It connects 13 community areas from North to South, from Edgewater to South Shore. There was a moment in time where Sundays meant that you piled the kids into the car and took a long relaxing drive. Looking where to stay while exploring the Shawnee Hills Wine trail? 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. Simply a refreshing, beautiful drive no matter the time of the year. Get inspired by top travel stories, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois. While no longer an official highway, Illinois still celebrates its 300-mile stretch with restored 1940s gas pumps, quirky museums, and eccentric art and memorabilia on one of the most historic drives in Illinois. Below Galena, the US 20 rolls along inland out of sight of the river, but there is still plenty to see. The scenic byway boasts 300 miles in Illinois alone, ending where the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers converge near Cairo, IL. Find top rated Pennsylvania 55+ Communities for active adults considering retiring to Pennsylvania. This is truly one of the most remarkable Illinois byways to drive. Then enjoy the highlights of beautiful South Africa, including wine tours, scenic road trips, wildlife safaris, mountain biking, caving, hikes up Table . This post may contain affiliate links. Interested in historic sites? Find out how to get to Illinois by plane, train, bus and driving. Stop in Fulton, IL to check out the working windmill imported from Holland. There are festivals and celebrations happening every month of the year along the Great River Route. Route 66 plays a pretty major part in Americas history. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Note: The Great River Road uses different specific highways to stay close to the river and access great attractions. 1. As you may have imagined, there are a ton of river-related activities and attractions in which to partake. 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. Spoon River Valley is one of the most beautiful scenic drives in Illinois. 1. Not only does it span the entire state, but this famous road actually begins at Lake Itasca in Northern Minnesota and winds the length of the country as it follows the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico. 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. The scenic byway is just 33 miles and stretches from Hartford to Grafton. The Great River Road follows the mighty Mississippi, the nations longest river, along Illinois western border. Along the way you might just discover that theres more to the road than the river. Start in Murphysboro, south to Anna, and back up north to Carbondale. Its a world of natural beauty, where white-tail deer plunge into the roadside underbrush, duck families toddle across the highway, and gangly great blue herons launch awkwardly, but fly away in graceful good order. Its no secret that the area around Galena is packed with adventure, but who knew getting from one great activity to another could turn into a fun-packed Illinois getaway? You'll receive your first newsletter soon! 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. Sprawling through 33 miles of southwestern Illinois, this gorgeous road travels through the Mississippi flood plain and coincides with a portion of the Great River Road. Check out antique shops, artist studios, and local farmers markets along the way. The southern end is at Whitewater Lake in southeastern Walworth County. A scenic driving guide to Kentucky state. Check out antique shops, artist studios, and local farmers' markets along the way. Capital of Illinois and one-time home of Abraham Lincoln, Springfield is parts political center and historic hub, well-stocked with museums and Lincoln sites. If you are looking for a list of more Central Illinois attractions, click here. New Mexico is home to 25 magnificent scenic byways, totaling over 2,900 miles across a diverse landscape. With 105 miles of gorgeous scenery and natural beauty, Skyline Dive makes a fantastic day trip from Washington DC. Schaumburg's many lush, tree-dense neighborhoods contain an array of apartments, condos, townhomes, and houses available for rent, in an overall peaceful environment. Scenic Drives Carroll County Carroll County Barn Quilt Trail Various locations Carroll County, IL Barn quilts enhance the beauty of the countryside and are enjoyed by those who pass by. Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive - Pass through six beautiful Wisconsin counties and 50,000 acres when you explore the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive. One day we were driving to Galena Cellars Vineyard along Stagecoach Trail. From red and yellow trees to roads dusted with vibrant leaves, this is an incredibly scenic fall drive in Northern Illinois. 65 passes by some of Arkansas' most popular attractions. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. The river looked very beautiful, and the leaves were changing colors. 3. When we say homes, these arent your typical cozy houses. Insider tip: If you enough time we would advise you to spend a weekend in Grafton. Here, the Illinois forest crowds in close to the roadside, and low speeds and open windows will treat you to birdsong and the buzz, drone and plaintive croaks of a myriad of insects and hopping residents of the woods vernal pools. Galena in the north and Cairo to the south. Order a copy of Enjoy Illinois and also receive the Illinois State Park Guide and an Official Highway Map. Get to know us better on our about us page. Downtown, eight building exteriors have been painted with large murals depicting local history. The Scenic Drive roads are marked with [SD] symbols on this map. 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. Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway. Go at night for the sunset! According to Theodore Roosevelt its the worlds most beautiful drive. Watch the autumnal leaves sweep over the 180-acre landscape or enjoy a picnic with the family. There is so much history and pride in the locals here. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. We take your privacy seriously and will never sell your data to anyone. So vistas abound, taking in rolling country, beautifully maintained farms and rural cottages perched on manicured properties. Check out these 10 scenic drives in Wisconsin that showcase the very best natural attractions in Wisconsin. Carroll County is very Published in History and Heritage, Scenic Drives Read More Glacial Park in northern Illinois is a lesser-known park filled with wetlands formed by a glacier that was once here. This drive is stunning with the valley on one side and the river on the other. If a particular destination isnt on the agenda, there arent many options better than Blackjack Road, which winds southward out of Galena down to Savanna. 1999 Wisconsin Act 9 directed the Wisconsin Department of Transportation . Walk the quiet, lush grounds and take in the countless varieties of trees, including red oak, sycamore, black walnut, Norway spruce, Ohio buckeye and many, many more. Ron "Don't Say Gay" DeSantis of . What are some of the most beautiful parks to visit in Illinois? Click on the map to specific attractions and follow the directions through the drives. This incredible route is the iconic American road trip. All Rights Reserved and. Some of the most popular stops along the way include the restored 1891 opera house, the Spoon River Dam, and the London Mills Docks along the Illinois River where visitors can enjoy a picnic or spend time fishing. Ohio River Scenic Byway, Cairo, IL 62914, USA. Find a scenic drive or plan a road trip with myscenicdrives.com Find a Scenic Drive Road Trip Planner Plan, edit, save, and share your custom day trips, weekend getaways, and cross-country adventures. Also referred to as the Road that built the Nation, this byway started in Cumberland, Maryland and ended in Vandalia, Illinois. Along this route, youll learn the fascinating history of Lewis and Clark and other explorers who stopped along this route, as well as the tragic history of the Native Americans and the Trail of Tears that passed through Golconda. Bring your fishing rod or your canoe and commune with nature. Make sure to stop to explore at least one of the Minnesota State Parks on the drive. Illinois River Road: Route of the Voyageurs, Click here to add your listing to Go-Illinois.net, Complete the form below to email this page to a friend or family member's email. 9 years ago. The wildlife and foliage on the drive is absolutely beautiful and the wine is a plus! Find out what's on in Illinois and Chicago with your guide to events, festivals, markets, music, theater, sports and more. 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. AMAZING RIVER VIEW, LEAVES TURNING, QUAINT LITTLE TOWN OF Elijah. Known as the Tunnel of Trees, M-119 is one of the most idyllic settings in the state. Related read: 10 Amazing Small Towns in Wisconsin for a Charming Escape. Love Illinois? Along your drive, you'll see the convergence of the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois Rivers, gorgeous limestone river bluffs, glorious trees, and local plants. Wind through this 140-mile backroad, and you'll find more than 20 amazing Illinois attractions that everyone must visit. The smooth blacktop curves gracefully through countryside gradually getting nearer the Mississippi River. Go-Illinois.net, part of The Go Travel Sites family, is among the largest websites covering travel and vacationing in Illinois. How dependent are we on Illinois' sin taxes? 9. Scenic drives in Illinois: 12 amazing scenic routes you must explore. The Shawnee Hills Wine Trail features 11 family-owned wineries and vineyards surrounded by the lush splendor of the Southern Illinois landscape. Read this post in which we share the best things to do in Grafton. Experience what the American Dream really felt like while driving along legendary Route 66. The Scenic Byways program is a cooperative effort between local communities and WisDOT to identify and promote state and local highway corridors with scenic and/or historical attributes that provide travelers an enjoyable visual, educational and recreational experience. Mliz 2015 ninja 1000, 1975 gl1000, 1972 ct70, 1991 dr650, 1989 gsxr750 This is the Badlands Loop scenic drive through the Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Where can I take a scenic boat ride in Illinois? AllTrails/Taylor Tuomey. The scenic park offers heavily wooded areas overlooking the river, and is named for the 55-foot wide cavern situated in the bluffs along the river's edge. It also sits along the Illinois River and you can hike to an overlook to get sweeping vistas of the water. Location South Dakota. The America's Byways Program is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, and was established to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the states. Whitefish, Montana. If you are interested in participating in or advertising with the Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive Fall Festival, please contact the Area Representative for that community, call 309-647-8980, email - spoonriverdrive@mail.com, write Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive Fall Festival, PO Box 525, Canton, IL 61520, or go to our Contact Us page. Home The sky was a deep blue, the windows were rolled down, Patricia sailed her hand out the window. Of course, you can still use the full version of Go-Illinois on your mobile device just as you can on your desktop. Time needed: 2.5 hours to 2 days. One of Chicago's most attractive attractions. 