Unless visibility was Unrestricted, we always advertised the ILS so that pilots would have the appropriate approach plate out and ready, so if you get the airport visually and if traffic permitted we would sequence you for the visual approach.
At very busy airports the arrival sequence is usually so stretched out that the ILS ensures that everyone is on the same page as to descents and speeds. It wasn't uncommon for my finals to be stretched out 20 miles from the airport when it was busy.
There is nothing that prevents you from requesting a visual or other type of approach, just do it on initial contract with the approach controller.