Holidays in Illinois

Stretching from Lake Michigan in the north to the Mississippi River in the south, Illinois boasts 6,900 kilometres of scenic shoreline, half a million acres of state parks and 1,100 historic sites. In addition, the ‘Land of Lincoln’ is home to expansive farmlands, rolling glacial plains and, to the south, the hills and valleys of the Illinois Ozarks. However, it is Chicago, with its cloud-piercing architecture, outstanding museums and unrivalled music scene, which is the undoubted jewel in Illinois’ crown. The ‘Windy City’ is easily one of the most energetic, charismatic and compelling cities in the whole of North America.

Illinois Holidays: Travel Essentials

Spring and autumn are often the best times to take Illinois holidays as summers can get uncomfortably hot while winters can be bitingly cold, more so in the north of the state. Chicago is the principal point of entry into Illinois for most international travellers with flights from the UK taking around 8½ hours from London. Illinois lies within the North American Central Time Zone (GMT-6) so British visitors need to adjust the time on their watches and mobile phones accordingly. While efficient public transportation options in and around Chicago make getting around the city very easy, hiring a car is undoubtedly the most convenient way to explore the state as a whole; and to live out those route 66 roadtrip fantasies.

Illinois Holidays: Highlights

From gangster tours of Al Capone’s old haunts and horizon-bending views atop skyscrapers to blues performances in super-cool music clubs and baseball games at Wrigley Field; Chicago is absolutely full of fun and interesting things for visitors to see and do. Away from the city, there are the sublime Great Lakes to admire, the pretty villages of the Ozarks to explore and all manner of parks and forests to hike, climb, swim, fish and kayak through.