Summer is a time to explore the outdoors, spend time with family and soak up the sun. But not everyone wants to or has the resources to plan an expensive, faraway vacation.
Luckily for those trying to keep it local, Illinois has a plethora of scenic places to spend your summer, whether you’re looking for a relaxing drive, a laid-back hike or a trip to the city.
Here are four spots to check out.
Grand View Drive
3210 Grandview Drive, Peoria, IL
This two-and-a-half-mile trip is aptly named for its scenic views through Peoria. The spot was described by Theodore Roosevelt as the “world’s most beautiful drive” when he visited the town in 1910, according to the Peoria Park District website. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and constructed in 1903, Grand View Drive offers visitors apanoramic view of the Illinois River Valley and the historic homes lining it. It’s bordered by the water, several parks and the Peoria Country Club.
For those looking for a scenic walk, Grandview Drive offers 1.75 miles of paved sidewalk for hiking as well.
Starved Rock State Park
2678 East 873 Road, Oglesby, IL
Starved Rock not only has 13 miles of beautiful trails to explore among seasonal waterfalls, forests and 18 canyons, it also has spectacular views. If you’re not in the mood for fishing, boating or hunting, you can hike up to one of the park’s many scenic outlooks.
From Eagle Cliff Overhang to Ottawa Canyon, the outlooks at Starved Rock offer gorgeous views of the Illinois River and sandstone bluffs, as well as a plethora of local wildlife.
Garden of the Gods
Shawnee National Forest in Herod, IL
Nestled inside the famous Shawnee National Forest, the Garden of the Gods is an exquisite spot to hike, camp, nature watch or picnic.
The Observation Trail is an easy quarter-mile hike comprised of unique natural sandstone rock formations and panoramic views of the surrounding Garden of the Gods Wilderness. The trail only takes about an hour to walk and offers views of rock formations like Camel Rock, Table Rock and Devil’s Smokestack.
Willis Tower Skydeck
233 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL
The Willis Tower Skydeck is the tallest observation deck in the United States, standing at 1,353 feet in the air, and provides spectacular views of the city for 50 miles on a clear day. Visitors can not only see Lake Michigan and parts of the Chicago skyline, but also Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin.
The Skydeck is open 365 days a year and located on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower, offering a variety of photo spots for visitors, as well as immersive museum exhibits. The Skydeck also features The Ledge, a thrilling viewpoint comprised of five glass floor balconies extending 4.3 feet from the Willis Tower.
Tickets for the Skydeck start at $32 for adults and $22 for kids 3-11 years old. Admission is free for children under 3.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Canyons, skyscrapers and scenic drives: Check out these awesome views in Illinois
Reporting by Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY NETWORK / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