93 reviews. Theodore Roosevelt named it the "world's most beautiful drive," so have that camera ready and drive both ways up and down the road for all the best sights. Lake Michigan Circle Tour. 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. Check out this list of historic places in Illinois. Unlimited stops Plan trips worldwide Divide your trip into days Export to GPS or Print and more handy features! Here is a list of more places in Illinois where you can spot eagles during winter. Take aim at these camera-ready sights along Illinois seven scenic byways. Places To Stay You can have these simpler times back. They capture rich history, and unique landscapes, and feature the fascinating but often overlooked communities that cherish and celebrate these scenic routes. The Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive is a 115-mile ramble through oak, maple and aspen fall color in the 50,000 acres of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. 10 - Great River Road Flickr user: Dave Herholz Starting Location: East Dubuque, IL Ending Location: Cairo, IL Length: 543 miles Best Season to Drive: All See this drive on Google Maps Be an explorer as you climb the stairs to the top of the largest prehistoric settlement in North America, or rent a canoe and spend an hour or two on the waters of the mighty Mississippi, where Lewis and Clark began their famed expedition. A typical Sunday drive might leave you finding a new general store to stock up on sweets and other treats. Discover top travel stories and even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois with our free magazine. Perfect for a short, fun trip, this scenic backroad is only 2.5 miles long. Sign up for our daily email to stay up to date with Illinois politics. Download a PDF map of the favorite Fall Color Drives. If you have time and love hiking we would advise you to spend one or more days in this amazing state park. Searching for 55+ Communities on Retirenet.com is simple and easy. Drive Safe Use our Sound Off tool. Trail Ridge Road Colorado. 10 Tiny Towns In Illinois That Are Always Worth A Visit. This remarkable historic drive offers numerous panoramic views of the Illinois River Valley. Click here to view all the guides avialable for Illinois. Scenic Drives in Illinois 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. In Illinois, the highway begins in Chicago and cuts through the suburbs before heading straight to Fulton. Click on any scenic byway or backway listed below for complete information. Design and Development by J Rudny, LLC. Your multi-country journey begins in Zimbabwe at Victoria Fallsthe largest waterfall in the worldfollowed by camping in Botswana's Chobe National Park. After I came out of the Adler Planetarium the weather changed but even that got a good photo. If youre lucky, youll see some of the several stern-wheeler paddleboats plying the river down below, just like in old times. Guide yourself through Knox County and the 8 rural towns that it comprises. Needles Highway (Highway 87), is found in the Black Hills of South Dakota, on a stretch of road through Custer State Park. 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. At the confluence of the Illinois and Fox rivers, Ottawa marks the northeast gateway to the Illinois River Road. A Sunday drive elicits connotations of happier, simpler Rockwell-esque times. The Illinois River Road Scenic Byway preserves the natural river country along the banks of the Illinois River, allowing modern visitors to travel the same route as the early French explorers: les Voyageurs. THINGS TO DO 550 miles packed with adventure! Initially, the land was an over 22,000 acre working cattle ranch, split in the 1990s into 172 parcels of 40 to . It originally ran from Chicago all the way to Los Angeles, California. Besides the history; the lovely scenery; the bountiful fertility of the region giving rise to wineries, farm-to-table dining, fun-packed U-pick orchards, pumpkin, strawberry and sweet corn destinations, half the fun is just in getting there. Originally, the Illinois portion was an attempt to make it easier for farmers to get their crops to the markets but then began to draw in travelers in automobiles. But now it connects Galena with the beauty of the whole region. A flowing stream to drop a line for trout or crappie is never far with the Noblett Lake Recreation Area, where two streams and a lake reside, being a prime location for fishing and other water fun. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, NEXT ARTICLE: Emanuel's proposed property taxes and garbage fees could pump up Chicago's budget by $600 million, 5 fast facts you should know about Illinois taxes, State Rep. Avery Bourne Q & A: Meet the General Assembly's youngest member. You are in Be sure to check out London Mills and Spoon River Dam along the Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive, one of the most beautiful drives in Illinois. My wife Patricia and I have made a hobby of exploring the highways and byways around Galena Country, and boy have we made a great find. It was meant to be a peaceful and fun activity for the whole family. Fantastic day or weekend trip. Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway, 11304 N Prairie Rd, Lewistown, IL 61542, USA. About The Byway 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. Youll experience towering bluffs, rolling hills, river communities, farmlands and sweeping views. 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! The northern end begins near Elkhart Lake in northern Sheboygan County and the southern end begins at Whitewater Lake in southeastern Walworth County. 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