A massive bur oak tree believed to be some 500 years old is the centerpiece of this quiet urban greenspace.

A 30-foot man on a penny-farthing bicycle rides along the banks of the Mississippi.

This family driveway also serves as the highest point in Illinois.

Designed by Alfred Caldwel, this landscape showcases his vision of a native garden.

This monolithic statue was erected in honor of Chief Black Hawk (even if it wasn't made to look like him).

This lush 12-acre site was once named the finest Japanese garden in North America.

This historic Illinois "Muffler Man" has been converted from axe-touting lumberjack to rocket-wielding space ace.

A collection of 11 million buttons illustrates the human toll of the Holocaust.

One of the first historical sites of an alternative universe was installed in the town of Paris, Illinois—which is now home to an annual spelling bee of Kcymaerxthaereal words.

Planes, trains, and automobiles have all been sunk as attractions at this Illinois diving spot.

The world's third-largest scale model of the planets.

This softly rounded mansion was built without corners not to avoid evil spirits, but to make them more comfortable.

A 400-foot-tall tall map of Chicago makes this once-ignored building stand out.

A historic beacon built in the aftermath of the worst maritime disaster on the Great Lakes.

The oldest house in Chicago certainly doesn't look the part and there are some who say it doesn't deserve its title either.

This architectural stunner is one of the few surviving Egyptian Revival theaters in the U.S.

An abandoned observatory in the middle of the Illinois prairie.

Not to be confused with the iconic New York City skyscraper, this Chicago building is a vibrant hub for artists.

Tour the luxe "glass cage" that inspired and unnerved the architecture world upon its debut.

Arguably the best example of an authentic Dutch windmill in the United States, rivaling its counterparts in the Netherlands.

The first and only museum dedicated to stained glass and horology opened outside of Chicago in 2017.

In the loving memory of a tragically deceased role-player this Illinois park is decked out with both dungeons and dragons.

A plaque marks a former safe house on the secret route, now hidden next to a McDonald's.

You have to love a museum with a truly dedicated focus. A focus on Superman, for example.