10 Best Small Towns To Visit In Illinois

It is unfair to Illinois that many people think it is all about Chicago. Others may think Illinois is all farmlands and wind-swept prairies with nothing much to pique a vacationer’s interest or wanderlust. The state most associated with Abraham Lincoln is, however, home to several attractions that would leave a first-time adventurer completely blown away, including the lush canyons and the razorback ridges at the Shawnee National Forest, the spectacular beauty of Lake Michigan’s Illinois portion and the insane Sylvan splendor around its picturesque banks. There are also many charming small towns, such as Galena, that are perfect getaways for those escaping the steel and soot of crowded cities and big towns. If you adore the rustic allure of small towns, the following are the best small towns in Illinois worth discovering.

Galena

When thinking of an Illinois adventure, you probably think of landscapes where you can step on a mound and scan the terrain to the horizon. If this is your idea of Illinois, Galena could just be the perfect rebuttal. This is because Galena sits in the Driftless region, and hence, is more hilly than your idea of Illinois. The Driftless region consists of several parts of the Midwest region that were never glaciated. Because of this, the topography of the Driftless region is not flat like others around, but rugged, hilly, and in most cases, completely breathtaking. Fortunately, Galena boasts such a storybook setting. While you will love Galena’s post-card setting, its historic downtown, consistently named among the prettiest in the country, is an eye candy you will not want to turn your back on. Just don’t forget to pass by Otto’s Place for a delectable, kick-ass breakfast or, better still, a mouthwatering brunch.

Woodstock

You may not have heard of Woodstock, Illinois, but when you set foot in the town, it may look weirdly familiar, like a place you saw somewhere. And you will not be mistaken. Woodstock, located in Illinois’ McHenry Country, about 60 miles northwest of Chicago, was the setting of the 1993 American fantasy comedy Groundhog Day. Today, you can watch the movie, which was named Best Comedy Film at the 1993 British Comedy Awards, at the famous Woodstock Opera House. This Woodstock landmark is one of the oldest continuously operating theaters in the United States. It is also among the most recognized historic theatres in the Midwest. If you love the award-winning movie, you will want to reserve a cozy room at the Cherry Tree Inn, the movie's iconic B&B. 

Makanda

Makanda is an Illinois secret encircled by hills and valleys and nestled in the southeast corner of Jackson County — about 10 miles south of Carbondale, Illinois. The location of Makanda, in the rolling hills of the Shawnee National Forest, is among its most attractive elements. Aside from Makanda’s picturesque settings, Makanda boasts a downtown area whose laid-back appeal will tickle the heart of any first-time visitor. This is especially true of the area around the historic boardwalk, a quaint stretch lined with several art galleries (including Visions Art Gallery) and beautified by eye-catching murals on almost every side. Then again, Makanda is home to the Giant City State Park, whose massive sandstone formations are among the most impressive in the United States. Finally, in the unlikely event you will admit to being a hippie, Makanda, arguably the most hippie town in Illinois, will be a dream-like show-stopper.

Elmhurst

Located just 16 miles west of downtown Chicago, Elmhurst is a popular Chicago suburb often mentioned among the best towns in Illinois. The name of the town is in reference to the beautiful elm trees that have historically lined the town’s streets. Home to about 44,600 residents, Elmhurst is today a vibrant college town since it plays host to Elmhurst College, a private liberal arts institution founded in 1871. Then again, Elmhurst City Centre boasts a nice small-town feel and is often a pleasure to wander through. Attractions within the charming town include the free-to-enter Elmhurst History Museum, located along 120 East Park Avenue, whose changing exhibits will pique the interest of history enthusiasts. Besides, the town boasts a decent array of shopping, entertainment, and dining options as will interest any adventurer. 

Princeton

A portrait in contrasts. That is the picture a first-time visitor may have of Princeton, an Illinois charmer that can be quite busy, especially in the area around Main Street and Interstate 80 — and at the same time, quite peaceful and slow-paced, especially around the area of the well-maintained Soldiers and Sailors Park, a nice, little park located right across the street from the beautiful courthouse. Boasting a population of about 7,500, Princeton will easily sweep small-town lovers off their feet. The town has several things going in its favor. For starters, it is one of Illinois’s literary centers. Princeton also boasts a rich and fascinating history. Check out the Owen Lovejoy House. Owen Lovejoy was a close friend of Abraham Lincoln, and his home was once a critical stop on the famous Underground Railroad.

