Monks Mound at Cahokia Mounds rises in four terraces up to 30 meters above the surrounding terrain. As the largest prehistoric earthwork in the New World, it makes a striking introduction to Illinois: here, the history of the Mississippian culture is visible in the landscape, too.

Cahokia: A Settlement of Earthworks

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site preserves the largest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico. Between 800 and 1350, it was a major cultural, religious, and economic center of the Mississippian culture. The site includes 51 platform, ridge, and conical mounds, residential areas, public and specialized activity areas, and a section of reconstructed palisade. This variety makes Cahokia tangible as a place where people lived, not just a collection of individual mounds. You can explore Monks Mound and the trails north of Collinsville Road. The Cahokia AR Tour adds virtual walks around Grand Plaza and Monks Mound to your visit.

Trails, Canyons, and Water

Illinois has 64 state parks and one national forest, where visitors can hike and bike, as well as kayak on rivers. One specific example is Starved Rock State Park, with 18 canyons of St. Peter sandstone and more than 13 miles of trails. Landscape features include rain-dependent waterfalls, sandstone overhangs, and overlooks: whether the waterfalls are flowing depends on rainfall. Kayaking and canoeing are possible on the Illinois River in the park; Lone Point Shelter is recommended as a launch point. Rental options may change. If renting is important to you, check availability in advance.

The canals also offer distinct route experiences. The Illinois and Michigan Canal State Trail follows an old towpath for 61.5 miles from Rockdale to LaSalle, with views of the Des Plaines and Illinois rivers. The Hennepin Canal State Trail is 155 miles long and follows a towpath from the Illinois River to the Rock River; it is designated for hiking and biking. This makes it possible to compare the trails by their length, stated endpoints, and the experiences described for each.

At the Lower Cache River, two more options are worth considering: The 2.5-mile Lower Cache River Swamp Trail follows Cypress Creek and the Cache River to a swamp with bald cypress and tupelo trees. The Lower Cache River Trail offers a 3- to 6-mile canoe route through a swamp of these tree species. The comparison is clear: one is a hiking route along two waterways, the other a canoe trip through the swamp.

History from Different Perspectives

New Philadelphia National Historic Site commemorates the first town in the United States to be platted and registered by an African American. A free, self-guided quarter-mile walk can be experienced with an augmented reality app. Another chapter of history is presented at Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument: it commemorates the white mob’s attack on Springfield’s Black community in August 1908 and the event’s connection to the founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The monument offers activities about the race riot and civil rights history in Springfield.

Pullman also offers a look at urban planning: Pullman was a planned industrial town known for its urban planning and architecture. The Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area provides another regional context. Connected with central Illinois, this heritage area spans 43 counties and is the only heritage area named after an American president.

The Lincoln Home was the first and only house Abraham Lincoln owned. Its interior is accessible only as part of a guided tour; tours are free, and tickets are available at the Visitor Center reception desk. Check current tour times before your visit, as visitor information may change. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum tells Lincoln’s story through immersive exhibits, special-effects theaters, and original artifacts.

Route 66 and Regional Distinctions

Historic Route 66 runs for 301 miles through Illinois. Along its Illinois sections, visitors will find diners, quirky roadside attractions, and numerous museums, especially between Chicago and Collinsville. This offers a distinct way to explore the state’s history: here, roadside culture and museums sit alongside older settlement and town histories.

For another regional contrast, the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail follows a scenic 40-mile route through Shawnee National Forest in the hills of southern Illinois. The trail includes 11 independent wineries; participation by individual businesses may change. Deep-dish pizza and Chicago hot dogs are part of the state’s culinary culture. The Illinois Made program invites visitors to discover handcrafted products from Illinois makers, creatives, and artisans firsthand.

Discover more destinations: Dupage, Jackson, Gallatin, St. Clair, Adams, Champaign, Logan, Vermilion, Peoria, Lasalle, Cook, Kane, Dekalb, Lake, Winnebago, Lawrence, Jefferson, Coles, Stephenson, Morgan, Piatt, Effingham, Mchenry, Rock Island, Madison, Mcdonough, Lee County, Will County, Montgomery County, Sangamon County, Jo Daviess County, Tazewell County, Massac County, Whiteside County, Wayne County, Kankakee County, Kendall County, Edgar, Macon County, Knox County, Ogle County, Williamson County, Johnson County, Carroll County, Franklin County, Henry County, Pulaski County, Douglas County, Bond County, Marion County, Bureau County, Perry County, Marshall County, Grundy County, Ford County, De Witt, Clay County, Boone County, Hancock County, Mclean County, Warren County, Iroquois County, Randolph, Clinton County, Washington County, Monroe County, Pope, Cass, Fayette County, Union County, Clark County, Livingston County, Jersey County, Kondoa, Woodford County, White County, Cumberland County, Christian County, Wabash County, Mercer County, Mason County, Shelby County

Back to the main travel overview: Usa.