The Best Times of Year to Visit Illinois

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Spring and fall are the overall most ideal times to visit Illinois — particularly the months of April, May, September, and October. These seasons bring fewer crowds, the most pleasant temperatures, and often cheaper rates in major destinations like Chicago. 

This being said, why you’re visiting and what you plan on doing should also be taken into account. I’m an Illinois resident who lives in Chicago and can help you decide when to plan your trip. In this guide, I’ll cover the state’s best travel seasons, weather conditions, and more. 

When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Illinois?

The shoulder seasons are the best times to visit Illinois. April, May, September, and October allow visitors to avoid extreme temperatures and peak season crowds. Spring and fall are also enjoyable for exploring outdoor and indoor attractions throughout the state. 

The summer is Illinois’ peak season. Summer is busy, but it’s a wonderful time for experiencing festivals, events, and Lake Michigan beaches. However, prices surge during this time. Winter is cold and somewhat snowy but it’s a great time for cheap prices and avoiding crowds. 

Let’s break down the best time to visit Illinois for different circumstances:

When to Visit for Good Weather

Early fall is the best time to visit for consistently good weather that’s enjoyable and not too hot. September is especially nice. Spring and summer also offer good weather. Spring brings sunnier days but rain and thunderstorms are more common. Summer is amazing for sunny days, but it might be too hot for some people. 

When to Visit for Cheap Prices

Visit Illinois in the fall and winter for cheap prices. The fall (September through November) sees a drop in tourism and rates typically fall. Following the holidays, the winter months of January and February are the absolute best time to visit for cheap prices. This is the off-season so you can snag cheaper hotels, flights, and other discounts. 

📚 Related Reading: Chicago on a Budget

When to Visit for Sunny Beach Days

Visit Illinois in July or August for sunny beach days. These months are the peak of summer temperatures and bring consistently hot and sunny days. This is the perfect time of year for relaxing on the beach and cooling off in beautiful Lake Michigan. Summer by the lake is unmatched. 

When to Visit to Avoid Crowds

The winter is the best time to visit Illinois to avoid crowds, particularly after the holidays in January and February. This is when tourism is lowest around the state. You can happily enjoy indoor attractions like Chicago museums and outdoor activities like ice skating with fewer crowds. 

📚 Related Reading: Chicago Travel Tips

When to Visit for Families and Kids

Summer is the best time to visit Illinois for families and kids because of summer vacation. It’s the perfect time for getting outdoors with the family and enjoying Lake Michigan beaches, state parks, and more. Summer also offers more activities, festivals, and events geared toward families. 

Season by Season

Spring (March – May)

Spring in Illinois brings sunnier days, blooming flowers, and activities like attending farmers markets and visiting botanical gardens and state parks. Average spring temperatures hover in the 50s and 60s, and can reach the 70s come late spring. Rain, thunderstorms, and intermittent cold days are more common during this time. 

Spring events and activities include:

• 🥬 Farmers Markets – Spring means farmers markets are back. There’s no shortage of markets to visit around the state since there’s so much farmland in Illinois.
• 🍀 St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations – St. Patrick’s Day is a fun spring celebration, especially in Chicago when the river gets dyed green and the city is buzzing with pub crawls. 
• 🌸 Blooming Flowers – Admire beautiful blooming flowers at places like the Morton Arboretum, Chicago Botanic Garden, and Richardson Farm Tulip Festival.
• ⚾ Baseball Season – See the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox play their opening games of the season!

Summer (June – August)

Summer is the busiest time to visit Illinois as festival season and summer vacation are in full swing. The summer brings an energetic buzz around the state and makes for fun-filled beach days on Lake Michigan if you’re near Chicago. 

Average summer temperatures fall in the 70s and 80s. However, temperatures can reach the 90s, especially if there’s a heat wave, which has become more common. Summers in Illinois are humid, especially in Central and Southern Illinois. 

