248 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Illinois - Atlas Obscura
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The Atlas Obscura Guide To

Illinois

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

Cities

Unusual Attractions in Illinois

Atlas Obscura Itineraries

Chicago: A Weekend Guide for the Curious Traveler

Just when you thought you knew the Windy City, it finds new ways to surprise you.

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Unique Food & Drink in Illinois

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Upcoming Illinois Events

George Streeter and his lovely bride.
Oct 20
Chicago, Illinois

SCANDAL! A Pearl-Clutching Tour of Chicago's Historic Drama

Discover the juicy past of Chicago's high society on this decidedly fabulous walking tour.
Schoenhofen Monument.
Oct 20
Chicago, Illinois

Graceland Cemetery Walking Tour

Explore both the celebrated and overlooked histories of Graceland Cemetery.
Fire codes all around the country can be attributed to the terrible theatre fire that engulfed a playhouse on this alley.
Oct 21
Chicago, Illinois

Horror History: Untimely Deaths from Vintage Chicago

Explore the gruesome and surprising ways Chicagoans have met their maker over the years.
Captivating sights await you on the river.
Oct 25
Chicago, Illinois

The Curious Cruise: Haunted History on the Chicago River

Enjoy a scenic yacht cruise along the Chicago River while listening to the strangest (yet true!) stories from the city's past.
Charles Hull owned a tavern when he was 12 years old.
Oct 28
Chicago, Illinois

Rosehill Cemetery Walk

Take a stroll through history in Chicago's largest cemetery.
Discover hidden heroes.
Oct 30
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.
Fire codes all around the country can be attributed to the terrible theatre fire that engulfed a playhouse on this alley.
Oct 31
Chicago, Illinois

Horror History: Untimely Deaths from Vintage Chicago

Explore the gruesome and surprising ways Chicagoans have met their maker over the years.
The meeting location for the scavenger hunt, the legendary Uptown Theatre.
Nov 3
Chicago, Illinois

Movies, Mystery, and History in Uptown

Discover the fantastic past of Uptown through a scavenger hunt.

Illinois Leaderboard

Recent Illinois Activity

thenkv has been to Crown Fountain
brenmrob has been to Tiffany Dome
brenmrob wants to go to Bahá'í Temple
brenmrob has been to Rainbo Club
brenmrob has been to The Violet Hour

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
The Route 66 record holder was bested by a bigger rocking chair in Illinois.

How the U.S. Lost the Title for the World's Largest Chair

After a century of states battling it out for the honor, the current record holder is in... Austria.
by Kavya Ram Mohan
June 22, 2017

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