World: United States: Illinois Vacation Rentals

Illinois Vacation Rentals, Homes, Villas and Condos.

Illinois Local Information and Area Highlights

Travel to Illinois / Illinois Vacation Rentals

City lovers, history lovers, nature lovers…Illinois has a strong lure. Whether you are looking for a scenic view from up high, or down low, Illinois satisfies. A vacation rental in Illinois is simply the icing you need on the cake.

Illinois Getaways

Three-day getaways are easy to plan in Illinois, with so much to do and see. Take the city of Chicago in by the senses, traveling on a boat tour. Visit the hometown of Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, taking in the history lessons, and then cooling off in the Caribbean Water Adventure there. For a getaway on the slightly romantic side, try Illinois Wine Country and the picturesque vineyards. Have a super weekend with the bluffs at Shawnee National Forest, Hannah’s Metropolis Casino, and the Super Museum to view the vast collection of Superman memorabilia. Illinois getaways do not disappoint.

Key Areas

Chicago expertly mixes business with pleasure, making it a strong economic region. Some of Chicago’s greatest attractions are have business associations such as the Sears Tower, with a skydeck open to the public. The John Hancock Observatory allows views ranging four states and an open-air skywalk. A must-see and experience is Chicago’s Navy Pier, a mega recreation facility loaded with amusement park rides, museums, theaters, shopping, and dining in a multi-acre area. The Magnificent Mile also holds a wealth of shopping, nightlife, and culture.

Northern Illinois is an area of scenic landscapes dotted with points of interest. Visit the childhood home in Dixon of President Ronald Reagan, and explore the Ronald Reagan Trail. The I&M Canal State Trail uncovers history as you hike, ride a bike, or cross-country ski; even fishing through the trail is enjoyable. Rockford displays the Anderson Japanese Gardens, made up of two gardens: one traditional and one modern, whose purpose is to provide tranquility. Galena is a historic town with unique shops and golf not very far away.

Central Illinois is filled with physical chronicles of times past, and a bright view of the future. Bloomington is the birthplace of the product Beer Nuts, and a manufacturing facility there still produces all of them. The Lincoln Home National Historic Site and related areas bring visitors back to Lincoln’s childhood and family life. The Arcola Illinois Amish Interpretive Center tells the authentic tale of the Amish community in Illinois through interactive exhibits.

Western Illinois is considered to be the river country, where outdoor sports activities flourish. Great River Road traces the Mississippi and extends the full length of the western border, and the road dives into 550 miles of beautiful limestone bluffs, small river towns, and Native American sacred grounds. The Wildlife Park in the Peoria area is home to a surprising variety of animals, including bison, black bear, bobcat, elk, cougar, otter, and wolves in a natural, early 1800’s setting.

Southern Illinois caters to active lifestyles of vacationers, who love the outdoors and are ready to discover. The Ohio River National Scenic Byway is an unforgettable 188-mile drive, passing by attractions and scenic beauty. Along the way, you can stop to hike at the Garden of the Gods inside the Shawnee National Forest. The rock creating the bluffs is more than 4 miles deep, and two main trails provide great views. Rend Lake “harbors” boaters, fishing, waterskiers, tubers, and swimmers in a fun enviroment, ripe for golfing, camping, hunting, and much more.

Southwest Illinois spills over with history of different eras. Retrace the first footsteps of Lewis and Clark on their quest to explore the Louisiana Purchase in Alton. Also in Alton, take note of the Civil War Prison, and tour the Underground Railroad; this town keeps visitors busy with recreation and entertainment as well. The oldest building in Illinois is Fort De Chartres in Prairie du Rocher; tours are available in the surrounding areas. In Belleville, walk though the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, the largest outdoor shrine in the United States, and meditate at twelve distinct devotional areas.

Sites and tours to see

Lincoln Highway
Starved Rock State Park in Utica
Governor John Wood Mansion in Quincy
John Deere Pavilion in Moline
Carl Sandburg Home in Galesburg
Lock and Dam 18 / Eagle Watching near Quawka
Joseph Smith Historic Center in Nauvoo
Dixie Trucker’s Home in McLean
Wheels Through Time Museum in Mount Vernon
Cahokia Mounds in Collinsville
Centennial Fountain and Water Arc
James R. Thompson Center