Inspired by a thread on the NM boards, I figured I would compose my own but for IL, naturally.
Feel free to add your own things you love about IL. I havent done several things on my list, but added them anyways as Im sure many of you have and can relate.
Not in any particular order....
1. The smell of the prairie after a rain or on a summer night. Is there anything sweeter?
2. Driving along Lake Shore Drive and taking in the immense skyline and its beauty, particularly at night.
3. Stolling the Art Institute and its priceless works of art.
4. The summer sunsets. Seeing that giant orange orb set over the vast landscape is Heavenly.
5. The architecture in downtown Chicago. The Wrigley Building, Rookery, etc, are truly world class.
6. The Shawnee Hills in Fall. Eye-popping colors and immense rock formations set in the IL Ozarks. Breathtaking.
7. Goose Island Brewery. 312 Urban Ale, Honkers Ale, Nut Brown Ale, Oatmeal Cream Stout, Matilda. mmmmmm
8. Riding a bike along the Prairie Path on a hot summers evening.
9. The perfect charm of Galena. Historical architecture, incredible history, gorgeous setting. The perfect American small town.
10. Running your hand across the top of wheat (ala the movie Gladiator).
11. Hiking the Nachusa Grasslands and enjoying the gorgeous native flora and fauna (just watch out for the badger holes lol) in a pristine setting.
12. Morton Arboretum. Be in a pine forest one minute, Japanese gardens the next.
13. Wrigley Field. Quite possibly the coolest sports venue in the entire world. Old Time baseball under the sun with no gimmicks. Back to a simpler time...
14. Downtown Wheaton and its charm.
15. The first snowfall of the year. Light flakes, especially at night, are romantic as heck.
16. Rt. 20 from Freeport/Elizabeth to Galena. Mile after mile of twisting, pristine road atop tall ridges which give views for miles in almost all directions.
17. The Cypress swamp in Southern Illinois.
18. Hiking down deep into one of the several canyons at Starved Rock State Park.
19. Hearing a Native American drum at one of the pow-wows around the state.
20. Taking in a concert at Grant Park in the summer.
21. Illinois Beach State Park... strolling along sandy beaches, the waves of the immense Lake Michigan rolling gently up on the shore. The tall grasses singing their soothing songs.
22. Standing atop the bluffs at Mississippi Palisades State Park, overlooking the Mighty Mississippi.
23. Hiking in the savannah at Braidwood Dunes in Braidwood, IL. Sand dunes amongst prairie.
24. Watching the Bears on the scrimmage line in mid-December. Seeing their breath pour out of their helmets evokes images of Butkus, Sayers, Payton, Dent, Nagurski, etc. Football at its best!
25. Hearing the roar of the EL as it passes overhead.
26. Biting into a juicy Portillo's beef, laced with hot peppers. Does it get any better?
27. Waking up on a crisp fall morning, bluest skies imagineable, contrasting bright yellow, orange, purple, and red leafs.
28. Watching 4,000hp drag cars rip off 4 second quarter-mile times at Rt. 66 Dragway.
29. Sailboats under the summer sun on Lake Michigan.
30. Searching for Native American artifacts down in the canyons at Matthiessen State Park.
31. Taking in a view from the John Hancock, over 1,000 ft above Michigan Ave. Or if youre more daring, the new glass skydeck at the Sears Tower, which I believe is 1,300 ft above the city.
32. The sound of a red-winged blackbird on the prairie.
33. Fields of Prickly Pear cacti. Sharp and odd, but very interesting, especially when blooming with bright yellow flowers.
34. The crunch of snow under your feet on a bright, moonlit night.
35. The national anthem being sung at a Blackhawks game. Perhaps nothing more goosebump-inducing than being at the UC and hearing it in person.
36. The notorious Midwestern thunderstorms. Big, sometimes quite brutal, loud and short-lived. Wicked!
37. The tree-lined streets in Hinsdale. Picture-perfect!
38. Biting into a Vienna Beef dog, "fully loaded".
39. The Metro in Chicago. One of the nation's gems when it comes to small venues.
40. The long procession that is the St. Patricks Day parade. Bagpipes, dancers, heritage. Who doesnt like the green Chicago River for the occasion?
41. Standing atop Chestnut Mountain ski resort, complete with European-style lodging and a killer view.
42. A riverboat architectural tour of Chicago's skyline. Must be experienced sometime in your life.
43. The Taste of Chicago. Whether you like it or not, its an incredible event for the food lovers out there.
44. Waking up in the morning to a crisp breeze. In July.
45. Watching a farmer harvesting his/her crops late at night, in a big, menacing-looking combine strewn with all of it's lights blaring in the night.
46. Hearing coyotes howling their creepy nightly chorus.
47. Getting out past the edges of Chicagoland and seeing the vast spectacle of stars.
48. Walking around on the narrow, wooden planks at the Volo Bog and being surrounded by nature.
49. The butterfly gardens at the incredible Brookfield Zoo. Very peaceful.
50. The smell of burning leaves in late Autumn. mmmmm
51. Hiking up to the top of the largest known Native American civilization in the States-- the Cahokia Mounds.
52. The absolute peace and quiet that a good snowfall brings at night. The hustle and bustle of summer is long gone, all the sounds muted, the purity of the snow.
