Facebook/Saults Drug Store. Cutting through Illinois is a 300-mile stretch of the mythical Route 66. You'll have your camera out almost all the time for this one. About The Byway Home On your way, be sure to check out an original brick road (no, its not yellow!) We've driven this route, mainly Alton to Pere Marquette State Park, numerous time, and always enjoy the river scenes, the bluffs, the small towns and in the fall, the foliage. Get the Guide Roadside Attractions Classic Cars Scenic Drives Travel Illinois Stories from the Road Outdoors Unlock the Secrets of Starved Rock Getting around Chicago and Illinois is easy with our guide to ways to travel around the state. Allen V. Peloquin and Y C Cheryl, 9254 Scenic Bluff Drive, Austin, TX 78733 Find homes for sale, market statistics, foreclosures, property taxes, real estate news, agent reviews, condos, neighborhoods on Blockshopper.com All Rights Reserved. Slow down, she says. The sky was a deep blue, the windows were rolled down, Patricia sailed her hand out the window. Experience what the American Dream really felt like while driving along legendary Route 66. How do you put a rating on something that is just so serene? Day spas in Illinois that are worh visiting. Navigate the charming small towns of Knox County on this self-guided car tour. Enjoy the slow-moving waters of the Illinois River, the roadside stands selling fruits and vegetables, and the cultural history of the Native Americans, French explorers, and American settlers that built their communities around this river. We always enjoy visiting Galena Cellars, but the Stagecoach Trail also gives access to Apple River Canyon State Park, a wonderland of canyons and rugged rock formations great for hiking. You'll experience towering bluffs, rolling hills, river communities, farmlands and sweeping views. A non-partisan organization dedicated to involving Illinois residents in the state's political process. Fabulous views and thrilling curves with the rivers right beside you. This scenic byway travels along the Ohio River through the southern area of Illinois, near Golconda, Metropolis and Cairo. Considered the most beautiful state park, Starved Rock State Park is home to a surreal landscape of rock formations, canyons, forests, and waterfalls. 4. Get complete property information, maps, street view, schools, walk score and more. The route spanned the entire width of the state because it was part of the larger highway system that ran from New York to California. If you're not one to hit the black diamond slopes out in Colorado, Trail Ridge Road is your best way to see the Rocky Mountains. We've mapped out the drives and included several must-see scenic pit stops along the routes. Popular stops along the road include the Paramount Theatre built in 1931, Rochelle Railroad Park with locomotives from the 1920s, and the unique communities that span the rolling prairies and riverfront towns on this scenic route in Illinois. hand laid back in the 1930s and Harrys Rabbit Ranch, which contains old Route 66 memorabilia and other kitschy items that made this one of the most renowned Illinois byways. The Morton Arboretum, 4100 IL-53, Lisle, IL 60532, USA. Check out these cozy cabins. Eureka College, Reagan's alma mater, is a very small college with not much to see. You can read our complete privacy policy here. With more than 24 different attractions, there is something for the whole family. Rewrite your bucket list as you soar through the forest on a zipline, take a gondola ride to the top of the bluffs, experience the flavor of Illinois wines, satisfy your sweet tooth with a banana split inspired by a paddlewheel boat, or take a cruise on an actual paddlewheel boat. These are prestigious, towering estates that have looked over Grandview since it was built over 100 years ago. Beginning with America's First Mile in Fort Kent, Maine, U.S. Route 1 stretches the length of the eastern United States for more than 2,400 miles from Maine to Key West. Click on any scenic byway or backway listed below for complete information. Learn more about The Morton Arboretum on the website. The Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive Festival is a must-see every October. What are some of the most beautiful parks to visit in Illinois? To satisfy your hunger, you'll need to drive for about 40 minutes to reach Cliff Droppers, a popular family-run burger restaurant in the area. Carroll County is very Published in History and Heritage, Scenic Drives Read More We had the best afternoon exploring and even came home with some beautiful handicrafts. Beginning in Chicago and ending in St. Louis, you'll find an old, hand-laid brick road, a rabbit ranch, fried chicken, strange statues, and much more on this Illinois byway. Learn more about the Long Hollow Scenic Overlook on the webpage. Ron "Don't Say Gay" DeSantis of . 11: Northern California Scenic Drives: Lake Tahoe Loop (US 50, NV 28 and US 89) Distance: 72 miles. Each two-page document includes information about that state's scenic byways program, in addition to a listing and map of all state and national scenic byways within its borders. Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway. Many use it to visit antique shops, farmers markets, and other attractions, but you can also drive the whole thing and see the best parts of Southern Illinois. For example, there are the Fulton Dutch Days in May, the Cahokia Native American Holiday Market in Collinsville during the month of November, and the Eagle Ice Festival in Alton in January. Route 66, otherwise known as Main Street of America or Mother Road is one of the original and most famous highways in the United States and one of the most scenic byways in Illinois. This drive is stunning with the valley on one side and the river on the other. We'd love to have your business listed on our site. Places To Stay Plan Your Visit In this travel magazine we share our best tips and adventures. Many use it to visit antique shops, farmers markets, and other attractions, but you can also drive the whole thing and see the best parts of Southern Illinois. 