Road Trip Itinerary | Discover the Best of Illinois & Indiana 

Ready for a road trip that’s jam-packed with fun-filled nature activities, cultural and heritage sites, as well as delicious food? Get ready to rev your engine and discover the best of Illinois and Indiana.  

Day 1 | Enjoy art and culture in Chicago, Illinois 

Start your road trip in the Windy City of Chicago, Illinois. There is no shortage of activities to do, from visiting Millennium Park and snapping photos with “The Bean” to grabbing a saucy slice of Chicago deep-dish pizza from Lou Malnati’s or Giordano’s. Wander the rooms of the Art Institute of Chicago, which houses the largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, aside from the Louvre. Window shop or commit to retail therapy as you stroll Magnificent Mile, and end the night with a lit-up Ferris wheel ride on historic Navy Pier.   

Book your stay at Best Western Grant Park Hotel. 

Day 2 | Go on a Hike at Starved Rock State Park, Illinois 

Next stop, drive an hour and a half to the picturesque Starved Rock State Park.  

Set out for a hike on the Starved Rock and Sandstone Point Overlook Trail, a moderate approximate 4-mile loop that gives you views of the river valley. But there’s plenty of trails to choose from, including waterfall hikes like La Salle Canyon, that you can go on to see the majestic nature of the park. Don’t forget to spot by the Staved Rock Visitor Center to receive a brief history of the park.  

Book your stay at Best Western Oglesby Inn. 

Day 3 | Delve into history in Springfield, Illinois 

After a well-deserved good night’s sleep, drive approximately two hours to Springfield, Illinois. History buffs and fans of Abraham Lincoln can dive deep into his personal papers and momentous historic times in his history at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. If you haven’t got enough of Lincoln, explore Lincoln’s Home National Historic Site to see where Lincoln lived before becoming president. Finally, pay a visit to the Illinois State Capitol, where the first legislative session was held in 1877, and the Old State Capitol, where Abraham Lincoln spoke the very words, “A house divided against itself cannot stand…” 

Book your stay at Best Western Clearlake Plaza. 

Day 4 | Race right into museums in Indianapolis, Indiana 

Drive to Indianapolis, Indiana, approximately 3 hours away from Springfield, but don’t speed– save that for the race track! Indianapolis is home to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), home of the Indianapolis 500. Visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Museum to learn about the history of the Indy 500. After embracing race cars, explore the largest collection of Neo-Impressionists paintings in North America at the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields or explore the largest children’s museum in the world: Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. End your night with a family dinner at St. Elmo Steak House, a historic Indianapolis institution. 

Book your stay at Best Western Plus Indianapolis North at Pyramids. 

Day 5 | Take it easy in Bloomington, Indiana 

The next day, take a leisurely drive to Bloomington, Indiana. Take a nature walk in Hoosier National Forest, home to almost 200 caves and Hemlock Cliffs. Or climb up to the Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower for a bird’s eye view. After a long day of hiking, nosh on award-winning pizza; Mother Bear’s Pizza holds the title for America’s top nine pizzas by People Magazine. Explore the downtown amenities of bars, live music venues like, The Bluebird, or share a laugh at The Comedy Attic.  

Book your stay at Best Western Martinsville Inn. 

Day 6 | Ride aboard a scenic train ride in French Lick, Indiana 

Just under two hours away is the town of French Lick, Indiana – your final destination. At this point, you may be a little tired, so how about a relaxing, scenic train ride to get you through your day? Spend the day on the French Lick Scenic Railway, which passes through the picturesque Hoosier National Forest and Burton Tunnel.  

Book your stay at Best Western Plus French Lick.