By: Ashmar Mandou

If your summer travel plans include water activities, hot-air ballooning, hiking, discovering the charm of small towns, or hitting the road then you don’t have to venture so far out. Enjoy Illinois has scoured the roads and towns to give you, the traveler an unforgettable experience with the help of a plethora of itineraries designed to meet your needs. “There is so much to do within the Illinois borders,” said Deputy Director of the Illinois Office of Tourism Daniel Thomas. “There is so much product diversity and what I mean by that is you can have a global city like Chicago that has everything you can possibly imagine, but you can also take a drive an hour or two outside of the City and be immersed in a completely different setting where you can connect with nature or uncover the charm of an historic town.” Thomas spoke with Lawndale Bilingual News about the joy of traveling and shared an expansive itinerary list for the curious traveler.

Lawndale Bilingual News: From your standpoint, what makes Illinois so special as a travel destination?
Daniel Thomas: I believe it’s the diversity of our State. From visiting a global city like Chicago, to visiting a State Park, to even a Presidential Library, there is so much to do. You can travel in any direction within Illinois and be surrounded by something completely different and feel connected.

Lawndale Bilingual News: What aspect of your job do you enjoy the most working for the Illinois Office of Tourism?
Daniel Thomas: I think it’s telling the story of small businesses, those individual stories. We receive about 100 million visitors each year and I love that we are able to share with them the unexpected things to do in our State. Everyone knows about the big City of Chicago, there is so much to do and see, which is wonderful and there is much to see in different regions of the State. Travel is about inspiring and motivating people to want to discover something new, a new region, city, and destination. There is nothing more satisfying than being able to inspire people.

Lawndale Bilingual News: We have two more months of summer left, for those who have yet to take a trip how would you motivate them to venture out?
Daniel Thomas: First, it starts with heading to enjoyillinois.com. Depending on what they are looking to do whether it’s visiting a historic town, or having an adventure we have curated itineraries that are designed for one-day or for a weekend. You can browse our website for the region, city, or type in a specific activity and you will find something that interests you. We aim to inspire people with something they haven’t done before, to step outside of the comfort zone, to get connected with our natural resources here in the State.

Thomas shared a few of his favorite travel destinations to help the eager traveler get started.

Family Fun
Lake County Getaway (45-min. drive north of Chicago)

• Six Flags Great America and Hurricane Harbor offers endless adventures for the entire family with 17 coasters, a 20-acre water park, spectacular shows, a nighttime parade and three children’s areas.

• Located down the street from Six Flags, you can stay at Great Wolf Lodge Illinois. This family-friendly lodging features an enormous 80,000 sq. ft. indoor water park, family-size bowling lanes, indoor miniature golf and a redemption arcade perfect for friendly family competition and laughter.

Weekend Warrior
Starved Rock Country (2-hour drive from Chicago)

• Starved Rock State Park features awe-inspiring bluffs and rugged canyons. While there, meander through towering trees and scenic overlooks along the Illinois River.

• Enjoy a delightful lunch or dinner at Lone Buffalo or Tangled Roots breweries, offering a rustic, relaxed and inviting atmosphere perfect for families.

Quintessential Road Trip
Route 66

• Dive into the nostalgia of Route 66 at the Pontiac-Oakland Automobile Museum in Pontiac, showcasing vintage cars and memorabilia that transport visitors back in time. Explore the town’s Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum and vibrant murals depicting the iconic highway’s history.

• Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of Springfield with a visit to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, offering interactive exhibits and artifacts that captivate visitors of all ages. Discover Route 66 landmarks such as the Cozy Dog Drive-In and the new Shea’s Gas Station Museum, preserving the spirit of the Mother Road.

For more information, visit www.enjoyillinois.com