the Shawnee National Forest.
__________________
Moderator of these fine forums:
The Great States of Illinois, Chicago, Chicago Suburbs ,Vermont, Wisconsin, Madison, Milwaukee, Rural & Small Town Living
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06-14-2009, 08:48 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Feb 2007
123 posts, read 106,164 times
Reputation: 35
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I know people think that most of central and eastern Illinois is super flat (which it is), but there's something serene about being able to see for just miles and miles.
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06-14-2009, 09:35 AM
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Genealogy and Illinois mod
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Not where you ever lived
2,923 posts, read 1,509,786 times
Reputation: 1065
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I don't think so
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maintainschaos
I know people think that most of central and eastern Illinois is super flat (which it is), but there's something serene about being able to see for just miles and miles.
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Illinois is farming state. It is in the heart of the midwest Grain and Beef Belt, but if you come to Peoria I'll show you a nine degree hill and a 200' tower from where you can see forever on a clear day. |
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06-15-2009, 01:54 PM
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Member
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Springfield, IL
25 posts, read 13,138 times
Reputation: 21
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There's quite a bit of interesting terrain between the IL and Mississippi rivers. Check out Siloam Springs State Park for an example- right in the middle of central IL.
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06-15-2009, 10:53 PM
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Genealogy and Illinois mod
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Not where you ever lived
2,923 posts, read 1,509,786 times
Reputation: 1065
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Siloam Springs is actually in western Central Illinois near Quincy. Cross the river at Quincy and you are not too far north of where Mark Twain was born. If you go a little further south you'll enter the Mark Twain National Forest. Here is a link to SS:
DNR |
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06-16-2009, 06:06 PM
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Senior Member
Status:
"Ohio Native"
(set 4 days ago)
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Rockford, Illinois
100 posts, read 42,704 times
Reputation: 46
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The state and local parks (White Pines, Castle Rock, Lowden, Franklin Creek) in the Ogle and Lee County area (northwestern Illinois) are a nice destination. Has anyone ever been to Nachusa Grasslands??? I'm thinking about going there tomorrow with some friends. Any opinions?!
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06-16-2009, 06:48 PM
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Genealogy and Illinois mod
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Not where you ever lived
2,923 posts, read 1,509,786 times
Reputation: 1065
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I live nature, but don't know anything about that area. Here's a small suggestion: Maybe you could tell us more about it - routes to get there, and things you can do or see - when you return?
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06-16-2009, 07:50 PM
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Rangers FC supporter
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Western Chicagoland
17,069 posts, read 18,160,919 times
Reputation: 4781
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sandwalk
The state and local parks (White Pines, Castle Rock, Lowden, Franklin Creek) in the Ogle and Lee County area (northwestern Illinois) are a nice destination. Has anyone ever been to Nachusa Grasslands??? I'm thinking about going there tomorrow with some friends. Any opinions?!
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Nachusa is great and serene. Tons of wildlife and prairie flora out there. On the southwest corner of the park is some limestone outcroppings that are home to a lot of prickly pear cacti, too. Just watch the hike out there, the grass can be head-high sometimes and there are lots of badger holes, which is a bit disheartening at times.  Supposed to rain tomorrow though, so be warned. |
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06-17-2009, 05:17 PM
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Genealogy and Illinois mod
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Not where you ever lived
2,923 posts, read 1,509,786 times
Reputation: 1065
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Nature preservation in Illinois
Here is a list of every Nature Conservancy project in Illinois including the Nachusa Grasslands, and Emiquon - "one of the largest floodplain restoration projects" in the United States. It is located on IL Route 97 in Fulton County - about three hours south of Chicago.
One of the chief complaints of driving from Chicago to Central Illinois is long stretch of "flat and boring" farm land. IF you enjoy a mix of nature, country and city, IL Route 29 South of I-80 offers an entirely different view of flat, boring Illinois. .
IL 29 to US 24 West to IL 97 South follows the course of the Illinois River to Emiquon. A few miles farther south, IL 97 crosses the Sangamon River and continues into Springfield. The Dickson Mounds state Museum is located a very short drive from Emiquon Conservancy. .
Archaeology at Dickson Mounds Museum
The Emiquon Conservancy and Emiquon Refuge projects are across the river from the Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge in Mason County. When the two county projects are finished it will include more than 12,000 acres of wetland.
Illinois River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge
IL 97 actually ends at IL97/US 136 East at the Illinois River where Mason County begins. While IL 97 turns south and ends at Springfield, US 136 continues East to I-55.
The all Interstate and US highway route from Chicago to Emiquon is 1-55 to US 136 East to the Illinois River in Mason County. Cross the bridge where the Emiquon Refuge begins and follow IL 97 North past the refuge to the Emiquon Conservancy. This route also passes the entrance to Dickson Mounds State Museum.
The Nature Conservancy in Illinois - Places We Protect
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