Illinois travelers choose from 47 Best Western hotels.

Illinois State Capital
Springfield, IL

Galesburg is a central Illinois city home to the Carl Sandburg Historic Site. Central Illinois features many cities, just like Galesburg – rich in local history with plenty of small town charm, but also boasting many modern traits that make visiting central Illinois during the spring and summer a real treat. Be sure to head into Lincoln, which features the World’s Largest Railsplitter Covered Wagon, and the Postville Courthouse. Macomb is a pleasant and quaint city. Set less than an hour from Galesburg, Macomb is a fun city, where you’ll want to plan for the June 1 Leatherneck Golf Outing event.

Springfield, the capital of Illinois, is a great spring and summer destination – whether you’re on your way into northern Illinois, or just looking forward to a tour of the Illinois State Capitol Building, Springfield is the place to be. Plan to explore the Lincoln Ghost Bridge, the spooky ruins of a bridge that once crossed the Salt Creek, near Lincoln.

Many guests of the Best Western Springfield hotel enjoy a visit to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum for a look back at the life of the 16th president of the United States. For a bit of art and culture, head to the Orr Building located at the Illinois State Fairgrounds for An Art Affair – an event scheduled for April 14 and 15.

Just an hour northwest of Morton, Galesburg is a premier spring and summer destination. Easily accessed from I-74, Galesburg is home to the Discovery Depot Children’s Museum, and the Galesburg Railroad Museum. Fans of jazz are sure to head over to the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Galesburg on March 29, for the Rootabaga Jazz Festival. The Orpheum Theatre in Galesburg is also the location for Celtic Crossroads, a festive and lively event set for April 14.

The Orpheum Theatre in Galesburg is a busy place this spring – be sure to visit on April 28, for the Knox-Galesburg Subscription Concert, a musical event featuring Mikhail Putukhov, a piano soloist.

Head west into Macomb, and play a round of 18 at the Harry Mussatto Golf Course. Guests of the Best Western Macomb hotel always make time for the Western Illinois University Art Gallery.

Baseball fans visiting Macomb make plans for a visit to Alfred D. Boyer Stadium, home of the Western Illinois University Leatherneck baseball team. Check out the long ball action on April 13, as the Leathernecks start a four-game series against North Dakota State, an always intensely played conference match-up.

Garden of the Gods
Shawnee National Forest

Free from the grips of a chilly winter, southern Illinois and it’s area visitors are in prime position to experience all there is to see and do. Cities like Chester, Flora, and Carbondale all feature unique and fun attractions and sights. In Chester, you can check out the quirky Spinach Can Collectibles Museum, or explore the Chester Bridge over the Mississippi River. Effingham, north of Chester, is home to Lake Sara, and many guests of the Best Western Effingham hotel enjoy a visit to the My Garage R&D Center and Corvette Museum. Carbondale is home to the Science Center of Southern Illinois – Children’s Science Museum.

Known as the “cultural capital of southern Illinois,” Carbondale is a fine city set south of Nashville. Guests of the Best Western Carbondale hotel enjoy touring the West Walnut Street Historic District. During the summer, head to Poplar Camp Beach, and the African American Museum of Southern Illinois is great destination any time of year.

Carbondale is home to Southern Illinois University. Visiting during the spring and early summer yield excellent opportunities to watch the Southern Illinois Salukis baseball team. Head to Abe Martin Field on May 11 and watch as the Salukis slug it out with Indiana State University in the first game of a three-game series. SIU Softball is also underway – head to Charlotte West Stadium Rochman Field on April 28 and watch as the Lady Salukis take on Northern Iowa University.

Robinson is another of southern Illinois’ fine cities. Set east of Effingham, and near the border, Robinson is home to the Heath Museum & Confectionary. Robinson is the home of L.S. Heath, who created the Heath Toffee bar – a visit to the Heath Museum and Confectionary is almost certainly a must. Experience a bit of local history with a tour of Crawford County Historical Museum.

Make the scenic trip into Nashville and check out the L & N Railroad Depot Museum. Make the most of advantageous weather conditions during spring and summer, while exploring the Nashville Memorial Park District. Follow up the park fun with a round of 18 holes at the Nashville Golf Course.

Baseball fans traveling through Nashville can check out some Frontier League action in nearby Sauget – head into GSC Stadium, and cheer for the Gateway Grizzlies. Be sure to keep May 18 open as the Gateway Grizzlies battle the Joliet Slammers.

Set along the Mississippi River in southern Illinois is Alton. Enjoy the spring with a round of 18 holes at the Spencer T. Olin Golf Course, or on May 12, head to the Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area for the Wings of Spring Birding Festival.

Buckingham Fountain
Chicago, Illinois

It’s spring in Chi-Town, which means things are finally heating up. Don’t miss amazing Chicago attractions this summer like the Lincoln Park Zoo, Art Institute of Chicago, and maybe even take a tour of Wrigley Field. Get a great view of Chicago and northern Illinois from the Skydeck at the Willis Tower, or from the top of a rollercoaster at Six Flags Great America – opening in May in Gurnee. Don’t forget other great day trips like the McDonalds Museum and Store Number 1 in Des Plains, or the Frances Willard House Museum in Evanston. Get ready for a real Ferris Bueller adventure this spring in Chicago and northern Illinois.

Known for great food and sports, Chicago is a vacation destination meant to make memories thanks to big city activities like the Chicago Theatre and the Lincoln Park Zoo. Built in 1921 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the historic Chicago Theatre in Chicago’s Loop area is the best way to experience performing arts in the Windy City. This spring, check out acts like Death Cab for Cutie for two nights in April, and Steve Winwood in mid May.

Traveling with kids to Chicago? Take the little ones to the Lincoln Park Zoo – a 35-acre historic animal park established in 1868. Set in northern Chicago just inland of Lake Michigan, the Lincoln Park Zoo is open daily with free admission, and features more than 1,200 new furry friends on display. Don’t forget to grab a ride on the AT&T Endangered Species Carousel, or let the little ones explore the zoo on the LPZoo Express Train. Grab lunch at the Patio at Café Brauer, and end your day in the Windy City with a stay at a Best Western hotel in Chicago, or a Best Western hotel in Evanston.

Looking to amuse yourself in the Chicago area? Head north to the suburb of Gurnee come May, and spend a day or two at Six Flags Great America. Opening for the 2012 season on May 5, Six Flags features everything from thrill rides to games, food, and shopping. New for 2012, grab a seat on X-Flight in the County Fair area, or test your nerves on rides like Ragin’ Cajun, Vertical Velocity, and the enticing Batman the Ride. Take the little ones to Kidzopolis for rides like Krazy Kups, or visit Camp Cartoon for a spin on Yogi’s Yahoo River. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor – a waterpark within the park – opens for the 2012 season in late May, so you may want to pack your swimsuit, too.

More attractions await in northern Illinois, like the legendary McDonalds Museum and Store Number 1 in Des Plains just northwest of Chicago, and the Frances Willard House Museum in nearby Evanston for you history buffs.