You can read our complete privacy policy here. You don't need much time to conquer this route, making it perfect for a day trip. The scenic byway boasts 300 miles in Illinois alone, ending where the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers converge near Cairo, IL. There was a moment in time where Sundays meant that you piled the kids into the car and took a long relaxing drive. About The Byway The route spanned the entire width of the state because it was part of the larger highway system that ran from New York to California. Situated about 30 miles northwest of Chicago's Loop, Schaumburg is a scenic suburb with a small-town atmosphere and countless family-friendly amenities. Head west and drive the Great River Road along the Mississippi, with its bluff-top views, river sights, charming B&Bs and sprawling vineyards. This is truly one of the most remarkable Illinois byways to drive. Along the route are twenty-one stops that are meant to create emotional archeology so that visitors can learn about and connect to the communities, histories, people, and customs of each individual town along the route. The drive gets its name from granite rock formations that you'll see along the way, and includes two spectacular tunnels, including the famous Needle's Eye Tunnel. It is also known as "The Old Pike" or "The Road That Built the Nation" and it has existed since 1811, making it one of the oldest backroads in the state. THINGS TO DO 550 miles packed with adventure! If a particular destination isnt on the agenda, there arent many options better than Blackjack Road, which winds southward out of Galena down to Savanna. But no road trip in the region would be complete without a journey down the Illinois Great River Road, one of the most scenic drives in Illinois. Each community has its own contribution, but one of the most scenic drives is in Alton, Illinois which is known for its historic homes that are perched on the bluffs overlooking the river. Thank you. Dont be fooled by the fact that its only 2.52 miles. If you are a Republican fan, a fan of Reagan's or just love history, this is a wonderful tribute to a great man. The Knox County communities have been proudly showcasing their farming communities and their rich history since 1976. What are some of the most beautiful parks to visit in Illinois? Day spas in Illinois that are worh visiting. On a nice day you can also park the car, put on your hiking boots, and enjoy 16 miles of glorious trails. Learn more about the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway on the website. This scenic drive through Missouri's Ozark hill country cuts right through the heart of the Mark Twain National Forest, full of hardwoods and pines. This byway actually follows the Mississippi River for about 3,000 miles, starting in Minnesota and ending at the Gulf of Mexico. The Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive is a 115-mile ramble through oak, maple and aspen fall color in the 50,000 acres of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Check out these 10 scenic drives in Wisconsin that showcase the very best natural attractions in Wisconsin. It begins at the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, at Pere Marquette State Park, and it ends at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri River at Lewis and Clark State Historic Site. A flowing stream to drop a line for trout or crappie is never far with the Noblett Lake Recreation Area, where two streams and a lake reside, being a prime location for fishing and other water fun. We've mapped out the drives and included several must-see scenic pit stops along the routes. Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway, 11304 N Prairie Rd, Lewistown, IL 61542, USA. Not only is the drive peaceful and beautiful, but there are also fantastic spots to park, set up a blanket, and have a picnic on a bluff overlooking the river, enjoying the tranquility of the surrounding foliage. Trail Ridge Road Colorado. Keep an eye out for the Great River Road logo on signsa green icon of a riverboat pilots wheelto keep you on the designated scenic byway. As you explore the trail, you'll come across several highlights. If you love a good, old fashioned drive through beautiful rural Illinois and have a spot thats your favorite we certainly want to hear about it in the comments. Its no secret that the small towns of the Prairie State are charming, to say the least, and provide the perfect escape from daily life. You can send yourself an email as well. Use our Sound Off tool. Re: Fall Foliage Scenic Drive. A typical Sunday drive might leave you finding a new general store to stock up on sweets and other treats. Take the weekend and even consider camping out under a blanket of stars. Hikers should check out the Pere Marquette Outer loop. This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Ronald Reagan Exhibit at Eureka College, his alma mater. Along the way, you will enjoy the farms, rolling hills, and stunning vista views. AMAZING RIVER VIEW, LEAVES TURNING, QUAINT LITTLE TOWN OF Elijah. Your multi-country journey begins in Zimbabwe at Victoria Fallsthe largest waterfall in the worldfollowed by camping in Botswana's Chobe National Park. Peoria Grandview Drive ("World's Most Beautiful Drive"), The "castle" on Grandview DriveScenic overlooks of the Illinois River ValleyForest Park Nature Center, Long Hollow Scenic OverlookDutch Windmill "De Immigrant"Black Hawk State Historic Site, Ginkgo Restaurant and CafTrails around Meadow LakeSterling Morton Library. These are the 14 most scenic drives in the United States, from sea to shining sea. Belly-fluttering elevation changes and a bushel basket of curves make Elizabeth Scales Mound Road an exciting drive east of Galena. Fall the Spoon Valley Scenic Drive Festival falls on the first two weekends of October every year. Return to Main Site. Roadside land is often the first and most visible land to be converted to residential or commercial uses. Thank you! We loved how much we