The thriving adventure travel industry in Illinois includes a variety of companies that offer unique and immersive experiences for the discerning traveler. These companies specialize in diverse services such as guided tours, personalized trips, luxury vacations, and explorative journeys. Whether it's on the road, or to far-flung destinations, these companies pave the way for unforgettable adventures. The trend suggests an evolution towards a more personalized, immersive, and eco-conscious travel experience. Thus, Illinois-based travel companies reflect this global trend, enhancing their offerings with sustainable practices and localized experiences.

Top 21 adventure travel companies in Illinois

1. Abercrombie & Kent USA

• Website: abercrombiekent.com
• Headquarters: Downers Grove, Illinois, United States
• Founded: 1962
• Headcount: 201-500
• Latest funding type: Acquired
• LinkedIn

Abercrombie & Kent is a luxury travel company offering personalized and curated travel experiences worldwide. They specialize in small group journeys, tailor-made travel, and luxury family vacations. With a focus on immersive experiences and insider access, they provide high-end travel services to discerning customers.

2. America

• Website: 2laneamerica.com
• Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
• Headcount: 1001-5000

Two Lane America offers guided tours of iconic road trips across the United States.

3. Gohagan & Company

• Website: gohagantravel.com
• Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
• Founded: 1984
• Headcount: 51-200
• LinkedIn

Gohagan & Company offers curated travel programs to various destinations worldwide. Explore their print or digital catalog to discover unique experiences and expertly guided tours. From coastal adventures to ancient civilizations, Gohagan & Company provides unforgettable journeys.

4. iExplore

• Website: iexplore.com
• Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
• Founded: 1999
• Headcount: 51-200
• Latest funding type: Acquired
• LinkedIn

iExplore.com is a travel website that provides adventure tourism and experiential travel guides. It offers a wide range of destinations and activities for travelers looking for unique and exciting experiences.

5. The Forge: Lemont Quarries

• Website: forgeparks.com
• Headquarters: Lemont, Illinois, United States
• Founded: 2016
• Headcount: 51-200
• LinkedIn

Forgeparks.com is an adventure park and entertainment venue that offers a wide range of outdoor activities and experiences for all ages. From climbing to zip-lining, scavenger hunts to paddle sports, and live music events to dining options, the park provides endless opportunities for adventure and fun.

6. The Northwest Passage

• Website: nwpassage.com
• Headquarters: Wilmette, Illinois, United States
• Founded: 1984
• Headcount: 11-50
• LinkedIn

The Northwest Passage is an adventure travel company that offers world-class tours to the wildest and most beautiful destinations on earth. Since 1984, they have been making adventure dreams a reality.

7. Greaves Tours LLC

• Website: greavesindia.com
• Headquarters: Highland Park, Illinois, United States
• Founded: 1979
• Headcount: 51-200
• LinkedIn

Greaves India is a travel company offering expert knowledge and personalized service for trips to India. They provide an impeccable level of service to modern travelers, from the first contact to the last moments in India.

8. Aerie's Resort

• Website: aeriesresort.com
• Headquarters: Grafton, Illinois, United States
• Founded: 1997
• Headcount: 51-200
• LinkedIn

Aerie's Resort is a hospitality business located in Grafton, Illinois. It offers lodging, dining, gift shop, and various outdoor activities including a zipline, coaster, and a sky tour with the best view of Mississippi and Illinois Rivers.

9. Houlahan Travel

• Website: houlahantravel.com
• Headquarters: Evanston, Illinois, United States
• Headcount: 11-50
• LinkedIn

Houlahan Travel is a boutique agency specializing in bespoke leisure travel. They plan exceptional journeys for families, groups, honeymoons, and destination weddings, customized to meet their clients' interests and needs. With experienced advisors who have been to over 85 countries, they provide up-to-date information and personal touch. Houlahan Travel also partners with reputable operators worldwide for transportation, guiding, and unique experiences, offering the best pricing and added amenities at hotels. They organize and lead their own adventure trips and focus on conservation and sustainable travel practices.

10. Kickapoo Adventures

• Website: kickapooadventures.com
• Headquarters: Oakwood, Illinois, United States
• Founded: 2017
• Headcount: 11-50
• LinkedIn

Kickapoo Adventures offers outdoor adventure opportunities including paddling, biking, camping, and tubing. It is the go-to source for adventure activities in the Midwest.

