With the rise of true crime documentaries and more mystery novels than ever before, America has fallen in love with mysteries. The great news for Illinoisans or those visiting is that our state has plenty of attractions that will satisfy any mystery lover’s need. Whether based on real mysteries or fiction, any of these spots are sure to be entertaining!
- Secret Agent Supply Co. (Chicago)
Secret Agent Supply Co. Mystery buffs with a shopping habit, rejoice! This shop has tons of fun spy novelty items to fulfill your every whim.
1276 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago
- DeSoto House (Galena)
DeSoto House The oldest operating hotel in the state has plenty of history and mysteries to behold. Sign up for one of their tours to get the behind-the-scenes view.
230 S. Main Street, Galena
- The Town of Olney
Fuzzy Gerdes/Flickr A little town in Southern Illinois holds a zoological mystery. There are a few theories about why albino squirrels reside there, but nothing has been proven.
- Airtight Bridge (Charleston)
Nyttend/Wikimedia In 1980, a corpse was found near this bridge, and was unidentified for 12 years. The murder has remained a cold case for decades.
39°32′56.75″N, 88°5′35.75″W
- Mackinaw Valley Winery Murder Mystery Dinner (Mackinaw)
Mackinaw Valley Winery/Facebook Enjoy a dinner filled with entertainment and intrigue at this beautiful winery.
33633 State Route 9, Mackinaw
- Cave-In-Rock State Park (Cave-In-Rock)
Daniel Schwen/Wikimedia This famous cave has a murky history of concealing outlaws and thieves.
1 New State Park Rd, Cave-In-Rock
- Robie House (Chicago)
arboresce/Flickr Take a tour based on the mystery novel The Wright 3 by Blue Balliett inside the home in which it was set.
5757 S. Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago
- Cakokia Mounds (Collinsville)
Skubasteve834/Wikimedia Surprisingly little is known about the population that settled here around 9th Century CE, and eventually vanished.
38°39′14″N, 90°3′52″W
- The Sly Fox Bookstore (Virden)
The Sly Fox Bookstore/Facebook Visit this spot for mystery novels you just can’t put down.
123 N. Springfield Street, Virden
- Spirit of Peoria Mystery Cruise (Peoria)
Spirit of Peoria/Facebook What could be better than a delicious dinner on a boat? Throw in a little mystery!
100 Northeast Water Street, Peoria
- True Crime and Mystery Tour (Chicago)
Weird Chicago Tours If you love learning the stories of famous murder mysteries, this is the tour for you! Operated by Weird Chicago Tours.
Which spot looks most intriguing to you? Let us know in the comments!
Secret Agent Supply Co.
Mystery buffs with a shopping habit, rejoice! This shop has tons of fun spy novelty items to fulfill your every whim.
1276 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago
DeSoto House
The oldest operating hotel in the state has plenty of history and mysteries to behold. Sign up for one of their tours to get the behind-the-scenes view.
230 S. Main Street, Galena
Fuzzy Gerdes/Flickr
A little town in Southern Illinois holds a zoological mystery. There are a few theories about why albino squirrels reside there, but nothing has been proven.
Nyttend/Wikimedia
In 1980, a corpse was found near this bridge, and was unidentified for 12 years. The murder has remained a cold case for decades.
39°32′56.75″N, 88°5′35.75″W
Mackinaw Valley Winery/Facebook
Enjoy a dinner filled with entertainment and intrigue at this beautiful winery.
33633 State Route 9, Mackinaw
Daniel Schwen/Wikimedia
This famous cave has a murky history of concealing outlaws and thieves.
1 New State Park Rd, Cave-In-Rock
arboresce/Flickr
Take a tour based on the mystery novel The Wright 3 by Blue Balliett inside the home in which it was set.
5757 S. Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago
Skubasteve834/Wikimedia
Surprisingly little is known about the population that settled here around 9th Century CE, and eventually vanished.
38°39′14″N, 90°3′52″W
The Sly Fox Bookstore/Facebook
Visit this spot for mystery novels you just can’t put down.
123 N. Springfield Street, Virden
Spirit of Peoria/Facebook
What could be better than a delicious dinner on a boat? Throw in a little mystery!
100 Northeast Water Street, Peoria
Weird Chicago Tours
If you love learning the stories of famous murder mysteries, this is the tour for you! Operated by Weird Chicago Tours.
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