The 5 Must Visit Places In Illinois

October 24, 2014

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Situated in the Midwestern United States, Illinois is the 5th most populous state in the United States and the 25th most extensive one. The state of Illinois is one of the most visited, thanks to its wide array of attractions. Here is a look at the 5 places you must visit while in Illinois.

Millennium Park

Opened on July 2004, Millennium Park plays host to an impressive array of attractions including The BP Bridge, Crown Fountain, Harris Theatre for Music and Dance, MacDonald’s Cycle Centre and Jay Pritzker Pavilion which hosts world class concerts. The park transformed what once used to be an ugly parking lot and railway into an attractive and beautiful lake front attraction. The park is not only famous for its unique landscaping and beauty, but also for its innovative architecture.

The Chicago Magnificent Mile

Running across Oak Street to Chicago River, The Magnificent Mile is a very popular section of Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Magnificent Mile is a grand boulevard decorated with a mix of modern design and art, high-rise buildings, rows and rows of modern shopping malls, museums and galleries, world-class hotels, neat and beautiful trees, as well as exclusive shops just to mention a few. Walking down this stretch or road is a must for every visitor to this windy city. The shopping experience along this road is one of the best in Chicago, with high end boutiques to everyday stores lining up the street. It also houses some of the famous buildings in the city, including Trump Tower and Tribune Tower.

The Navy Pier

Located along the waterfront of Chicago, this is one of the leading tourist destinations in the state of Illinois. With great number of things to entertain people of all ages, there is every reason why you cannot skip this place while visiting Illinois. There are museums, movie theatres, as well as restaurants. Other highlights include the Children’s Museum, the Chrystal Garden, and the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Here, you can enjoy a ride on the Ferris wheel which offers breathtaking views of the city and Lake Michigan. Located not far away is a carousel with hand-painted animals. There is also a miniature golf course and a beer garden.

The Art Institute of Chicago

This institute holds one of the greatest collections of arts in the world that span over 5,000 years. From textiles to photography and sculpture, there is no limit to what you can see here. It also has paintings, drawings and prints among other artistic work. Here, you can explore the masterpieces from different corners of the world. It houses everything from impressionist to post-impressionist paintings.

Lincoln Park Zoo

Located south of Lincoln Park, Lincoln Park Zoo was built in 1868 and provides free visits. It is home to a variety of animals including polar bears, gorillas, penguins, big cats, monkeys and other species totaling over 2,000 animals. It is open all year round and only closes in instances of bad weather. Lincoln Park Zoo has a farm where children can taste honey, milk cows and churn butter.

Planning for a vacation in Illinois? Well, there are plenty of breathtaking and equally beautiful places to visit. While the above named are some of the finest places to visit, Illinois is ripe with many places of interest where you can spend time with family and loved ones having a good time.

Author Bio: The author Nicola Williams is from UK. She is a professional content writer and a blogger. Most of her articles include her travel experiences. Her hobbies are travelling, trekking and cooking. Currently she is working on a project sri lanka ETA visa which helps in visa assistance.