9 Small Towns in Illinois With Big Charm

There is much more to the state of Illinois than the famous "Windy City" of Chicago. Outside that sprawling metropolis are hundreds of compact communities bursting with charm. There are Huck Finn-approved Mississippi River retreats, Amish-run areas for wannabe time travelers, a giant's paradise with supersized structures, and far-out festivals honoring everything from cheese to peaches and, ironically, not sandwiches in the food's namesake town. Yes, significant landmarks, ample food, and fun events break up beautiful swaths of peaceful scenery. Discover these charming, tranquil small towns for a quaint day trip or getaway.

Galena

With a population of 3,300, Galena, like many tiny settlements in Illinois, is classified as a city. However, even its regional website calls it "a charming and historic little town."Located in the extreme northwest, Galena is named for the type of lead once mined in the area and shipped by the tons down the mighty Mississippi. When the demand for lead died, Galena came alive as a veritable museum of mid-19th century America. Iconic buildings, including the home of Ulysses S. Grant, fill the downtown district, while the adjoining river and hills conjure adventures with rafts and straw hats. "Grant" yourself a visit to America at its most skilled and distilled!

Casey

Taking "big charm" literally is Casey, Illinois, which hosts nearly a dozen of the world's oversized items. Also classified as a city despite its roughly 2,500 residents, Casey has the world's largest rocking chair, wind chime, mailbox, golf club, and many more. All those Guinness record holders are the work of Jim Bolin, who, by putting giant items into Casey, has given Casey a giant reputation. But do not let his colossal craftsmanship scare folks of average stature away! The "city" offers regulation-sized cafes, an ice cream shack, a softball museum, and a pretty fantastic pretzel stand. Of course, they are served large.

Savanna

Another stop on the Mississippi River, Savanna, lies a stone's throw from Galena and is also close to the abandoned Savanna Army Depot—the 13,000-acre site stored munitions and weapons, from bullets to bombs, for almost a century. After 2000, much of the land was annexed for the Lost Mound National Wildlife Refuge. True to its name, the former Savanna Depot contains the state's largest sand dune, which is a haven for vulnerable animals. Vulnerable humans can take refuge in downtown Savanna, a calm but colorful area with plenty of shops, restaurants, and history, dating back to 1828. Savanna is one of the oldest - and boldest - towns in Illinois.

Nauvoo

Nauvoo is rich in funds and culture despite containing just 950 people. Named by Joseph Smith after a Hebrew word for "beautiful," Nauvoo was one of the most essential stops in the Mormons' exodus out of the East. Thus, it remains one of the most important stops for Mormons - and non-Mormons - following an offbeat path of American history. Visitors can enjoy the breathtaking museums, churches, and homes of early Mormon prophets like Brigham Young; wander the winsome woods where Joseph Smith gave his sermons, and take guided tours to learn why Smith chose Nauvoo, how he grew it to rival Chicago in such a short amount of time, and why the Mormons had to leave as quickly as they came after Smith's death in nearby Carthage. Plus, there is much to see in the surrounding area, such as Mark Twain's hometown of Hannibal, Missouri.

Cobden

Corn is one of the many delicious exports from aptly titled Cobden, Illinois. The village of just over 1,000 people straddles several orchards and wineries, from the fruit- and veggie-growing Bass Farms to the berry-fermenting Owl Creek Vineyard. Cobden is so fruitful that it calls its school team the Appleknockers and hosts an annual peach festival where attendees gorge on peach pie, peach cobbler, peach smoothies, and even peach donuts. Given its miraculous fertility in an otherwise harsh region, Cobden and the rest of Southern Illinois are nicknamed "Little Egypt." Perhaps a pilgrimage to Egypt is in order following a trip to Cobden!

Arthur

Few people think of Illinois as an Amish Country, but the village of Arthur is one of the largest Amish settlements in the world. Containing 2,200 residents and supporting twice as many Amish from nearby farms, Arthur is awash with atavistic activities like buggy riding and tours of pre-industrialized living, including eating a meal in an Amish house. Naturally, the biggest draw is Amish-grown-and-made food, comprising pastries and dairy products and culminating in the yearly Arthur Cheese Festival. Despite its Amish influence, Arthur is a modern town with all the expected amenities. There is even a futuristic jaunt in neighboring Arcola: a drive-thru zoo. You can feed animals from a vehicle!

Sandwich

Although many small towns owe their charm to food, Sandwich, a Northern Illinois community of 7,200, has little connection to meat and bread. The "city" was named after Sandwich, New Hampshire, itself named after the supposed (but unlikely) sandwich inventor John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich. Sandwich, Illinois's claim to fame is the Sandwich Fair. Again, it does not involve sandwiches beyond what might be served at concessions. The fair began in 1888 as a livestock show and evolved into a multi-day extravaganza featuring harness races, carnival rides, and concerts. Going into its 136th year, the Sandwich Fair should bring well over 100,000 people to the little town.

Monticello

Monticello has a dignified moniker and the personality to match. Inspired by Thomas Jefferson's plantation of the same name, which means "little mountain" in Italian, Monticello rests on its past success as the site of the Pepsin Syrup Company, which brought incredible prosperity. This can be seen, over a century later, in the colonial mansions that line the North State Street Historic District, known as "Millionaire's Row." There is also Robert Allerton Park, a ~1500-acre nature preserve and manor once belonging to the namesake industrialist. In Allerton's time, Monticello's North State Street was thought to have the highest per capita income of any place in America. In contrast, the town is no longer as financially prosperous; its scenic and historical wealth are grandioso.

Moonshine

Calling Moonshine a town is a bit of an exaggeration. Okay, it is a vast exaggeration. Moonshine is an unincorporated community in Southeast Illinois consisting of one major building (aside from an outhouse) and two people who run that building. It is called Moonshine Store and began as a general store in 1912 before it was converted into a restaurant by Helen and Roy Tuttle in 1982. Roy died in 2015, and Helen retired soon after, leaving the store - and "town" - to her daughters-in-law. Today, people come from all over the world to buy souvenirs and famous Moonburgers from the middle-of-nowhere store. They cannot purchase moonshine, ironically. Moonshine was long considered a dry town, making its name a mystery.

From Sandwich to Moonshine, Illinois's small towns will fill you up in ways that Chicago cannot. Their charm is in the pauses between bites; the serene gaps of decision-making, when you or your loved ones pick what to see, where to stop, or where not to stop in order to relish the smooth highway and wide-open spaces. Chicago is an obligation, small-town Illinois is a choice.