Illinois Travel Guide

8 August, 2009 | created using AmericaBeautifulNetwork.com

Alto Vineyards - Alto Pass, Amish Country of Central

Illinois Illinois - Arcola, Arthur,
Jul 14, 2009 04:22PM
Tuscola, Sullivan, Illinois
Oct 14, 2008 02:59PM

Alto Vineyards - Alto Pass, Illinois

Did you realize that Illinois has some great vineyards that are
waiting for you to visit and taste their products?  The Alto Amish Country of Central Illinois - Arcola, Arthur, Tuscola, Sullivan,
Vineyards is owned and operated by the Renzaglia family and is Illinois
located at the foothills of the Shawnee National Forest in Southern
The Amish families came to central Illinois in 1865.  They had
Illinois.  They have two tasting rooms for your convenience.  One
become dissatisfied with the worldliness of the Mennonite Church
here at the vineyard and another in Champaign, close to the
and desired to live a more strict and simple life.  The Amish in this
University of Illinois campus.  The one in Champaign opened in
area are “House Amish” which means they favor holding services in
2001.
a home rather than a church building.
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Blues by Night Tour of Raging Rivers Water Park

Chicago - Chicago, Illinois Jul 29, 2008 08:48PM

Jan 25, 2009 01:46AM

Fun at Raging Rivers in Grafton

Blues by Night Tour of Chicago
To inspire the Blues artist in all of us, after a delicious dinner at
Buddy Guy’s “Ledgends”, the stage is set for a true jam session by
some of Chicago’s finest Blues masters. For the perfect nightcap,
it’s off to Rosa’s Lounge, another legendary Blues joint.
When it is hot out and the summer sun is beating down upon your
brow, there are few better ways to beat that heat than by heading
out to a water park. One of the most well-known and most often
visited water parks in Illinois is Raging Rivers, located in Grafton.
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 Lake Shelbyville - Decatur, Illinois
Six Flags Great America and The lake has great boating, a marina, some of the best hunting in

Hurricane Harbor - Gurnee, the region and a great place to study nature.  Check out this on
6000 acres of mixed habitat from forests to swamplands.   All of it
is located on the 34,000 acres  of the Lake Shelbyville project area.
Illinois
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Jul 28, 2008 08:33PM

Family Fun at Six Flags Great America and Hurricane Harbor University of Illinois -
Travelers to the Chicago area have a variety of attractions from
which they can choose. The great thing about Six Flags Great Urbana, Illinois
America and Hurricane Harbor is that you can always count on the
Apr 27, 2008 08:09PM
parks to deliver a good time for everyone in the family.

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Woodstock Events -
Woodstock, Illinois
Apr 28, 2008 03:45PM

University of Illinois - Urbana, Illinois

The college is one of the top ranked in the country.  With over 150
undergraduate programs, 100 graduate and professional programs
the college has turned out, and continues to turn out the best and
brightest to impact the nation and the world.
Woodstock Events - Woodstock, Illinois
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With a population of under 20,000 this Illinois community hosts a
number of exciting opportunities for entertainment and historic
rememberances.  The Woodstock Opera House is a classic example
of Victorian construction with it’s interior stencils setting of a
Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch -
fabulous background for the concerts held there now and in the
past.  Built in 1889 the theater has run continuously since it
Rantoul, Illinois
opened, quite a statement for any theater! Apr 27, 2008 07:41PM

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Lake Shelbyville - Decatur,

Illinois
Apr 27, 2008 08:38PM

Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch - Rantoul, Illinois

Just 15 miles north of the University of Illinois in

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Champaign-Urbana, IL. you will find this delightful ranch filled with provide information to you.
Santa’s friends!  There are 16 Reindeer and 5 acres of Christmas
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trees just waiting for you to come out and enjoy them both. 

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The Gateway Geyser - East

Lincoln College Museum - St. Louis, Illinois
Lincoln, Illinois Mar 26, 2008 07:42AM

Apr 26, 2008 08:44AM

The Gateway Geyser - East St. Louis, Illinois
Just look at the geyser soaring to nearly 630-feet, the geyser’s
height mirrors that of St. Louis’ famed Gateway Arch, located
directly across the Mississippi River.

The center fountain is complemented by four auxiliary fountains,

which represent the four rivers that converge in the St. Louis area.