Nauvoo

While beauty is often in the enamored eye of the beholder, you will hardly go wrong with Nauvoo, a Hebrew word for "beautiful place" or "city beautiful." Nauvoo is in western Illinois’s Hancock County and is widely known for its religious significance, especially since it served as the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1839 to 1846. Today, Nauvoo, which is nestled along the Mississippi River, about 30 miles southwest of Burlington, Iowa, is among the best small towns in the United States. What makes Nauvoo special is that the entire town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. One of the town’s landmark buildings is Nauvoo Temple, the only Mormon temple with a bell tower.

Casey

Casey is known for some of the most unique tourist attractions in the United States. These include a group of more than 10 one-of-a-kind items reputed to be the largest in the world. Some of these include the World’s Largest Rocking Chair, the World’s Largest Wooden Shoes, and the World’s Largest Mailbox. The World’s Largest Rocking Chair, considered the town’s most arduous World Record attempt, took two years and up to ten grown men to accomplish. You can find the 56-foot-tall attraction, one of the most sought-after in the town, right on East Main Street. Then again, whether you will want to sit down on the grass and inhale the heart-melting greenery, or indulge in outdoor activity amid settings that are peaceful and beautiful, you will need to find your way to Fairview Park, a popular 40-acre oasis suitable for rest and relaxation.

Rockton

Home to about 7,600 residents, Rockton is a small, Illinois gem that is hands-down among the best cities in the state. This town is secreted in the Rock River Valley about 100 miles northwest of the Windy City, as Chicago is known. To drink the town's spellbinding beauty, a first-time visitor will need to explore its Main Street and downtown area, and sample the excellent architectural landscape that features several styles and time periods. One of the town's architectural masterpieces includes the popular Church By the Side of the Road, a much sought-after wedding venue whose fine woods and stained glass windows make it among the most exquisite you will ever see. For bibliophiles, the nearly 170-year-old Talcott Library will be worth checking out. Then again, ensure you visit the Historic Auto Attractions museum where you will enjoy seeing some of the largest collections of presidential limousines in the world.

Galesburg

Galesburg boasts a well-established reputation as one of the fountainheads of abolitionism in the United States. Home to about 29,000 residents, the town was once a stop on the Underground Railroad and the site of the fifth Lincoln–Douglas debate. Encircled by rolling hills and wind-swept prairies, Galesburg is about 50 miles northwest of Peoria along Interstate 74. Today, celebrated author-poet Carl Sandburg remains one of the town’s most prominent residents. You may enjoy snippets of Carl Sanburg’s work and words at the tranquil Carl Sandburg State Historic Site — where the ashes of the world-famous author are also buried. Other attractions within the town include the Galesburg Railroad Museum, Seminary Street Historic District’s brick-paved street, and Lake Storey Park, whose pretty shoreline can make for a perfect beach experience.

Ottawa

Rounding off this list is Ottawa, a city of about 18,600, famous for being the picturesque gateway to Starved Rock State Park, Illinois’s most popular state park. This Illinois charmer, one of the best in the state, sits at the confluence of the Illinois and Fox Rivers about 83 miles southwest of Chicago. Boasting a view you may think is plucked straight out of a fairy tale, Ottawa is a small Illinois gem that will leave a first-time visitor awestruck. Many of the town’s attractions, such as the Starved Rock, Buffalo Rock, and Illinois State Parks, imbue Ottawa with a cool, rustic look and position it as the perfect vacation hideout. History buffs will be excited to learn that Ottawa is where Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas first had their history-defining debates —  today commemorated in the town’s Washington Square Park. If you love beautiful architecture, Ottawa’s Reddick Mansion should be a must-see.

Illinois is many things to many people. Granted, the Prairie State may not have Colorado’s spectacular hills or California’s curvaceous coastline, but that does not mean it does not have its fair share of attractions that will warm the heart of any adventurer. Illinois is also home to a cornucopia of beautiful small towns that are among the country’s best-kept secrets. Small towns such as Galena, Ottawa, and Princeton, which are among the best in the state, will fill a first-time visitor with awe.