Buckingham Fountain
Chicago, Illinois

Chicago and Northern Illinois residents flock to the shores of Lake Michigan for summer fun and respite from the heat. There are 26 miles of Chicago beaches that are free with facilities managed by the Chicago Parks District. Relax on the lake front or enjoy jogging, biking, rollerblading or your favorite beach sports – Chicago beaches have it all. Chicago is home to the 110 story Willis Tower, formerly the Sears Tower, Oprah’s Harpo Studios and Lincoln Park Zoo, among numerous attractions, there is plenty to keep anyone busy. Whether you arrive at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, by Amtrak or drive on one of the nine interstate highways that run through Chicago, it is an amazing place to visit.

The Chicagoland Six Flags Great America/Hurricane Harbor 2010 season is in full swing. The perfect family vacation spot with 13 thrilling roller coasters, shows, parades, and a water park with over 20 acres of fun to cool you off. Best Western Gurnee Hotel & Suites is ideally located less than a mile from Six Flags just off Interstate 294. Load up the family and head north of Chicago for some summer fun. Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor stays open through early September, with Six Flags open weekends through October.

Mendota’s 63rd Annual Sweet Corn Festival is another fun summer event. Just west of Chicago, join in the parade, pageant and carnival August 12th through the 15th. A celebration of the corn harvest, there are activities and events for everyone. Athletes can join the Sweet Corn Century Bicycle Ride for a 25, 35 or 42 mile ride or run in Cornapalooza. Runs include a 5K and 10K along with a 5k fitness walk. Bring the children to participate in the youth parade or compete for the crown of Mini King or Queen. The Best Western Oglesby Inn about 15 miles from Mendota is ready to welcome you with clean and comfortable accommodations. The Best Western is the closest hotel to Starved Rock State Park and with affordable rates, you may want to book an extra night and see the area.

Music Fans will enjoy the 2010 Joliet Latin Music Festival. The 15th annual festival will be held September 24th through the 26th at Silver Cross Field in Joliet. Celebrate the culture and heritage of Latin America with an exciting weekend of music, food and exhibits. Bring you dancing shoes and a partner; the music will have you up and dancing. The Best Western Joliet Inn and Suites is conveniently located close to Interstates 80 and 55. With affordable rates and comfortable rooms, enjoy the entire Latin Music Festival and make Best Western your home away from home for the weekend.

Illinois State Capitol
Springfield, IL

Springfield hosts the Illinois State Fair. A true mid-west American celebration of Illinois agriculture, livestock and gifted residents. Beautiful Haley Freeman will rein as the 2010 Miss Illinois County Fair, presiding over a full ten day schedule of exhibitions, entertainment and fun. The Fair schedule is packed, including daily horse and harness racing, tractor pulls and auto racing. The grandstand arena transforms to an evening concert venue showcasing top name performers in concert each night. The fair features 12 stages throughout the fairgrounds, providing non-stop entertainment for the crowds. Traveling or want to stay close to the action? The Best Western Clearlake Plaza in Springfield is conveniently located near the fairgrounds, making an ideal place to stay and enjoy everything the state fair has to offer. The 2010 Illinois State Fair is held August 13th through 22nd.

June 14th through 20th, the 2010 134th Illinois State Trapshoot will take place at the Brittany Shooting Park in Bunker Hill. Young, old, men, women and families from across Illinois will gather to test their shooting skills and compete for top honors. Come participate and see both avid and casual marksmen show off their skills. The Best Western Carlinville Inn is located just off I-55 and minutes from the shooting park for convenient accommodations. With affordable rates, you may want to book a few extra nights and enjoy Lake Lou Yaeger or the Carlin Belle Riverboat.

