Highest-rated things to do in Illinois by visitors

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鈥攊t'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.

compiled a list of the highest-rated things to do in Illinois using data from . 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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1 / 30

#30. Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,402 reviews)
- City: Oak Park
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2 / 30

#29. The Chicago Theatre

- Rating: 4.6/5 (820 reviews)
- City: Chicago
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3 / 30

#28. United Center

- Rating: 4.4/5 (1,521 reviews)
- City: Chicago
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4 / 30

#27. P.T. Murphy Magic Theatre

- Rating: 4.9/5 (971 reviews)
- City: Galena
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5 / 30

#26. Lincoln Home National Historic Site

- Rating: 4.7/5 (2,918 reviews)
- City: Springfield
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6 / 30

#25. Chicago Botanic Garden

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,282 reviews)
- City: Glencoe
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7 / 30

#24. Clarence F. Buckingham Fountain

- Rating: 4.4/5 (3,450 reviews)
- City: Chicago
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8 / 30

#23. Richard H. Driehaus Museum

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,497 reviews)
- City: Chicago
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9 / 30

#22. Chicago Cultural Center

- Rating: 4.6/5 (3,085 reviews)
- City: Chicago
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10 / 30

#21. Blaum Bros. Distilling Co.

- Rating: 4.9/5 (2,765 reviews)
- City: Galena
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11 / 30

#20. Route 66

- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,265 reviews)
- City: Chicago
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#19. Starved Rock State Park

- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,636 reviews)
- City: Oglesby
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#18. Garfield Park Conservatory

- Rating: 4.7/5 (874 reviews)
- City: Chicago
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#17. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

- Rating: 4.8/5 (4,652 reviews)
- City: Springfield
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#16. Medieval Torture Museum

- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,064 reviews)
- City: Chicago
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#15. Chicago River

- Rating: 4.7/5 (2,040 reviews)
- City: Chicago
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17 / 30

#14. Shedd Aquarium

- Rating: 4.2/5 (9,984 reviews)
- City: Chicago
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18 / 30

#13. Navy Pier

- Rating: 4.0/5 (15,249 reviews)
- City: Chicago
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#12. Chicago Riverwalk

- Rating: 4.6/5 (3,157 reviews)
- City: Chicago
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20 / 30

#11. Lincoln Park Zoo

- Rating: 4.5/5 (6,025 reviews)
- City: Chicago
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#10. 360 Chicago Observation Deck

- Rating: 4.5/5 (11,233 reviews)
- City: Chicago
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#9. Cloud Gate

- Rating: 4.7/5 (18,312 reviews)
- City: Chicago
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#8. Field Museum

- Rating: 4.5/5 (9,054 reviews)
- City: Chicago
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#7. Wrigley Field

- Rating: 4.6/5 (10,006 reviews)
- City: Chicago
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25 / 30

#6. Chicago Architecture Center

- Rating: 4.8/5 (4,059 reviews)
- City: Chicago
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26 / 30

#5. Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower

- Rating: 4.3/5 (18,015 reviews)
- City: Chicago
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27 / 30

#4. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

- Rating: 4.6/5 (11,300 reviews)
- City: Chicago
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#3. The Magnificent Mile

- Rating: 4.5/5 (15,835 reviews)
- City: Chicago
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#2. Millennium Park

- Rating: 4.7/5 (25,251 reviews)
- City: Chicago
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30 / 30

#1. The Art Institute of Chicago

- Rating: 4.8/5 (24,712 reviews)
- City: Chicago
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This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.

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