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Historic and natural sites in Illinois

Illinois features historical landmarks, nature parks and architectural structures. The region presents pre-Columbian settlements, geological formations, state parks with waterfalls and canyons. Visitors find lighthouses, gardens, historic villas and specialized museums.

Cahokia Archaeological Site
Cahokia Archaeological Site

Collinsville, Illinois

This archaeological site contains 80 mounds from a Mississippi culture that existed between 700 and 1400 CE.

Garden of the Gods Rock Area
Garden of the Gods Rock Area

Herod, Illinois

A natural area of 3300 acres featuring sandstone rocks, cliffs and bluffs along marked paths.

Kaskaskia Metal Dragon
Kaskaskia Metal Dragon

Vandalia, Illinois

A 35-foot metal sculpture that produces propane gas flames when activated by inserting coins.

Bald Knob Peace Cross
Bald Knob Peace Cross

Alto Pass, Illinois

A 111-foot white cross made of steel and porcelain located at the highest point of the region.

Anderson Japanese Gardens
Anderson Japanese Gardens

Rockford, Illinois

The garden contains ponds, waterfalls, stone lanterns, pavilions and a collection of Japanese maple and fruit trees.

Shawnee National Forest
Shawnee National Forest

Harrisburg, Illinois

A natural area with sandstone cliffs, caves, lakes and hiking trails through various Illinois state ecosystems.

Starved Rock State Park
Starved Rock State Park

Oglesby, Illinois

The park features 18 canyons with sandstone walls, seasonal waterfalls and 13 miles of marked hiking trails.

Farnsworth House
Farnsworth House

Plano, Illinois

A single-story glass house from 1951, elevated on steel columns above the ground, displaying minimalist architecture.

Black Hawk State Historic Site
Black Hawk State Historic Site

Rock Island, Illinois

Preserving the rich Native American heritage with historic monuments and beautiful landscapes.

Matthiessen State Park
Matthiessen State Park

Utica, Illinois

A diverse geological landscape with unusual rock formations and cascading falls.

Nauvoo Historic District
Nauvoo Historic District

Nauvoo, Illinois

Historic site preserving the city's Latter-Day Saint and Icarian heritage.

Cache River State Natural Area
Cache River State Natural Area

Belknap, Illinois

Home to a variety of rare plants and ancient bald cypress trees.

Bishop Hill Colony
Bishop Hill Colony

Bishop Hill, Illinois

A Swedish settlement from 1846 with preserved buildings and objects from the colonial period.

Volo Bog State Natural Area
Volo Bog State Natural Area

Ingleside, Illinois

A nature reserve with an unstable peat bog and an 800-meter wooden path across the marsh.

Mississippi Palisades State Park
Mississippi Palisades State Park

Savanna, Illinois

A natural park with 80-meter limestone cliffs and viewpoints overlooking the Mississippi.

Pullman National Monument
Pullman National Monument

Chicago, Illinois

A former industrial area with 19th-century buildings and a museum about railroad history.

Historic Auto Attractions
Historic Auto Attractions

Roscoe, Illinois

The museum displays a collection of classic automobiles from different eras along with historical documents and objects.

Pomona Natural Bridge
Pomona Natural Bridge

Pomona, Illinois

A sandstone arch spanning 90 feet, created by geological erosion through thousands of years.

Spurlock Museum
Spurlock Museum

Urbana, Illinois

A collection of 50,000 artifacts from various cultures focusing on archaeology, history, and ethnology.

Grosse Point Lighthouse
Grosse Point Lighthouse

Evanston, Illinois

A 113-foot tall lighthouse from 1873 with original second-order Fresnel lens.

Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site
Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site

Petersburg, Illinois

This historical site features 23 reconstructed wooden buildings from the 1830s where Abraham Lincoln worked as postmaster and surveyor.

Montrose Beach Dune Habitat
Montrose Beach Dune Habitat

Chicago, Illinois

A natural area with 12 acres of sand dunes on Lake Michigan, hosting over 150 bird species and native grasses.

Villa Kathrine
Villa Kathrine

Quincy, Illinois

A Mediterranean villa built in 1900 with Moorish architectural features, courtyard and viewpoint above the Mississippi River.

Trail of Tears State Forest
Trail of Tears State Forest

Jonesboro, Illinois

A 5000-acre state forest with historical paths that served as a rest stop for Cherokee Indians during their forced relocation.

Cave-In-Rock State Park
Cave-In-Rock State Park

Illinois

The park features a large limestone cave on the Ohio River that served as a hideout for bandits in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Morton Arboretum
Morton Arboretum

Lisle, Illinois

Botanical garden spanning 1,700 acres dedicated to tree research and education with scientific collections and public programs.

Alton Museum of History and Art
Alton Museum of History and Art

Alton, Illinois

The museum displays local history through artifacts, documents and artworks from Civil War era to present day.

Grandview Drive
Grandview Drive

Peoria Heights, Illinois

This 2.5-mile road provides observation points over the Illinois River Valley and historic mansions from the early 20th century.

Baha'i House of Worship
Baha'i House of Worship

Wilmette, Illinois

A nine-sided religious building with a white dome, surrounded by four hectares of gardens.

Wilder Park Conservatory
Wilder Park Conservatory

Elmhurst, Illinois

A glass greenhouse from 1926 containing a collection of tropical plants and seasonal flower displays.

Leaning Tower of Niles
Leaning Tower of Niles

Niles, Illinois

A 94-foot tower built in 1934 with a 7.4-foot tilt constructed as an architectural replica.

Golden Windmill
Golden Windmill

Golden, Illinois

This 19th-century windmill demonstrates grain processing with original Dutch machinery.

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AroundUs is a community-driven map of interesting places, built by curious explorers like you. It grows with every review, story, and photo you share.
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