From America 250 to IPW: Illinois Steps Into a Landmark Summer Season

Obama Presidential Center Opening In June

The highly anticipated Obama Presidential Center is set to officially open in Chicago’s historic Jackson Park next month, marking a major cultural milestone for Illinois tourism and a significant addition to the state’s visitor landscape. Opening celebrations will take place June 18–21, with the campus and museum welcoming the public beginning June 19.

The 19-acre campus will feature a world-class museum, a Chicago Public Library branch, gardens, athletic facilities, art installations, and community gathering spaces designed to inspire civic engagement and storytelling. Located on Chicago’s South Side, the Center is expected to draw visitors from around the world while further elevating Illinois’ position as a destination for history, culture, architecture, and transformative travel experiences. Visit their website for more information.

Illinois America 250: At the Center of Our National Story

Illinois is preparing to play a major role in America’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration through the launch of Illinois America 250: At the Center of Our National Story. The statewide initiative highlights the people, places, and moments that shaped the nation’s history while encouraging travelers to experience those stories firsthand across Illinois communities.

As part of the initiative, Enjoy Illinois unveiled a dedicated America 250 road trip itinerary designed to guide visitors through historic landmarks, iconic attractions, museums, and cultural destinations throughout the state. The itinerary showcases Illinois’ unique role in the American story, from Abraham Lincoln heritage sites and Route 66 icons to river towns, architecture, music history, and innovation hubs, while inspiring travelers to explore both well-known destinations and hidden gems along the way.

Illinois at IPW 2026

The Illinois Office of Tourism attended IPW 2026, the travel industry’s leading international marketplace, which took place May 17–21 in Greater Fort Lauderdale. Hosted by the U.S. Travel Association, IPW has historically brought together more than 5,000 attendees, including nearly 1,800 international and domestic travel buyers and media professionals, from more than 70 countries to drive future visitation, strengthen international partnerships, and generate an estimated $26 billion in future travel to the U.S.

IPW provides a valuable platform to showcase Illinois’ diverse tourism offerings while building new opportunities for international visitation and long-term tourism growth. Joining the Illinois Office of Tourism at this year’s event were several destination and tourism partners from across the state, including Choose Chicago, Chicago’s North Shore CVB and Route 66 partners representing Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau, Visit Springfield, Heritage Corridor Destinations, Discover Downstate Illinois, and Visit BN.

Support Chicago in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards

Chicago has once again been nominated for Condé Nast Traveler’s prestigious Readers’ Choice Awards, and voting is now open. After earning the title of Best Big City in the U.S. for nine consecutive years, Chicago is aiming for a 10th straight win.

We encourage partners across Illinois to help showcase the city — and the state — on the national stage by casting your vote and sharing the opportunity with your audiences and networks. Votes can be submitted through the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards survey through the end of June.

Vote for Chicago in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards

Experiential Travel Continues to Drive Destination Decisions

A newly released Arival 2026 U.S. Experiences Traveler Outlook report found that travelers are increasingly prioritizing experiences when planning trips, with tours, attractions, food, entertainment, and cultural activities now playing a major role in destination selection. The report also notes that younger travelers, in particular, are placing greater value on immersive and memorable experiences over traditional sightseeing, reinforcing continued demand for authentic, story-driven travel opportunities.

Airbnb Unveils 2026 Summer Travel Trends

A recent Airbnb report on 2026 summer travel trends highlights a continued shift toward shorter, more intentional trips, with travelers increasingly opting for “playcations” centered around hobbies, outdoor activities, and hands-on experiences. The findings show that a growing share of travelers are staying closer to home, with rural and regional destinations gaining popularity as cost-effective alternatives to traditional summer hotspots. The report also points to a resurgence of nostalgia-driven travel, as Gen Z travelers rediscover destinations that were popular a decade ago, alongside strong demand for flexible, experience-led itineraries.