10 Of The Most Eccentric Towns In Illinois

Most travel itineraries in Illinois center around the bustling cultural hub of Chicago, but venture beyond the city skyline, and you’ll discover a different side of the state, one teeming with quirky charm, offbeat attractions, and unusual points of interest. These unique destinations invite visitors to step outside their comfort zone and discover peculiar points of interest that will leave them scratching their heads.

Whether you want to explore the many Guinness World Records entries in Casey or immerse yourself in the legend of Superman alongside fellow fanatics in Metropolis, the most eccentric towns in Illinois reveal an alternative form of tourism that goes against the grain. So, if you are tired of the traditional vacation experience, these quirky towns promise no shortage of novel encounters.

Niles

Niles is a suburban community north of Chicago with a conspicuous downtown landmark that reminds visitors of the Italian city of Pisa. It is home to the Leaning Tower of Niles, a replica of the Tower of Pisa, which gives the town a quirky sense of charm. Although it is only half the size of the original, the building attracts admirers who are always left in awe of its unorthodox architectural design.

Meanwhile, guests can enjoy a world-class retail therapy experience at Golf Mill Shopping Center. The humongous mall houses at least 100 specialty stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues, offering everything one may want.

Collinsville

Collinsville's claim to fame is hosting the World's Largest Catsup Bottle. This quirky roadside installation is the first thing you see as you drive into the town. Rising to a whopping 170 feet, it has become a popular stop for visitors seeking a photo opportunity and is featured on the National Register of Historic Places.

Collinsville is also home to Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the location of a Native American city that existed from the 11th to the 14th centuries. It is named after a tribe that once lived in the area and the largest pre-Columbian earthen construction in North America (outside Mexico). Lastly, the community's rich past is carefully chronicled by the Collinsville Historical Museum, whose unique library of artifacts dates back to the 18th century.

Belvidere

Belvidere is a small town along the Kishwaukee River, whose quirky property earned it the nickname "City of Murals." The larger-than-life drawings decorate the walls of buildings throughout the old town district, presenting vacationers with a spectacular viewing experience. The murals originate from a 1997 Walldog festival, which featured over 300 artists painting murals in the town.

While this is a fascinating facet of the community's heritage, you can get a deeper dive at the Boone County Museum of History. The venue stockpiles a library of archives and documents rich in history. Also, Belvidere excites animal lovers with rare wildlife encounters at Summerfield Zoo. The lovely sanctuary is home to notable exotic species worldwide, including sloths and camels.

Fulton

Fulton feels like a scene straight out of a rural village in Holland. This is thanks to its captivating origins, which featured the arrival and settlement of Dutch immigrants in the 1820s, leading to the community's establishment. Today, first-timers quickly pick up on its unique heritage, especially when they visit during the Fulton Dutch Days. This family-friendly extravaganza immerses visitors in Fulton's Dutch roots. If you miss the festival, you can taste the community's culture through delicious dishes at Krumpets Restaurant and Bakery, known for serving authentic Dutch favorites and baked goods.

The De Immigrant Windmill is a stunning landmark in Fulton, installed on the banks of the Mississippi River. This original European windmill was ferried from the Netherlands and is a stark reminder of Fulton's overseas roots.

Morton Grove

Morton Grove has a unique take on how to mark the country's independence anniversary. While the rest of the country holds a single-day celebration, this Cook County town takes it a notch higher with the Morton Grove Days festival, which features multiple fireworks, parades, carnival rides, and other family-friendly attractions. Morton Grove also houses the International Servant Leaders Museum. This one-of-a-kind museum is the only one in the world dedicated to honoring servant leaders, highlighting individuals who demonstrated values like selflessness, integrity, and compassion.

Numerous parks dot the town and allow enthusiasts to discover outdoor spaces. Those who fancy a gentle walk and fresh air can head to St. Paul Woods, home to grassy lawns, peaceful trails, and river views.