Summer events and activities include:  

• 🌊 Lake Michigan Beaches – Swimming in Lake Michigan is one of the best things to do in Illinois in the summer. There are beaches all along the northeastern edge of Illinois. 
• 🎸 Music Festivals – Illinois has no shortage of summer music festivals. Chicago Blues Festival, Lollapalooza, and Summer Camp Music Festival are just a few. 
• 🎆 Summer Festivals – 4th of July parades, Pride parades, Taste of Chicago, Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival, and Edwardsville Route 66 Festival are just a handful of the summer festivals in Illinois. 

Fall (September – November)

Fall is a wonderful time in Illinois because temperatures are pleasant for enjoying indoor and outdoor activities, and summer crowds lessen. This is a great time to enjoy hiking at state parks and taking day trips to small towns. Rain and storms are less likely and average temperatures hover in the 70s in early fall and drop to the 50s by late fall. 

Fall events and activities include: 

• 🎃 Local Fall Festivals – There are fall festivals, carnivals, and pumpkin patches all around Illinois. There’s also Six Flags Fright Fest.
• 🍎 Apple Picking – There are tons of apple orchards where you can pick your own apples in Illinois. Honey Hill Orchard and Jonamac Orchard are a couple near Chicago. 
• 🍻 Oktoberfest – Hit up different Oktoberfest events in Illinois! Oktoberfest Chicago, Naperville Oktoberfest, and Galena Oktoberfest are just a few. 
• 🥾 Hiking – Fall in Illinois is a great time to go hiking. Shawnee National Forest, Starved Rock State Park, and Matthiessen State Park are popular hiking areas. 

Winter (December – February)

Winter is typically cold and gloomy across Illinois. Temperatures are usually more mild in Northeastern Illinois than inland because of the lake effect. Winter in Southern Illinois is also more mild. 

Average winter temperatures hover around the 30s in the north and 40s in the south. However, it’s not uncommon to get winter storms that bring below-freezing temperatures, snow, or both. 

Colder winter conditions make Illinois a less popular winter destination. The upside? Cheap prices and uncrowded attractions, especially after the holidays in Chicago. 

Winter events and activities include:

• 🎁 Christkindlmarket – Attend a European-style Christmas market in downtown Chicago, Wrigleyville, and Aurora. There’s a local Christkindlmarket in Belleville, too.
• ⛸️ Ice Skating – Ice skating is one of the best winter activities in Illinois. There are tons of local rinks. 
• 🍽️ Chicago Restaurant Week – Around January/February, tons of restaurants in Chicago offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner specials at set prices.
• 🦅 See Bald Eagles – Bald eagles flock to Illinois each winter. Attend Starved Rock Eagle Watch Weekend. 
• 🖼️ Museums – Winter in Illinois is the perfect time to visit museums without the crowds. Designated free days for Illinois residents are often offered. 

Weather and Climate

Illinois has a continental climate with three main regions: Northern Illinois, Central Illinois, and Southern Illinois [Source]. The state experiences all four seasons with summer and winter being especially distinct and extreme. Brief or sudden changes in temperature and weather are common. 

Northern Illinois typically sees temperatures around 10°F cooler than Southern Illinois throughout the year. However, summers are hot and humid, and temperatures generally hover in the 80s across the state. Northern Illinois sees 32 inches of annual rainfall but receives more snow than Southern Illinois, which sees 48 inches of annual rainfall [Source].

The Chicagoland area in northeastern Illinois is a little different than the rest of Illinois because of its unique location along Lake Michigan. The lake makes Chicago temperatures more mild than other places in Illinois with slightly warmer winters and cooler summers. 

FAQs

When is the high season in Illinois?

The high season in Illinois is the summer. This is when popular events and festivals take place and destinations like Chicago experience peak tourism. 

What is the best month to go?

The best month to go to Illinois is September. The weather is still pleasant, the summer crowds have dissipated, rates are often cheaper, and thunderstorms are less likely than in the springtime. 

👉 Need help planning your trip to Illinois? Get a free, printable version of our Chicago itinerary here! 

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At the end of the day, the best time to visit Illinois is truly up to you and what’s on your itinerary. I hope this guide was helpful and gave you some pointers about when to visit. Next up, read our guide on the best time to visit Chicago!