We visited Illinois over the Father's Day weekend as part of a longer summer road trip. Outside Rockford, we toured the Illinois Railway Museum where we were able to ride on historic railroad equipment like the Chicago Surface Lines Streetcar #1374, a passenger train pulled by J. Neils Lumber Steam Locomotive #5, and the Chicago Elevated Railway Electric Trolleys #1754 and #1797. The museum claims to have the largest collection of historic railway equipment in America and we all enjoyed our visit before heading to the Chicago suburb of Naperville for some deep-dish pizza at Giordano's.
In Chicago, we toured the Shedd Aquarium where Miles and Elizabeth loved watching the dolphins, beluga whales, sharks, rays, and more. After a lunch of authentic Chicago Dogs, we toured the expansive Museum of Science and Industry where we saw several highlights including the U-505 Submarine, artifacts from space, a Burlington Zephyr train, model ship gallery, farm equipment, and a huge model railroad layout. Benjamin and Elizabeth also were able to step inside a tornado to experience the science of storms. Before leaving Chicago, we also made a quick visit to the new Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument at Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ.
Driving south to the Illinois River, we stopped briefly at the Norwegian Settlers Memorial (commemorating the first Norwegian settlement in the Midwest) and the nearby Crop Duster Memorial. Reaching the river near Utica, we spent several hours hiking at Starved Rock State Park. The park is the most popular state park in Illinois, and we enjoyed hiking among the stunning bluffs and canyons. Our 2.5-mile trail took us to several noteworthy sites including Lovers Leap, Eagle Cliff, a lock and dam on the Illinois River, Wildcat Canyon (with a 90-foot waterfall), French Canyon, and more. It was a very hot and humid day, and the longest hike Elizabeth has done, so everyone earned ice cream at the visitor center upon our return.
In Mendota, we visited the Union Depot Railroad Museum and also stopped to see the depot in nearby Amboy. In Dixon, we stopped at the boyhood home of President Ronald Reagan, however it was being renovated so we didn’t go inside. Finally, we spent a night in Moline at a hotel on the banks of the Mississippi River where both kids enjoyed watching the tugboats, barges, and the Celebration Belle paddle-wheeler going up and down the river.
Tiffany attended a conference in Chicago. While in the city, she walked through Millenium Park and Grant Park to see the famous "bean" sculpture and Buckingham Fountain (which was not yet on for the season). She also took an architecture boat tour on the Chicago River with Wendella Tours to experience the city's legendary 130-year architectural history. On the Magnificent Mile she purchased some souvenirs at the Harry Potter Shop. While Tiffany did enjoy some Chicago pizza at Pizano's, the highlight meal of the trip was Indienne, a Michelin restaurant serving modern Indian cuisine.
Benjamin and Tiffany flew to Chicago Midway International Airport, then visited the nearby Chicago Portage National Historic Site to see the monument marking the western end of the historic portage linking the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River.
A few days later, they returned to Illinois and toured the recently re-designated Pullman National Historical Park and the restored clock tower building before enjoying some Chicago-style deep dish pizza at Giordano's.
Benjamin and Tiffany visited the Land of Lincoln in November and drove to Springfield to take in as many Abraham Lincoln sites as possible. They toured the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, toured Lincoln’s house at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, then paid their respects at Lincoln’s Tomb. They also visited the Illinois State Capitol and had a great meal at the Engrained Brewery (where they even tried a “Springfield Shoe” which is a local tradition that layers toast, pulled pork, and fries, then tops it off with a special cheese sauce – it was delicious). South of town they drove a section of the old brick highway route of Route 66, then stopped to see the Sugar Creek Covered Bridge.
At the end of October, we flew to Chicago and visited Pullman National Monument. In the historic Pullman community, we saw the Administration Building & Clock Tower, Hotel Florence, Market Hall, Greenstone Church, Arcade Park, and the Arcade Row Houses. We then drove towards the Indiana border to begin a road trip around Lake Michigan.
We drove with friends to Chicago for two days of sightseeing. While there, we enjoyed dinner and a show at Medieval Times, took the Blue Line train to downtown, walked through Millennium Park to see the Cloud Gate monument, walked through Grant Park to see the Buckingham Fountain, and walked to the museum campus where we toured the Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium.
We also visited Navy Pier where we rode the Ferris wheel and enjoyed some Garrett Popcorn. After leaving the pier, we spent some time shopping on the Magnificent Mile and had some great Chicago Pizza at Pizzeria Due.
The next day we visited the Willis Tower Skydeck and the observation deck of the John Hancock Observatory. We also saw Wrigley Field and did some shopping at Water Tower Place. We enjoyed lunch at the Rainforest Café and in the evening attended at stand-up comedy show at the Laugh Factory.
Tiffany traveled to Chicago and visited Six Flags Great America, the Sears Tower, Navy Pier, and other Chicago area attractions.