Sarah Toce
Illinois’ free travel magazine provides trip ideas to plan a safe and scenic future getaway in Illinois
Travelers looking for ideas on where to spend the 14 weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day can now view the 2021 Spring/Summer issue of Enjoy Illinois, the state’s free travel magazine, now available in digital and print versions to view and order at enjoyillinois.com. Visitors can also subscribe to the magazine on the site.
“We know that people want to start planning their next getaway, and Enjoy Illinois provides tips for travelers to do so safely with an array of options to see the best of what Illinois has to offer,” said Karla Flannery, Deputy Director of the Illinois Office of Tourism (IOT). “We are proud of the State’s ongoing efforts to keep Illinois residents safe throughout the pandemic. We thank our many tourism and convention partners for their partnership as we continue working to get tourism back on track and to welcome more visitors back safely.”
This latest issue of Enjoy Illinois highlights the state’s seven scenic byways and highways as more travelers seek to pack their cars and hit the road, a trend seen increasingly across the country as progress has been made during the pandemic. Featured trips include some of the state’s most photo-worthy road trips including the Great River Road, Route 66 and the Lincoln Highway.
Other featured stories in the spring/summer issue include:
- Whether on bikes, rocks, water or on foot, Outdoor Explorers will revel in all the places to get out and get active, including along the 172-miles of sparkling sparkling shoreline at Lake Shelbyville and at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, a popular stop for birdwatchers.
- Explore socially relevant themes and powerful moments in history as you engage in The Art of Conversation at indoor and outdoor art exhibits. And not-to-be-missed, The Obama Portraits make their first stop at the Art Institute of Chicago this summer!
- Celebrate the Sweet Success of Chicago’s James Beard Award-nominated Brown Sugar Bakery.
- Break out the Summer Whites and toast to a picture-perfect season at Illinois craft distilleries, including Whiskey Acres Distilling in DeKalb and Quincy Street Distillery in Riverside.
- Stroll through historic Galena (also featured on the magazine’s cover); catch a wave on Hurricane Harbor’s newest addition–Tsunami Surge water coaster at Six Flags Great America; go back in time in Arthur’s Amish Country; and zipline at The Forge: Lemont Quarries, the largest aerial challenge course in the country.
Travelers are also invited to take a trip to the state’s southernmost city with Cairo native and Hamilton star Christopher Jackson. Jackson, who portrayed President Washington in the original Broadway cast production of the hit musical, proves why it pays to grow up in the Land of Lincoln.
From the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Illinois has undertaken a data and science driven approach to keep residents and visitors safe. While many attractions have reopened, most have new operating procedures, including advance purchase of tickets, limited capacities and/or changed hours of operation. Visitors are encouraged to visit the attraction’s website or call for the most up-to-date information prior to your visit.
Illinois tourism officials are also encouraging travelers to keep in mind the easy to remember “3 Ws” – WEAR face coverings as required in all public places; WATCH your distance and maintain at least 6 feet between yourself and others; and WASH your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) recently announced additional guidelines to advance close to a complete reopening under Phase 5 of the state’s Restore Illinois Plan, paving the way for additional venues, attractions and events to resume operations with safety guidance and capacity limits in place to protect visitors. These relaxed guidelines are made possible due to continued adherence to safety protocols and the increased availability of vaccines in the state. For more information on the state’s plan, visit here.
To subscribe to the Enjoy Illinois magazine or view online, click here.
Joey Amato
