- Plan Your Visit
Plan Your Visit
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Things to Do
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Places to Go
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Places to Stay
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Explore Our Past
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Trip Ideas
Trip Ideas
- Eco-Friendly Hotels and Green Getaways in Illinois
- College Football in Illinois
- Journey Along the Lincoln Highway
- Illinois Shopping
- Route 66
- IL ♥ LGBTQ
- Golf Illinois
- Chicago Neighborhoods
- Family Fun in Illinois
- Everybody Outside!
- Bike Illinois
- Outdoor Adventures in Illinois
- Chicago to Alton
- Chicago to Carbondale
- Illinois Scenic Byways
- Chicago to Quincy
- 48 Hours on the I&M Canal
- Fall Colors on the Great River Road
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Events
Events
Find out what's on in Illinois and Chicago with your guide to events, festivals, markets, music, theater, sports and more.
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Road Trip
Stories & Highlights
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Seasonal Adventures
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Maps & Visitor Guides
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Getting Here & Getting Around
Getting Here & Getting Around
Find out how to get to Illinois by plane, train, bus and driving. Getting around Chicago and Illinois is easy with our guide to ways to travel around the state.
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My Favorites
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Around Illinois by Amtrak
Around Illinois by Amtrak
Step back in time to the golden age of train travel and settle in for a peaceful ride to discover some of Illinois’ most charming towns and hidden treasures.
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Things to Do
Places to Go
Places to Stay
Explore Our Past
Trip Ideas
Events
Road Trip
Seasonal Adventures
Maps & Visitor Guides
Getting Here & Getting Around
My Favorites
Illinois Made
It’s handmade, homemade,
locally made, it’s Illinois Made
Every crafted item carries a little bit of the place and people that make it. The Illinois Makers program celebrates the small businesses whose uniquely Illinoisan style and creativity set our locally made goods apart.
View the Illinois Made Guide.Â
Interested in becoming (or nominating) an Illinois Maker? Read through the criteria and submit a form here.
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Holiday Gift Guide
From bladesmithing classes to hand-carved platters and sugar scrubs, discover the finest authentic products in Illinois — all while supporting local small businesses.
2023 Illinois Made Holiday Gift Guide
Chicago
A longtime manufacturing hub, local artisans continue the city’s centuries-long tradition of creating, making everything from delicious treats to stylish clothes to chic home decor.
Chicago & Beyond
Beyond the city limits, the skyscrapers give way to treelined suburbs and smaller communities where greater Chicagoland makers are baking, building, and painting some wonderful things.
Featured Itineraries
Made with Pride in Chicago
View ItineraryHomegrown Artisanal Tour
View Itinerary
Land of Lincoln
Deep in the heart of the state’s prairies, local makers are pouring their passion into artful desserts, small-batch spirits, and classic furniture that are honestly amazing.
Trails to Adventure
Adventurous and unique describes not just the topography, but the standout foods, drinks, and quirky creations that makers in Southern Illinois are crafting every single day.
Great Rivers Country
In the charming small towns along the great rivers of the region, makers are crafting some of the finest pottery, handmade heirlooms, and delightful trinkets in the midwest.
Featured Itineraries
Small Batch Favorites
View Itinerary
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Play
The Great Pumpkin Patch
First homesteaded by the McDonald family of Scotland in 1859, the Great Pumpkin patch is a destination for the harvest season, when kids — and kids at heart — arrive every weekend by the carload to experience life on the farm.
Learn MorePlayThe Great Pumpkin Patch
First homesteaded by the McDonald family of Scotland in 1859, the Great Pumpkin patch is a destination for the harvest season, when kids — and kids at heart — arrive every weekend by the carload to experience life on the farm.
Learn More -
Church Street Brewing Company
The Church Street Brewing Company is a production brewery located in Itasca Illinois.
Learn MoreBreweries & Distilleries
Church Street Brewing Company
The Church Street Brewing Company is a production brewery located in Itasca Illinois.
Learn More -
Play
Specimen Products - Chicago School of Guitar Making
For over 30 years, Ian Schneller has been a maestro of hand-crafted musical instruments.Â
Learn MorePlayArts & Culture
Specimen Products - Chicago School of Guitar Making
For over 30 years, Ian Schneller has been a maestro of hand-crafted musical instruments.Â
Learn More -
Lynfred Winery
Since 1979, Lynfred has been offering exquisite ambiance & wines sold in regional gourmet shops & restaurants. Tours offered most weekends. Meeting space available. Visit our luxurious Bed & Breakfast Suites. Wine tastings available daily.
Learn MorePlaces to Eat
Lynfred Winery
Since 1979, Lynfred has been offering exquisite ambiance & wines sold in regional gourmet shops & restaurants. Tours offered most weekends. Meeting space available. Visit our luxurious Bed & Breakfast Suites. Wine tastings available daily.
Learn More -
Play
Wurst Kitchen Sausage Company
The smell of spicy, smoky sausage has been filling the air at this Aurora storefront since 1895.
Learn MorePlayIllinois Makers
Wurst Kitchen Sausage Company
The smell of spicy, smoky sausage has been filling the air at this Aurora storefront since 1895.
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Maple Leaf Coffee Roasters
Maple Leaf Coffee Roasters is an artisan coffee roaster offering a wide-variety of single origin and carefully blended coffees for consumers who are looking to explore their coffee palate.
Learn MoreMaple Leaf Coffee Roasters
Maple Leaf Coffee Roasters is an artisan coffee roaster offering a wide-variety of single origin and carefully blended coffees for consumers who are looking to explore their coffee palate.
Learn More -
Play
Lagomarcino's
Enjoy ice cream, candy, chocolate, and sandwiches at a family-owned old-fashioned ice-cream parlor.
Learn MorePlayIllinois Makers
Lagomarcino's
Enjoy ice cream, candy, chocolate, and sandwiches at a family-owned old-fashioned ice-cream parlor.
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Crown Brew Coffee Co
After spending years doing nonprofit work, Josh started his own community-minded business almost by accident.Â
Learn MorePlayIllinois Makers
Crown Brew Coffee Co
After spending years doing nonprofit work, Josh started his own community-minded business almost by accident.Â
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Chocolate Inspirations
Chocolate Inspirations offers the Happy by Chocolate product line. This mother/daughter duo and their team of women have created handmade, artisan, traditional and plant-based chocolate and confections in Roselle, IL since 2018.
Learn MorePlaces to Eat
Chocolate Inspirations
Chocolate Inspirations offers the Happy by Chocolate product line. This mother/daughter duo and their team of women have created handmade, artisan, traditional and plant-based chocolate and confections in Roselle, IL since 2018.
Learn More
#EnjoyIllinois
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Discover top travel stories and even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois with our free magazine.
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