BEST OUTDOORS in IL
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60602
Millennium Park - part of Grant Park - was built on top of a former railroad yard and parking lot. The city wanted to transform the area into a cultural and recreational destination that would showcase the best of Chicago and celebrate the new millennium. Opened in 2004, The park features the iconic Cloud Gate sculpture, also known as “The Bean”, which reflects the city skyline and the visitors who touch its smooth surface. The park also has the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, a stunning outdoor concert venue designed by Frank Gehry, and the Crown Fountain, which displays the faces of Chicagoans on two giant LED screens that spout water. The park is home to the Lurie Garden, a beautiful urban oasis with native plants and flowers, and the BP Pedestrian Bridge, which connects the park to other parts of Grant Park.
Starved Rock State Park
Oglesby, IL 61348
Starved Rock State Park spans over 2,630 acres. Its 18 canyons feature vertical walls of moss-covered stone formed by glacial meltwater that slice dramatically through tree-covered sandstone bluffs. The park’s hiking trails meander through towering trees and scenic overlooks along the Illinois River. The park is home to seasonal waterfalls, awe-inspiring bluffs, and rugged canyons that dominate the landscape.
Shawnee National Forest
Herod, IL 62946
The Shawnee National Forest in the Ozark and Shawnee Hills of Southern Illinois is known for its adventurous hiking and stunning scenery, including the Garden of the Gods, magnificent oak-hickory forests, flourishing wetlands, and lush canyons. Visitors can take a selfie with the Shawnee National Forest Bigfoot statue installed by a local resident and business owner on a whim. The U.S.D.A. Forest Service administers Shawnee National Forest and covers approximately 280,000 acres of federally managed lands.
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
Collinsville, IL
618-346-5160
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is a pre-Columbian Native American city across the Mississippi River from present-day St. Louis, Missouri. It was occupied primarily during the Mississippian period (800–1400), when it covered nearly 1,600 hectares and included some 120 mounds. The site is a striking example of a complex chiefdom society, with many satellite mound centers and numerous outlying hamlets and villages. It is the largest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico and the earliest of the large Mississippian settlements. The remains of the most sophisticated prehistoric native civilization north of Mexico are preserved at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site.
Matthiessen State Park
2500 IL-178, Oglesby, IL 61348
Matthiessen State Park is a paradise for those interested in geology, as well as recreation. The park is named after Frederick William Matthiessen, a prominent industrialist and philanthropist who originally owned the land and developed it as a private park. Matthiessen State Park features canyons, streams, prairie, and forest in two distinct areas: the Dells Area and the Vermilion River Area. The Dells Area is known for its scenic canyons, waterfalls, streams, and trails that wind through the sandstone formations. The Vermilion River Area is popular for fishing, boating, horseback riding, and camping.
The Garfield Park Conservatory
300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60624
The Garfield Park Conservatory is one of the largest and most stunning conservatories in the nation, showcasing thousands of plant species from around the world through eight indoor display gardens. The conservatory occupies two acres of public greenhouse space and 10 acres of outdoor gardens. It encompasses the eight indoor display houses and twelve outdoor gardens, each with a different theme and plant community. Visitors can enjoy the lush flora and tropical temperatures indoors, or outdoor gardens and play spaces for children. The conservatory offers nature, arts, and educational programs for all ages as well as innovative special events.
Washington Park Botanical Garden
1740 W Fayette Ave, Springfield, IL 62704
Washington Park Botanical Garden is run by the Springfield Park District and features over 1200 species of plants, including a tropical greenhouse, a cactus garden, a rose garden, and a Roman Cultural Garden. The 5,000-square-foot Conservatory houses a variety of plants from different climates and regions. The Tropical House features plants that grow in warm and humid environments, such as orchids, bromeliads, palms, ferns, and bananas. The Show House displays seasonal plants and flowers, such as poinsettias, chrysanthemums, Easter lilies, and amaryllis. The garden also hosts various events and programs throughout the year, such as plant sales, workshops, tours, and concerts.
Navy Pier
600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Navy Pier is a 3,300-foot-long pier located in the Streeterville neighborhood of the Near North Side community area in Chicago. It was originally built in 1916 as a dock for freights, passenger traffic, and indoor and outdoor recreation. Today, it is one of the top destinations in the Midwestern United States, drawing over nine million visitors annually. The pier encompasses over 50 acres of parks, gardens, shops, restaurants, family attractions, and exhibition facilities. It is Chicago’s second-most visited tourist attraction.
