Scenic Vistas Tranquil Landscapes Historic Sites and
Recreational Opportunities
The Great River Road in Illinois National
Scenic Byway runs along the banks and bluffs of the Mississippi River, through
quaint river towns and urban cities as it hugs the western border of Illinois
for 550 miles. Experience an Illinois winery, brewery, farm, u-pick, or local
farm to table restaurant.
Four
Centuries of history and heritage and thousands of stories that recount
America's evolution while experiencing breathtaking views, majestic landscapes
and species that travel thousands of miles for a visit or to make themselves a
home.
Fertile Soils
and Waters Discovered by Native Americans Ideal partners for Agriculture and Farming
Your
Journey begins in Chicago, a world-class city. Experience the heart
of the city from the Chicago River and visit the city’s 57-acre Museum Campus
which includes the
Field Museum, home to more than 20 million objects on culture, science and the
environment, the Art Institute of Chicago, second largest art museum in America
with over 300,000 works of art.
Chicago’s Neighborhoods include Wrigleyville, home
to Wrigley Field and the Chicago Cubs, Lincoln Park, a great destination for
shopping and dining; and Bucktown Wicker Park’s cafes and boutiques.
US Route 66 Begins Here
The Illinois’
Great River Road Itinerary starts in Galena. In the early 1800s, this
bustling town grew quickly with the discovery of lead in the surrounding hills.
Over 85 percent of the town is on the National Register of Historic Places. Walk in the footsteps of a
president at the Ulysses S. Grant State Historic Site, once home to the 18th
President of the United States. The historic DeSoto House Hotel is the hub of
Galena’s Historic Main Street, home to over 100 local merchants.
The
rolling hills surrounding Galena are home to award-winning wineries
including Galena Cellars Vineyard & Winery and Rocky Waters Vineyard and
Winery, and local distillery Blaum Bros. Distilling Co. At Wooded Wonderland,
view the native prairie of northwestern Illinois, pick organically grown
blueberries and visit an authentic country store that offers locally produced
goods. Handmade wooden furniture and other items are crafted from native timber
by local artisans.
Savana
and the Mississippi Palisades State Park. The park is rich in Native
American history with hiking trails of varying difficulty. This section of the
Mississippi River has stately bluffs that can be easily accessed from park overlooks,
providing spectacular panoramic views of the river and bluffs below.
Fulton is Home
to the De Immigrant Windmill, one of only 12 authentic Dutch Windmills in the
U.S.
Follow
the Mississippi River to Moline, one of the Quad Cities, and take a
cruise on the Celebration Belle, an authentic paddle wheel boat.
The Quad Cities Family Vacations Museums Historic
Sites and Riverfront Festivals
Nauvoo, a National Historic Landmark community, was one of the
largest towns on the American frontier in the 1840s. Now consisting of over 30
restored historical sites, visit a wagon ride with stops at some of the
restored shops, homes and public buildings. Or take stroll at your leisure and
enjoy demonstrations by reenactors at many of the historic buildings including
the blacksmith, bakery, post office and school. Enjoy a glass of Illinois wine after touring Baxter’s
Vineyards and Winery, Illinois’ oldest winery. Established in 1857, this family
owned winery is now in the hands of the fifth generation.
Quincy
has over 3,600 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places,
including the visitor center, Villa Kathrine, and the Quincy Museum,
Newcomb-Stillwell Mansion.
Grafton
is situated at the northern end of the Meeting of the Great Rivers National
Scenic Byway. From here, the road winds between the Mississippi River and
towering cliffs all the way to Alton.
Pere Marquette
State Park Panoramic Views of the Illinois River
See pelicans, swans, geese, egrets, eagles and many other migrating
birds at the Audubon Center at Riverlands. Experience the river from eight
stories above during the Melvin Price Locks & Dam 26 tour. One of the
largest locks and dam on the river, it is a central traffic point for
barges. The Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower, a 180-foot tower with
platforms at three heights, provides views of the rivers and land below. The
nearby Lewis & Clark State Historic Site marks the point of departure for
these two explorers who mapped the western U.S.
Cahokia
Mounds State Historic Site and UNESCO World Heritage Site is just
south of Alton. This was the location of the largest prehistoric settlement in
North America from 700 to 1400 A.D. Monks Mound is the largest mound on-site
and the largest Pre-Columbian earthwork in North America.
