Want to discover some lesser-known places around the Prairie State? You'll get to stop at places that many locals don't even know about on our road trip to see hidden gems in Illinois. This trip covers 439 miles and approximately 8.5 hours of drive time, so you may want to do this trip over the course of two or three days.
You can use this interactive map to guide you and add your own stops along the way.
1. Horseshoe Mound Preserve, Galena
We start this hidden gem road trip at the 40-acre Horseshoe Mound Preserve. Here you can go hiking and see stunning panoramic views as well as a set of stones reminiscent of Stonehenge. It's quite a remarkable place.
Read our previous coverage to learn more about Horseshoe Mound Preserve.
2. Midway Village Museum, Rockford
The next stop is in Rockford at the Midway Village Museum. Take a step back in time at a 13-acre Victorian-era village and learn about what life was like in the early 1900s. You can also explore the property's 20,000-square-foot museum which has a variety of exhibits.
Read our previous coverage to learn more about Midway Village Museum.
3. Buffalo Rock State Park, Ottawa
Situated on a bluff along the Illinois River, Buffalo Rock State Park offers a stunning area for nature lovers to enjoy. It's a wonderful preserve to go for a hike, sit down for a picnic, and take in the views.
Visit the webpage to learn more about Buffalo Rock State Park.
4. David Davis Mansion, Bloomington
This 19th-century estate once belonged to Judge David Davis who was an influential colleague of Abraham Lincoln. Take a tour of the mansion and its grounds and get a sense of the life Davis and his wife lived during the mid-1800s.
Visit the website to learn more about the David Davis Mansion.
5. Hidden Lakes Historic Trout Farm, Bolingbrook
If you enjoy fishing, you'll love this next stop on our hidden gems road trip. From dawn until dusk, visitors are allowed to fish at the stocked ponds at Hidden Lakes and keep the fish they catch. However, there are limits on the number of fish to catch and keep. Among the fish species are bluegill, crappie, bass, channel catfish, and, of course, trout!
Visit the webpage to learn more about Hidden Lakes Historic Trout Farm.
6. Swallow Cliff Woods North, Palos Township
The 800-acre Swallow Cliff Woods is the ideal spot if you're looking to get some fresh air and exercise. While there are hiking trails here, there are also two sets of fitness stairs going up and down the 100-foot bluff. If you're looking to get some heart-pumping cardio in, this is a good place to stop.
Read our previous coverage to learn more about Swallow Cliff Woods North.
7. Oz Park, Chicago
Since 1974, the city of Chicago has been home to the Wizard of Oz park, a whimsical park featuring characters from the beloved film. Located near Lincoln Park Zoo, you can take a walk and see statues of Dorothy and Toto, the Lion, the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow.
Read our previous coverage to learn more about Oz Park.
8. Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, Oak Park
Fans of architecture may enjoy a stop at famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright's Home and Studio in Oak Park. Take a tour and learn about the place where Prairie-style architecture was created.
Visit the webpage to learn more about the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio.
9. Fabyan Villa Museum & Japanese Garden, Geneva
Located within the 235-acre Fabyan Forest Preserve is a farmhouse that was once owned by George and Nelle Fabyan and eventually remodeled and expanded by Frank Lloyd Wright. Today visitors can tour the property and the home, walk through a Japanese tea garden, go hiking, and marvel at the views. It's a gorgeous preserve to spend some time in.
Read our previous coverage to learn more about Fabyan Villa Museum & Japanese Garden.
Would you like to go on this road trip to see hidden gems in Illinois? What other stops would you add? Have you seen any of these 11 attractions outside of Chicago? Tell us in the comments!
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