Illinois was once the state of the Illini Indians. They were replaced by French settlers, who
established a fort "where a river flowed into a big lake". That big
lake was Lake Michigan; the river, the Chicago River; the fort's
site the city now called Chicago.
The
divide between Chicago and the "downstate" is dramatic.
Chicago is one of America's most representative big cities, filled with
awe-inspiring skyscrapers, world-class museums, neighborhood
festivals, top-notch restaurants, and above all, the splendid
lakefront. Chicago can claim the world's best blues, pizza, and
summer weather while maintaining a refreshingly humble attitude.
More honest than LA, friendlier than New York, and better than just
about anywhere, Chicago is a state unto itself. Chicago is big on sailing. There is the Chicago to Mackinac
Island race every year. If you stay in the Chicago Downtown Hostel, you
can rent sailboats for the day via the Sailing Club. Or you can visit
Northwestern University's Club boathouse where they might offer to rent
you a sailboat for the day.
Downstate consists of miles and miles of rich farmland.
Springfield,
the capital, has many attractions, namely highlighting the state's favorite son, and 16th president, Abraham Lincoln.
University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, is known for its active social scene.
From Kayaking to Rock-Climbing, Central and Southern Illinois have a
wonderful outdoor scene, so be sure to rent a car to leave the
city.
If you're into skydiving, there is a great cheap place to do
that in Minier, IL just south of Bloomington-Normal. Be aware of
landing in the
corn fields... If you crush crush the corn on landing, you will have to
pay a "damages" fee to the farmers. Great SCUBA diving is available in
all areas of Illinois, with many wrecks in Lake
Michigan, just off the coast from Chicago and diving areas in Lake
Egypt in Southern Illinois' National
Park and Kankakee's abandoned rock quarries. Beautiful rock-climbing cliffs and canyons in Southern Illinois are located east of Marion.
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