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Illinois
Curated by Our Guild Explorers · Updated August 2026
The Prairie State · Capital: Springfield · The Midwest
Chicago — one of the world's great cities — anchoring the heartland.
Why go
What makes Illinois worth the trip.
Chicago
Architecture, museums, deep-dish and the lakefront skyline.
World-class culture
The Art Institute and a legendary music and theatre scene.
Route 66 roots
The mother road begins downtown and rolls south.
Illinois on the map
The capital and the places worth building a trip around. Click a marker for a quick note and hotels.
Illinois — State Facts
A short history
Illinois takes its name from Illinois Confederation Indigenous nations who lived along its rivers before French explorers Marquette and Jolliet paddled through in 1673, followed by French and later British colonial claims to the territory. American settlement accelerated after the Northwest Territory was organized, and Illinois entered the Union in 1818 as the 21st state.
The 19th century transformed Illinois into a transportation and industrial powerhouse: the Illinois and Michigan Canal and a web of railroads made Chicago the great hub linking the East to the western frontier, while Abraham Lincoln built his early political career in Springfield before becoming the 16th U.S. president. The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 cleared the way for the city's pioneering skyscraper architecture.
Today Illinois combines Chicago's global finance, culture, and architecture with a vast agricultural heartland to its south. It remains a Midwestern anchor of trade and transportation, and Route 66's original eastern terminus still begins downtown before rolling toward the prairie.
Chicago's Home Insurance Building, completed in 1885, is widely credited as the world's first skyscraper, using a steel frame that let architects finally build up instead of out.
Where to go
The signature places to build a trip around.
Springfield
Lincoln's home town and presidential library.
Selected hotels
Chicago
Millennium Park, the Riverwalk and skyscraper architecture cruises.
Selected hotels
Starved Rock
Canyons and waterfalls a short drive from the city.
Selected hotels
Galena
A preserved 19th-century river town in the northwest.
Selected hotels
Do the architecture river cruise, but book the early-evening slot instead of noon — you get the skyline lit gold, half the boat traffic, and it's a lot easier to spot a table after at a River North spot for deep-dish.
When to go
Late spring through autumn; Chicago winters are famously cold and windy.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Chicago turns famously cold and windy, though holiday lights and museums are cozy draws.
Spring (Mar–May)
Mild and increasingly green, a good time for city sightseeing before summer crowds.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Warm and lively, with festivals, lakefront beaches and long daylight in Chicago.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Crisp air and colourful foliage make this an excellent time for both city and country stops.
Illinois FAQ
What is the capital of Illinois?
Springfield is the capital of Illinois.
What is the largest city in Illinois?
Chicago is the largest city in Illinois.
When did Illinois become a state?
Illinois became the 21st U.S. state on December 3, 1818.
What is Illinois known for?
Illinois is known for chicago — one of the world's great cities — anchoring the heartland.
When is the best time to visit Illinois?
Late spring through autumn; Chicago winters are famously cold and windy.
Plan your Illinois trip
Browse hotels and flights through the Guild's travel partner, and explore more of the United States.
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