Find a cheap flight to Illinois

The reputation of the mostly rural Illinois is dominated by the presence of an urban giant, the famed and fascinating Chicago. The sky-scrapered Windy City has a picturesque location on the shore of the vast Lake Michigan, and is known for its party lifestyle and an abundance of culture. The selection of museums, restaurants and everyday entertainment is hard to beat, and the live music scene is a music lover's dream - rock and jazz beat at the heart of Chicago, but there is something to suit every taste in the selection of summer festivals. It's a worthwhile adventure leaving the bright lights for the plains of the Prairie State however, if anything because the rest of the Illinois is so strikingly different to the metropolis.

You're bound to spot a Route 66 sign or two if you travel through central Illinois, as this is where the infamous highway originally started. The city of Springfield pays constant homage to Abraham Lincoln, who lived and worked in what is now the state capital. Sights include the former President's home, offices and final resting place, so any keen history fan can immerse themselves in an abundance of ‘Lincolniana'. The rustic riverside town of Galena makes for another enjoyable day trip; its quaint architecture and small town feel have made it a quietly popular tourist destination. Illinois is also home to the Cahokia Mounds, a World Heritage Site that preserves what little is known about a prehistoric North American civilization. Illinois is best known for being home to the splendor of Chicago, but best explored with a view towards seeing the bigger picture.