60 days in Illinois Itinerary
Created using Klarna Trips Illinois trip itinerary planner
Start: Chicago
1
Chicago
— 15 nights
Drive
2
Makanda
— 5 nights
Drive
3
Alton
— 4 nights
Drive
4
Springfield
— 7 nights
Drive
5
Peoria
— 7 nights
Drive
6
Rock Island
— 5 nights
Drive
7
Galena
— 7 nights
Drive
8
Dixon
— 6 nights
Drive
9
Ottawa
— 3 nights
Drive
End: Chicago
Fri, Apr 30 - Mon, Jun 28
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View full calendar
Chicago — 15 nights
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Windy City
A huge and vibrant city, Chicago is home to top-notch theaters, shops, museums, galleries, and restaurants.Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Chicago: Illinois Prairie Path (in Wheaton) and Maple Street Chapel (in Lombard). Next up on the itinerary: explore the world behind art at The Art Institute of Chicago, take in the waterfront at Navy Pier, take a stroll through The Magnificent Mile, and get a new perspective on nature at Field Museum.
For other places to visit, photos, ratings, and tourist information, you can read our Chicago trip itinerary website.
Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from your home destination to Chicago. In April, plan for daily highs up to 59°F, and evening lows to 40°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Sat) early enough to drive to Makanda.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Apr 30 — May 15:
Highlights from your trip
Makanda — 5 nights
©
Makanda is a village in Jackson County, Illinois, United States. Explore Makanda's surroundings by going to Mound City National Cemetery (in Mound City), Cache River State Natural Area (in Belknap) and Henry N Barkhausen Cache River Wetlands Center (in Cypress). There's much more to do: surround yourself with nature on Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour, do a tasting at Blue Sky Vineyard, pause for some photo ops at Bald Knob Cross of Peace, and trek along Shawnee Hills.
To find where to stay, ratings, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Makanda trip itinerary planning tool.
Traveling by car from Chicago to Makanda takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Expect a daytime high around 76°F in May, and nighttime lows around 56°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Alton.
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To find where to stay, ratings, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Makanda trip itinerary planning tool.
Traveling by car from Chicago to Makanda takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Expect a daytime high around 76°F in May, and nighttime lows around 56°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Alton.
Side Trips
Find places to stay May 15 — 20:
Highlights from your trip
Alton — 4 nights
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Alton is a city on the Mississippi River in Madison County, Illinois, United States, about 15mi north of St. Get out of town with these interesting Alton side-trips: National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows (in Belleville) and Eversgerd’s Civil War Fort (in Germantown). There's much more to do: cruise along Great Rivers Scenic Route, gain insight at Watershed Nature Center, take an in-depth tour of Beall Mansion Tour, and see the interesting displays at World's Tallest Man Statue.
To find other places to visit, traveler tips, maps, and other tourist information, read our Alton road trip planning app.
Traveling by car from Makanda to Alton takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. In May in Alton, expect temperatures between 74°F during the day and 54°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 24th (Mon) so you can go by car to Springfield.
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To find other places to visit, traveler tips, maps, and other tourist information, read our Alton road trip planning app.
Traveling by car from Makanda to Alton takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. In May in Alton, expect temperatures between 74°F during the day and 54°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 24th (Mon) so you can go by car to Springfield.
Side Trips
Edwardsville, Melvin Price Locks and Dam, National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Miner Park, Eversgerd’s Civil War Fort
Find places to stay May 20 — 24:
Highlights from your trip
Springfield — 7 nights
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Flower City
Springfield is the capital of Illinois, but its real significance is as the hometown of Abraham Lincoln.Change things up with these side-trips from Springfield: Alto Vineyards and Winery (in Champaign), Mount Pulaski Courthouse State Historic Site (in Mount Pulaski) and Hand of Fate Brewing Company (in Petersburg). And it doesn't end there: get engrossed in the history at Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, let the kids burn off some steam at Washington Park, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and don't miss a visit to Lincoln Tomb & War Memorials.
To find traveler tips, where to stay, maps, and more tourist information, read our Springfield trip planner.
Traveling by car from Alton to Springfield takes 2 hours. In May, plan for daily highs up to 76°F, and evening lows to 55°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Mon) early enough to drive to Peoria.
Side Trips
Alto Vineyards and Winery, Mount Pulaski Courthouse State Historic Site, Museum of the Grand Prairie, Rock Springs Conservation Area & Nature Center, Hand of Fate Brewing Company
Find places to stay May 24 — 31:
Highlights from your trip
Peoria — 7 nights
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Get out of town with these interesting Peoria side-trips: Funk Prairie Home Museum (in Shirley), Bloomington (David Davis Mansion State Historic Site, McLean County Museum of History, &more) and University Galleries of Illinois State University (in Normal).
To find reviews, ratings, maps, and tourist information, read Peoria trip itinerary maker tool.
Drive from Springfield to Peoria in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In May, daily temperatures in Peoria can reach 75°F, while at night they dip to 54°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 7th (Mon) early enough to go by car to Rock Island.
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To find reviews, ratings, maps, and tourist information, read Peoria trip itinerary maker tool.
