Gov. Pritzker wants Canadians to visit Illinois. These are its key selling points

Gov. JB Pritzker released a video on May 6 inviting Canadians to visit Illinois, also known as "the Middle of Everything."

In the video, the governor acknowledged how President Donald Trump’s actions in recent months most likely soured Canadians’ opinions of the U.S. Nonetheless, Pritzker said, "Our state is ready for visitors from all over the world, and particularly, from our neighbor to the north."

Pritzker outlined many of Illinois’ key selling points in the video, mentioning the state’s music scene, national parks and world-class dining, among other things.

For those looking to visit the Land of Lincoln, here are some of its major attractions.

Starved Rock State Park

2678 E 873rd Road, Oglesby, IL 61348

One spot that every visitor must check out is Illinois’ most popular state park, Starved Rock. The park boasts 13 miles of hiking trails open year-round from 7 a.m. to sunset, as well as opportunities to fish, boat, kayak, canoe, picnic, hunt and camp. Those hoping to spend more than a single day at the park can stay at the Starved Rock Lodge, which offers log cabins, hotel rooms and delicious restaurants.

Great Wolf Lodge

1700 Nations Drive, Gurnee, IL 60031

This 80,000-square-foot indoor water park is chock-full of lazy rivers, water slides and forts, perfect for families and groups. The lodge has gift shops, dining options and even a fitness center. Other activities available at the park include a bowling alley, a rock climbing wall and an arcade.

Wrigley Field

1060 W Addison St, Chicago, IL 60613

There are still four months left in the Cubs’ season this year, with plenty of opportunities to see the team play at their home stadium. Tickets are typically affordable, with most games starting at $22 or $43.

Enjoy a beer, a hot dog and some sun while enjoying a view of the Chicago skyline.

Shawnee National Forest

50 Hwy 145 South, Harrisburg, IL 62946

The Shawnee Forest boasts 289,000 acres of wetlands, canyons, bluffs and more. Nestled in southern Illinois between the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, the forest is a perfect place to hike, bike, climb or camp.

Other activities include picnicking, paddling, hunting, fishing and even going on a beautifully scenic drive.

The best part is that you don’t need a pass or permit to enjoy the wilderness, and reservations are not needed for camping or picnicking.

Story continues after photo gallery.

Washington Park Botanical Garden

1740 W Fayette Ave, Springfield, Illinois 62704

The Washington Park Botanical Garden, located in the state’s capital, is open year-round and offers 20 acres of land, plush with 1,200 species of plants. Visitors can explore the Conservatory, containing more than 150 species of plants native to regions all across the world, or walk through the rose garden, which is the largest in central Illinois. There are many other gardens and displays to take in as well while you’re there.

Admission to the garden and the Conservatory is free.

Galena

The historic town of Galena is a destination rich with history and culture. Whether you’re looking to explore Galena’s Historic Main Street, bursting with more than 125 art galleries, boutiques and stores, or hoping to stop by the home of former President Ulysses S. Grant, Galena has something for everyone.

The surrounding areas have even more to offer, from the Chestnut Ski Resort to the Woodbine Bend Golf Course and the Rocky Waters Vineyard & Winery. Whether you choose to stay for a weekend or a week, Galena has plenty in store to keep you busy.

Magnificent Mile

Though it may seem like an obvious choice, visitors would be remiss to not visit Chicago’s famous Magnificent Mile. The legendary Chicago neighborhood is bursting to the seams with exquisite dining and shopping, cozy dive bars, engaging comedy clubs and theatres and unforgettable museums — all while being in the core of one of the largest cities in the country.

Whether you want to fight to get a table in the famous Starbucks Roastery or shop to exhaustion at the Water Tower Place, the Magnificent Mile has enough culture to satisfy anyone.

Illinois Beach State Park

For those looking to skip the hustle and bustle of Chicago, the Illinois Beach State Park has plenty to explore. Stretching 6.5 miles along Lake Michigan, the park offers a variety of marshes, dunes, forests and "the only remaining beach ridge shoreline left in the state," according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

The 4,160-acre park is the perfect place to boat, kayak, surf, hike and camp. Camping reservations can be made online at ExploreMoreIL.com.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​