Highest-rated Things to Do in Illinois, According to Tripadvisor

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Highest-rated things to do in Illinois, according to Tripadvisor

When planning your next holiday, you might feel an instinctual pull toward destinations that would take you across oceans, like Tokyo or Paris, but there are experiences closer to home that will have you thinking twice before booking a trip abroad ever again.

If you're craving a burst of adrenaline, why not reserve a spot in Michigan's famed Saugatuck Dune Rides? The activity's charmingly dated website is a great indication of its word-of-mouth notoriety and timeless appeal. Over in Arizona, you might be surprised to find that it's not just the Grand Canyon that tempts travelers to its desert landscape—it's also one-of-a-kind venues like the Musical Instrument Museum, where music enthusiasts can find over 7,500 instruments from 200 countries around the world.

Indeed, even if you've lived in Illinois your whole life, you might be surprised by just how many top-rated things you've yet to cross off your list. From architectural wonders and picturesque views to historical museums and other must-see sights, you'll find your appreciation for Illinois reignited just by reading through this list of top-rated things to do.

Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated things to do in Illinois using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 3, 2024.

Whether you're a family of five traveling in a recreational vehicle or a duo of friends looking for a quick getaway in Illinois, read on for a list of sights you could easily plan a trip around.

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#30. Chicago Botanic Garden

- Rating: 5/5 (1,263 reviews)
- Address: 1000 Lake Cook Road Glencoe, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#29. Ulysses S. Grant Home

- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,410 reviews)
- Address: 500 Bouthillier St. Galena, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#28. Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio

- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,368 reviews)
- Address: 951 Chicago Ave. Oak Park, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#27. Starved Rock State Park

- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,621 reviews)
- Address: 2678 East 873rd Road Oglesby, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#26. Lincoln Tomb

- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,003 reviews)
- Address: 1500 Monument Ave. Oak Ridge Cemetery Springfield, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#25. Dana-Thomas House

- Rating: 5/5 (1,182 reviews)
- Address: 301 East Lawrence Ave. Springfield, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#24. Buckingham Fountain

- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,427 reviews)
- Address: 301 S. Columbus Dr. Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#23. Medieval Torture Museum

- Rating: 5/5 (724 reviews)
- Address: 177 North State St. Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#22. Chicago River

- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,031 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#21. Richard H. Driehaus Museum

- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,478 reviews)
- Address: 40 East Erie St. Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#20. Shedd Aquarium

- Rating: 4/5 (9,909 reviews)
- Address: 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#19. Historic Auto Attractions

- Rating: 5/5 (514 reviews)
- Address: 13825 Metric Road Roscoe, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#18. P.T. Murphy Magic Theatre

- Rating: 5/5 (895 reviews)
- Address: 204 Hill St. Galena, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#17. Chicago Cultural Center

- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,067 reviews)
- Address: 78 East Washington St. Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#16. Navy Pier

- Rating: 4/5 (15,173 reviews)
- Address: 600 East Grand Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#15. Chicago Riverwalk

- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,107 reviews)
- Address: E. Lower Wacker Dr. Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#14. Lincoln Home National Historic Site

- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,890 reviews)
- Address: 413 South 8th St. Springfield, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#13. Lincoln Park Zoo

- Rating: 4.5/5 (5,983 reviews)
- Address: 2001 North Clark St. Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#12. Blaum Bros. Distilling Co.

- Rating: 5/5 (2,583 reviews)
- Address: 9380 West US Highway 20 Galena, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#11. 360 Chicago Observation Deck

- Rating: 4.5/5 (11,126 reviews)
- Address: 875 North Michigan Ave. 94th Floor Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#10. Field Museum

- Rating: 4.5/5 (8,957 reviews)
- Address: 1400 South Lake Shore Drive Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#9. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

- Rating: 5/5 (4,614 reviews)
- Address: 212 North 6th St. Northeast corner of 6th and Jefferson Springfield, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#8. Cloud Gate

- Rating: 4.5/5 (18,287 reviews)
- Address: 201 E. Randolph St. Millenium Park Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#7. Wrigley Field

- Rating: 4.5/5 (9,954 reviews)
- Address: 1060 W. Addison St. Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#6. Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower

- Rating: 4.5/5 (17,883 reviews)
- Address: 233 South Wacker Drive entrance on Jackson Blvd. (south side of building) Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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