Away from the Crowds in Illinois

Known as the Prairie State, Illinois is in the Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Lake Michigan to its northeast, the Mississippi River to its west, and the Wabash and Ohio rivers to its south.

The Anderson Japanese Gardens are located in Rockford, Illinois, in the north part of the state. These are lovely landscaped gardens with flowers and trees. It is a good place for strolling, with ponds, footbridges, statues, and waterfalls. The gardens offer special events such as tea ceremonies and the Japanese Summer Festival.  Designed by master landscape architect Hoichi Kurisu, Anderson Japanese Gardens features a classic 12th-century pond, rock gardens, and serene views framed by sculptural gates and bridges handcrafted by Japanese craftsmen.

Arthur is a village in the Amish Country of Illinois. It is a village with impressive antiques and local shopping. You can step back into history with horse-and-buggies on the streets. It is home to the oldest and largest Amish community in the state.

Stop by the Amish Heritage Center with a historic farm. Yoder’s Kitchen is a restaurant that serves some of the best homemade food, including many Amish dishes, and has a buffet and a gift shop.

Cache River Natural Area is a swamp that is home to ancient bald cypress trees. It is accessible by boardwalk or boat. It was created when glaciers receded from the area thousands of years ago. You can go out on a boat and explore the swamp.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is located near the Missouri border. The mounds are located in current-day Collinsville, Illinois. The site features the ancient ruins of a 9th-century Native American city. Within the park are 80 mounds, with the tallest one being ten stories high. The Cahokia Museum and Interpretive Center opened in 1989.

See Cahokia Woodhenge, a series of large timber circles that was placed as a solar calendar that would mark equinox and solstice sunrises and sunsets. Archaeologists recreated the layout in 1985. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cave-In-Rock State Park was named in reference to pirates who sailed down the Ohio River to find refuge in the small town of Cave-In-Rock. This hidden river bluff was ideal as a hideout for pirates.

Today, when the river is low enough, you can paddle on up to the cave.

Enjoy Cozy Dog Drive-In, located in Springfield. This is an old-time diner off Route 66 that first opened its doors in 1949. You’ll enjoy the retro décor and it’s famous for fried foods. It is known as the home of the modern day corn dog. Many people come to this iconic drive-in the first time for the savory treats, but you'll be pulled back in again for the sweets. This place is known for its old-fashioned cake donuts. Try them in flavors like chocolate, vanilla, cherry, and cinnamon sugar.

Garden of the Gods is part of the Shawnee National Forest. It is known for its unique rock formations. You can walk the trails for amazing views.

Take a hike along the Garden of the Gods Observation Trail. The trail is a quarter-mile loop that also stretches along the bluffs. There are interpretive signs along the way.

See the Devil's Smokestack, a stand-alone, pillar-shaped rock formation that's reminiscent of a smokestack.

Metropolis, Illinois, has a statue of Superman since this is his “hometown.” This town celebrates all things to do with Superman. The town newspaper is even called The Metropolis Planet, after the paper in the comics called The Daily Planet.

There's a 15-foot-tall bronze statue of Superman outside of the courthouse (pictured above), and a similar statue of Lois Lane is just a short walk away.