Illinois
Travelers come to Illinois for Chicago's architecture and food, the Lake Michigan shoreline, and sites tied to Abraham Lincoln.
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Illinois is a Midwest state on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. Chicago, its largest city, draws most visitors for its skyline, early skyscrapers, lakefront parks, museums and deep-dish pizza. Springfield, the state capital, is the main stop for history travelers, with sites tied to Abraham Lincoln, who lived there before he became president.
An Illinois trip suits city lovers, architecture fans and history travelers who want a few days in one main base, with a side trip or two. Chicago needs at least three days for its main neighborhoods and a museum or two. Add a day or two for Springfield, about three hours by car from Chicago. The best season runs from late spring through early fall, when the lakefront is most usable. Winters are cold, and the wind off the lake is strong.
Illinois in five
- Load a Ventra card for the LVentra is the fare system for CTA trains and buses. Tap your card or phone at each L station entrance, and check current fares at transitchicago.com.Getting around
- Take the Blue Line from O'HareThe Blue Line runs from O'Hare into downtown with no change of train. It is the most direct way from the airport to the Loop.
- Book the architecture river cruise earlyThe Chicago Architecture Center river cruise can sell out in summer, so pick a time slot before you arrive.Tours and tickets
- Set up an eSIM before you landRide-hailing apps, maps and Ventra's app all need mobile data from the first hour, so arrange it before the flight.Phones and eSIM
- Pack a windproof jacket for the lakefrontWind off Lake Michigan makes the lakefront feel colder than the streets a few blocks inland, even in summer.Clothing
Neighborhoods
Chicago
Chicago is a Midwest city of skyscrapers, lakefront parks and major museums, linked by the L train, with food that ranges from deep-dish pizza to Michelin-starred dining.
Galena
Galena is a small river town of brick storefronts and bluff-side streets. You can walk Main Street and visit the former home of Ulysses S. Grant.
Starved Rock State Park
Go for the sandstone canyons, waterfall trails and river overlooks, and in winter for bald eagles along the Illinois River.
Things to do in Illinois
See all attractions in Illinois
Need to know
- Currency
- US Dollar (USD)
- Entry
- Visa Waiver for many passports, with ESTA; other visitors need a visa Read more
- Emergency
- 911 for police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- 18 to 20% at restaurants and bars is expected
- Time
- UTC-6 (Central Time), UTC-5 with daylight saving in summer
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, windy
- FebruaryCold, gray
- MarchCool, early spring
- AprilMild, changeable
- MayMild, green
- JuneLong days
- JulyHot, humid
- AugustFestival season
- SeptemberWarm, quieter
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberCold, gray
- DecemberHoliday lights
Right now in Illinois
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
15
- Feels like
- 13°
- Humidity
- 87%
- Wind
- 22 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 5%
Illinois
02:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today17°14°5%Monday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Tue19°16°89%Tuesday: Rain. High 19°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 89%.
- Wed17°11°89%Wednesday: Rain. High 17°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 89%.
- Thu15°11°6%Thursday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Fri15°8°7%Friday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 7%.
- Sat15°8°2%Saturday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 2%.
Updated 10:57 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Indiana Dunesabout 1 hour by carSand dunes and beaches on Lake Michigan, a short drive from the city.
- Milwaukeeabout 1.5 hours by trainBrewery halls and a lakefront walk, at a quieter pace than Chicago.
- Springfieldabout 3 hours by carLincoln sites and the state capitol. Expect a long day.
Before you go to Illinois
Rules for Illinois, checked
- Most visa-free visitors need an approved ESTA before flying to the US. Check the US Customs and Border Protection site at esta.cbp.dhs.gov.Source
- Cannabis is legal for adults in Illinois but banned in public places. Check the Illinois state rules before you buy or carry it.
- Tap your Ventra card or phone to enter CTA stations and to board buses. Check current fares and rules at transitchicago.com.Source
- Declare food and plant or animal products on your customs form on arrival, even if you think they are allowed.
Plan around Illinois
Neighborhoods, sights and what to do in the city itself
Read the guideGetting around ChicagoL lines, buses, airport transfers and when to walk
Read the guideMoney and cardsPaying in dollars, tipping and card fees to check
Read the guideVisas and entryESTA or visa: what you need before you fly
Read the guideWhere to stayLoop, River North and Wicker Park compared
Read the guideIllinois FAQ
Is Chicago worth visiting?
Yes, for two or three days. The Art Institute, the lakefront, Loop architecture and Wicker Park each show a different part of the city.
How many days do you need in Chicago?
Three days covers the Loop, the museums and one neighborhood walk. Add a day for Hyde Park or a day trip to Indiana Dunes or Milwaukee.
Where should I stay in Chicago?
The Loop for sights and L access, River North for restaurants and galleries, and Wicker Park for a quieter, younger base. Pick a place near an L stop.
Is Chicago safe for tourists?
The central areas are busy day and night. Stick to lit, busy streets after dark, keep your phone out of sight on trains, and avoid walking alone in unfamiliar areas late.
Do I need a car in Chicago?
No. The L, buses and walking cover the central sights. Rent a car only for trips outside the city, since parking downtown is costly.
Can I visit Milwaukee as a day trip from Chicago?
Yes. Amtrak's Hiawatha trains take about 1.5 hours from Union Station. Check the current schedule before you go.