Illinois Travel Blog

Illinois - "The Land of Lincoln" - is located in the heart of the Midwest in the USA. The state borders Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa, and Kentucky, and is shaped by the mighty Mississippi River to the west and Lake Michigan to the east.

Endless prairies, gentle hills, charming small towns, and historic sites along the legendary Route 66.

The Metropolis of Chicago - my favorite city in the USA - in the northeast impresses not only with its spectacular skyline and iconic skyscrapers like the Willis Tower but also with exciting architecture such as the Tribune Tower and its cleanliness. The location right by Lake Michigan gives the city a maritime flair.

Illinois is also considered the starting point of the historic Route 66 - a symbol of freedom and adventure on American highways. Those embarking on a road trip will discover quirky diners, old gas stations, giant Muffler Men, and small towns that keep the American Dream alive. It's still on my USA road trip list.

In our travel reports, you'll find many tips for a personalized journey through Illinois. Illinois is surprisingly diverse and is worth visiting not just for Chicago.

Here you will find the main highlights in Illinois:

Here you will find recommendations for road trips starting in Illinois:

Here you will find detailed travel reports about various destinations in Illinois:

Here you will find important information for your trip to Illinois:

Here are some basic facts about Illinois:

If you're wondering whether the USA is an expensive travel destination, I can tell you: It depends on what you want to do, how you travel, and where you want to go. Everything has become more expensive since COVID: dining out, gas, and hotel prices are now much higher than before. You can find affordable options in Chicago if you book a hotel away from the Loop.

Example: Our midsize SUV cost 1525 Euros for 4 weeks (through Canusa: pickup in Chicago and drop-off in New Orleans, additional driver, extended protection, and liability waiver).

A motorhome is more expensive and costs around 1000 Euros per week depending on size and amenities (cheaper options are available too). However, gas is cheaper than at home. The advantage of a motorhome trip is that you can cook for yourself and save a lot of money.

For larger cities like Chicago, you should expect to pay an average of 150 - 200 Euros per night for a double room if you don't want to stay in a cheap "dive." Be sure to read my tips for each city to find out exactly where we stayed.

Also, keep in mind that in the USA, you should have acredit card that allows you to withdraw money abroad for free and incur no fees when paying. Almost everyone in the USA pays with a credit card, and cash is rarely needed.

Currently, the best free credit cards for travel are the DKB Bank Debit Card, GenialCard (Hanseatic Bank), and the Gold Mastercard from TF Bank. With a setup of at least two of these cards, you can usually withdraw money at ATMs for free abroad and pay on-site without incurring foreign transaction fees!-> Here you will find all the tips and my experiences for the best travel credit cards in comparison.

The best time to visit Illinois is during the off-peak season in spring and fall. In May, June, September, and October, pleasant temperatures prevail. Early fall has the advantage of being less stormy than later in the season. Visitors should be aware that summers can be very hot and humid, while winters can be very cold.

Here you will find helpful resources for planning your trip to Illinois:

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