12 days in Illinois Itinerary

Belknap is a village in Johnson County, Illinois, United States. To see maps, where to stay, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Belknap day trip planning site.

San Francisco to Belknap is an approximately 18.5-hour combination of flight and car. You can also drive. You'll lose 2 hours traveling from San Francisco to Belknap due to the time zone difference. While traveling from San Francisco, expect a bit cooler days and cooler nights in Belknap, ranging from highs of 47°F to lows of 28°F. You will have some time to spend on the 22nd (Mon) before leaving for Chicago.

A huge and vibrant city, Chicago is home to top-notch theaters, shops, museums, galleries, and restaurants.

Start off your visit on the 23rd (Tue): get to know the resident critters at Lincoln Park Zoo, then walk around Millennium Park, and then take a stroll through The Magnificent Mile. Here are some ideas for day two: enjoy breathtaking views from Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower and then admire the masterpieces at The Art Institute of Chicago.

To see reviews, where to stay, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the Chicago journey planning website.

Traveling by car from Belknap to Chicago takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and flight. In February, Chicago is slightly colder than Belknap - with highs of 36°F and lows of 20°F. On the 24th (Wed), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel to Chicago.

Explore Chicago further: get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Shedd Aquarium, learn more about the world around you at Field Museum, try your luck at Horseshoe Hammond, and admire the striking features of Chicago Cultural Center.

For more things to do, maps, and tourist information, read Chicago trip planner.

Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Fri) to allow time to drive to Gurnee.

Gurnee is a village in Lake County, Illinois, United States. Kick off your visit on the 27th (Sat): take in the pleasant sights at Chicago Botanic Garden and then have fun and explore at Kohl Children's Museum.

To see traveler tips, photos, and other tourist information, you can read our Gurnee route builder tool.

Traveling by car from Chicago to Gurnee takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a train. Traveling from Chicago in February, Gurnee is a bit cooler at night with lows of 15°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Sat) to allow time to travel to Herod.

Herod is an unincorporated community in Pope County, Illinois, United States. On the 28th (Sun), look for all kinds of wild species at Shawnee National Forest, do a tasting at Hogg Hollow Winery, and then take in the dramatic natural features at Little Grand Canyon.

To see reviews, photos, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Herod journey maker app.

Drive from Gurnee to Herod in 6 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and flight. Prepare for a bit warmer weather when traveling from Gurnee in February: high temperatures in Herod hover around 45°F and lows are around 27°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel to Volo.

Volo is a village in Lake County, Illinois, United States. Kick off your visit on the 1st (Mon): glide through natural beauty at Veteran Acres Park.

To find photos, reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Volo trip builder.

Traveling by car from Herod to Volo takes 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and flight. Traveling from Herod in February, things will get little chillier in Volo: highs are around 32°F and lows about 15°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 1st (Mon) to allow enough time to travel to Springfield.

Springfield is the capital of Illinois, but its real significance is as the hometown of Abraham Lincoln.

Start off your visit on the 2nd (Tue): look for all kinds of wild species at Lincoln Memorial Garden, steep yourself in history at Dana-Thomas House, take an in-depth tour of Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, then stroll around Union Square Park, and finally stroll around Union Square Park.

To see other places to visit, where to stay, more things to do, and more tourist information, refer to the Springfield online trip itinerary planner.

Getting from Volo to Springfield by car takes about 4 hours. Other options: do a combination of car and flight. Expect a bit warmer temperatures when traveling from Volo in March; daily highs in Springfield reach 51°F and lows reach 31°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Tue) early enough to drive to Naperville.

Naperville is a city in DuPage and Will counties in the U.S. state of Illinois, and a suburb of Chicago. Kick off your visit on the 3rd (Wed): stop by Adagio Teas, wander the streets of Naperville Historic District, then see the interesting displays at Batavia Depot Museum, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.

To find ratings, more things to do, photos, and tourist information, read our Naperville trip planning site.

You can drive from Springfield to Naperville in 3.5 hours. Other options are to fly; or do a combination of bus and train. Traveling from Springfield in March, expect nights in Naperville to be about the same, around 28°F, while days are a bit cooler, around 45°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Wed) early enough to drive to Springfield.

On the 4th (Thu), make a trip to Lincoln Tomb & War Memorials and then examine the collection at Memories: Route 66 Museum.

To see more things to do, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, refer to the Springfield trip planner.

Getting from Naperville to Springfield by car takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: fly; or do a combination of train and bus. While traveling from Naperville, expect somewhat warmer days and about the same nights in Springfield, ranging from highs of 51°F to lows of 31°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (Thu) to allow time to travel back home.