11. Lake Forest Travel Bureau

• Website: lakeforesttravel.com
• Headquarters: Belleville, Illinois, United States
• Headcount: 1-10
• LinkedIn

Lake Forest Travel is a travel agency that specializes in luxury travel, ocean cruises, safaris, expedition cruises, active and adventure holidays, tailor-made experiences, river cruises, and wellness travel.

12. Cary Travel Express

• Website: carytravelexpress.com
• Headquarters: Cary, Illinois, United States
• Founded: 1989
• Headcount: 1-10
• LinkedIn

Cary Travel Express is a full-service travel agency that offers exceptional service based on professional expertise and experiences in the travel industry.

13. AHI Travel

• Website: ahitravel.com
• Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
• Founded: 1962
• Headcount: 51-200
• LinkedIn

AHI Travel is a travel company that offers exceptional travel experiences and itineraries. With a team of destination experts, they curate extraordinary journeys for their customers.

14. Mayflower Cruises & Tours

• Website: mayflowercruisesandtours.com
• Headquarters: Lisle, Illinois, United States
• Founded: 1979
• Headcount: 51-200
• LinkedIn

Mayflower Cruises and Tours is a travel company that has been offering amazing guided holidays filled with life-enriching experiences since 1979. They provide travel services to various destinations in North America, Europe, Africa & the Middle East, Asia, Central & South America, and Australia & New Zealand.

15. Alpha Travel

• Website: alphatravel.org
• Headquarters: Addison, Illinois, United States
• Headcount: 1-10

We at Alpha Travel have been proudly fulfilling our clients travel needs for over 30 years. Our clients are from all around the globe and have tremendous faith in our recommendations and level of service. Our Specialists have traveled extensively throughout the world and boost a combined experience of over 40 years. We Specialize in Luxury Travel, Destination Weddings and Honeymoons, Family Travel, All Inclusive Travel, Adventure Travel and Corporate Travel.

16. Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois

• Website: girlscoutsni.org
• Headquarters: South Elgin, Illinois, United States
• Founded: 1912
• Headcount: 51-200
• LinkedIn

Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois is an organization dedicated to empowering young girls and providing them with opportunities for growth, learning, and leadership. They offer a variety of activities, events, and programs to help girls develop important skills and build lifelong friendships.

17. Uncle Dan's

• Website: udans.com
• Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
• Founded: 1972
• Headcount: 51-200
• LinkedIn

udans.com is an online retailer offering a wide range of outdoor apparel, footwear, and gear for men, women, and kids. They have a selection of products for various outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, and travel. With a focus on quality and functionality, udans.com aims to provide customers with the necessary gear to enjoy outdoor adventures.

18. Discover Veracruz Tours

• Website: discoververacruztours.com
• Headquarters: Bensenville, Illinois, United States
• Founded: 2007
• Headcount: 1-10
• LinkedIn

Discover the pristine tropical & mountainous gulf coast state of Veracruz, Mexico. Excellent outdoor adventures, cultural/historical, and family vacations.

19. Lara Krupicka

• Website: larakrupicka.com
• Headquarters: Naperville, Illinois, United States
• Headcount: 1-10

Lara Krupicka - Helping families clarify priorities for how they spend their time, giving them stronger relationships and less-stressed lives.

20. Explore Vdg

• Website: explorevdg.com
• Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
• Founded: 2019
• Headcount: 1-10
• LinkedIn

Ultimate Guide to Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico's food & wine destination. Wine. Dine. Stay. To Do.

21. Royal Travel & Tours

• Website: royal-travel.com
• Headquarters: Winnetka, Illinois, United States
• Founded: 1972
• Headcount: 11-50
• LinkedIn

Royal Travel & Tours is a company that offers travel services and vacation packages. They provide a wide range of options for customers to choose from, including online travel magazines and the chance to win a free vacation. With a dedicated team and preferred properties, Royal Travel & Tours aims to provide exceptional travel experiences.

Want to find more adventure travel companies?

If you want to find more companies that offer mesmerizing travel experiences, guided tours, and luxury vacations you can do so with Inven. This list was built with Inven and there are hundreds of companies like these globally.

With Inven you'll also get to know the company's:

• Ownership: Which of these are private equity backed? Which are family-owned?
• Contact data: Who are the owners and CEO's? What are their emails and phone numbers?
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...and a lot more!