learned at so many of the historical stops. Take aim at these camera-ready sights along Illinois seven scenic byways. See our full, 7 hours to drive the entire Byway, 2 days per loop for each of 7 nature activity loops. Nearby is the 1,200-feet high Charles Mound, the highest point in the state. Saults Drug Store Inc, 505 Court St, Fulton, MO 65251, USA. Why you should go: The ultimate great lakes drive when you have a few days to spare. And the long lines of barges being carefully shepherded up and downstream by powerful tugs are a fascinating sight to see. The scenic park offers heavily wooded areas overlooking the river, and is named for the 55-foot wide cavern situated in the bluffs along the river's edge. Fantastic day or weekend trip. Scenic Highway 61 from Duluth to Grand Portage State Park. Beautiful winding river through farm country thats peaceful and quiet. Notable sites along the route are Burnham Park, Chicago Yacht Club, Drake Hotel, Du Sable Park, Grant Park, Jackson Park, Lake Point Tower, Lincoln Park, Montrose Beach, Adler Planetarium, Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Museum of Science and Industry, Promontory Point, Navy Pier, Soldier Field, North Avenue Beach, Oak Street Beach, Belmont Harbor and Temple Sholom. About Advocate Aurora Health. Click on the map to specific attractions and follow the directions through the drives. This scenic drive on the Illinois River is the perfect place to park and immerse yourself in the surrounding natural beauty. If you are looking for more hikes in Northern Illinois, click here. Also referred to as the Road that built the Nation, this byway started in Cumberland, Maryland and ended in Vandalia, Illinois. Here are 15 of the best scenic drives in Illinois for you to take on your next road trip. The Reagan exhibit is housed in the Cerf Bldg and takes about 30 minutes (or a little more if you read everything). If theres one problem we have on any of these Galena-area road trips, its remembering that there is no hurry. Request additional information, schedule a showing, save to your property organizer. Explore Ulysses S. Grants home, the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area, and the home of Popeye. Step back in time to the golden age of train travel and settle in for a peaceful ride to discover some of Illinois most charming towns and hidden treasures. Thats easy; everywhere you go turns into a classic Illinois road trip. Our section is about 166 miles long. The 10 Best Scenic Drives in Northern California Redding to Lassen Volcanic National Park Route: Redding -> Shasta Lake -> Castle Crags State Park -> Burney Falls -> Lassen Volcanic National Park Note: The Park Road (which goes from Highway 89 through the park) is closed from late October through mid-June, depending on the snowfall. Below Galena, the US 20 rolls along inland out of sight of the river, but there is still plenty to see. Along the way you might just discover that theres more to the road than the river. more. Copyright 2017, 25 Top Easy-Care Plants for Midwest Gardens. Sprawling through 33 miles of southwestern Illinois, this gorgeous road travels through the Mississippi flood plain and coincides with a portion of the Great River Road. It stretches 15.83 miles from Hollywood Avenue or 5700 North to Marquette Drive and Jefferey Drive at 6600 South and is often described as the "most scenic roadway in the country" as it embraces the lakefront, the city's skyline and most major tourist attractions. This is a winding with a great view. The scenic drive around Lake Tahoe may not be one of the state's longest but is most certainly among the most scenic drives in northern California (and Nevada). From Bernalillo highway sr 550 , turn right onto CR-11, Turn left onto Southern All Around Road1.2 miles Turn right onto NM 126, Turn Right onto Miller road end of the road last property on your right hand side.COMBO code needed for gate on Miller RoadCombo box on front window, for front door key* top lock only.Codes on showing time. Youll find historic destinations, UNESCO World Heritage sites, awe-inspiring views, and quaint towns spread throughout the journey. You'll experience towering bluffs, rolling hills, river communities, farmlands and sweeping views. Illinois Tourist Information Centers Spanning a total of 20 miles, this beautiful route starts near Cross Village, eventually taking visitors up and along a bluff that towers over Lake Michigan. Routes will begin to appear on map approximately 10 seconds after the map loads at a rate of one route per second. 3. Hop in the car and enjoy the best scenic drives in Illinois, from bluffs along the Mississippi River to winding roads through a national forest and the famous Route 66. The Illinois River Road Scenic Byway preserves the natural river country along the banks of the Illinois River, allowing modern visitors to travel the same route as the early French explorers: les Voyageurs. Make sure to stop to explore at least one of the Minnesota State Parks on the drive. Hop in the car and enjoy the best scenic drives in Illinois, from bluffs along the Mississippi River to winding roads through a national forest and the famous Route 66. Central Illinois attractions, click here. Highest rated attractions on Tripadvisor, based on traveler reviews. We had the best afternoon exploring and even came home with some beautiful handicrafts. If you live in the city, take a break from the hustle and bustle and enjoy a leisurely drive through these picturesque country roads in Illinois. Plan Your Visit Enjoy the slow-moving waters of the Illinois River, the roadside stands selling fruits and vegetables, and the cultural history of the Native Americans, French explorers, and American settlers that built their communities around this river. Photo: Shutterstock. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. In addition to wine, the drive is filled with trails, creeks and lakes, small cabins, and sprawling orchards. 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