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Highest-rated things to do in Illinois by visitors

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Inside Creative House // Shutterstock
Inside Creative House // Shutterstock
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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 Aug. 15, 2025.

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. Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio

Tripadvisor

1 / 30

#30. Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,402 reviews)
- City: Oak Park
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#24. Clarence F. Buckingham Fountain

Tripadvisor

7 / 30

#24. Clarence F. Buckingham Fountain

- Rating: 4.4/5 (3,450 reviews)
- City: Chicago
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#23. Richard H. Driehaus Museum

Tripadvisor

8 / 30

#23. Richard H. Driehaus Museum

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,497 reviews)
- City: Chicago
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#17. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

Tripadvisor

14 / 30

#17. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

- Rating: 4.8/5 (4,652 reviews)
- City: Springfield
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#10. 360 Chicago Observation Deck

Tripadvisor

21 / 30

#10. 360 Chicago Observation Deck

- Rating: 4.5/5 (11,233 reviews)
- City: Chicago
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#5. Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower

Tripadvisor

26 / 30

#5. Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower

- Rating: 4.3/5 (18,015 reviews)
- City: Chicago
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#4. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

Tripadvisor

27 / 30

#4. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

- Rating: 4.6/5 (11,300 reviews)
- City: Chicago
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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