Illinois Directory
Located in the Midwest region of the United States, Illinois is an expansive state that presents itself as a microcosm of the whole country. It’s the contrasts and variety that give Illinois its point of difference – there’s a fusion of farm and factory, urban and rural, and racial and cultural diversity in the state that you just won’t find anywhere else.
Springfield is the capital city of Illinois. Many of the local attractions center around President Abraham Lincoln, who started his political career in Springfield. These attractions include the Lincoln Home Historic Site and local area, which has been preserved. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is becoming a popular attraction for those interested in the life of Lincoln and the course of the American Civil War.
Springfield is home to the Illinois State Fair, which focuses on the theme of agriculture and has been running nearly every single year since 1853. The fair is run over a 10-day period in August each year and the fair is becoming more popular as each year passes.
Tourism is an important industry in Illinois’ largest city, Chicago. Make sure you visit the Magnificent Mile when you stay in Chicago – it’s a shopper’s paradise. All the big names in prestige hotel accommodation are there, including Four Seasons, Hilton, Ritz-Carlton and the Marriott, to relax in style after a long day shopping in the many and varied boutique and retail establishments along the famous ‘Mag Mile’.
One of the most visited landmarks of the Midwest region is the Navy Pier located on the shoreline of Lake Michigan. The Pier was originally built as a multi-purpose area of infrastructure to suit the cargo and shipping industry as well as an entertainment area for residents and tourists alike. Even during production the shipping industry was dying down due to the increase in mass-produced motorcars and as such the area has been much more utilized as a place to meet friends. There have been many popular music and arts festivals at the Pier and the area has come to include a 150-foot-tall Ferris wheel and IMAX theatre for entertainment.
