DISCOVERIES, ATTRACTIONS, EVENTS, AND NEWS

EXPRESS Muirhead

WAY
Farmhouse
is the only
known existing
farmhouse
designed and
built by Wright.

Frank Lloyd
Wright’s Home
and Studio
was his private
residence from
1889–1909—the
first 20 years of
his career.

The Rookery’s
elaborate main

13 Architectural Gems
lobby is one
of the most
spectacular
interior spaces in
Illinois. Illinois’ Frank Lloyd Wright Trail inspires and amazes

F
rank Lloyd Wright spent the first 20 years of his career in Illinois—and filled
the Prairie State with some of his best works. Today, groups can discover 13 of
his architectural gems along the Illinois Frank Lloyd Wright Trail, unveiled last
summer by the Illinois Office of Tourism. “The new trail celebrates Frank Lloyd
Wright’s history and his connection to Illinois, allowing tourists from around the world to
discover the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, one of America’s greatest architects,” says Jan
Kemmerling, acting deputy director for the Illinois Office of Tourism.
ANDY OLNICK; ADAM ALEXANDER; NICK ULIVIERI.
CREDIT

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER
JULY–AUGUST 2019
2016 \ DESTINATIONS 7

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 EXPRESS WAY
The Dana-
Thomas House
has 35 rooms and
more than 100
pieces of original
furniture.
In addition to a map highlighting
all 13 public sites, Illinois Tourism
launched two new itineraries fea-
turing unique and local restaurants
and attractions that focus on Illinois
history and architecture. The first
itinerary covers 110 miles and guides
visitors from Chicago and Oak Park
to Rockford, with stops in Geneva,
Hampshire, and Belvidere. Stops at
Citrine Café, Quincy Street Distillery,
and Rockford Roasting Company are
nestled in among tours of some of
Wright’s earliest designs and biggest
innovations, such as The Rookery
and Laurent House, which was built
for a person with a disability and
decades ahead of the Americans
with Disabilities Act’s accessibili-
ty requirements.
The second itinerary is approximate-
ly 240 miles and begins in Chicago and
Oak Park and continues to Springfield,
with stops in Kankakee and Dwight.
Examples of Wright’s signature
Prairie Style include the Frederick C.
Robie House (named one of the 10
most significant buildings of the 20th
century by the American Institute of
Architects) and the Dana-Thomas
House (one of his largest and most
elaborate designs). Groups can refuel at
Brickstone Brewery near Kankakee or
Incredibly Delicious, a French bakery
and café located in the historic Weber
House near downtown Springfield.
Trip itineraries are available to
download at www.enjoyillinois.com/
flw, where tour operators can find more
information about the trail and the
legendary architect’s designs.
www.tourillinois.org |
(312) 793-2369
8 DESTINATIONS /NOVEMBER–DECEMBER 2019
Destinations_1119_FP.indd 8
CraZanity is the
world’s tallest
pendulum ride,
reaching 170
feet in the air at
speeds up to 75
mph.
Living Life to the Fullest
Six Flags Magic Mountain tops experiential
travel trend
Experiential travel is a trend that continues to gain momentum, according to the 2019
U.S. Travel Trends Report. In fact, in its 8 Travel Predictions for 2019, Booking.com
says, “doing will weigh equally with going when it comes to travel reflection. In 2019, 42
percent of travelers plan to visit a destination that makes them feel like a kid again.”
Whether you are a big kid, a little kid, or just a kid at heart, you will find an immer-
sive, memory-making, life-changing experience at Six Flags Magic Mountain in
Valencia, Calif. This 260-acre, nearly 50-year-old amusement park is taking the con-
cept of experiential travel to new heights with its renovated, themed ride entrances and
plazas, interactive rides, and thrilling coasters.
“As we complete park renovations, we create experiences around the rides them-
selves,” says Debbie Erickson, director of marketing at Six Flags Magic Mountain. “For
example, we renovated the entrance to Full Throttle so that guests can experience the
ride’s theme of ‘living your best life’ or ‘YOLO’ (you only live once) even while waiting
in line.” A video that shows people experiencing all kinds of different thrills (skydiving,
waterskiing, etc.) plays on TV screens, ensuring that by the time guests get on “the
world’s tallest and fastest looping coaster,” they are ready to live life to the fullest.
Six Flags Magic Mountain President Neal Thurman says the park’s out-of-the-box
thinking and unusual thrills allow visitors to experience something they can’t experi-
ence anywhere else, such as CraZanity, a 17-story pendulum ride; Twisted Colossus,
the world’s longest wood-steel hybrid coaster; and the park’s newest coaster, West
Coast Racers, slated to open this year. “Six Flags leads the industry in thrill-ride inno-
vation,” says Thurman. “It is part of our DNA, and we are taking thrills to the next level
with the new West Coast Racers.” This one-of-a-kind racing coaster will feature two
side-by-side tracks with four individual high-speed launches. A highlight of the ride is
an immersive, real-time “pit stop.”
Guests who are looking for an exciting ride but don’t necessarily want to be airborne
can head to Justice League: Battle for Metropolis, where they work the city streets
alongside iconic DC superheroes and villains. State-of-the-art gaming elements within
the 4D ride make it a full sensory experience.
Six Flags is open 365 days a year and offers discount admission prices for tour opera-
NICK ULIVIERI.
tors, as well as complimentary admission for bus drivers. For more information about
any of the parks or to take a virtual journey on the rides, visit www.sixflags.com.
www.sixflags.com | (661) 255-4100
10/22/19 11:55 AM