242 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Illinois - Atlas Obscura
Free iron-on Atlas Obscura badge when you preorder our new kids’ book. Shop now.
What's near me?
All   /  United States   /  Illinois
The Atlas Obscura Guide To

Illinois

242 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Illinois

Cities

Unusual Attractions in Illinois

Unique Food & Drink in Illinois

Explore Illinois

Show More

Upcoming Illinois Events

Along The Astonishing Architecture Boat Tour.
Aug 21
Chicago, Illinois

The Astonishing Architecture Boat Tour

Atlas Obscura presents a very special twist on Chicago's beloved architecture boat tours, revealing the unknown tales hidden inside the city's most famous landmarks and locations.
Aug 23
Chicago, Illinois

Edible Insect Movie Night!

What’s crunchy, high in protein, and tastes great fried, or covered in chocolate? Bugs!
The entrance to Couch Place today.
Aug 31
Chicago, Illinois

Dead in Chicago: A History of the Windy City

Explore the gruesome and surprising ways Chicagoans have met their maker over the years.
The Getty Tomb
Sep 2
Chicago, Illinois

Graceland Cemetery Walking Tour

Explore both the celebrated and overlooked histories of Graceland Cemetery.
Resurrectionists in the process of digging up a fresh corpse.
Sep 5
Chicago, Illinois

Grave Robbing 101

Tour relics of the old city cemetery and learn all you need to know to launch YOUR career as a 19th-century body snatcher—today!
Sep 7
Chicago, Illinois

Location, Location, Location! A Hunt for Movie Magic

Race to discover the Chicago locales featured in famous Hollywood films as we act as location scouts and travel to places near, far, and in between in this thrilling star-studded scavenger hunt.
Selected experiences curated by Chase Sapphire®
Sep 9
Chicago, Illinois

Hyde Park Walking Tour

Time travel through Bronze Age history to the Atomic Age in nine blocks.
Sep 22
Chicago, Illinois

Into the Veil

Immersive experiences in Graceland Cemetery on the night of the autumnal equinox.
Sep 25
Chicago, Illinois

Architecture of Mysterious Chicago

Curious to know more about Chicago? Author of Mysterious Chicago Adam Selzer highlights the histories and unsolved mysteries of the city's landmarks.
Selected experiences curated by Chase Sapphire®
Discover hidden heroes.
Oct 19
Chicago, Illinois

Ghouls, Gargoyles and Ghost Signs: A Historic and Haunted Scavenger Hunt

Our newest Google-proof scavenger hunt isn’t for the faint of heart.

Illinois Leaderboard

Recent Illinois Activity

kristelsikora has been to Rock N Roll McDonald's and Museum
kristelsikora has been to Wicker Park
kristelsikora has been to The Wieners Circle
kristelsikora has been to Crown Fountain
kristelsikora has been to Stained Glass at Navy Pier

Stories About Illinois

Jim Westerfield working in his Illinois garden during the summer.

The Plant Breeder Who Minted a New World of Flavor

Jim Westerfield created dozens of new culinary mints in his Illinois garden.
by Samantha Nobles-Block
July 27, 2018

Lists Featuring Illinois

A Rat Lover's Tour of the World
Rats of Karni Mata Temple
Paxton Gate Exterior
Albino Squirrels of Olney, Illinois

A Rat Lover’s Tour of the World

15 places where rodents are celebrated, feared, preserved, and studied.

15

Including Karni Mata Temple, Nutty Narrows Bridge, and Paxton Gate