What's the best time to visit Illinois?
The best time to visit Illinois is during the summer (June-August), when the weather is warm and conducive to outdoor activities. However, winter brings harsh cold, limited activities, and unpredictable weather. Fall presents a favorable option with pleasant temperatures, fewer crowds, and cultural events in Chicago.
Thinking about visiting Illinois? The timing of your trip can really enhance your experience in this diverse state. Whether you’re drawn to Chicago’s bustling skyline or the serene landscapes of the countryside, we’ll help you find the best times to make the most of your Illinois adventure!
The Overall Best Time to Visit Illinois
OAK PARK, IL, USA – JULY 1, 2019: This cozy street in downtown Oak Park features brick paved roads, restaurants, gorgeous architecture, and home to Frank Lloyd Wright and Ernest Hemingway/Joseph Hendrickson/Shutterstock
The best time to visit Illinois is in the summer or fall, when the weather is good for spending time outdoors and cultural activities are in full swing. If you are hoping to visit the rest of the state, including some rural areas, summer (June–August) is probably the best time to visit.
Average high temperatures in places like Joliet reach about 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Summer can get very rainy in the Midwest, but bring waterproof jackets and an umbrella, and you should still have a good time.
A lot of outdoor attractions in more rural parts of the state are only open in the summer, so visiting during this time means that you’ll be sure to see what you were planning to see. Some attractions at Chestnut Mountain Resort, such as the Alpine Slide, are only open in the summer.
Summer is also one of the best times to get outdoors in Illinois. The state borders Lake Michigan, one of the Great Lakes, which is a popular destination for swimming and boating. There are beaches even in the city of Chicago that are open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Summer is also peak festival season, which makes Illinois a must-visit destination for music lovers. The most famous is Lollapalooza in Chicago, which usually happens in late July or early August, but there are countless other events throughout the state.
If your main goal in visiting Illinois is to visit Chicago, then you’re better off planning a trip in the early fall. While the rest of the state is gorgeous in the summer, Chicago can get too crowded and muggy for comfort.
By early September, the crowds have gone home, the kids are in school, and the weather is down to a comfortable 73 degrees Fahrenheit. The crisper temperatures and changing fall foliage make the city look beautiful.
Fall is the best time to visit Chicago for culture. Festival season may be over, but it’s time to resume regular seasons in the city’s museums, comedy clubs, and theaters, which sometimes take a break over the summer. There are still some sporadic festivals throughout September, such as the Chicago Jazz Festival.
Cheapest Time to Visit Illinois
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 1, 2022: View of the Navy Pier and Chicago Harbor Lighthouse/Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
The cheapest time to visit Illinois is during the state’s long winter, which lasts from November to early April. You can usually get good deals on hotel rooms, airfare, and other travel expenses. Starting in late November, prices go down.
By January, hotel rooms even in Chicago are heavily discounted, with some rooms booking for prices more than 40% lower than their usual prices. If you’re booking with bargains in mind, just make sure that you check the holiday and events calendar, especially in Chicago.
December is more expensive in the city due to holiday visitors. St. Patrick’s Day is also another popular holiday that attracts visitors from around the world (no other city dyes its river green), so expect higher prices for everything.
Airfare also tends to be lower in the winter due to lower demand, so expect good deals on flights to Chicago O’Hare Airport and other regional airports, especially in January and February.
Least Busy Time to Visit Illinois
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To beat the crowds, visit Illinois in the spring (April–May), although you will have to contend with unpredictable weather. Spring is a bit of a misnomer when it comes to Illinois weather because winter in the Midwest does not give up easily.
April in cities such as Joliet brings average high temperatures of 61 degrees Fahrenheit, but also occasional snowstorms. The unpredictable weather keeps many visitors away. Spring is also peak tornado season in Illinois, which can be quite dangerous, so make sure to keep a close eye on the forecast.
Rural resorts are often in the shoulder season between winter snow activities and warm weather activities, so you can enjoy nature without too many people around. Just be prepared for changing weather and mud.
Spring in Chicago can be chilly, but it also brings more life to the city. Outdoor events and festivals are slowly starting up again, such as Mole de Mayo, a May festival honoring Chicago’s large Mexican community.
Sports fans will be happy to take in a baseball game at Wrigley Field. However, the crowds of summer are not there yet, so you can still enjoy a lot of Chicago’s most famous attractions, such as the Art Institute of Chicago, without fighting for room.
Worst Time to Visit Illinois
Downtown of Galena Illinois , with Christmas decorations 1.1.2019/StelsOne/Shutterstock
The worst time to visit Illinois is during the winter, which is long and bitterly cold. While prices are at their lowest during this season, the bad weather is not always worth it.
Even if you’re from a state that gets harsh winters, don’t underestimate how cold it can get in Illinois. The average high temperature in Chicago in January is barely above freezing. However, most days, the temperature is far lower, and due to the wind that gave the city its nickname, the temperature often feels below zero.
Illinois also gets a lot of snow thanks to the Lake Effect, which brings cold weather from nearby Canada across the Great Lakes. Snowstorms that dump a foot of snow at a time are common, especially in the northern part of the state.
Strong storms can block roads and paralyze air traffic, which makes the logistics of traveling difficult. If you were hoping to explore more rural areas of the state, you may be out of luck. Since winter is the slow season, many small town attractions reduce their hours or shut down since there aren’t that many visitors.
If you want to make the most of the winter weather, there are five ski resorts in the state. However, Illinois’s landscape is mostly flat, so don’t expect challenging slopes and super interesting vistas. In Chicago, winter means long months of gray, dreary weather, bitterly cold winds, and heavy snow.
However, if you are on a budget, this is a good time to visit due to lower hotel prices—you just need to make sure you have the right winter gear. Although there are no outdoor festivals or events, and you’ll want to avoid Lake Michigan as much as you can, there are plenty of indoor activities such as shopping, dining, and attending shows that can keep you busy.
Towards the end of winter, Chicago’s diverse communities put on events such as the Lunar New Year Parade that help to brighten up cold winter days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicago, Illinois USA – November 10 2021: Millennium Park in Chicago during Autumn with Colorful Trees and the Cloud Gate Sculpture/James Andrews 1/Shutterstock
Still unsure about the best time to visit Illinois? These answers may help you plan your trip:
What is the best month to visit Illinois?
The best month to visit Illinois is May. Temperatures are warm and pleasant, so you can spend lots of time outdoors, but it isn’t as crowded as the peak of summer.
What is the best month to go to Chicago?
The best month to go to Chicago is September. The weather is still nice and warm, perfect for walking alongside Lake Michigan, and there are plenty of festivals—plus, the theater season is opening. It also isn’t very crowded.
What is the coldest month in Illinois?
January is the coldest month in Illinois. Nighttime temperatures are often below zero once you factor in wind chill, and the state gets a lot of snow.
What is the rainy season in Illinois?
Illinois has a temperate climate, which means it doesn’t have a rainy season. The spring months (April, May, and June) tend to have the most rain.
What months are tornado season in Illinois?
Tornado season in Illinois is usually in April, May, and June. During heavy storms, tornadoes can form, so monitor the forecast carefully.
So What’s the Best Time to Visit Illinois?
The best time to visit Illinois is during the summer, when the weather is warm and pleasant for a road trip. If you’re just hoping to visit Chicago, plan your trip for early fall instead, when the crowds are more manageable.
Winter brings the fewest crowds and the lowest prices, but it also has ferociously cold weather, so think twice whether it is worth it before you book your trip. Happy travels!