10 Best Illinois Travel Discoveries in 2017

2017 brought another year full of discoveries! Here is a rundown of our favorites finds in Illinois this year:

Norge Ski Jump: The Norge Ski Jump has been a tradition in Fox River Grove since 1905! I can't believe that this year was our first year watching the competition but I can say that the high flying fun is worth braving the weather!

Black Hawk State Historic Site: We enjoyed hiking along the Rock River at this natural haven. Rock outcrops make for picturesque views. The history center gives a look at Native American life in the area.

Backwater Gamblers: During our visit to the Quad Cities, we were treated to the theatrics of the Backwater Gamblers Water Ski Team on the Rock River. The entire show was breathtaking with a few funny moments intertwined.

Night of 1,000 Jack o' Lanterns: For a few days around Halloween, the Chicago Botanic Garden is transformed into evenings full of wonder and just maybe a little bit of fright. During this unique event, the garden glows with the light of 1,000 stunning jack o' lanterns. The artwork is amazing!

Naperville Trolley Tour: Ding! Ding! Touring Naperville by trolley is certainly a one-of-a-kind experience in the Chicago suburbs. Owner and guide Annette Wehrli's family is very much intertwined in Naperville history. So, her tours are packed with interesting details of Naperville history.

Patterson Glassworks: We are fortunate in the Chicago suburbs to have a hot glass studio where we can experiment with the world of hot glass! Open Houses throughout the year make the experience accessible to the community.

Nachusa Grasslands: Nachusa is one of the Nature Conservancy preserves in Illinois. Nachusa is home to bison as well as sandstone rock formations. While we did not see the bison, we enjoyed our hike through the preserve.

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Blue Box Cafe: Did you know that you can look for Dr. Who in Elgin? Blue Box Cafe is a nice little spot to enjoy lunch and a coffee concoction while celebrating Dr. Who!

Bobcats Backstage at the Cosley Zoo: Bobcats Backstage provides an up close look at how bobcats can be trained.

Fabyan Japanese Tea Garden: The Fabyan Japanese Tea Garden in Geneva is a hidden slice of serenity and history. The garden was originally designed in 1910 and still gives peace to its visitors.

So many finds! We already have a few idea for this 2018 including a trip to Midewin National Tall Grass Prairie. Can't wait to see the discoveries ahead!