Illinois - Cultural Destinations

The Art Institute of Chicago holds an important collection of American art, including works by Mary Cassat, Georgia O’Keefe, Grant Wood and Edward Hopper. Though the painting is an iconic portrayal of New York, Hopper’s famous Nighthawks (1942) resides here.

Eastern Illinois is home to a large community of Amish. Horse-drawn buggies pass through the town of Arthur, and shops are full of Amish crafts. At Arthur’s annual quilt show, in April, Amish seamstresses exhibit and sell their best work.

Though not as well-known as California’s Napa Valley, Illinois has a wine country of its own, with more than 70 vintners throughout the state, many of which offer tastings and tours.