If you are looking to soak in the last days of summer, there is nothing quite like a trip to a sunflower field – and Illinois has some of the best spots in the Midwest to visit. Stretching across acres of farmland, these radiant blooms typically reach their peak between late July and early September, offering the perfect backdrop for family outings, photo sessions, or a peaceful day in nature.

One of the most popular destinations is Richardson Farm in Spring Grove. While known for its corn maze that spans nearly 10 miles of trail, the farm explodes in color come late summer with 13 acres worth of sunflowers in bloom. Guests are invited to walk the fields, take photos, and even cut a few stems to bring home.

From big cities and road side attractions to nature and rural vineyards, Illinois has attracted record breaking tourism in 2024. Illinois’ Office of Tourism has announced over 113 million domestic and international visitors entered the state, spending a record $48.5 billion. This data represents an increase of half a million visitors and $1.3 billion more in spending than 2023.

The record follows significant investment in the travel and tourism industry in Fiscal Year 2025. Over $7 million were invested into 47 entities in the state through Route 66 grants ahead of the Route 66 centennial in 2026. Other types of grants include Tourism Private Sector, International Tourism and Tourism Attractions –  each of these funding events, festivals and attractions in their respective setting.

Here are some popular tourist highlights you can check out from across the state:

Illinois has a rich history of agriculture, music and more, and it’s thanks to the contributions of Illinoisans over the last few centuries that the state has seen increasing economic value and opportunities available to its residents.

To uplift and highlight these unique contributions, several State-Designated Cultural Districts were announced to highlight and celebrate specific cultural identities and history while also promoting equitable growth and opportunity without generating displacement.

Every month here on I Like Illinois, we highlight a wide variety of artists and musicians, showcasing the diversity and uniqueness of our state and its role and impact in the music and creative industries. This month, we are highlighting a Bluegrass legend: Alison Krauss.

Born in Decatur in 1971, Alison grew up in the Champaign-Urbana area with an early influence of the banjo and acoustic guitar from her mother. From age five, she was given classic violin lessons until age eleven. Her mother, Louise, was a pivotal figure in her life, encouraging her to delve into the musical world at a young age as an artist and illustrator of magazines and textbooks herself.

Centralia Balloon Fest is an annual three-day hot air balloon event that takes place on the third full weekend of August in Centralia. The event is held at Foundation Park, a 300-acre nature park.