5 of the best scenic drives through Illinois

As summer comes to a close and the leaves morph from a vibrant green to even more vibrant oranges, reds and yellows, there's no better way to appreciate the shifting seasons than by taking a drive through Illinois.

From Peoria's Grandview Drive-deemed the "world's most beautiful drive" by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1910-to Illinois' seven nationally designated Scenic Byways, there are plenty of routes you can take to appreciate the state's autumn landscapes.

We've mapped out the drives and included several must-see scenic pit stops along the routes. Click on the map to specific attractions and follow the directions through the drives.




Here are five examples of the routes:

1. Ohio River Scenic Byway



Must-see pit stops:

Garden of the Gods in Shawnee National Forest
Cave in Rock State Park
Superman Statue in Metropolis

2. Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway



Must-see pit stops:

Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
Original Brick Road
Henry's Rabbit Ranch

3. Peoria Grandview Drive ("World's Most Beautiful Drive")



Must-see pit stops:

The "castle" on Grandview Drive
Scenic overlooks of the Illinois River Valley
Forest Park Nature Center

4. Great River Road



Must-see pit stops:

Long Hollow Scenic Overlook
Dutch Windmill "De Immigrant"
Black Hawk State Historic Site

5. The Morton Arboretum



Must see pit-stops:

Ginkgo Restaurant and Café
Trails around Meadow Lake
Sterling Morton Library

Check out five more scenic drives in Illinois at Reboot Illinois, including routes that take travelers through Starved Rock State Park and the Cohokia Mounds.

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