Midwest USA
Illinois
Chicago, Route 66 and the Land of Lincoln
Discover the heart of America – stroll through quaint small towns, like Galena, or revel in Chicago’s big-city delights. Get your kicks along the USA’s most historic highway, Route 66. Retrace the route of Lewis and Clark or explore the land that Abraham Lincoln called home.
The Iconic City of the Midwest
Illinois is probably best known for Chicago, a world-class city regarded by many as the cultural heart of the USA. Renowned museums, stunning architecture, Michelin-starred restaurants – Chicago has it all. But what surprises visitors the most is the 40-plus kilometers of ocean-like beachfront just steps from downtown and shopping. Just beyond the city lies Chicagoland, a metro area known for its unique attractions such as Frank Lloyd Wright-designed structures and exotic gardens. Some of the biggest and best malls in the USA also call the area home. Many are taking shopping to a whole new level with beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces that go on for as far as the eye can see.
Explore an All-American State
If you’re looking for true Americana through and through, there’s no better way to relive the USA’s golden age than along its most legendary highway, Route 66. Illinois’ iconic stretch features classic diners, drive-in theaters and quirky roadside attractions. And in Springfield, you’re never far from landmarks and monuments dedicated to Abraham Lincoln’s life. The 16th president’s legacy marked the beginning of a long history of presidents who called Illinois home, including Ulysses S. Grant, Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama.
Enjoy River Towns and Riveting Nature
The Mississippi River defines the entire western side of Illinois. If it’s the great wide-open outdoors you’re looking for, then you must explore Great Rivers Country. Charming river towns, steamboats, sprawling vineyards and quaint bed and breakfasts are just a few discoveries that await. This remarkable region is also home to Lewis and Clark’s historic point of departure, the Shawnee National Forest and the appropriately named Garden of the Gods. Be sure to spend some time exploring the distinctive towns you’ll find here, where the local culture includes unique shops and attractions, as well as farm-to-table dining and craft breweries and distilleries.
Illinois Made
Meet the artisans, small-batch brewers, distillers, vintners and farmers that make Illinois thrive. Tour their studios and production houses, sample their hand-crafted treats and browse their shops for truly local experiences. From tantalizing takes on gourmet popcorn and groundbreaking espresso drinks to art, furniture and jewelry created from salvaged materials or polished stone, you’re bound to discover foods, drinks and souvenirs unlike anything else you’ve experienced.
Indiana
American appeal in the heart of the Midwest
There’s a genuine personality that translates into authentic experiences for those visiting Indiana. Here, travelers can spend their days paddling a winding river, fishing an inland lake or browsing the shops on Main Street. They can enjoy homegrown produce – and get to know the growers – at our farmer’s markets, eateries and vineyards. World-class cities offer internationally renowned museums, performing arts venues and high-energy sporting events – all paired with friendliness as an added bonus. They can visit a bustling capital city, sunbathe beneath the soaring sand dunes, climb the highest hilltops or explore the deepest depths beneath the surface of the earth. Anywhere travelers go in Indiana, they’ll encounter genuine people and experiences. Even the busiest attractions aim to satisfy and delight because in Indiana, more than anywhere else, hospitality matters. That’s real. That’s Honest-to-Goodness Indiana.
Here are some favorite experiences to enjoy in the state’s diverse regions.
North
Elkhart Quilt Gardens offers a one-of-a-kind experience – a showcase of 20 gigantic quilt-patterned gardens. The gardens, stitched with hundreds of thousands of blooms combine with 21 hand-painted quilt art murals to create a tapestry of color in the heart of Indiana’s Amish Country.
Central
At the Indianapolis Zoo, you can pet sharks, view dolphins from beneath the sea and experience orangutans in the new International Orangutan Center. In this world-class exhibit, visitors watch as the orangutans interact with each other, climbing and swinging nearly 25 meters in the air. The center was designed to stimulate the apes’ physical, social and intellectual abilities and is an international research center designed to better understand this extraordinary species.
West
Parke County, the “Covered Bridge Capital of the World” is home to 31 of Indiana’s 98 covered bridges. History, stunning architecture and beautiful outdoor landscapes are waiting to be experienced in Parke County. Be sure to experience the Mansfield Covered Bridge during the Covered Bridge Festival, one of the best fall festivals in North America.
East
Parkview Field is home to the Fort Wayne Tin Caps. This baseball stadium is a signature attraction in the newly revitalized downtown of Fort Wayne. The stadium and the amenities around it have been named the best minor league baseball experience in America.
South
Indiana Caverns in Corydon is one of the longest cave systems in North America. Visitors can take an underground boat ride, see a three-story waterfall and explore diverse ecosystems with ice age fossils. Madison remains one of the Midwest’s favorite small towns, complete with great shopping and wonderful restaurants. Travelers can admire the amazing architecture in Madison’s National Historic Landmark District and take scenic driving tours around the town to admire the riverfront, fountains and Victorian-era mansions.
South Central
French Lick is home to the French Lick Resort. Comprised of French Lick Springs Hotel and West Baden Springs Hotel, this resort lets guests step back in time to the splendor of the early 1900s. French Lick offers boutique shops, a variety of restaurants, bowling alley, fitness center, pools and luxury spa. West Baden, a National Historic Landmark, continues to wow visitors with its one-of-a-kind domed atrium spanning 60 meters!
