Illinois Bed and Breakfast Budget Hotel Guest House Accommodation
Illinois is often considered a microcosm of the United States, and a study of a number of demographic factors has demonstrated that it was of all the states, the most 'average'. It is an important national transportation hub, the Port of Chicago linking the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River, and Chicago airport is of international significance.
Though Illinois lies entirely in the Interior Plains, it has three main geographical divisions. The first is Northern Illinois, dominated by the Chicago Metropolitan area. Southward and westward, Central Illinois is an area of mostly flat prairie. Known as the Heart of Illinois, it is scattered with small towns and medium-sized cities. Finally, Southern Illinois can be distinguished from the other two by its milder climate, distinct varieties of crops and more rugged topography. The floodplain of the Mississippi River from Alton to the Kaskaskia River is the American Bottom, and is the site of the ancient city of Cahokia. It was a region of early German settlement, as well as the first state capital.
Chicago is an amazing city, offering diverse attractions from the shopping of Michigan Avenues's Magnificent Mile, one of the most exclusive retail stretches of the world, to a number of great blues clubs, from the House of Blues to Rosa's Lounge. A stay in the windy city should include a visit to the nation's highest tower, the Sears Tower, where you can observe the stunning panorama of the city with its lakeside location from the Skydeck and the Hancock Observatory. Visit too the incredible 25-acre Millenium Park which is a showcase for the arts, and contains pavilions such as the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, designed by Frank Gehry. The Museum Campus is a scenic 57-acre lakefront park which connects three of the most popular Chicago destinations: the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum, The Field Museum and the John G. Shedd Aquarium. In one day you can whale watch, explore ancient Egypt and gaze at the stars.
Other top spots in the northern region are centred around the city of Rockford. Here, you can visit the beautiful Anderson Japanese Gardens inspired by 16th century Sukiya-style architecture, and another architectural treat which is the Coronado Theatre with its extraordinary decorations including gilded Spanish castles, Italian villas and Chinese dragons.Or meet 'Jane', the skeleton of a dinosaur, about to be unveiled for the first time at the Burpee Museum of Natural History.
A visit to Central Illinois should take you to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, where you can learn about the life of the Lincoln family as recounted by holographic historic 'ghosts' in an amazing state-of-the-art experience. This part of the region is known as the Land of Lincoln, and th emany historic sites dedicated to him leave you with no doubt as to why. If you are interested in learning about the Old Order Amish community, on the other hand, you will find that the Amish Interpretive Center in Arcola offers you the opportunity to even join a family meal at an actual Amish home. The legendary Route 66 crosses this part of the state. So if you are driving cross-country, be sure to stop off in Illionois en route.
Western Illinois features the incredible Wildlife Prairie state park (see bison, wolves and black bears), the Bishop Hill Historic Site dedicated to Swedish heritage and home to descendants of the original founders, and the spectacular landscapes of the Spoon River Valley and the Great River Road, following the beautiful 550-mile border along the great Mississippi River.
The Cahokia Mounds near Collinsville are an important U.N. World Heritage Site. The mounds contain the ruins of an ancient city where a Mississippian Indian culture once flourished from 700 to 1400 A.D and cover in total around 4000 acres.Not far from this region, conoisseurs can explore more than 72 wineries, tasting their way through georgeous countryside as they sample the internationally acclaimed local wines.
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Places to stay when on your Bachelor party, Bachelorette party, Golf Break, Illinois Wedding Venue, Illinois Airport Hotels, Romantic Weekends away in a hotel with Luxury Spa , or stay at an Colonnial Style Lodge, Country Retreat , Resort or Something Unique .
Opera fans can look for accommodation near Illinois Opera venues. Baseball fans should look for Hotels near Illinois Stadiums.
