Play in Downstate Illinois

Road trips, travel ideas, and more!

As you read ahead, you will find a multitude of different travel ideas. We cover everything from road trips and budget conscious travel ideas to fantastic food and even NASCAR! If you'd like to do some research before making a trip to our neck of the woods, you are in the right place. On behalf of all of us here at Discover Downstate Illinois, we hope you enjoy downstateil.org as much as we enjoyed creating it! If you do make a visit, please share any photos of your experiences online and use the hashtag #downstateil. We absolutely LOVE to hear about first-hand adventures in our region!

Calendar of Events

Complete list of events and happenings in Downstate Illinois.

Art & Theater

Experience the creativity, scope and beauty of our regional and local artists and performers at area galleries, shows and theaters.

Family Fun

Enjoy these family-friendly attractions in Downstate Illinois! Attractions include petting zoos, zip lining, sailing and more.

History & Culture

Downstate Illinois is full of a rich history including the National Road, Kaskaskia-Cahokia trail and more. Discover the history of the region here!

Outdoor Recreation

Downstate Illinois has no shortage of biking and walking trails. Explore the great outdoors and our many outdoor attractions.

Trip Ideas

Downstate Illinois was made for road trips! With the help of our road trip itineraries, you can discover all that our 21 counties have to offer — from family fun to outdoor adventures and shopping sprees.

Wineries and Breweries

Relax at a winery, try the new brew at a microbrewery or pick up a bottle of freshly-made alcohol at one of our distilleries.

Downstate Illinois Events

Explore Our Event Calendar

Whether you’re looking for a festival, marathon or something family-friendly to bring the kids to, Downstate Illinois has something for everyone. The region hosts over 900 events each year, and we pride ourselves on providing the most accurate event information so that you don’t miss a thing.