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Cahokia Mounds -
Lincoln College Museum - Lincoln, Illinois Collinsville, Illinois
Mar 26, 2008 06:32AM
Being the only college to have the name of Lincoln from the time he
was alive this college has worked to provide a quality display of
Lincoln artifacts and other displays to showcases of the rich local Cahokia Mounds - Collinsville, Illinois
and college history, to a significant Presidential display and tribute
and the September 11th exhibit which includes a three foot beam The Interpretation of the Cahokia site focuses on its uniqueness as
from Tower One. an urban center, or a city. It is the largest prehistoric Indian city
north of Mexico and was a religious, political, economic and
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MCLEAN COUNTY
MUSEUM OF HISTORY - Gateway International
Bloomington, Illinois Raceway - Madison, Illinois
Mar 26, 2008 06:22AM
Apr 26, 2008 08:26AM

Gateway International Raceway - Madison, Illinois

More than 140,000 international fans pack the stands at the

Gateway International Raceway in Madison to watch the world’s
leading racecar drivers compete in the NASCAR Busch and
Craftsman Truck Series, as well as the NHRA Sears Craftsman
Nationals.

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MCLEAN COUNTY MUSEUM OF HISTORY - Bloomington, Illinois

The museum opened to the public in 1904 with an array of

presidential papers and other items from the time.    Currently
Fort de Chartres - Prairie du
Rocher, Illinois
there are over 18,000 items on display showing the life of central
Illinois from the beginning of the state history to today.  There are
10,000 volumns of information along with 1,500 feet of archives to Mar 26, 2008 06:12AM

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 Popeye Statue is in Elzie C. Segar Park in Chester, Illinois.

Fort de Chartres - Prairie du Rocher, Illinois This 6 foot tall, 900 pound, bronze-metallic statue of Popeye was
inspired by the fact that Segar, Popeye’s creator, was born in
The oldest building in Illinois, a massive stone fort called Fort de
Chester and that many of the Popeye characters were modeled
Chartres, which was built by French colonists in 1753. The fort
after real residents of the town. It is reported that Segar’s old boss
served as the seat of government during the French rule. After
at the Opera House, J. William Schuchert, was the model for J.
viewing Fort de Chartres, tour the nearby well-preserved sites that
Wellington Wimpy and had a fondness for hamburgers.
were established from Chester to Cahokia by Illinois’ earliest
European settlers. (more…)

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Jarrot Mansion - Cahokia,

Pere Marquette State Park - Illinois
Grafton, Illinois Mar 26, 2008 05:32AM

Mar 26, 2008 06:02AM

Jarrot Mansion - Cahokia, Illinois

Pere Marquette State Park - Grafton, Illinois The Jarrot Mansion was completed in the year 1810 for Nicholas
Jarrot, a native Frenchman who achieved prosperity through trade,
Pere Marquette State Park comprises 8,050 acres making it Illinois’
land, and law in frontier Cahokia. The Jarrot Mansion is the oldest
largest state park.
brick home in the state of Illinois.
The Park is famous for the beauty of its fall colors and as a home
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for bald eagles in the winter. In addition to the spectacular views of
the Illinois and Mississippi rivers from several scenic overlooks,
visitors can take advantage of a variety of year-round recreational
activities, including hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping, Cahokia Court House -
fishing, boating, and taking part in interpretative programs.

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Cahokia, Illinois
Mar 26, 2008 05:22AM

Eagle Watching in Alton - Cahokia Court House - Cahokia, Illinois

Alton, Illinois Originally constructed as a dwelling, the Cahokia Courthouse

served as the center of political activity in the Old Northwest
Mar 26, 2008 05:52AM Territory. The courthouse also served as a U.S. territorial
courthouse and the county seat for several years. Additional
information about the courthouse can be found on the History
Eagle Watching in Alton - Alton, Illinois
page.
The Bald Eagle was adopted as the national symbol of the United
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States in 1782 because of its independence and strength.
Measuring about 30 inches (76 cm) in length and possessing a
wingspan of 72-84 inches (1.8-2.1 m), the adult eagle is easily
identified by its unmistakable brown body set off by a white head Superman Museum -
and tail and bright yellow bill.

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Metropolis Illinois
Mar 26, 2008 05:12AM

Popeye Statue - Chester, The Super Museum in Metropolis, Illinois features a collection of
superman memorabilia, including the original costume worn by
Illinois George Reeves, the first superman in the ’50s. Also included are
movie props, rare toys, comic books and a video presentation. The
Mar 26, 2008 05:42AM
museum is stuffed with over 20,000 items relating to the 60+ year
old Superman saga, from his first appearance in comic books to his
Popeye Statue - Chester, Illinois latest indignity in “Lois and Clark” and other postmodern
adaptations.

