Explore Zion, Illinois!
REJUVENATE IN ZION!
Sitting on Illinois’ border with Wisconsin sits Zion. One of the only cities in the world to be fully planned before being built, Zion was founded as a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of big city life. Today, this small city still offers a lovely break for travelers in search of a way to escape the crowds.
TOP THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN ZION
Explore Illinois Beach State Park
Tread lightly in North Dunes or Illinois Beach Nature Preserves
Tour Historic Shiloh House
Enjoy a round of golf
Soak in some small-town charm
ON THE DUNES
Illinois Beach State Park stretches for 6.5 miles along Lake Michigan and dominates Zion’s lakefront. Here you’ll find camping, hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, picnic areas, and a marina. Oh, and those 6.5 miles of park come with 6.5 miles of beach, too. Sparkling sand against the green-blue waters of Lake Michigan. And with that much beach, you’re guaranteed to get a good spot. The park also boasts a wide variety of ecosystems. Because of this, it is home to over 650 species of plants and a great diversity of wildlife. Cacti, marshland, dunes and forests all in in the same park? Yup. They have all that and more. You may just want to designate a few days to explore.
For those looking to encounter more untouched beauty of Illinois’ lakeshore in one of the last places that it thrives, there are two nature preserves located inside Illinois Beach State Park. To the North the North Dunes Nature Preserve lies untouched, and to the South the Illinois Beach Nature Preserve sits undisturbed, as they have for thousands of years. Enjoy views of marshland, forest, dunes and swales on this wonderfully preserved example of beach ridge shoreline. Leave only footprints. Take only memories.
ON THE GREEN
If you’re looking for a spot to relax with a great game of golf, look no further. In or near Zion are four wonderful courses to choose from, which incorporate the individual beauty of the area in order to enhance each hole. This is one time when you’ll appreciate nature making things difficult for you.
UNWIND
For a diverting time indoors, look no further than Shiloh House, serving as Zion’s museum. This 25 room mansion was built for the founder of Zion, Dr. John Alexander Dowie in 1901 and is a wonderful step back in time when toured today. Filled with artifacts from the town’s intriguing history and beautiful in its own right, it’s the perfect stop for any history buff.
Of course, if you just want to relax, you can always take a simple tour of the town. Snap a selfie with the massive Zion Hotel Dome, all that remains of Zion’s first hotel, or take a peek at its “Painted Ladies,” the historical homes that survive from Zion’s beginning. Notice its neatly planned streets spreading out around the massive Shiloh Park at its center. There you can swim, golf, play a little baseball or even a little tennis, all in one place. And when you’re feeling peckish, check out some of the town’s interesting local restaurants. You won’t be disappointed.
Go ahead. Take a break in Zion. It’s a one-of-a-kind city and a great place to get away from it all. After all, sometimes you need a vacation from your vacation.
For more travel information about Zion, Illinois please contact this tourism resource:
Lake County’s Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
1300 Shiloh Boulevard
Zion, IL 60099
(847) 872-5405