Destination: St. Louis

Visitors to Illinois looking to get the most of their vacations can look no further than, well, St. Louis. Sure, it's in Missouri, but this border city is close enough to Illinois that five southern Illinois counties make up the Metro East suburbs of St. Louis.

Other than suburbs, St. Louis also shares a Midwestern sensibility with its neighbors to the east. The hardest part about visiting St. Louis is figuring out where to start. The most visible symbol of the city is the Gateway Arch, which towers 630 feet over the Mississippi River. Visitors can ride to the top, getting the best view in the area. Art more your thing? The Taumeier Sculpture Park, the Contemporary Art Museum, the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts and The Sheldon Concert Hall, Ballroom & Art Galleries all await.

Those tight on cash have plenty of free attractions to choose from, including the Art Museum, Zoo, Science Center and Anheuser-Busch Brewery. Outdoor lovers can relax at the Missouri Botanical Garden -- one of the world's top public gardens -- take a ride along Old Route 66, spend the day at Six Flags St. Louis, or explore the 1,300 acres of lakes, walking paths and more at Forest Park. Left the kids at home? There are five casinos in the area, including Lumiere Place, Harrah's, The President, and Ameristar. Or explore the live blues scene in one of dozens of area clubs and taverns.

Sports fans never have to worry. St. Louis is home to Major League Baseball's Cardinals, the NFL's Rams and NHL's Blues. Golfers also have a lot to choose from. Explore the indigenous wildlife that calls Emerald Greens Golf Course home, play the championship Gateway National Golf Links -- regularly voted the area's No. 1 course by St. Louis Post-Dispatch readers, or explore the Jack Nicklaus-designed Stonewolf Golf Club.

Plan your golf vacation wisely: The city has four distinct seasons, with wet springs, hot and humid summers, cold and snowy winters and crisp falls.