Stretching between the scenic waters of Lake Michigan and Mississippi River, Illinois encloses a wide-ranging landscape - idyllic farmlands, sprawling cities such as Chicago, rolling glacial plains, and the magnificent hills and valleys of the Illinois Ozark Mountains. Illinois also houses a picturesque shoreline that runs a length of 4,300 miles. It is home to 1,100 historic sites, and half a million acres of state parkland. Illinois is a great place to reside and a greater place to vacation. This state has much to offer its visitors, regardless of how long they stay.

You can take a trip to the Cahokia Mounds, which is the Native American burial mounds that features the remains of the sophisticated, prehistoric native civilization that thrived in the past. This 2,200-acre state historical site, located a few miles west of Collinsville, Illinois, is a UNESCO world heritage site. You can visit Abraham Lincoln's tomb, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, and the Illinois State Museum. In addition, the state features the New Salem State Park, where you can tour a recreation of the pioneer community, pre-dating to the time of Abraham Lincoln.

Chicago

Nicknamed the "Windy City," Chicago is one of the world's most-happening centers for trade, industry, and transportation. It is the birthplace of the skyscraper generation and is one of the greatest American cities. Chicago is urbane, sophisticated, yet mid-western friendly. The spectacular skyline of Chicago sits on the shores of the Lake Michigan and the city houses some exotic locations such as world-class art museums, science museums, and sandy beaches. In addition, Chicago has huge parks and is the cradle of the finest architecture, which took the world on a wave of modernism.

Chicago holds some iconic sights and neighborhoods, and features many Frank Lloyd Wright buildings that are scattered throughout the greater metro area. However, make sure you pack your fur coats and scarves when you take a trip to this city; winter makes Chicago a fairly freezing place.

Always pulsating with activities, Chicago offers so much to see and do for its visitors. For example, you can visit the 19^th century pumping station, one of the few city landmarks to have survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. You can also catch sight of the city's spectacular skyline from one of the many skyscrapers' observation decks, such as the Sears Tower or the John Hancock Center. The Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago Cultural Center and Chicago's McCormick Place Convention & Visitor Center are other interesting places in Chicago.

If you choose to fly in to the city, you will most likely fly into the gigantic O'Hare airport. This airport is located fairly far from the heart of the city that connects Illinois to many places in the US and also internationally. In addition, this city also houses other smaller airports. For the inter-city travels, you can use the Chicago public transportation system, which is excellent and also reasonably safe. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates trains and buses that cover the entire city.