Illinois

Divided between the affluent Chicagoland and the startlingly beautiful and breathtaking landscapes that Lewis and Clark once explored years ago, Illinois is a conglomeration of the scenic vistas of the Mississippi River in the west, the Ohio River and Shawnee National Forest in the south, and the metropolitan chic of Chicago on the coast of Lake Michigan up north. Almost 13 million people inhabit the state of Illinois, 3 million of those concentrated in Chicago, the urban hub of the Midwest.

Swing by the nation's tallest building, the Sears Tower, spend the day shopping along Chicago's Magnificent Mile, or for a really expansive view, travel up the John Hancock Observatory to catch a glimpse across four states.

For a look into the rest of the treasures that the state holds, traverse the 550-mile route that is the Great River Road, spanning the entire west coast of Illinois along the Mississippi River, and be sure to stop by the Gateway International Raceway for a NASCAR adrenaline rush.

Illinois is also home to a significant eagle population, which can especially be observed at Lock and Dam 18 near Quawka in western Illinois. For a bit of hiking, make time to visit the Garden of the Gods, a 3,300 acre wilderness with some of the most awe-inspiring sandstone rock formations in the country.

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TripLogs: Illinois