Recapture the adventure of the open road like the avid motorists of nearly a century ago. Heed the call of wanderlust and travel the Lincoln Highway, from the rolling hills of western Illinois and the Mississippi River Valley to the sights and sounds of the Chicago Metropolitan Area. The Illinois Lincoln Highway includes an impressive collection of historic, cultural, natural, and scenic destinations to indulge a myriad of interests, as well as diverse recreational opportunities to challenge or pamper guests as they desire.
Explore the historic markers and the old-style architecture of the Lincoln Highway, but know you are far from done. Get out of your car and experience the Byway on foot. Near Franklin Grove, stop at Franklin Creek State Natural Area where you can enjoy a picnic by the edge of Franklin Creek. Hike, ski, horseback-ride, or snowmobile along four and a half miles of trails. As you near Chicago, shop to your heart’s content at places like Chicago Heights or Joliet. In Geneva, tour the Japanese Gardens or bike on the Riverwalk. You'll come across several enticing activities while touring each community.
Whether for an overnight "getaway" or an extended stay, enjoy Northern Illinois' hospitality and charm. The Lincoln Highway beckons you to experience the history, sites, and stories of the Highway firsthand. Create and share your own Lincoln Highway story.
Snowmobiling on the Lincoln Highway
Hitting the Links on the Lincoln Highway
Lincoln Highway Overview