Travel Midwest Magazine Travel Midwest Digital ReplicaSUM17 | Page 140

Illinois THe BeST of {ILLINOIS} Chicago is one of the biggest cities in the United States and perhaps the most pop- ular tourist site in Illinois. Chicago is fa- mous for its food, cityscapes, and architecture, but there are also tons of theaters, shopping districts, and muse- ums to embrace as well. Chicago may be known for its hot dogs and pizza, but the seasonal restaurant weeks in the city offer up more unique dishes than ever before. During restaurant weeks, you can sample different creations from participat- ing restaurants that will vary in status, from authentic “mom and pop” shops and street BBQ, to five star fine-dining cuisine. public sculpture displays. Walk through the nearby downtown streets where you will find all sorts of shops to browse for souvenirs, from famous designer brands to local boutiques. Head into Garrett’s popcorn shop for an iconic flavor, avail- able in gift tins and regular bags. Garrett’s has been popping out their Chicago tra- dition since 1949, and they offer flavors and mixes like Garrett’s mix, a combina- tion of caramel corn and cheddar cheese popcorn. You can create your own tin and sample all of the other flavors, such as buttery ranch, buffalo cheese, and macadamia caramel crisp. If you like art, head to the Navy Pier for Summer in Alton is a melting pot of ro- 138 | Summer 2017 | Travel Midwest mance, music, riverside events, and fam- ily fun, where you will be able to taste local dishes and listen to the fine-tuned sounds of local musicians all season long. Take a drive down the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway for cam- era-worthy sights and local history les- sons. Take a ride on the Hakuna Matata River Rambler Cruise, via Grafton Harbor, where you will be on a 49-passenger tour boat that will take you what locals like to call, “The Key West of the Midwest.” While you’re there, you can visit the floating winery, where you’ll float in the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers while enjoying samples and glasses of locally-made wine.