On May 3, 1973, construction on the Willis Tower, then known as the Sears Tower, was completed. The Willis Tower is located in the heart of downtown Chicago and is one of the tallest buildings in the world. Standing at 1,451 feet, it is the tallest building in Chicago and the third tallest in the United States. Its 110 stories are home to more than 100 businesses spanning industries including law, insurance, transportation, finance and more.

Rockford, located in the far northern part of the state, is the second largest city outside of the Chicago Area and the fourth-largest city in Illinois. The city used to be called “Halfway” because of its location between Chicago and Galena.

Four rivers run through Rockford, dubbed “The Forest City” due to its 20,000 acres of green space that include Rock Cut State Park. The park has become a haven for boaters and campers who enjoy its pristine lakes and hiking trails.

Calling all Marvel movie and comic book fans! The Chicago Museum of Science and Industry has a massive Marvel exhibit going on until October 24, 2021. The exhibit is thought to be the largest of its kind.

Casey, Illinois may be a small town of under 3,000 people, but the town has gained a big reputation due to the work of one local business owner.

In an effort to give back to his community, Jim Bolin and his team at Bolin Enterprises, Inc. set about creating a series of over-sized objects for residents and tourists of the city to enjoy. Thanks to the work of Bolin and his crew, the city of Casey now offers visitors an opportunity to experience more than 30 super-sized attractions around the city.

Since it opened more than 45 years ago, the Chicago Botanic Gardens has matured into one of the world’s greatest living museums and conservation science centers. With more than 1 million visitors annually, this North Shore destination is worth the stop for any native or visitor to Illinois.

The Chicago Botanic Gardens is made up of 27 gardens and an additional four natural areas, which can all be reached by foot or by the Gardens’ tram service. The Gardens are uniquely situated on 385 acres on and around nine islands, with six miles right on the Lake Michigan shoreline.

One site the Gardens are most renowned for is the Bonsai Collection, which boasts nearly 200 species of bonsai plants. There is also a sensory garden: an area meant for visitors to see, smell, hear and even touch the flowers and plants there . The Gardens also include a number of family-friendly attractions, like the Children’s Growing Garden, a place for kids of all ages to engage with nature as they learn to water, weed and harvest plants. 

No two visits to the Gardens are the same. The season, weather and a regularly changing calendar of events can all have an impact on the kinds of sights and experiences the Gardens can provide.

The Chicago Botanic Gardens are located in Glencoe and open every day of the year. Admission to the Gardens is free, but there is a fee for parking for non-members. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, visitors much pre-register to visit. More information on the Gardens and how to visit can be found on their website here.