Drive from Springfield to Peoria in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In May, daily temperatures in Peoria can reach 75°F, while at night they dip to 54°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 7th (Mon) early enough to go by car to Rock Island.
Side Trips
Find places to stay May 31 — Jun 7:
Highlights from your trip
Rock Island — 5 nights
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Rock Island is a city in and the county seat of Rock Island County, Illinois, United States. Explore Rock Island's surroundings by going to Nauvoo (Brigham Young Home, Nauvoo Temple, &more). And it doesn't end there: try your luck at Jumer's Casino Rock Island, pause for some photo ops at Atomic Cannon, stop by John Deere Store, and learn about all things military at Rock Island Arsenal Museum.
Find out how to plan Rock Island trip without stress by asking Klarna Trips to help create an itinerary.
Traveling by car from Peoria to Rock Island takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In June in Rock Island, expect temperatures between 83°F during the day and 62°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Galena.
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Find out how to plan Rock Island trip without stress by asking Klarna Trips to help create an itinerary.
Traveling by car from Peoria to Rock Island takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In June in Rock Island, expect temperatures between 83°F during the day and 62°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Galena.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jun 7 — 12:
Highlights from your trip
Galena — 7 nights
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Galena is the largest city in and the county seat of Jo Daviess County, Illinois, with a population of 3,429 at the 2010 census. Get out of town with these interesting Galena side-trips: Massbach Ridge Winery (in Elizabeth), Stockton Heritage Museum (in Stockton) and Savanna Train Car Museum (in Savanna). The adventure continues: sample the fine beverages at Blaum Bros. Distilling Co., walk around Grant Park, appreciate the history behind Galena Veterans Memorial Park, and look for gifts at FiberWild!.
For ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Galena trip planner.
You can drive from Rock Island to Galena in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In June, daily temperatures in Galena can reach 79°F, while at night they dip to 59°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Dixon.
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For ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Galena trip planner.
You can drive from Rock Island to Galena in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In June, daily temperatures in Galena can reach 79°F, while at night they dip to 59°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Dixon.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jun 12 — 19:
Highlights from your trip
Dixon — 6 nights
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Dixon is a city and county seat of Lee County, Illinois, United States. Change things up with these side-trips from Dixon: Fulton (De Immigrant Windmill, Lock & Dam 13 Recreation Area, &more), Thomson Causeway Recreation Area (in Thomson) and Freeport (Lincoln Douglas Debate Square, Oscar Taylor Home, &more). There's still lots to do: don't miss a visit to Dixon's Railroad Street Arches, stroll around Sinnissippi Park, see the interesting displays at The Eagle's Nest Art Colony Collection, and get engrossed in the history at Veterans Memorial Park.
For other places to visit, reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, read our Dixon online tour itinerary maker.
Drive from Galena to Dixon in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. In June in Dixon, expect temperatures between 82°F during the day and 61°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 25th (Fri) so you can go by car to Ottawa.
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For other places to visit, reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, read our Dixon online tour itinerary maker.
Drive from Galena to Dixon in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. In June in Dixon, expect temperatures between 82°F during the day and 61°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 25th (Fri) so you can go by car to Ottawa.
Side Trips
Fulton, Freeport, Sterling, The Eagle's Nest Art Colony Collection, Thomson Causeway Recreation Area
Find places to stay Jun 19 — 25:
Highlights from your trip
Ottawa — 3 nights
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Ottawa is a city located at the confluence of the navigable Illinois River and Fox River in LaSalle County, Illinois, United States. Get out of town with these interesting Ottawa side-trips: Bureau County Soldiers and Sailors Monument (in Princeton), Pontiac (Livingston County War Museum, Route 66 Shield Mural, &more) and Whiskey Acres Distilling Co. (in DeKalb). Next up on the itinerary: indulge in some personalized pampering at SaltTreeYoga, stroll around Washington Square Park, take an in-depth tour of LaSalle County Historical Society & Museum, and admire the majestic nature at Matthiessen State Park.
To see traveler tips, reviews, photos, and tourist information, go to the Ottawa trip itinerary builder app.
Drive from Dixon to Ottawa in 1.5 hours. In June, daytime highs in Ottawa are 81°F, while nighttime lows are 61°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 28th (Mon) so you can go by car back home.
more
To see traveler tips, reviews, photos, and tourist information, go to the Ottawa trip itinerary builder app.
Drive from Dixon to Ottawa in 1.5 hours. In June, daytime highs in Ottawa are 81°F, while nighttime lows are 61°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 28th (Mon) so you can go by car back home.
Side Trips
Pontiac, Utica, Bureau County Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Whiskey Acres Distilling Co., Baker Lake Park
Find places to stay Jun 25 — 28:
Highlights from your trip
Illinois travel guide
The Prairie State
The most populous state in the country's Midwest region, Illinois features a diverse landscape that includes both the enormous urban sprawl of Chicago and flat central plains, devoted almost entirely to farmland. With a great selection of things to do, Chicago is the state's centerpiece, featuring world-famous architecture and renowned museums. Farther away from this giant urban center, you can explore historical landmarks dedicated to local heroes Abraham Lincoln and Ernest Hemingway. The state also includes a prehistoric Native American site, one of only 20 World Heritage Sites in the United States, a unique feature well-worth adding to your itinerary.