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Bell Smith Springs -
Eddyville, Illinois
Mar 26, 2008 04:32AM
Bell Smith Springs - Eddyville, Illinois is home to a rare
phenomenon of interconnected, complete, functioning ecosystems.
There are four creeks which come together in the canyon at Bell
Smith Springs; and even when the creeks are parched there are a
dozen ice-cold spring pools which never go dry. The unique
hydrology of the canyon contributes to its vegetative diversity.
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Millstone Bluff National
Register Site - Eddyville,
Illinois
Mar 26, 2008 04:22AM
Millstone Bluff National Register Site - Eddyville, Illinois An
archeology site on a hilltop, along route 147, east northeast of
Vienna just west of Glendale near Eddyville.
A natural formation, the bluff is listed on the National Register of
Historic Places. Millstone Bluff is one of numerous sites natiowide
to have its “address restricted” by the Register. These sites are
often sensitive to attention and visits from the public for various
reasons. It is one of two Registered Historic Places in Pope County.
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Lust Creek Area - Eddyville,
Illinois
Mar 26, 2008 04:12AM
Lust Creek Area - Eddyville, Illinois is a National Scenic
Designation which can only be reached by trail, but hiking or
horseback.
Indian Kitchen is a trail on the south end of the Indian Wall at the
hairpin turn in Lusk Creek and is only for the daring and agile.
Beginners will want to avoid this area.
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Rock Island Arsenal Museum
- Rock Island, Illinois
Mar 26, 2008 03:42AM
Rock Island Arsenal Museum - Rock Island, Illinois
established on July 4, 1905 they are the are the second oldest US
Army Museum in the United States.
Thier mission is to preserve and display the history of Rock Island
Arsenal and Arsenal Island. The secondary mission is to preserve
and display the history of small arms development.
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Heritage Interpretive Center
- Hamilton, Illinois
Mar 26, 2008 03:02AM
Heritage Interpretive Center - Hamilton, Illinois
The Heritage Center is open most days with interpretive displays
designed to inform and educate visitors about the ecosystem of the
Mississippi River and how the river played a role in the founding
and heritage of Hampton.
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John Deere Collectors Center
- Moline, Illinois
Mar 26, 2008 02:52AM
The John Deere Collectors Center: Please note that the John
Deere Collectors Center officially closed on 31 October
2008.   We do still have both the John Deere Historic Site in
Grand Detour and the John Deere Pavilion and Store in
Moline, IL still open and available for visitation.  For
additional information about our attractions and other Deere
facilities, please go to www.johndeereattractions.com.
John Deere Collectors Center - Moline, Illinois
Inside a living-history exhibit of a 1950s-era John Deere dealership.
Inside, visitors can watch tractors being repaired and restored,
browse the retail shop, and tour a display room filled with antique
tractors and equipment. Children can enjoy an interactive play area
with scale-model farm toys, computer games, or a classic game of
checkers.
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Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse -
Rock Island, Illinois
Mar 26, 2008 02:42AM
Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse - Rock Island, Illinois
Circa ‘21 is housed in the historic Fort Armstrong Theatre. Opened
in 1921, the theatre was originally a vaudeville and silent movie
house, among one of the most popular and unique of its day.
Quad City Botanical Center - Rock Island, Illinois
Enjoy the beauty of the tropical flowers and strolling gardens in the
botanical center.
Offering 6,444 square foot tropical Sun Garden conservatory, the
outdoor Scott County Regional Authority Conifer and Perennial
Gardens, a beautiful Butterfly Garden, a colorful Physically
Challenged Garden, and a Children’s Scrambled Alphabet Garden
there will be so much to do and see you will need to come back
often.
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The theater was opened as a dinner theater in June 1977with the

interior being remodeled into Las Vegas styled seating and
currently seats 334 on the main floor. Jumers Casino Rock Island -
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Rock Island, Illinois
Mar 26, 2008 02:02AM

Augustana’s Fryxell Geology

Jumers Casino Rock Island - Rock Island, Illinois
Museum - Rock Island, Inside, explore a variety of gaming environments. Each offers you
the most comfortable, player friendly experience possible.

Illinois The facility is filled with antiques and statues to stained glass
Mar 26, 2008 02:32AM ceilings.

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Augustana’s Fryxell Geology Museum - Rock Island, Illinois
One of the largest and finest collections of rocks, minerals and
fossils in the Midwest.

The museum boasts over 2,000 rock, mineral and fossil specimens
including a complete skeleton of the dinosaur Cryolophosaurus and
a large fluorescent mineral exhibit.

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City of Moline Park and

Recreation Garden Center -
Moline, Illinois
Mar 26, 2008 02:22AM

City of Moline Park and Recreation Garden Center - Moline, Illinois

There are outdoor garden displays that will entice you to see even
more in this garden heaven.

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Quad City Botanical Center -

Rock Island, Illinois
Mar 26, 2008 02:12AM