Six summer road trips: Most Treasured Views in Illinois and how to see them

This is part of a new USA TODAY network project showcasing breathtaking — and perhaps, underappreciated — views throughout the United States. These are some of the most beautiful landmarks, scenic vistas and hidden gems you can truly treasure in your area.

As a state famed for its iconic highways including the transcontinental Lincoln Highway, “Mother Road” Route 66, and the General Grant U.S. Highway running through Rockford and Winnebago County as U.S. Hwy. 20, “Middle of Everything” Illinois has a long, rich history as the road trip crossroads of America.

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At 122 million visitors in 2023, including 2.1 million international tourists, Illinois is the leading tourism state in the Midwest and its spectacular views play a major role.

This summer, be sure to set aside some to hit the open road and check out some of Illinois’ most treasured views for stunning day trips to remember. 

Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower

As the old Barbra Steisand song goes, “On a clear day, you can see forever.” 

Well, maybe not forever, but Skydeck Chicago at the iconic Willis (formerly Sears) Tower in Chicago offers the next best thing as the highest observation deck in North America: Dramatic, breathtaking panoramic 50-mile views of Chicagoland, Lake Michigan, and up to four Midwestern states — Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan. 

Located on the 103rd floor of Willis Tower, 233 S. Wacker Dr., more than 1,300 feet above downtown Chicago, a unique standout feature of Skydeck is "The Ledge” — five transparent glass-floored balconies that extend outward 4.3 feet from Willis Tower and offer brave, adventurous souls one-of-a-kind views. 

In addition to its breathtaking vistas, Chicago Skydeck also features an all-new, interactive, multimillion dollar world class museum showcasing Chicago's rich history, architecture, and notable landmarks.

Chicago Skydeck is open year-round. Timed entry Skydeck general admission includes access to The Ledge. Admission spaces are limited to 30 minute periods and advance ticket bookings are highly recommended, as ticket availability is limited. 

Starved Rock State Park

Known for its magnificent St. Peter sandstone rock formations, Starved Rock State Park near Utica in LaSalle County offers many scenic hiking and horseback riding trails, plus opportunities for fishing and boating along the Illinois River.

Dating to 1911, Starved Rock State Park is known for its steep sandstone canyons formed by glacial meltwater. Several, including the St. Louis, French and Wildcat canyons, have waterfalls. A wooded trail leads to Lover’s Leap Overlook, with views of the river and Starved Rock Dam. Park wildlife includes white-tailed deer, bald eagles and migratory birds.

It’s been called the Grand Canyon of the Midwest with its 18 canyons of moss-covered sandstone located 90 miles southwest of Chicago. The park has more than 13 miles of trails, waterfalls, sandstone overhangs and breathtaking views and is the most visited state park in Illinois with 2.4 million visitors in 2024.  

Governor Frank O. Lowden State Park

Travel south of Rockford along the Rock River to 273-acre Lowden State Park, just north of Oregon in Ogle County, to see some of the most picturesque sites along the 299-mile Rock as it slowly flows through Wisconsin and Illinois to the Mississippi River.

The park’s scenic bluffs features sculptor Lorado Taft’s majestic 50-foot, 100-ton American Indian statue — a tribute of all Native Americans but more popularly associated with Chief Black Hawk — gazing over the Rock River Valley. According to legend, Chief Black Hawk, upon his departure from northern Illinois after the Black Hawk War, admonished his captors to care for the land as he and his people had. Lowden State Park was established to do just that.

Beyond sightseeing, Lowden State Park offers visitors a variety of activities including boating, camping, canoeing, fishing, hiking and metal detecting, among others. 

Rock Cut State Park

Established, in 1957, Rock Cut State Park in Loves Park is the largest state park in northern Illinois and a favorite among mountain bikers, fishing enthusiasts, bird watchers and campers.

With over a million visitors a year, Rock Cut is one of the state's most popular state parks with a history that dates back to the 17th century when the land was home to several Native Americans from the Mascouten, Iroquois, Winnebago, Fox and Sauk to the Potawatomi, Ottawa and Chippewa before the Black Hawk War.

Rock Cut owes its name and its eye-catching rock formations to the blasting operations that made way for the Kenosha-Rockford Rail Line of 1859. Most of the rail bed now lies at the bottom of the 162-acre Pierce Lake.

Rock Cut State Park is 3,254 acres today with 23 miles of mountain biking trail, 40 miles of hiking trail, 14 miles of equestrian trail, 2 lakes, 270 campsites, a beach, Lone Rock Cafe, water rentals, shower houses and picnic shelters.

Abraham Lincoln Memorial Garden

While nicknamed "the Prairie State," Illinois features a variety of landscapes across its 57,915-square-mile breadth, including forests and wetlands.

The 100-acre Abraham Lincoln Memorial Garden and Nature Center, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr. in Springfield, brings it all together for a memorable scenic day trip. 

Owned by the City of Springfield and managed by the nonprofit Abraham Lincoln Memorial Garden Foundation, the native species Abraham Lincoln Memorial Garden bordering scenic 3,965-acre Lake Springfield was developed beginning in 1936 by renowned landscape architect Jens Jensen as a living memorial to President Abraham Lincoln. Dedicated in 1939, the now-mature site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.

Abraham Lincoln Memorial Garden features six miles of interconnected trails that wind through scenic restored prairies, woodlands and wetlands, as well as a dozen footbridges and eight stone council rings. The site’s Ostermeier Prairie Center features a half-mile trail passing through tallgrass prairies around a small pond. The Nature Center houses interactive educational displays and a recently-installed “super microscope" that provides a close-up look at nature.

The Lincoln Memorial Garden grounds are open daily year-round between sunrise and sunset. Closed on Mondays, Nature Center hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and 1-4 p.m. Sundays. Admission is free, except during special events.

Garden of the Gods Recreation Area

Looking to wander a bit farther afield across Illinois? 

Nestled in the 289,000-acre Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois, between the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, is the picturesque 3,318-acre Garden of the Gods Wilderness Recreation Area near Harrisburg.

Millions of years in the making, Garden of the Gods is one of the most photographed natural areas in Illinois, offering visitors spectacular views of some of the most unique rock formations in the United States, as well as majestic views of the rolling oak-hickory forested hills of Shawnee National Forest, which sprawls over parts of Hardin, Pope, Saline and Gallatin counties.

In addition to a short quarter-mile observation trail with educational interpretive signs, there are also 5.5 acres of interconnecting trails for extended hiking spread across Garden of the Gods, offering hikers and nature lovers a variety of flora and fauna and a unique look into southern Illinois’ geological history, including such popular rock formations as Camel Rock, Table Rock, Anvil Rock, Mushroom Rock and Devil’s Smokestack. Camping and horseback riding opportunities are also available. Equestrian and hiker-only trails at Garden of the Gods connect to the River to River trail.

Eric A. Johnson is a freelance contributor to the Rockford Register Star.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Six summer road trips: Most Treasured Views in Illinois and how to see them