Exploring Illinois with Milo the Magic Globe | Ben & Lila’s Adventure

Ben and Lila were in their room, flipping through a book of U.S. states when Milo, the Magic Globe, shimmered to life.

“Ready for another adventure?” Milo asked, spinning in place.

“Yes! Where are we going this time?” Ben asked eagerly.

“How about Illinois?” Milo suggested. “It’s full of history, amazing cities, and even ancient mysteries.”

Before they could say another word, a swirl of golden light surrounded them. In the blink of an eye, they found themselves standing in the middle of a bustling city filled with towering skyscrapers, the smell of deep-dish pizza wafting through the air.

Welcome to Chicago!

“Whoa! This place is HUGE!” Lila gasped, staring up at the massive Willis Tower.

“Welcome to Chicago, kids!” said a friendly voice behind them. They turned to see a cheerful man in a Cubs baseball cap and a blue vest. “I’m Mr. Carter, your guide for today. Get ready for a journey through time, adventure, and, of course, great food.”

Their first stop was Millennium Park, where they ran straight to the famous Cloud Gate—better known as "The Bean." They giggled as their reflections stretched, shrank, and bent in all directions.

Then, Mr. Carter led them to Navy Pier, where they rode the giant Ferris wheel, giving them an incredible view of Lake Michigan. As the wind brushed against their faces, Mr. Carter said, “Did you know that Navy Pier has been here for over 100 years? It was once used for training soldiers in World War I.”

After the ride, they couldn’t leave without trying a slice of Chicago’s famous deep-dish pizza. As Ben took a bite, cheese stretched from his plate all the way to his mouth. “This is the cheesiest, gooiest pizza ever!” he said with wide eyes.

Lila licked the sauce off her fingers. “I think I’m in pizza heaven.”

Meeting Abraham Lincoln in Springfield

With another spin of Milo, they were whisked away to Springfield, the state capital.

“Welcome to the Land of Lincoln,” Mr. Carter said as they arrived at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site. “This is where Abraham Lincoln lived before becoming the 16th President of the United States.”

Ben and Lila walked through Lincoln’s preserved house, seeing his old desk, fireplace, and even the bed where he slept. “Imagine being here when he was just a lawyer, not knowing he would change history,” Lila said in amazement.

Then, they visited the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, where they saw lifelike exhibits of Lincoln’s life—from his childhood in a log cabin to delivering the Gettysburg Address.

“Lincoln was a great leader because he believed in keeping the country together and ending slavery,” Mr. Carter explained.

Feeling inspired, they paid their respects at Lincoln’s Tomb. “They say rubbing Lincoln’s nose on this statue brings good luck,” Mr. Carter said. The kids took turns reaching up and giving it a friendly rub.

Outdoor Adventures and Ancient Mysteries

Milo spun again, and suddenly, they were surrounded by towering cliffs and waterfalls in Starved Rock State Park. The air smelled fresh, and the sound of birds filled the air.

“Legend says that long ago, a battle between Native American tribes happened here, and a group of warriors sought refuge on that cliff,” Mr. Carter said, pointing to a high rock formation.

Ben and Lila hiked through the trails, stopping by cascading waterfalls and even spotting a deer in the distance. “This is the best nature adventure ever!” Ben said, skipping a rock across the Illinois River.

Their final stop was Cahokia Mounds, an ancient Native American city once home to tens of thousands of people. They climbed to the top of Monk’s Mound, the largest earthwork in North America, and looked over the vast landscape.

“This place was bigger than London back in 1250 AD,” Mr. Carter told them.

“Wow! And we hardly ever learn about it,” Lila said, shaking her head.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Milo glowed once more. “Time to go home!”

With a whirl of golden light, they found themselves back in their room, their heads spinning with all they had seen.

“That was amazing,” Ben said, flopping onto his bed.

“Where to next, Milo?” Lila asked with a grin.

Milo twinkled. “You’ll just have to wait and see!”