Why Illinois Should Be Your Bucket List USA Destination This Spring

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Spring is the perfect time to explore Illinois, a dream destination for road-trippers, history buffs, culture lovers, and nature enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re cruising along legendary Route 66 or strolling through vibrant gardens and state parks in full bloom, Illinois offers an unforgettable seasonal escape.

New Experiences Along Iconic Route 66
Route 66, one of Illinois’ Seven Scenic Byways, is steeped in history and bursting with exciting new attractions. This spring, travellers can experience:

  • Chicago’s revamped Route 66 – The Windy City has breathed new life into its connection to Route 66, offering fresh experiences celebrating its status as the highway’s starting point.
  • Gemini Giant Muffler Man returns to Wilmington – One of the most iconic roadside landmarks along Route 66, this towering fiberglass figure is a must-stop photo op for road-trippers.
  • Shea’s Gas Station Museum and Route 66 Motorheads Motor Museum (Springfield) – These two museums showcase the golden age of road travel. Shea’s Gas Station Museum preserves the nostalgia of a bygone era, while the Motorheads Museum features classic cars, vintage gas pumps, and a unique Route 66-themed bar and grill.
  • Old Cannonball Jail (Carlinville) – Step back in time at this historic 19th-century jailhouse, known for its distinctive iron ball construction and fascinating stories of justice. Tours of the jail are available from April through October.
  • It’s Electric Neon Sign Park (Granite City) – This newly opened park pays homage to the glowing neon signs that once lit up Route 66, featuring restored vintage signage that brings the highway’s history to life after dark.
  • The Route 66 Mural Trail (Southern Illinois) – This outdoor gallery spans multiple towns, showcasing large-scale, artist-created murals that celebrate the unique culture, landmarks, and legends of Route 66.

Take Time to Stop and Smell the Flowers in Chicago and Beyond

Illinois isn’t just about open roads—it’s also home to breathtaking gardens and parks that come alive in spring. From cherry blossoms in the city to vast fields of tulips and native wildflowers, here are the best spots to embrace the season’s natural beauty.

In Chicago:

  • Grant Park – “Chicago’s Front Yard” – This sprawling green space, located between the city’s iconic skyscrapers and Lake Michigan, transforms in spring with vibrant flower beds, cherry blossoms, and the famous Buckingham Fountain in full flow.
  • Lincoln Park – Home to one of the nation’s oldest free zoos, Lincoln Park also boasts beautifully manicured gardens, walking trails, and lakefront views, making it a prime spot to enjoy the fresh spring air.
  • Garfield Park Conservatory – 2025 Spring Flower Show “Rooted in Mystery” – One of the largest and most impressive indoor gardens in the U.S., the Garfield Park Conservatory unveils a brand-new exhibition this spring, featuring exotic blooms, interactive displays, and hidden floral surprises.


Beyond the City: Must-Visit Gardens and Parks Across Illinois

  • Chicago Botanic Garden (Glencoe) – Located a 45-minute drive north of Chicago and spanning 385 acres with 27 breathtaking gardens, this floral paradise bursts into life with thousands of tulips, daffodils, and cherry blossoms in bloom. Spring visitors can take part in special workshops and seasonal tours.
  • The Morton Arboretum (Lisle) – “Vivid Creatures” Exhibition – Located a 45-minute drive west of Chicago, this world-class tree museum and botanical garden will debut Vivid Creatures, a spectacular display of oversized, colourful sculptures inspired by nature.
  • Starved Rock State Park (Oglesby) – Known for its breathtaking waterfalls, dramatic canyons, and lush spring wildflowers, this state park is a haven for nature lovers.
  • Anderson Japanese Gardens (Rockford) – A tranquil escape featuring winding paths, koi-filled ponds, traditional Japanese architecture, and cherry blossoms that reach peak bloom in early spring.
  • Apple River Canyon State Park (Jo Daviess County) – Situated in the hilly northwest corner of Illinois, once a part of a vast sea bottom that stretched from the Alleghenies to the Rockies, the park now offers visitors hiking, camping and fishing, surrounded by limestone bluffs, deep ravines, springs, streams and wildlife.
  • Richardson Farm Tulip Festival (Spring Grove) – One of the Midwest’s most spectacular floral displays, this festival features endless rows of colourful tulips, perfect for a springtime stroll.
  • Lincoln Memorial Garden Nature Center (Springfield) – Designed by renowned landscape architect Jens Jensen, this garden offers peaceful woodland trails lined with blooming dogwoods, violets, and prairie wildflowers.
  • Pere Marquette State Park (Grafton) – With nearly 8,000 acres of scenic beauty, Pere Marquette State Park is located on the Illinois River and the largest state park in Illinois. It features the 20-mile Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail, over 12 miles of hiking and running trails, and 20+ miles of equestrian trails winding from the waterfront to the bluffs.
  • Shawnee National Forest (Harrisburg) – Nestled between the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers in southern Illinois, the Shawnee National Forest is teeming with natural beauty. Famed for the Garden of the Gods, it is also home to the Rim Rock Recreational Trail, a system of 403 miles of equestrian and hiking trails.

Find out more about visiting Illinois here.