Virtual U.S. Road Trip- Day 13- Illinois & #Giveaway


Day 13 and we are Illinois with author Julie Cross. Enjoy Julie's post all about Illinois and enter the giveaway at the end. Let's see what awaits us in Illinois.

You can check out yesterday's stop in Idaho with author Coutney J Pearson here

    Places to visit in Illinois




  •  Chicago, obviously



  • Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois



  • Lots of historical Abe Lincoln sites in the capitol, Springfield



  • If you are a book store geek and visiting my town, Champaign, IL definitely give yourself a couple hours to stroll through the many pockets of the Jane Addams bookstore



  •  Ebert film fest happens every year in my town to honor Champaign Illinois native and renown film critic, Roger Ebert


    • Places to eat in Illinois

     In Chicago there are too many great places to eat to name them all however  in Champaign, IL where I live, Golden Harbor is not only amazing Chinese food but also an experience. They have over 1000 items on their Chinese menu, pasted all over the walls in Chinese. If you’re daring, you can pick a random number and enjoy the surprise

    Quirky things about Illinois

    Not quirky but super important: Illinois was the first state to abolish slavery.
    • Twinkies were invented in Illinois
    •  Illinois is home to the 3rd largest US city (Chicago) but 80% of the state is farmland, so basically there’s Chicago and…I live in the…part of the state


    Famous people from Illinois

    • Abraham Lincoln
    •  President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama
    • Hillary Clinton
    •   John Hughes, most of his films were set and filmed in Chicago suburbs (Sixteen Candles, Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink…)
    • Jane Addams, Nobel Peace Prize winner
    • Roger Ebert
    • Bonnie Blair, Olympic Speed skater (from my home town)
    • John and James Belushi (actors Blue’s Brothers, SNL…)
    Authors or books set in your state

    Ray Bradbury,  Simone Elkeles (many of her books are set in the Chicago area) and Veronica Roth


    Thanks Julie :) Illinois sounds awesome. I didn't realise so many politicians came from Illinois especially past, present and future Presidents. 

    Check out Day 14's stop in Indiana with author Mike Mullin here

    Follow all the road trip posts here

    Giveaway

    Giveaway is sponsored by author Julie Cross. One winner will receive a $10 Amazon Gift card and is open to anyone who can receive Amazon Gift cards. Ends August 10th 2015.


    a Rafflecopter giveaway
    Posted by at
    loading..

    8 comments

    1. the CynikalKat13 July 2015 at 06:53

      I grew up in OH and never had a desire to go to IL, although I did drive through it. Thanks for sharing!

      ReplyDelete
    2. Katherine P13 July 2015 at 07:48

      I've been through the southern most tip of Illinois on the way to St. Louis and we stopped in Metropolis to see the giant Superman statue but that's my only experience with the state. My husband has been to Chicago for work and very much enjoyed it so one day we will get there!

      ReplyDelete
    3. William G14 July 2015 at 01:01

      I love Chicago, especially all the Art Deco architecture and frank Gehry designed buildings!

      ReplyDelete
    4. Mary Preston14 July 2015 at 02:11

      Super important indeed. Sounds like a place I'd like to visit.

      ReplyDelete
    5. Jenna17 July 2015 at 17:33

      This is my state! I, too, live in the part of the state that is not Chicago. I am going to have to go back and catch up on the rest of your virtual road trip.

      ReplyDelete
    6. scatteredleaves19 July 2015 at 00:35

      very family friendly and open state

      ReplyDelete
    7. Joanne Homer3 August 2015 at 12:17

      sounds like a great place to visit, would love to go to Chicago someday

      ReplyDelete
    8. Ashfa5 August 2015 at 04:41

      I've heard so much about Chicago and Illinois and it's amazing art deco architecture.

      ReplyDelete

    Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)