|
| View this email in your browser. |
|
Learn about the 2019 Illinois Governor's Conference, experience Indy car racing in Southern Illinois, and clear your schedule for the Du Quoin State Fair. #EnjoyIllinois
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Happy Travel Tuesday
|
|
 |
|
It's been a fantastic run for Doors Open Illinois! As the final weekend of this historic program comes to a close, I want to thank all the museums and historic sites that have come together to make this Bicentennial celebration such an amazing success. In our first three weekends, we saw thousands of residents and visitors alike exploring historic treasures throughout Illinois.
And there's still one weekend left! This weekend, we bring Doors Open Illinois to a close in Northeastern Illinois with some of Illinois' most significant historic attractions, all completely FREE. Explore one of the earliest and most distinguished examples of Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie School
Architecture at the Pleasant Home in Oak Park, or visit local landmark — and filming location for Groundhog Day — the Woodstock Opera House in Woodstock. And so much more!
Of course, Doors Open Illinois isn't the only Bicentennial celebration on the horizon — not by a long shot. We've got events
and activities planned all year long in anticipation of the climactic Illinois Bicentennial Birthday Party on December 3 at the United Center, but we still couldn't help but have cake a little early. On August 26, join several communities throughout the state for Bicentennial Birthday Cake Celebrations featuring slices from Illinois Made maker Eli's Cheesecake. More on that
below, and watch your calendars for more events happening near you!
Looking for even more activities this fall? You're in luck! Last Friday, we stopped in Ottawa at Tangled Roots Brewing Company for the launch of our latest Fall/Winter Travel Illinois magazine. It was a wonderful event and a perfect opportunity to honor some of Illinois' best fall destinations. In addition to a cover-feature for host Tangled Roots, this season's edition includes a Q&A with Chicago food icon Rick Bayless, insights for the perfect fall getaway, a list of Chicago's hottest new restaurants, three new itineraries along Illinois' rivers, and so much more. A special thanks to Heritage Corridor CVB for helping make this launch party an event to remember!
Stay tuned for more travel fun next week! And as always, get out there and enjoy Illinois!
Your friend in Illinois tourism,
|
Cory M. Jobe
Director
Illinois Office of Tourism
|
|
|
|
|
|
| TRAVEL ILLINOIS |
| ILLINOIS SPOTLIGHT |
|
|
|
 |
|
Illinois Bicentennial Birthday Cake Celebrations
|
|
|
|
On Constitution Day, August 26, 2018, Illinois celebrates its 200th Birthday - and you're invited! In cities across Illinois, we're hosting public birthday celebrations, including free slices of Bicentennial Birthday Cakes handcrafted by Illinois Made maker Eli's Cheesecake. Supplies are limited, so get out there early and celebrate Illinois!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Big Ten Conference Coming to Rich Harvest Farms
|
|
|
|
The Big Ten is headed to Sugar Grove for its 2020 Men's Golf Championship. The event will take place at Rich Harvest Farms. Consistently ranked in Golf Digest's "America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses," the club features 18 immaculately manicured holes on 1,820 acres, showcasing the natural beauty to be found everywhere in Illinois.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Bommarito 500 IndyCar Weekend
|
|
|
| Southern Illinois kicks into overdrive this weekend for the second annual Bommarito Automotive Group 500. Bigger, better, and faster than ever, this international race welcomes drivers from across the United States and around the world for a weekend of high-octane action. Tickets start at just $35, with supporting races, pre-race parties, and more throughout the weekend. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Broadway's Tootsie Debuts in Chicago
|
|
|
|
The 1980's hit Tootsie is getting the musical treatment with a Broadway makeover of the classic film. Starring Tony nominee Santino Fontana, the soon-to-be-hit musical will begin its run with a pre-Broadway engagement in Chicago. Tootsie follows the journey of down-on-his-luck actor Michael Dorsey who turns to drag to get a gig. Tootsie opens this fall and tickets are on sale now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ILLINOIS MADE
|
 |
| |
|
|
Lagomarcino's in the Quad Cities
It's a bit of Americana that might seem long gone: a friendly soda jerk behind a counter, dispensing homemade ice cream and working the fountain; bin after bin of colorful candy; rows of mahogany booths where a family can sit and sip a shake. The quaint feel of an old-fashioned ice-cream parlor lives on at Lagomarcino’s in Moline.
Now into the fourth generation, the store has been in the Lagomarcino family since 1908. Lagomarcino's is one of the only soda fountain confectionaries left in the country, making every experience at the store that much more special. It's a place where families have been gathering for years; just as four generations of Lagomarcinos have run the store, generations of families have passed on the joys of this delicious bygone institution.
During your visit, make sure to try the english toffee, sponge candy, and caramel apples (depending on the season). If you're heading to Lagomarcino's for the first time, your visit isn't complete without a taste of a hot fudge sundae and chocolate ice cream soda. They're not only delicious, they're Illinois Made.
Discover more Illinois artisans at Illinois Made.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| THE LATEST TRAVEL TRENDS |
| NEWS YOU CAN USE |
|
|
|
|
Download the New Global Business Traveler Report from Skift
|
|
Curious about the state of global business travel? Is it growing? Shrinking? Staying the same? The 2017 Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) forecast predicts the business travel sector will reach $1.6 trillion by 2020. But is it true? The 2018 Skift Global Business Traveler Report is a research-based initiative, examining the impact of factors from personal preference to digital trends on the evolving world of corporate travel.
And best of all? It's available for download FREE from Skift and Turkish Airlines. Get yours today.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Free eBook: How DMOs from All 50 U.S. States Are Using Facebook Advertising
|
|
Have you downloaded your free DMO facebook advertising report yet?
Nothing sparks innovation like a look at the competition. And Crowdriff just made that even easier. The Illinois Office of Tourism partner recently released a report analyzing every Facebook ad placed on the popular platform by a State DMO during the first week of July.
This enlightening new eBook is currently available for FREE on the Crowdriff website, including insights like which ad campaigns stood out; the most popular CTAs, visuals, and ad formats; and over 500 of the Facebook ad examples analyzed during the project.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Du Quoin State Fair
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Just when you thought fair season was coming to a close, the best was yet to come! The Du Quoin State Fair opens this weekend for nine days of Illinois celebrations. With headliners like Cheap Trick and Buckcherry, plenty of rides, and more delicious food than you can shake a deep-fried stick at, you don't want to miss this!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| #ENJOYILLINOIS |
|
 |
|
|
|
Check out how people from all over the world
#EnjoyIllinois every day on our Instagram |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oh, and don't forget...
We're excited to hear about what you have going on! Send your releases to news@enjoyillinois.com and social media campaigns you're launching to social@enjoyillinois.com. We can't guarantee that all events submitted will be featured, but we always love hearing about what's going on in your area, so keep sending your information! |
|
|
|
|
| LIKE THIS? SHARE THE LOVE |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
| The Official Newsletter of the Illinois Office of Tourism |
| ©2018 Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. |
| Discover great Illinois trip ideas on |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
