Discover Illinois
Back to Illinois
Discover Illinois8 nightsFrom £745 per person
Price Includes: Flights, accommodation and car hire.
Day 1 - Chicago
- Fly from the UK to Chicago
On the shores of Lake Michigan, the ‘Windy City’ has something for everybody. A great destination at any time of the year, Chicago has a beautiful lakefront, breath-taking architecture, world-class shopping, wonderful museums, great theatres, gourmet restaurants and fantastic nightlife. Discover the delights of the Magnificent Mile, get a bird's eye view of the city from the 360 Chicago Observation Deck or from the Ledge at the Skydeck. If heights aren’t your thing take a stroll in Grant Park for a more relaxing option, visit the Shedd Aquarium, Navy Pier, take a boat tour or walk on the beach. Restaurants and nightlife abound throughout the city, with live music venues, theatres, world class restaurants and bars.
Stay two night in Chicago.
Day 3 - Springfield
Collect your hire car from downtown Chicago and head to Springfield, approx. 205 miles.
Appropriately you are beginning your road trip by following ‘The Mother Road’, Historic Route 66. Meander past many delightful all- American haunts, including the Polka Dot Café, Dixie Truck Stop and Shea’s Gas Station Museum. Pontiac has retained its small town America feel and is a great step-back in time to the heyday of Route 66. Visit the Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Pontiac Oakland Automobile Museum and Resource Center. You will also find street murals, models of replica Pontiacs and a great selection of unique shops and restaurants in the historic downtown area.
Continue on to Springfield and explore the city’s popular Route 66 spots, such as the Cozy Drive Inn, Just Off Route 66 Diner or Die Cast Auto, just up the road in Williamsville. Springfield, the state capital of Illinois was home to America’s sixteenth President, Abraham Lincoln, and you can discover some of his legacy at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, as well as at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Old State Capitol, Lincoln Depot and Lincoln Tomb and Monument. Don’t miss the Dana Thomas House, a Frank Lloyd Wright Design, which remains nearly complete with all of the original furniture, windows and fixtures from when Wright built the home.
Stay two nights in Springfield.
Day 5 - Alton - Drive to Alton, approx. 85 miles
Just 25 miles north of St. Louis, Missouri, on the banks of the Mississippi River, is Alton, Illinois, and the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway, also known as the Great River Road in Illinois. The Great River Road runs 2000 miles along the Mississippi, and the roadway from Hartford to Grafton is designated a national scenic byway. It brings together historic towns and three major rivers around Alton. This Midwestern treasure features beautiful stretches of roadway cradled by the rolling waters of the Mighty Mississippi River and majestic limestone river bluffs.
Stay one night in Alton.
Day 6 - Galena - Drive to Galena, approx. 345 miles
Take the Great River Road along the Mississippi River, north to Galena. Named one of the Top 10 Most Romantic Small Towns in North America, Galena is nestled in northwest Illinois is an ideal location to discover the region’s beautiful scenery, with rolling hill and lush valleys, and the Mississippi River. Enjoy hiking, fishing, kayaking and golf, or take a tour of one of the area’s many vineyards and wineries. The downtown area boasts historic building, charming boutiques, art galleries and restaurants.
Stay two nights in Galena.
Day 8 - Rockford
- Drive to Rockford, approx. 80 miles
Explore the fascinating and intriguing sites here. Make a visit to the Burpee Museum, home to some rare exhibits including “Jane” the teenage T-Rex, or dive into some outdoor activities, from kayaking along the Rock River to biking through Rock Cut State Park. Or just take in the stunning scenery whilst taking a stroll through the majestic Anderson Japanese Gardens.
Stay one night in Rockford.
Day 9 - Chicago
Return to Chicago, approx. 95 miles and drop-off your car in time for your flight.
