Illinois

I love Chicago...well quite frankly I love any major city where you can take public transportation/walk absolutely everywhere. Chicago has one of the best train stations so that even if your hotel is in the boonies you can take a 15 min bus ride to a train station and get anywhere you need to go.

Best Attractions:

The Art Institute of Chicago is any art history fiends daydream. This huge museum has tons to look at and will not disappoint. Walk over to the Buckingham Fountain afterwards for a picnic lunch.

John Hancock center/observatory –You can pay money to go to the top or you can just get brunch or lunch at the restaurant on the 54^th floor. I suggest the restaurant move. If you go during lunch you can actually feed two people for about 25.00, which is about the same price the observation deck would have cost you.

Sears tower—They guard this place like it houses the President. You can only go in during certain hours, you can only go to the observation deck or shops, etc. So make sure you enter the correct door and come during business hours.

Wrigley field—Catch a game here for a reasonable cost. The stadium is open, large, and is always packed. Like everywhere else in the city, you can take the train here.

Lincoln Park zoo- What is better than going to the zoo? Free admission to it! This is a fun stop for the family or if you just want to take a break from the city.

Navy pier—This place is hopping at night. You can take the bus to the pier, make sure you head home before the last bus leaves without you. Restaurants, shops and usual city park entertainment. On holidays you can see fireworks!

Millennium park –This is the city’s cultural center where you can walk through free art galleries or rent bikes or segways.

Field museum—This place is known for the the largest/most complete T-rex

Chicago theatre—this is one of those places that you just have to take your picture in front of.

If you prefer smaller towns with lots of history, then Springfield is the place for you. Home of President Lincoln, you can visit his home, which is now a museum, or also the official Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and museum. He also has the Lincoln Memorial Garden.

Oddly in Springfield they also have the Museum of Funeral customs near Springfield's historic Oak Ridge Cemetery and near Abraham Lincoln's Tomb. The museum displays the history of funerals in the US.

Another smaller town with something fun to offer is Rockford.

Midway Village in Rockford is a 137-acre site that recreates village life at the turn of the 20th century The property also includes a Doll Museum and the Old Millhouse.

Anderson Garden is a12-acre Japanese garden complete with Tea House

Tinker Swiss cottage is a Victorian mansion with a Native American burial

Last but not least is Metropolis. What town names Metropolis could not be dedicated to Superman? They do not disappoint and are the home of a Superman Statue as well as a Super museum.