53. Sitting by the pool on those hot and humid days that summer can bring.
54. The Chicago Auto Show.
55. The smell of freshly cut grass on a cool summer morning. The smell is amplified ten fold if there happens to be dew on the grass at the time.
56. Gawking at the mega-mansions of South Barrington, Lake Forest, Winnetka, Kenilworth, Oak Brook, Barrington Hills, etc.
57. The incredible variety of wildflowers throughout the state, especially a forest carpeted in bluebells.
58. Lincoln's tomb. Very powerful place to visit.
59. The smell of the musty log cabins from Lincoln's time.
60. The fields of lightning bugs in summer. Feels like being in a dream.
61. Partaking in or watching a beach volleyball game on Oak St Beach.
62. The Piasa Bird painting along the cliffs on the Mississippi River. Used to scare the crap out of me as a child. lol
63. The statue of Chief Blackhawk on the bluff above the Rock River in Oregon, IL. Nice views and a sense of history regarding the Blackhawk Wars.
64. Hiking along the steep (and sometimes dangerous) trails at Apple River Canyon State Park.
65. The best pizza in the world, right in Chicago! Count your blessings!
66. The tall ships event on Lake Michigan.
67. F-14 Tomcats, F-22 Raptors, F-117 Stealths, P51 Mustangs, A10 Warthogs, etc, etc, screaming over the magnificent skyline during the Chicago Air Show.
68. The gorgeous flower gardens at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL. Walking into the grounds on a warm Spring day and being overwhelmed by the rose garden is something youll never forget. And if youre like me, youll feel like youre in a dream and never want to leave. lol
69. Seeing a T-Rex, man-eating lions, a WWII German U-boat, etc, at the Field Museum and Museum of Science and Industry, repsectively.
70. The sight of Lake Michigan. The blue waters and endless horizon are calming.
71. Watching the Chicago Symphony Orchestra perform at Ravinia's outdoor setting. A picnic basket, blanket and bottle of wine under the stars. You might have to pinch yourself at times.
72. Dozens of Nascar engines thundering in unison around the banked oval at the Chicagoland Speedway.
73. Horse racing at Arlington set amongst one of the most beautiful horse racing venues in the states.
74. Nightly cruise nights at the local A&W, Augustino's, etc. Seeing cars of all types and chit-chatting with the owners. Stay and watch as they leave, youll probably be treated to several big ol' burnouts by mega-horsepower machinery.
75. The chorus of crickets at night and cicadas in the daytime.
76. Being barefoot in your yard, feeling the soft grass and hearing the birds singing. Its a rite of summer!
77. Buckingham Fountain at night.
78. Skating at Millenium Park at night, during a gentle snowfall. Never done it, but I can imagine how magical that would be, especially if youre with your loved one.
79. Seeing an old abandoned barn on the prairie. Nothing screams ILLINOIS! more to me than an old abandoned barn on the wide-open prairie.
80. Having a snowball fight with the kids, or sledding at the local park in the fresh white powder.
81. Free fireworks shows on the lakefront.
82. Hiking deep into the Lowden-Miller State Forest and being surrounded by majestic Oaks, and towering, wonderful-smelling pines.
83. Watching eagles soar above the river, fighting for airspace with turkey vultures.
84. The acres and acres of vinyards in Southern Illinois, complete with charming wineries.
85. The sticky sweet smells of summer on a hazy day. The grass, the wildflowers, etc, make for some memorable scents.
86. Cruising Rt. 66 through old towns and long-forgotten sites.
87. Hearing owls at night in the forest. Creepy and beautiful at the same time.
88. Willow trees along the rivers. Pull up a hammock and just enjoy life.
89. Watching the bridges in downtown Chicago raise and lower to allow boats to pass.
90. Strolling along charming 3rd St. in Geneva at night in winter, with Christmas carolers and hot-chocolate/apple cider vendors.
91. Concerts/movies in the park at many suburbs.
92. Screaming your guts out on the American Eagle at Six FLags Great America.
93. A small town Tastee Freeze on a hot summer night with the carnival in town. Small-town feel at its best.
94. Beautifully restored Victorians, Georgians, Unions, Greek revivals, etc, all over the state.
95. Watching the 8th Illinois Cavalry reenactors and feeling a sense of pride that your state contributed to freeing the slaves.
96. Watching a lightning show from a distance on the prairie.
97. Block parties in Chicago.
98. Visiting all the Frank Lloyd Wright homes in Oak Park, even the one in Springfield. Truly one of the greatest architects the world has ever known.
99. Not having to run the A/C for most of the summer. Its a luxury I know I sure enjoy! lol
100. Strolling through the skyscraper canyons in downtown Chicago and feeling tiny.
Last but not least...
101. Walking in the soft sand along the lakefront.
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