It’s summer in Illinois, which means you are probably itching to get out and have a good time. Here at Only in Illinois, we compiled a list of 10 MUST-DO things in Illinois this summer. You will have a blast and cross some things off the old bucket list at the same time.
- Six Flags Great America/Hurricane Harbor
Six Flags Great America/Facebook There are loads of water parks across Illinois, but none has the amount of water rides that this one has. From rafting to lazy rivers, there is truly something for everyone at this Gurnee Mills amusement park.
- Architecture Boat Tour
Wendella Boats/Facebook On a hot day, it’s nice to get out on the water. You can take your own boat out, but it’s sometimes nice to have someone else navigate. We really like boat tours with a purpose–like the architecture boat tours in Chicago.
- Canopy Tour
Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour/Facebook It’s fun to explore Shawnee National Forest on foot, but push yourself even further by going on a canopy tour. You will go over some bridges on foot and there are some zip lines for you to try out, too.
- Cache River Natural Area
David Wilson/Flickr Summer is the time to go to places you have never seen before. Unless you grew up in the south, we guarantee you have never seen anything quite like the Cache River Natural Area. These bogs are home to 1,000 year old large cypress trees.
- Go Horseback Riding
Westbrook Stables/Facebook Haven’t you wanted to get out on a horse? There’s nothing like the feeling of the wind on your back as you ride. Westbrook Stables will help you whether you are a beginner or intermediate.
- Segway Tour
Absolutely Chicago Segway Tours/Facebook Segways are just a lot of fun, and they offer you a great way to take in the city. Ride through the museum campus (Chicago) and next to the lake.
- Scuba Diving
Midwest SCUBA Center/Facebook Haven’t you always had fantasies about scuba diving? It’s not as elusive a goal as you think. Midwest SCUBA Center will help get you certified so next summer you can scuba in, say, Mexico.
- Kayak
Richie Diesterheft/Flickr You may not know this, but there are loads of places for you to get out on the water on a kayak. Quiet lakes are great, but there are even places on the Mississippi that are navigable.
- Get Out on the Beach
Peter Ciro/Flickr Sure, Illinois does not have loads of beaches, but the Illinois Beach State Park is a real gem for that very reason. Explore 6.5 miles of awesome Lake Michigan shoreline.
- Go Hiking
Michael/Flickr There is no shortage of trails to take in Illinois. Just be active. Southern Illinois offers loads of trails with rock formations that you have never seen before. We highly recommend the Shawnee National Forest, specifically Garden of the Gods.
What would you add to this list?
Six Flags Great America/Facebook
There are loads of water parks across Illinois, but none has the amount of water rides that this one has. From rafting to lazy rivers, there is truly something for everyone at this Gurnee Mills amusement park.
Wendella Boats/Facebook
On a hot day, it’s nice to get out on the water. You can take your own boat out, but it’s sometimes nice to have someone else navigate. We really like boat tours with a purpose–like the architecture boat tours in Chicago.
Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour/Facebook
It’s fun to explore Shawnee National Forest on foot, but push yourself even further by going on a canopy tour. You will go over some bridges on foot and there are some zip lines for you to try out, too.
David Wilson/Flickr
Summer is the time to go to places you have never seen before. Unless you grew up in the south, we guarantee you have never seen anything quite like the Cache River Natural Area. These bogs are home to 1,000 year old large cypress trees.
Westbrook Stables/Facebook
Haven’t you wanted to get out on a horse? There’s nothing like the feeling of the wind on your back as you ride. Westbrook Stables will help you whether you are a beginner or intermediate.
Absolutely Chicago Segway Tours/Facebook
Segways are just a lot of fun, and they offer you a great way to take in the city. Ride through the museum campus (Chicago) and next to the lake.
Midwest SCUBA Center/Facebook
Haven’t you always had fantasies about scuba diving? It’s not as elusive a goal as you think. Midwest SCUBA Center will help get you certified so next summer you can scuba in, say, Mexico.
Richie Diesterheft/Flickr
You may not know this, but there are loads of places for you to get out on the water on a kayak. Quiet lakes are great, but there are even places on the Mississippi that are navigable.
Peter Ciro/Flickr
Sure, Illinois does not have loads of beaches, but the Illinois Beach State Park is a real gem for that very reason. Explore 6.5 miles of awesome Lake Michigan shoreline.
Michael/Flickr
There is no shortage of trails to take in Illinois. Just be active. Southern Illinois offers loads of trails with rock formations that you have never seen before. We highly recommend the Shawnee National Forest, specifically Garden of the Gods.
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