Casey

Casey presents a compelling case as one of the most eccentric towns in Illinois, thanks to its unrivaled obsession with breaking world records. Throughout the town, guests will come across larger-than-life-sized versions of everyday items and objects, 12 to be exact. The community takes pride in its whimsical landmarks, which range from the World's Largest Rocking Chair and the World's Largest Mailbox to the World's Largest Golf Tee and the World's Largest Wind Chime.

These unique attractions give tourists an unforgettable sightseeing experience with endless photo opportunities. With so many memories to keep from your Casey visit, stop by Deborah's Attic to purchase a cute antique souvenir.

Metropolis

Metropolis is the unofficial home of Superman and goes above and beyond the call of duty to remind visitors of its attachment to the comic superhero. At the center of the town square, a colossal bronze statue rises over the town's skyline, paying tribute to the famous figure. Furthermore, you will encounter the Super Museum, whose whimsical library of exhibits is solely dedicated to Superman and includes themed memorabilia, comic books, toys, and T-shirts.

Every year, the community hosts the Superman Celebration, which brings together fans and enthusiasts from around the nation. The colorful convention features quirky costumes, road races, and other fun activities, from former actors and known celebrities to ordinary fanatics.

Alton

This Mississippi River community lies less than 25 miles north of St. Louis, Missouri, and grabs headlines with its wealth of unorthodox points of interest. At the top of the list is the American Oddities Museum, which you can find at the Mineral Springs Hotel. The quirky facility displays a mix of strange items, from haunted objects and medical quackery to true crime artifacts. Alton is also home to the McPike Mansion, where enthusiasts hunt for paranormal activity. This historic dwelling is said to be haunted by the ghosts of its former residents, with past guests reporting phantom touches and strange murmurs while walking down its eerie hallways.

The town's quirks stretch back to the Indian occupation days, evidenced by the imposing monument of the Piasa Bird. It features two murals on the side of a cliff commemorating a Native American mythological beast that troubled residents in the 17th century.

Chester

Chester is nationally recognized as the home of Popeye the Sailor Man and goes to great lengths to honor the iconic cartoon character. The creator of Popeye, E.C. Segar, grew up in this tiny Mississippi River village, and fans visit the Popeye Museum to learn about his legacy. The quirky museum hosts a vast collection of Popeye memorabilia and other characters created by Segar. The town even has a Popeye Character Trail, which comprises over a dozen granite statues of characters featured in the Popeye comic strip, including Popeye, Wimpy, and Olive.

Extroverted vacationers will love Segar Memorial Park's setting on the banks of the Mississippi River. This stunning sanctuary boasts unrivaled vistas of the iconic waterway and provides grassy picnic spots and quiet walking trails ideal for outdoor recreation.

Galena

Galena charms visitors with its dynamic history, which comes to life in its meticulously preserved historic downtown district. This beautiful Victorian square is decorated with a cluster of rustic buildings with conspicuous old-world architecture. The oldest structure in the town is Dowling House, which was constructed in the 1820s by John Dowling and maintains its structural integrity. Furthermore, you will notice the gorgeous Italianate facade of the Ulysses S. Grant Home. This landmark dwelling uniquely looks into the late president's home using original furnishings and artifacts.

Galena's wealth of historical landmarks also means it is no stranger to hauntings and paranormal occurrences. Several ghost tours, including the Haunted Galena Tour Company, take guests on an adrenaline-filled adventure exploring the region's most haunted destinations, such as the DeSoto House Hotel and Galena Cellars Winery.

If the traditional tourist experience no longer moves you, these eccentric towns in Illinois offer a new lease of life to your boring itinerary of the United States. Together, they expose visitors to the world of the sinister and peculiar with encounters that turn out to be oddly satisfying. They are precisely what you need for a tempo change, whether you want to chase after ghosts in Galena or pause alongside the Leaning Tower of Pisa replica in Niles.