Illinois is full of secrets. From fun attractions to natural oases, there are many lesser-known things that make our state great. Keep them to yourself, though. We don't want everyone to find out.

This list will clue you in to all our best aspects. Check it out:

1. Waterfalls.

From north to south, Illinois is home to a myriad of waterfalls that most do not even know exist. Whether you traverse Matthiessen State Park or live around the Shawnee, these falls are all around you.

Click here to discover five waterfalls that hide in plain sight.

2. That freeze.

The best part about these waterfalls is that some of them freeze in winter. Adventure seekers even climb these huge masses of ice.

3. Horseshoe sandwiches.

This is one of Illinois' best kept secrets. It's an open-face sandwich that usually has one slice of bread, a burger patty, fries, and cheese sauce.

Click here to get the full story about this iconic sandwich.

4. Winter is actually fun here.

Despite what you might think about a Midwest state, there are actually many things you can do here, and winter is no different. Snowboarding, skiing, ice skating, and sledding opportunities abound.

Don't forget to add these 10 things to your winter bucket list.

5. Winter views rival those of any season.

Illinois is lovely any time of year, but during wintertime, it's downright enchanting. Icicles, snow drifts, and frozen waterfalls make our state the most majestic.

6. Rock formations.

Speaking of views, another of our best kept secrets are these bluffs and valleys mostly found in the southern portion of the state. Garden of the Gods in the Shawnee National Forest rivals that of any mountainous area.

7. Friday fish fries.

A little-known past-time of living in Illinois, this is actually one of the best parts of being here. Especially during the summer, all-you-can-eat fish fries abound.

Get fried fish at these 8 restaurants anytime of the week.

8. Luxury resorts.

Vacationing with your loved one is simple in Illinois. Locals don't want you to know about these awesome getaways so you don't book them all up.

Click here for 8 resorts you can't miss in Illinois.

9. Galena.

One of Illinois' cutest vacation towns, Galena is full of resorts, nature preserves, and things to do. Visitors are blown away by the charming downtown that is full of vintage shops and restaurants.

Click here to learn more about this fabulous town.

10. Beaches on Lake Michigan.

You might have guessed that Illinois has beaches, but the most stunning are those along Lake Michigan. It's like being at the ocean.

11. Homemade ice cream stands.

Often only open during the warm months, these hidden gems are a wonderful part of Illinois life that not everyone knows about. Not only do these places often have the best ice cream, they usually have the lowest prices.

12. Campgrounds.

Illinois takes camping to a new level. Whether you enjoy staying in cabins or prefer to rock a tent, there are a myriad of places for you to stay.

Click here for 10 camping spots that are quintessentially Illinois.

13. Music festivals.

While commonly associated with Chicago, there are actually festivals throughout the state that host famous bands. We love these types of concerts because you get more than one amazing act in a night.

As more people leave the state each year, there will be more of these things for true Illinoisans to enjoy. Check out what else it means that more people moved away from Illinois than any other state last year.

What other secrets do you not want others to know about? Share your favorite things about Illinois with us in the comments below!