1. Your multi-country journey begins in Zimbabwe at Victoria Fallsthe largest waterfall in the worldfollowed by camping in Botswana's Chobe National Park. Youll find historic destinations, UNESCO World Heritage sites, awe-inspiring views, and quaint towns spread throughout the journey. Hop in the car and enjoy the best scenic drives in Illinois, from bluffs along the Mississippi River to winding roads through a national forest and the famous Route 66. With 105 miles of gorgeous scenery and natural beauty, Skyline Dive makes a fantastic day trip from Washington DC. You can send yourself an email as well. The Scenic Drive roads are marked with [SD] symbols on this map. The Reagan exhibit is housed in the Cerf Bldg and takes about 30 minutes (or a little more if you read everything). Site Map, Copyright 2023 Great Rivers Country. When we say homes, these arent your typical cozy houses. Re: Fall Foliage Scenic Drive. There are festivals and celebrations happening every month of the year along the Great River Route. Lincoln Highway, Lincoln Hwy, Joliet, IL, USA. From Peoria's Grandview Drive-deemed the "world's most beautiful drive" by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1910-to Illinois' seven nationally designated Scenic Byways, there are plenty of routes you can take to appreciate the state's autumn landscapes. If you are looking for interesting cities in northern Illinois, click here. This Illinois motorcycle route gives motorcyclists a great ride along the Trail of Tears State Forest with tree-lined roads that cascade down into panoramic views of the rolling countryside. Lake Shore Drive's origins date to 1882 when hotel magnate Potter Palmer built his "castle" at 1350 North Lake Shore Drive and coerced the city to build the street adjacent to his lakefront property to enhance its value. Another perk to hiking Sheep Lake Trail is that dogs are allowed off-leash in certain areas along the path. A must-see for everyone. There are also loads of other historical tidbits along the route ranging from Civil War heroes, river pirates, and more. Its no secret that the small towns of the Prairie State are charming, to say the least, and provide the perfect escape from daily life. If you live in a highly trafficked area, you might forget how meditative it is to drive on the open road. Discover top travel stories and even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois with our free magazine. Sage Scott. Your email and your recipient's email will NOT be shared with anyone. As you explore the trail, you'll come across several highlights. If you are looking for a list of more Central Illinois attractions, click here. You've probably worked up an appetite upon completing your hike. Take the weekend and even consider camping out under a blanket of stars. It stretches 15.83 miles from Hollywood Avenue or 5700 North to Marquette Drive and Jefferey Drive at 6600 South and is often described as the "most scenic roadway in the country" as it embraces the lakefront, the city's skyline and most major tourist attractions. You don't need much time to conquer this route, making it perfect for a day trip. With 164 miles to travel in the Land of Lincoln, the Illinois National Road makes it possible to follow the life and political career of Abraham Lincoln, as well as enjoy amazingly old and rare automobiles at MY Garage Museum, just to name a few. A Sunday drive elicits connotations of happier, simpler Rockwell-esque times. Below Galena, the US 20 rolls along inland out of sight of the river, but there is still plenty to see. Also referred to as the Road that built the Nation, this byway started in Cumberland, Maryland and ended in Vandalia, Illinois. This byway was recently named one of the Seven Wonders of Illinois because of the stunning bluffs, mighty rivers, abundance of historical sites, and quaint villages. Then enjoy the highlights of beautiful South Africa, including wine tours, scenic road trips, wildlife safaris, mountain biking, caving, hikes up Table . While Shenandoah National Park is a bit further west, no list of scenic drives in Virginia would be complete without Skyline Drive. Bird watchers add to their Life Lists at every casual stop along this natural migratory flyway, and the sharp-eyed will spot the telltale white heads of bald eagles soaring above the tree line. THINGS TO DO 550 miles packed with adventure! Byway Bites 1999 Wisconsin Act 9 directed the Wisconsin Department of Transportation . If you are looking for more hikes in Northern Illinois, click here. Driving on this old road, with some replicas of old signs and vintage billboards, took us back in time we could imagine what it was like to drive Route 66 a hundred years ago. While enjoying the long, relaxing stretch of highway be sure to make a few pit stops to check out Ronald Reagans childhood home in Dixon, the amazing Fabyan Villa (they have their very own windmill! There are many riverside attractions in Illinois along the road such as Cahokia Mounds, an ancient Native American settlement that is a must-see for all. I especially loved the Corpus Christi Church in Galesburg which was built in 1832 and is just a beautiful display of architecture. These are the 14 most scenic drives in the United States, from sea to shining sea. Here are 15 of the best scenic drives in Illinois for you to take on your next road trip. Route 66 doesn't exist anymore, except in history. Check it out: If you love road trips, check out these seven places in Illinois boonies that are so worth the drive. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Find out how to get to Illinois by plane, train, bus and driving. 9. International Visitors Plan on visiting in October if you want to participate in the countys annual drive event and witness the activities and entertainment. Illinois' seven national Scenic Byways: the Great River Road, the Lincoln Highway, Meeting of the Great Rivers, Historic National Road in Illinois, Ohio River Scenic Route, Illinois River Road and Historic Route 66 offer every traveler convenient and informative ways to experience the diversity of scenery offered throughout our great state. 1. As the name suggests, the two-lane road was originally a stagecoach route connecting Galena with Chicago. Whether you prefer to make it a romantic trip or a trip with the kids, there is something for everyone. flanked by a lavish residential area in the west and fantastic panoramic views of the. It is most popular during fall events, but you'll find lovely sights any time of year. 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