Illinois’ Top 200 voters picking state’s best scenic spots

Posted on May 9, 2018

Starved Rock State Park near Utica is among the choices in the voting for the state’s top scenic spots. (Facebook/Starved Rock State Park)

By Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – It’s a mix of natural beauty, the state’s best city, and small and big city spots on this week’s Illinois Top 200 List.

Illinois bicentennial best-of voters are picking the state’s best scenic spots this week.

Chris Wills with the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency says bicentennial best-of voters will have to choose between places like Starved Rock, Garden of the Gods, and Matthiessen State Park. And Chicago’s riverfront, Galena’s historic district, and the Bean in Chicago.

“Illinois has a lot of natural beauty to offer,” Wills said. “But it also has some man-made features that have really created some special places.”

Wills said there’s also the choice between the Volo Blog and the Grosse Point Lighthouse, and Blackhawk’s Statue and the Great River Road.

“It’s a testament to the variety in Illinois,” Wills said. “And the fact that there are different places that mean different things to different people.”

There are also some spots like Rockford’s Anderson Japanese Gardens that may surprise some people, he said.

Voting is open until Friday. As always, people can vote at IllinoisTop200.com.

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