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Discover Northern Illinois’ varied landscapes, fascinating history, and fun family activities, from the famous Chicago skyline to the tranquil splendour of Starved Rock and the allure of Rockford, Gurnee, and Elgin.
Beyond the skyline of Chicago lies the heart of Northern Illinois.
Northern Illinois is home to Chicago, one of the world’s most well-known cities but the adventure and excitement in Northern Illinois continue beyond the city limits. Beyond Chicago, Northern Illinois offers a treasure trove of family-friendly adventures waiting to be explored. While Chicago with its architecture and iconic skyline and gastronomic delights offers an urban experience, travelling beyond the city borders opens the gates to Northern Illinois’ endless scope of nature, history, and diverse adventures.
Urban Adventure in Chicago
Chicago is known globally for its influential architecture, incomparable museums and theatres, and award-winning restaurants and culinary experiences. When you visit Chicago, you visit one of the world’s great cities, full of rich history and cultural experiences. But you also visit a collection of proud, diverse, and friendly neighbourhoods, each with its own style and story. Speaking about the city, Anthony Bourdain once said, “It’s big, it’s outgoing, it’s tough, it’s opinionated, and everybody’s got a story.”
Chicago’s greatest sights and experiences, from the magic of Millennium Park and its iconic Cloud Gate sculpture to the family fun of Navy Pier to the world-renowned Art Institute of Chicago, all provide an important glimpse into Illinois’ greater culture. Get a taste of deep-dish pizza at Chicago’s best restaurants or discover the music and performing arts that echo to every corner of the planet; it is a city that brims with a passion to celebrate cultural richness.
And the excitement does not stop at the city limits; just outside the city, there are plenty more outdoor adventures, amusement parks, and family-friendly activities across the great towns and cities in Northern Illinois.
The Family-Friendly Rockford:
Rockford is a Northern Illinois town where you can 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 Centre. Stretch yourself and enjoy the outdoors by hiking, biking, or fishing at Rock Cut State Park. Rockford’s restaurants and bars serve up a hearty helping of delicious Midwest variety. Here you will find family-run Italian spots dishing out time-tested recipes, farm-to-fork eateries plating up fresh local flavours, and breweries housed in converted factories pouring distinctly Rockford pints. With leafy parks, lively museums, and fun outdoor adventure that is designed to cater to curious minds and active bodies, Rockford is a popular family-friendly destination in Northern Illinois.
Nature at its best in Starved Rock and Utica:
Starved Rock State Park is a stunning natural wonder nestled less than 100 miles southwest of Chicago. Hike through dramatic canyons adorned with cascading waterfalls, take in the beauty of the Illinois River, wonder at the wildlife, and find yourself in a place rich with history and beauty. From hiking the scenic trails of Starved Rock to spotting the mighty waterfalls, winter ice climbing the frozen falls or an afternoon of slow fishing, Starved Rock is truly a nature lover’s paradise. When you are 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.
Gurnee’s Small-Town Charm:
Gurnee is the ultimate family-friendly destination in Northern Illinois that blends the essence of a small-town warmth with endless thrills and attractions for everyone. Gurnee offers endless entertainment for kids across its amusement centres and theme parks. It is home to the famous theme park Six Flags Great America as well as one of Midwest’s largest shopping malls, Gurnee Mills. Gurnee is also a centre for celebrating food and drinks, with a diverse dining scene featuring classic BBQ, steak, deep-dish pizza, and more.
Blending History, Culture, and Nature in Elgin:
Elgin sits along the Fox River, just northwest of Chicago, with a distinct character of its own. This city has reinvented itself more than once, from a watchmaking capital to a dairy hub to the diverse and modern community it is today. It mixes old and new, where historic architecture houses, modern businesses, and murals add splashes of colour to brick walls. The riverfront is very popular, with the Fox River Trail and a riverboat casino. There is also a lot of culture and history to be enjoyed at Elgin History Museum, while a thriving bunch of bars and restaurants, from cosy diners to farm-to-table innovation, welcome food lovers from around the world.