Active Illinoisans will challenge their training regime at the Evergreen Lake Triathlons on July 17th, 2010. The Triathlon events include both the international distance triathlon and a sprint distance triathlon. Both races are set just north of the Bloomington – Normal area in and around Comlara County Park. The international triathlon features a 1.5K swim, 40K bicycle and 10K run. The spring distance is a 500 meter swim, 40K bicycle and 5K run. Racers, supporters and fans will enjoy great music, post race food and drinks, and prize money will be awarded. Multiple age group awards are presented making this a fun and challenging event for athletes of all ages and abilities.

Located on the north side of Normal, the Best Western University Inn is located a few minutes away from Colmara Park and Lake Evergreen. Convenient and with affordable rates, make this a weekend getaway and relax at the lake fishing or swimming. The Constitution Trail in Bloomington and Normal, with 24 miles of surfaced trails for biking, jogging and walking, is near the Best Western University Inn for some easy exercise.

Lincoln, less than an hour from Bloomington and Normal, is home to the world's largest covered wagon. The Railsplitter Covered Wagon was relocated to Lincoln in honor of Abraham Lincoln, the city's namesake . The wagon sits over 24 feet tall and 40 feet long, and features a seated statue of Abraham Lincoln reading on the front seat. The Best Western Lincoln Inn is an ideal location to stay and enjoy all of the city's tributes to one of the most loved US Presidents. By auto, traveling south from Chicago down historic Route 66, you will find yourself face to face with Mr Lincoln.

Garden of the Gods
Shawnee National Forest

Southern Illinois where visitors enjoy Garden of the God's Recreation Area, hiking trails in the Shawnee National Forest. Travel the Wine Trails of the Shawnee Hills or Wabash Valley, marvel at the mysterious Cave-in-Rock State Park or bike along the Tunnel Hill State Trail. Families vacationing may find themselves cooling off this summer at the Raging Rivers Water Park in Grafton, or touring the spectacular beauty of Pere Marquette State Park. Park visitors enjoy biking, hiking, fishing or navigating the water in a canoe, kayak or boat. The Cahokia Mounds in southwest Illinois is the state's only United Nations World Heritage Site, where you can learn from the largest prehistoric Indian city north of Mexico. There is a lot to discover in Southern Illinois, travel there soon to begin your adventure.

The Mississippi River is an integral part of towns like Grafton and Alton, located on its shores. Both Grafton and Alton celebrate the river and its history in June. Grafton host the Great Rivers Towboat Festival June 19th and 20th, where visitors can get a taste of life on the Mississippi. Working towboats will provide free tours and festival goers can enjoy live music, contests, arts and crafts and local mouth watering BBQ. The next weekend, June 26th and 27th, the 5th Annual Antique and Classic Boat Festival will be held at the Alton Marina. The festival will showcase more than 100 classic and antique boats, both in the water and on land. A great day to enjoy the boats and an outing at River front Park.

The Best Western Camelot Inn of Fairview Heights provides travelers a “Home away from Home” for travelers to the Grafton and Alton area. Complete with guest laundry facilities and a game room for kids, the accommodations are close to the areas best restaurants. Enjoy the great outdoor offerings of Southern Illinois or the urban experience of nearby St Louis at the Best Western Camelot Inn of Fairview Heights.

The 2010 29th Annual Loretta Lynn's Amateur National Motocross Championships are hosted at Crossroads MX in Mason. Just north of Flora in southeastern Illinois, the championships are scheduled for June 25th through 27th. Join as many as 650 racers and fans for this exciting weekend of competition. The Best Western Lorson Inn in Flora is convenient for travelers, just minutes away and with affordable rates, it is easily a full weekend trip.

Summer in America's heartland is not complete without a visit to a real down home county fair. Effingham County Fair's 2010 headliner will be Chris Cagle, one of country music's rising stars. Plan to visit the first week in August to enjoy a complete schedule of exhibits and events. See the region's best agriculture and livestock, and enjoy live entertainment, the rodeo and talent contest to get started. The Best Western Raintree Inn in Effingham has convenient and comfortable accommodations for travelers in the area.