The 13 Most Beautiful Places in Illinois You Never Knew Existed. From Chicago's Buckingham Fountain and Cloud Gate (aka "The Bean"), Illinois is home to some pretty spectacular sights -- especially for being a cornfield-filled Midwestern state. But there’s plenty of natural and man-made beauty in this state that you probably never even knew existed, including hidden waterfalls, flooded forests, and historic structures. Here’s a look at Illinois’ most beautiful under-the-radar spaces.