5 Of The Most Underrated Places In Illinois

When people think of visiting Illinois two places usually come to mind; Chicago and Galena, but there is SOO much more this state has to offer!

Popular Illinois Places

Too often Illinois gets a bum rap, some of it is deserved, some of it is not.

I've lived in the Rockford area my entire life and often get miffed that Chicago holds all the glory, (and sometimes all the dishonor), for the best places to visit in Illinois.  What about those lesser-known spots that fly under the radar?

Many Illinois residents don't even realize we have some seriously underrated gems right in our own backyard, but we're going to change that today!

Most Underrated Places in Illinois

Only In Illinois recently asked an important question on Facebook, and I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of answers it received from residents;

From charming little towns packed with history to jaw-dropping natural wonders, here are five places a lot of Illinois residents think are seriously underrated:

1. Starved Rock State Park

One person said; "Go there, it's magic".

2. Chicago Botanic Garden

"It doesn’t matter how many years I’ve been going there, I always see something new."

3. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum in Springfield

Most residents agree that when you visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, you must check out all the historical sites in Springfield as well!

4.  Shawnee National Forest

Actually, a lot of residents who responded to Only In Illinois' question seemed to agree that the Southern Illinois area is wildly underrated, with the Shawnee National Forest being one of its crowing gems.

5. Rock Falls

" A bird-watcher's paradise with bald eagles, cormorants, pelicans, etc. Miles and miles of hiking. Delicious family-owned Italian and Mexican restaurants. Exceptional hotel right on the river with a welcoming riverwalk."

More Underrated Attractions in Illinois

Rockford's Anderson Japanese Gardens and Discovery Center Museum also made the list, so did Historic Auto Attractions in Roscoe.  Here's what one visitor had to say about Historic Auto Attraction on the Only In Illinois post;

This huge museum in Roscoe (near Rockford) shocked us - how could the majority of people not know this is here?? It’s one of the better museum attractions in the world.

This huge museum has such a large variety - it would appeal to anyone of any age or museum-interest level.

What underrated places in Illinois do YOU think should be added to this list? Send us an app message and let us know!

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