Did you know there are canyons, springs and giant boulders in Southern Illinois? Everyone from families to hikers and rock climbers have enjoyed the beautiful campgrounds and hikes in the Shawnee National Forest. South of the Metro East, near Carbondale and Cairo, is over 1,000 square miles of federally protected forest preserve, with access to a multitude of outdoor activities. Here are some of the best spots to visit and unplug:

Giant City State Park

Located near Carbondale, Giant City is a perfect location for tourists to explore incredible rock formations and forests in comfort. Come for the awesome hikes complete with massive boulders (where the city gets its name), stay for the amenities of Giant City Lodge. Complete with a large cabin complex with full amenities, a swimming pool and the best fried chicken in Southern Illinois. Giant City is perfect for tourists and families looking to explore Illinois’ natural beauty for a weekend.

The 16th Annual History Comes Alive summer experience is kicking off in Springfield! Starting Friday, June 6 through Aug. 9, Abraham & Mary Lincoln will lead a cast of characters on a trip back in time. This is a chance for people of all ages to meet the Lincolns at historic sites throughout the city and learn about their lives in Springfield.

From historic portrayals at locations such as the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, the Historic Old State Capitol, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum to a Flag Lowering Ceremony at the Lincoln Tomb with the 114th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry Reactivated, visitors are invited to become a part of living history. Listen to Abraham deliver some of his most famous speeches at the Lincoln Depot, meet and greet both Mary Lincoln and General Ulysses S. Grant.

Throughout spring, summer, and fall months, you can experience the joys of modern day carnivals. You can experience everything from rides, animals, food, and so much more. One of the prominent parts of a carnival is a Ferris wheel. Today, hundreds of Ferris wheels tower over cities and fairgrounds around the world. Today’s wheels are very different from the original wheel, which originated in Chicago during the World’s Fair of 1893.

George Washington Ferris Jr. was a civil engineer specializing in bridges and other structural-steel designs when Chicago announced a competition for a centerpiece for its 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.  Ferris proposed building a 264-foot wheel with suspended carriages that could take 2,160 passengers at a time for a bird’s-eye view of the fairgrounds. Ferris was declared the contest winner — and his success would attach his name to all subsequent versions of the device, including the new Ferris wheel.  

In 1893, Ferris certainly gave Chicago what they were looking for. Ferris’ contraption rotated on a 71-ton, 45-foot axle that had, at the time, the world’s largest hollow forging.

Although the original wheel was not preserved, Ferris’ idea lives on at small town carnivals and at major landmark attractions across the globe. In addition, the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier shares a few similarities with the original: its gondolas are larger and enclosed and its height is closer to the original’s dazzling 264 feet. Get out, ride the wheel, and remember the history!

Each spring, thousands of spectators gather around Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Campus Lake to watch hundreds of participants compete in the annual Great Cardboard Boat Regatta.

Starting as a class project in 1974, the regatta, a cardboard boat race, has grown into a university-wide tradition that has attracted people from across the state, country and globe. By 1976, the race was open to anyone, including students from other universities and kids.

Illinois is full of natural wonders and prehistoric monuments, some of the most fascinating examples are found in our caves and mounds.

Head down to Cave-In-Rock State Park in southern Illinois, where a massive riverside cave carved into the limestone cliffs has captivated visitors for centuries. Once rumored to be a hideout for river pirates, but don’t let that dissuade you from visiting, this site now offers a scenic and safe peek into the state’s rugged past.

A bit farther north, Illinois Caverns State Natural Area near Waterloo is one of the few public wild caves in the Midwest. With its underground streams, mineral formations and cool year-round temps, it’s a true adventure for nature lovers and geology buffs alike.

Above ground, Illinois is home to some of the most important Native American archaeological sites in the country. At Cahokia Mounds, just outside of St. Louis, you’ll find the remnants of a massive city that once rivaled London in size. It’s a powerful reminder of the Mississippian culture that thrived here long before European settlers arrived.

For a more intimate experience, Dickson Mounds offers insight into Native life along the Illinois River. Its museum and trails overlook the valley, once home to generations of Indigenous communities.

From underground to prehistorical heights, these sites offer an immersive way to connect with Illinois's natural and cultural history.