Whether you're looking for a weekend getaway closer to home or are considering making a permanent move out of the city, here are 11 must-visit small towns in Illinois.
GALENA, IL
1
Bustling with wineries, galleries, ghost tours and even some gnarly snowboarding slopes, There's plenty to do!
Photography By Bob Hallam/Getty Images
WOODSTOCK, IL
2
Pop by one of several local farms & orchards to pick in-season produce or take a tour of world cuisines as you stroll past Woodstock's many diverse restaurants.
Gary Todd/Flickr
PRINCETON, IL
3
In addition to a classic, old-timely main street, the town is also home to the Lovejoy Homestead, a stop on the Underground Railroad.
Bruce Leighty/Getty Images
4
Calling all history buffs: Nauvoo is a small town with a big impact on the history of Mormonism. So don't miss the extensive self-guided walking tour of notable sites.
Ken Lund/Flickr
NAUVOO, IL
OTTAWA, IL
5
Nearby Starved Rock State Park may steal the spotlight from Ottawa, but it's well worth checking out it's charming downtown.
Todd Ryburn Photography/Getty Images
FULTON, IL
6
Admire the city's prominent windmill, brought over from the Netherlands, and pop into the gift shop to take home the buckwheat, rye, and other grains ground on-site.
City Of Fulton
QUINCY, IL
7
Take yourself on a driving tour of the city's mid-century modern homes & public art installations. Grab some curbside food and drink so you can create your own combination art & pub crawl.
@thedistrictquincy
LEBANON, IL
8
Lebanon is Illinois' OG college town. Home to McKendree College, the oldest in the state there's plenty of history to learn about on and off campus.