http://www.illinoisbeautiful.com Illinois Vacation, Illinois Travel Guide Sun, 29 Jun 2008 05:52:00 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Woodstock Events - Woodstock, Illinois With a population of under 20,000 this Illinois community hosts a number of exciting opportunities for entertainment and historic rememberances.  The Woodstock Opera House is a classic example of Victorian construction with it's interior stencils setting of a fabulous background for the concerts held there now ... http://www.illinoisbeautiful.com/chicago-chicagoland-tourism/woodstock-events-woodstock-illinois.html Lake Shelbyville - Decatur, Illinois The lake has great boating, a marina, some of the best hunting in the region and a great place to study nature.  Check out this on 6000 acres of mixed habitat from forests to swamplands.   All of it is located on the 34,000 acres  of the ... http://www.illinoisbeautiful.com/central-illinois-tourism/lake-shelbyville-decatur-illinois.html University of Illinois - Urbana, Illinois The college is one of the top ranked in the country.  With over 150 undergraduate programs, 100 graduate and professional programs the college has turned out, and continues to turn out the best and brightest to impact the nation and the world. http://www.illinoisbeautiful.com/central-illinois-tourism/university-of-illinois-urbana-illinois.html Hardy's Reindeer Ranch - Rantoul, Illinois Just 15 miles north of the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, IL. you will find this delightful ranch filled with Santa's friends!  There are 16 ... http://www.illinoisbeautiful.com/northern-illinois-tourism/hardys-reindeer-ranch-rantoul-illinois.html Lincoln College Museum - Lincoln, Illinois Being the only college to have the name of Lincoln from the time he was alive this college has worked to provide a quality display of Lincoln artifacts and other displays to showcases of the rich local and college history, to a significant Presidential display ... http://www.illinoisbeautiful.com/central-illinois-tourism/lincoln-college-museum-lincoln-illinois.html MCLEAN COUNTY MUSEUM OF HISTORY - Bloomington, Illinois The museum opened to the public in 1904 with an array of presidential papers and other items from the time.    Currently there are over 18,000 items on display showing the life of central Illinois from the beginning of the state history to today.  ... http://www.illinoisbeautiful.com/central-illinois-tourism/mclean-county-museum-of-history-bloomington-illinois.html The Gateway Geyser - East St. Louis, Illinois Just look at the geyser soaring to nearly 630-feet, the geyser's height mirrors that of St. Louis' famed Gateway Arch, located directly across the Mississippi River. The center fountain is complemented by four auxiliary fountains, which represent the four rivers that converge in ... http://www.illinoisbeautiful.com/southwest-illinois-tourism/170-gateway-geyser-east-st-louis-illinois.html Cahokia Mounds - Collinsville, Illinois The Interpretation of the Cahokia site focuses on its uniqueness as an urban center, or a city. It is the largest prehistoric Indian city north of Mexico and was a religious, political, economic and cultural center. http://www.illinoisbeautiful.com/southwest-illinois-tourism/178-cahokia-mounds-collinsville-illinois.html Gateway International Raceway - Madison, Illinois More than 140,000 international fans pack the stands at the Gateway International Raceway in Madison to watch the world's leading racecar drivers compete in the NASCAR Busch and Craftsman Truck Series, as well as the NHRA Sears Craftsman Nationals. http://www.illinoisbeautiful.com/southwest-illinois-tourism/179-gateway-international-raceway-madison-illinois.html Fort de Chartres - Prairie du Rocher, Illinois The oldest building in Illinois, a massive stone fort called Fort de Chartres, which was built by French colonists in 1753. The fort served as the seat of government during the French rule. After viewing Fort de Chartres, tour the nearby well-preserved sites ... http://www.illinoisbeautiful.com/southwest-illinois-tourism/180-fort-de-chartres-prairie-du-rocher-illinois.html