University of Illinois, Champaign The university's arboretum (pictured) maintains 57 acres of flowerbeds blooming in geometric patterns; you'll also find a sheltering pergola in the Noel Welcome Garden and traditional tea gardens surrounding Japan House. arboretum.illinois.eduKrannert Art Museum houses nearly 10,000 works, including ancient Egyptian sculptures and modern Alfred Stieglitz sculptures (note: The museum is currently closed for renovation and will reopen in August 2016). kam.illinois.edu
Carl Sandburg State Historic Site, Galesburg Tour this Pulitzer-Prize winner's birthplace, walk in the garden surrounding the house and view the final resting place of Carl and his wife, Lillian. sandburg.org
Naperville Riverwalk, Naperville Thirty miles west of Chicago, Naperville’s beautifully landscaped 1.7-mile Riverwalk hugs the DuPage River. The paved trail passes bubbling fountains, covered bridges, outdoor sculptures and a carillon tower. naperville.il.us
Casper Bluffs, Galena Self-guided tours of the 85 acres reveal burial mounds, a 1,000-year-old Thunderbird effigy mound and migrating birds, making it an ideal early-morning spot for history-lovers and nature fans. galena.org
Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center, Litchfield Learn about Litchfield's history and Route 66 through personal guided tours, as well as get information to plan a Route 66 trip. Then hit the road! litchfieldmuseum.org
Route 66 Association Hall of Fame and Museum, Pontiac Examine thousands of artifacts and memorabilia relating to The Mother Road in this old fire station. After exploring the museum, take a photo by the Route 66 mural painted on the back of the building (pictured). il66assoc.org
International Route 66 Mother Road Festival More than a thousand hot rods and vintage motorcycles roar into downtown Springfield for this annual festival. Join the 80,000 spectators celebrating the golden age of Route 66 with live music and entertainment. illinoisroute66.org
Livingston County War Museum, Pontiac Started by two WWII veterans, this hands-on museum features weaponry and stories of wartime. Artifacts from every U.S. war from WWI to Iraq reveal the struggles and triumphs of the soldiers who protect our freedom. livingstoncountywarmuseum.com
Pontiac-Oakland Museum and Resource Center, Pontiac Delve into the history of Pontiac and Oakland automobiles at the museum. Pontiac’s 24 outdoor murals showcase the local cultural scene, and three swinging bridges cross the Vermilion River to connect Chautauqua Park and Play Park. pontiacoaklandmuseum.org
J.W. Hawes Grain Elevator, Atlanta This grain elevator, listed on National Register of Historic Places, holds artifiacts detailing Illinois' rich grain producing, storing and shipping history. haweselevator.org
If you only have time to visit one neighborhood on your next visit to St. Louis, make it the Delmar Loop. This six-block stretch of Delmar Boulevard, which locals lovingly call The Loop, is oh-so-walkable and packed with locally owned shops, restaurants, galleries and more (nearly 140 stops and counting!). It’s so well designed that the American Planning Association named it one of the 10 Great Streets in America.
