5 Famous Things Illinois Is Known For (Besides Chicago)

When people think of Illinois, the first thing that comes to mind is Chicago.  Don't get me wrong, the Windy City is amazing, but Illinois is so much more than deep dish pizza and the Bean.

If you look beyond Chicago, there are plenty of things that make our state stand out.  Here are five famous this Illinois is known for that don't involve the city.

• Abraham Lincoln.  Illinois is called the "Land of Lincoln" for a reason.  From Springfield to countless roadside attractions, our state celebrates Honest Abe everywhere.
• Route 66.  The iconic highway starts right here in Illinois.  Road trip enthusiasts from all over the world come to Chicago to kick off their journey down the "Mother road".
• CORN.  YES, CORN.  Illinois is one of the top corn-producing states in the country.  If you've ever driven down I-39 in the summer, you know exactly what I mean.  Cornfields for days!
• Cubs vs White Sox.  Even if you're not a baseball fan, you know this rivalry runs deep.  It divides families, friendships, and entire towns across Illinois., There's no in-between.
• State Fairs.  The Illinois State Fair in Springfield is a huge deal, but so are the countless country fairs across the state.  From fried foods to demolition derbies, fairs are an Illinois tradition that everyone should experience at least once.

So, yeah.  Illinois may always be tied to Chicago in most people's minds, but the rest of the state has its own bragging rights.