The Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway unites more than 100 nature-based destinations and numerous unique communities throughout the Illinois River Valley. The Byway showcases great places where you can discover and experience the nature of the region. Whether it be hunting, fishing, hiking, biking or canoeing, exploring wetlands, gardens, birding and watching wildlife, your possibilities for adventure are endless. The Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway will guide you through the Illinois River Valley to some of Illinois' most treasured, natural gems.

Research biologists have estimated that in pre-settlement days, approximately one-third of the Illinois River Valley landform was forested. Today, only about half of those associated woodlands remain. Fortunately, some of the best remaining examples of upland forest habitat can be experienced around Pekin at McNaughton Park, Fort Crevecoeur, and Tante Park.

Visit Spring Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area and explore its hiking trails, which run the gambit from bluff-top oak-hickory forests to bottomland silver maple-cottonwood. If hiking isn't on your itinerary, the lake's extensive shoreline is perfect for fishing, bird watching, or just plain relaxing. Between December and February, Bald Eagles flock to the river and in Pekin are truly celebrated with the annual Pekin Main Street's Eagle Census Festival.

http://www.illinoisriverroad.org/

If you are looking to explore a bit of the rich history of Tazewell County, Illinois and find out about Lincoln’s story here all at the same time, you have come to the right place. The Society Library is located in the Ehrlicher Research Center. The library is usually staffed with two trained volunteer genealogists. They have, in its collections: family histories, research aids, church directories, other society's publications, and copies of Bible records, diaries, letters, photos, etc. The library currently contains over 4000 volumes and is constantly growing.

http://www.tcghs.org/

Address: 719 N. Eleventh St., Pekin, IL	Contact: (309) 477-3044
Hours: Mon - Fri : 9:00 am – 1:00 pm Wed : 9:00 am - 4:30 pm Sun : 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm Closed on holidays and holiday weekends.

When the county seat was moved from Tremont in 1850, a courthouse was erected on this site, where Lincoln practiced law while on the Eighth Judicial Circuit. It was torn down in 1915, to make room for a more modern structure, the one you see today. There are markers around the building relating this and other stories about the site

Address: 4th and Court St., Pekin, IL 61554	Contact: (309) 477-2214
Hours: Mon - Fri : 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Closed Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays

If you would like to drive past a home that was not only visited by Lincoln during his time on the Circuit, but was also believed to have been part of the Underground Railroad used to hide slaves on their way north to Canada, this house is a definite necessity. A trap door still remains under the carpet in one bedroom, where it was believed that salves would hide during their dangerous journey to freedom. The architecture is described in a book written by Rexford Newcomb, Architecture of the Old Northwest Territory, published in 1950: "It is a solid two-story brick edifice with pedimented ends and plastered walls. A small Doric porch covers the entrance, which is on the long side of the building. There is a fine staircase of black walnut within the ample hallway; and in the rooms on either side are fireplaces of simple Greek lines." The house is currently a private residence and is not open for tours.

Address: 412 East South St., Tremont, IL