The Open Road of Illinois
Back to Illinois
Discover The Open Road of Illinois11 nightsFrom £1420 per person
Price Includes: Flights, accommodation and car hire.
Day 1 Arrive in Chicago
On the shores of Lake Michigan, the ‘Windy City’ has something for everybody. A great destination at any time of the year, Chicago has a beautiful lakefront, breath-taking architecture, world-class shopping, wonderful museums, great theatres, gourmet restaurants and fantastic nightlife. Discover the delights of the Magnificent Mile, get a bird's eye view of the city from the 360 Chicago Observation Deck at the John Hancock Center or from Skydeck Chicago at the Willis Tower. If heights aren’t your thing take a stroll in Grant Park for a more relaxing option, visit the Shedd Aquarium, Navy Pier, take a boat tour or walk on the beach. Restaurants and nightlife abound throughout the city, with live music venues, theatres, world class restaurants and bars.
Stay three nights in Chicago.
Day 4 Chicago to Pontiac, approx. 100 miles
Collect your hire car in the morning. Appropriately you are beginning your road trip by following ‘The Mother Road’, Historic Route 66. Meander past many delightful all-American haunts, including the Polk-A-Drive In and Dixie Travel Plaza. Pontiac has retained its small-town America feel and is a great step-back in time to the heyday of Route 66. Visit the Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Pontiac-Oakland Automobile Museum. You will also find street murals, models of replica Pontiacs and a great selection of unique shops and restaurants in the historic downtown area.
Stay one night in Pontiac.
Day 5 Pontiac to Springfield, approx. 110 miles
Continue on your road trip to Springfield, and explore the city’s popular Route 66 spots, such as the Cozy Dog Drive In and Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill & Museum. Experience the new Route 66 Legends Neon Park at the Illinois State Fairground in Springfield, a homage to the incredible signs found along the Mother Road. Springfield, the state capital of Illinois was home to America’s sixteenth President, Abraham Lincoln, and you can discover some of his legacy at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, as well as at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Old State Capitol, Lincoln Depot and The Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site. Don’t miss the Dana Thomas House, a Frank Lloyd Wright Design, which remains nearly complete with all of the original furniture, windows and fixtures from when Wright built the home.
Stay two nights in Springfield.
Day 7 Springfield to Peoria, approx. 75 miles
Head north to Peoria nestled on the banks of the Illinois River. Enjoy small town hospitality, in one of the state’s oldest settlements, established in the 1600s for explorers travelling the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Today it maintains its historic charm and you can enjoy a paddleboat trip on the river, discover some of the historic homes, browse shops and enjoy fine dining. Peoria’s more recent claim to fame is in Caterpillar. It is here that Benjamin Holt invented the first practical track-type tractor, established his company and came up with the legendary name ‘Caterpillar.’ Families will enjoy the Wildlife Prairie State Park where you can see wildlife animals native to Illinois, in a natural environment.
Stay one night in Peoria.
Day 8 Peoria to Moline, approx. 95 miles
Home of John Deere World Headquarters, Moline is one of the agricultural capitals of the world. Learn how John Deere changed the world’s agricultural landscape at the John Deere Pavilion and John Deere Collectors Center. The city is steeped in history yet maintains a modern downtown area, with plenty of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Don't miss views of the riverfront from the Celebration Belle paddlewheel boat riverboat and Channel Cat Water Taxi. In the evening head to Rock Island for its bars and nightlife.
Stay one night in Moline.
Day 9 Drive to Galena, approx. 90 miles
Take the Great River Road along the Mississippi River, north to Galena. Named one of the Top 10 Most Romantic Small Towns in North America, Galena, is nestled in northwest Illinois, is an ideal location to discover the region’s beautiful scenery, with rolling hill and lush valleys, and the Mississippi River. Enjoy hiking, fishing, kayaking and golfing, or take a tour of one of the area’s many vineyards and wineries. The downtown area boasts historic buildings, charming boutiques, art galleries and restaurants.
Stay two nights in Galena.
Day 11 Galena to Rosemont, approx. 150 miles
Make a stop en-route at Rockford where you can explore some fascinating and intriguing sites. Make a visit to the Burpee Museum of Natural History, home to some rare exhibits including “Jane” the teenage T-Rex, or dive into some outdoor activities, from kayaking along the Rock River to biking through Rock Cut State Park. Or just take in the stunning scenery whilst taking a stroll through the majestic Anderson Japanese Gardens.
Continue on to Rosemont. No visit to the US is complete without some shopping! From last minute souvenirs to a new wardrobe, you can make the most of some great prices at the Fashion Outlets of Chicago, which is the only two-level luxury shopping experience in the region.
Stay one night in Rosemont.
Day 12 Rosemont to Chicago, approx. 5 miles
Drop-off your car in time to check-in for your flight.
