GREAT LAKES OF NORTH AMERICA
● McDonald’s fi rst franchised
Drive on and the sense of Continue north along the
restaurant opened in DES STATE yesteryear persists with one Mississippi (and the Great River
PLAINES in 1955. No
SECRETS of the oldest diners on Route Road) with historic towns, such
longer a functioning
restaurant, the building
66, the 1924 Ariston Café in as Elsah, Quincy and Nauvoo,
is now McDonald’s #1
Litchfi eld and the 170ft-tall the latter with its beautifully-
Store Museum, with
water tower shaped like a preserved homes, 1840 print
memorabilia recreating
ketchup bottle in Collinsville! shop and Illinois’ oldest vineyard.
that 1950s feel.
More surprising here is an The bustling Quad Cities
● METROPOLIS, the offi cial ‘Home archaeological site dating back at consist of Moline, Rock Island
of Superman’, is a real place on the
least 1,000 years. The Cahokia (of Rock Island Line fame)
Ohio River. See the giant Superman
statue, the Superman museum, or have
Mounds are a World Heritage and (across the river in Iowa)
a fl utter at Harrah’s Casino.
Site where you can learn about Davenport and Bettendorf.
fl int-knapping and discover why For the ‘best Hot Fudge in
● Popeye the Sailor Man turns 80 this
the 68 mounds were created the Solar System’, head for
year. In CHESTER, a six-foot bronze
statue commemorates the spinach-
by the most sophisticated pre- Lagomarcino’s, a century-old
eater, or rather his creator, Elzie Segar. historic Indian civilisation north family business in Moline.
The annual picnic (early September) is
of Mexico. For a tropical paradise of
an excuse for concerts and fi reworks.
Then, swing north on the towering plants and fl owers,
Great River Road (www. head for Rock Island’s Quad
at their Route 66 Dream Car Library and Museum brings the greatriverroad-illinois.org), City Botanical Center. In East
Museum, with 30 motors to ooh 16th president to life, using the through Granite City. To the Moline, climb aboard a massive
and aah over. latest technology. But Springfi eld west is the 5,353ft-long Old modern-day combine harvester
Illinois capital Springfi eld is also home to Bill Shea, the Chain of Rocks Bridge. Cars and on a tour of the John Deere
is synonymous with President No 1 Route 66 fan. At Shea’s trucks thundering along Route Pavilion, one of the world’s
Abraham Lincoln and, in 2009, Gas Station Museum, he has 66 used to cross the Mississippi largest agricultural equipment
the city celebrates the bicentennial collected everything from a 1952 River here; now it is one of the manufacturers.
of Honest Abe’s birth. The Airstream caravan to fuel pumps world’s longest bike and foot Further upriver is historic
Abraham Lincoln Presidential and oil cans. bridges. Fulton, then, continuing to the
The best way to see Chicago is through our windows.
Located on Michigan Avenue, the Essex Inn Want something more down to earth? Take our Chicago Field Trip
makes it easy to experience Chicago and see Sue—the largest, most complete and best preserved T-Rex
with unique museum, shopping and fossil yet discovered. This package provides
entertainment packages.* two general admission tickets to
The Field Museum of Natural History
We have annual favorites like our Shop Chicago Package that combines with one night’s accommodations
an overnight stay with $50 in Water Tower Place gift cards, a Water Tower at the Essex.
Place Premier Perks booklet and a tote bag to carry it all in.
New packages that revolve around special
Our year-round Room With A View Package includes two general events are constantly being added!
800 S. Michigan Ave.
admission tickets for the Sears Tower Skydeck—another great way
to take in the city.
*Packages subject to availability, applicable taxes
and require advance reservations.
©2008 Essex Inn
6 www.greatlakesnorthamerica.co.uk
ESX-08-123 Great Lakes Planner 7.205" x 5.236"
GL09 pp04-07 Illinois.indd 6 29/9/08 17:33:33
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