chicago - springfield, il road trip ideas?
Replies: 7 - Last Post: Jan 23, 2013 12:41 PM Last Post By: pzleric
jump to
chicago - springfield, il road trip ideas?
hello everyone! so here's a challenge for you. i have to go to springfield for a weekend in february coming up,and i was looking for ideas for things to do/ see between chicago and springfield as well as any lodging recommendations. (BnBs perhaps even?) ive been to springfield before on a school trip way back when and have been to lincolns tomb, lincolns house, the state capitol, nearby new salem, and even shakeys pizza buffet. are there any other highlights in town or off the beaten track things? also, i used to live in champaign, so i know most of what there is to see in that town.i plan to leave friday afternoon and arrive in springfield that night. i must be in springfield until saturday early evening and back in chicago by sunday evening.
is the mississippi river road worth driving? especially that far north?
thanks in advance!
1
What do you enjoy doing? As it says in the FAQ, we know nothing about your interests.If it's been many years since you went to the Lincoln museum (did you go to the "new" one?), you'll appreciate it more as an adult. And can easily spend 4 - 5 hours there.
If you enjoy antique-hunting there are great spots for that on your route, including in El Paso, IL a large building at the freeway exit as well as shops in their 2-block mainstreet.
For fine dining and rustic-themed luxury overnight, about 90-minutes outside of Chicago the Lodge at Starved Rock State Park could be something you'd enjoy -- we did. http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/i&m/east/starve/park.htm#Lodge
2
As you know, the weather is the dead of winter, so not a lot of great stuff to do, but have you been to Starved Rock SP? Otherwise, you have the Bloomington/Normal area with the University life.The really is no River Road along the Mississippi, as it ends from St Louis (Alton) just south
5
It is nice hiking and the river there is actually pretty in the winter as well. Wow its booked in Feb, try the hotels in La Salle...thats where the bars/cafes are at anyway...though the lodge bar is nice, as is the dining room...big fireplace, all wood...Otherwise, maybe just stop in Peoria a night, some cool places to eat n drink on riverfront...
7
thanks for the advice. Looking more into it, I might just take it easy in Springfield a bit, and the on the drive back, drive what's left of the old Route 66. Has anyone ever done the Springfield - Chicago leg? Anything worth stopping for along the way?
