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Northern Illinois

Chicago & Beyond

Northern Illinois is home to Chicago, one of the world's great cities...

Chicago & Northern Illinois

... but the adventure and excitement in Northern Illinois continues beyond the city limits. Get your taste of Chicago in our comprehensive guide, and read on for everything else you'll find in Northern Illinois.

Enjoy wine tasting in picturesque vineyards, before exploring stunning state park canyons and waterfalls. Relax on the beaches of Lake Michigan, and get warm welcomes from charming small towns. Culture and history await, too, along with family fun and adventure. There's no shortage of excitement in Northern Illinois.

Northern Illinois Towns & Cities

There are plenty of great towns and cities to explore in Northern Illinois! Rockford offers lush parks and a vibrant arts scene. Starved Rock, near Utica, features stunning waterfalls, canyons, and bluffs, with  hiking trails aplenty. Gurnee provides family-friendly entertainment and adventure with theme parks, water parks, and shopping. Elgin has a winning historic charm, alongside great shopping, dining, and cultural activities.

Aerial shot of the city of Rockford

Rockford

Things to do in Rockford
Three people staring up at a waterfall

Starved Rock & Utica

Things to do near Starved Rock, Utica
Rollercoaster

Gurnee

Things to do near Gurnee
Family outside walking on a sunny day.

Elgin

Things to do near Elgin
Exterior of the Woodstock Opera House in Woodstock

Other Northern Illinois towns

There's more to explore! Crystal Lake is known for its beaches and outdoor recreation areas. In DeKalb, you can tour a historic mansion or enjoy Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area. Evanston sits right on Lake Michigan and is home to Northwestern University. Woodstock's quaint town square and historic opera house are right out of a movie. In Naperville, enjoy the riverwalk, or step back in time at the Naper Settlement. Explore Winthrop Harbor's marina on Lake Michigan, or the Fox River from McHenry.

Looking for Galena?

It's in Northern Illinois, but we cover that over in neighboring Great Rivers Country! Explore our guide to Galena, and while you're there, learn what else you can explore along the rivers and roads of western Illinois.

Northern Illinois Road Trips

Northern Illinois is a wonderful place to explore by car! Follow one of our Northern Illinois road trip itineraries to plan your perfect vacation or long weekend. Whether you're uncovering historic towns, enjoying local wines, exploring natural beauty, or having fun with the family, each itinerary will give you experiences to remember.

Explore the outdoors on a drive along Fox River or the Lake Michigan coast, experience culture and adventure along the Heritage Corridor, discover breathtaking scenery at state parks, and enjoy friendly welcomes from our Northern Illinois communities. Let's drive!

    Illinois Made: Northern Illinois' Best Local Products

    In the towns and communities of Northern Illinois, people are brewing, baking, distilling, and making some amazing things. Be sure to stop by on your visit!

    Browse all Northern Illinois makers

    The exterior of the building covered in orange leaves during the fall

    Northern Illinois Wineries

    Northern Illinois is famed for its wineries. The climate and soils produce unique, delicious wines, from a range of beautiful wineries. They range from family-owned estates, to newer boutique vineyards.

    Discover Northern Illinois' wineries
    A bridge crosses a pond surrounded by fall foliage

    Rockford

    Places to Visit in Northern Illinois

    Rockford is a great Northern Illinois choice if you're looking to immerse yourself in both natural beauty and cultural experiences. Get in touch with yourself and the world around you by wandering the peaceful Anderson Japanese Gardens, or by taking in the vibrant art at the Rockford Art Museum. Expand your mind by visiting a T. Rex at the Burpee Museum or catching a live performance at the Coronado Performing Arts Center. Stretch yourself and enjoy the outdoors by hiking, biking, or fishing at Rock Cut State Park.

    The exterior of a lit house
    Frank Lloyd Wright Trail - Laurent House - Rockford to Chicago
    Inside of museum
    Burpee Museum of Natural History - Rockford
    Aerial shot of the city of Rockford
    City of Rockford
    Person pouring coffee
    Coffee - Roasting18 - Rockford

    Explore more things to do in Rockford

    Three people staring up at a waterfall

    Starved Rock and Utica

    Places to Visit in Northern Illinois

    Explore Starved Rock State Park to take in some of Illinois' best scenery. Take a hike through the woods, check out the sandstone cliffs, marvel at the waterfalls, and keep an eye out for the eagles! When you're done exploring, Utica's just down the road with comfy places to stay, local shops, artisan makers, and good eats. The Northern Illinois combo of Starved Rock State Park and Utica is a beautiful mix of outdoor fun and small-town charm, all in one trip.

    Wine glasses and bottles on a table
    Winery - August Hill - Utica
    Pair of Bison Buffalo Rock State Park Utica
    A waterfall
    State Park - Matthiessen - Utica
    A bridge stretching between two wooded areas, beneath a blue sky
    Bridge between trees - Matthiessen State Park - Utica

    Discover more things to do near Starved Rock and Utica

    Rollercoaster

    Gurnee

    Places to Visit in Northern Illinois

    Journey to Gurnee for a bunch of ways to have fun with the family. If you're after excitement, Six Flags Great America has roller coasters that'll make your head (and everything else) spin. There's shopping galore at the massive Gurnee Mills, the largest outlet mall in Illinois with 200+ stores. To make a splash any time of year, the indoor water park at Great Wolf Lodge has you covered. It's a great Northern Illinois destination for a fun weekend - or longer.

    Four glasses of beer on a wooden paddle
    Flight of beers - Lake County Libation Trail - Gurnee
    A variety of shopping choices at Gurnee Mills.
    Shoppers - Gurnee Mills - Illinois
    Waterpark slide
    Water Park - Wolf Lodge - Gurnee
    Children playing on arcade games
    Arcade - Great Wolf Lodge - Gurnee

    Find more things to do near Gurnee

    A person wake boarding sunset
    Wakeboarding - Quarry Cable Park - Crystal Lake
    Line of storefronts down a main street in downtown DeKalb
    Line of storefronts - Downtown DeKalb - DeKalb
    Overhead shot of downtown Geneva.
    Overhead shot of Geneva
    An old cabin house
    Naper Settlement - Naperville
    Beach
    Beach - Evanston
    Gear next to a river
    Fox River Valley - Aurora
    Family outside walking on a sunny day.
    Family Walking - Elgin
    Old Joliet Prison
    Old Prison - Joliet

    A World-class City with Nearby Adventures

    Chicago & Northern Illinois

    Chicago may be known as the Second City, but it’s truly first class in all things culture. For globally influential architecture, incomparable museums and theaters, and award-winning restaurants and culinary experiences, there is no city on Earth quite like Chicago—it's voted the best big city in the US for a reason! And the excitement doesn’t stop at the city limits; just outside the city, there’s plenty more outdoor adventures, amusement parks, family-friendly activities and even the start of the historic Route 66.

    Travel Inspiration for Chicago & Beyond

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