10 Whimsical Towns to Visit in Illinois
Illinois is often known for deep-dish pizza, Abraham Lincoln, and Chicago. While there are plenty of quirky things to discover in its bigger cities, the small, whimsical towns capture Illinois’ essence. From Superman’s hometown (in this galaxy, at least) to a city where everything is just a bit bigger, you can expect the unexpected in the quaint Illinois communities. So pack a bag, load up the car with road trip snacks, and get ready to explore the Land of Lincoln!
Bishop Hill
In the 1800s, Bishop Hill was once a thriving utopian religious community founded by Swedish immigrants. While the colony disbanded in the mid-1800s, relics of its utopian past exist there today as part of the Bishop Hill State Historic Site. The Site includes the Colony Church, the Jansonists’ sanctuary (with its original pews), and a three-story Colony Hotel. It operates as an open-air museum, where you can walk in the footsteps of the early settlers.
Outside of its utopian roots, Bishop Hill is a small Midwestern community where you can feel at home immediately. It boasts local shops and cafes where you can blend in with the locals, like the Colony Inn, which feels like having a homemade meal inside someone’s kitchen. The H.WYATT bakery is also a local favorite, serving sweet treats and freshly made breads. Suppose you plan your visit at the end of September. In that case, you can even catch the Jordbruksdagarna (pronounced yord-brooks-DAH-ga-na), a Swedish festival celebrating the Swedish pioneers of Bishop Hill.
Cairo
At the fork of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers is the unusual community of Cairo at the very southern tip of the state. It was once a thriving river trade hub (thanks to its convenient location), but saw a steep decline at the end of the steamboat trade era. Today, it’s a shadow of its former self, but that’s all a part of its charm. Walking the quiet streets of Cairo feels like stepping inside a time capsule.While many ornate buildings now stand abandoned and haunting, remnants of Cairo’s former glory still operate, like the beautifully preserved Magnolia Manor. The old manor is stunning, with manicured gardens and a fully furnished interior reflecting Cairo’s heyday.
If you want to spend a day on the water, the Fort Defiance Park is one of the best spots in Cairo. It’s where the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers meet and holds historical significance to the area. While the observation tower provides stunning views of the river, it was also an important military stronghold during the Civil War. And when you’re ready to call it a day, the Hannibal Black Sports Grill is a great place to get to know the locals.
Arcola
At first glance, Arcola is your typical midwestern town in eastern Illinois. The Hippie Memorial, a 62-foot-long mural created by a resident in the 1990s, is a must-see when in the area. It’s far from your typical mural; it’s a cobbled-together collection of abstract shapes, slogans, and symbolic figures that reflect Arcola’s counterculture movement of the 1960s. After checking out the memorial, swing by Broomtown Cafe in an old stone bank downtown.
Why is it called ‘Broomtown Cafe’, you ask? Arcola was once called the Broomcorn Capital of the World because broom-making was a big industry in Arcola in its early days. The residents of Arcola take a lot of pride in their broom-making heritage and hold the Broomcorn Festival every September. It’s a delightful event that celebrates its heritage with parades, great food, and (of course) broom displays.
Princeton
In northern Illinois, Princeton is a community known for its picturesque covered bridges and rich history. The crowning jewel of Princeton is the Owen Lovejoy Homestead, a well-preserved home of abolitionist Owen Lovejoy built in 1838. While it’s a stunning estate, perfectly preserved to reflect the era's style, secrets are also hiding inside. Within the home, there’s a secret door that leads to a small crawl space that Lovejoy used to hide enslaved people fleeing via the Underground Railroad.
There are also many photo opportunities of covered bridges scattered throughout town. The Red Covered Bridge is the most popular in the area, built in 1863 during the Civil War. And speaking of the Civil War, if you visit Princeton in September, you can catch the Shadows of the Blue and Gray, a Civil War reenactment that takes place not too far from the Red Covered Bridge at City County Park! Even if you miss the reenactment, the park is lovely to spend the afternoon hiking the trails or relaxing in the shade of a replicated log cabin shelter.
Shelbyville
In south central Illinois is the hidden gem of Shelbyville, a community that feels like a fun lakeside vacation in the heart of the Midwest. The perfect day in Shelbyville starts by recharging along the shores of Lake Shelbyville at Dam West Beach. You can unwind on its calm, sandy shores, or dip in the water when the weather is warm. Or, you can head to the Shelbyville Sunken Garden for a dreamy stroll through gardens blooming with native flowers, manicured gardens, and fountains.
But the crown jewel of Shelbyville isn’t its lake access or its pristine gardens; it’s the Chautauqua Auditorium. The large wooden structure was built in 1903 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It can seat up to 5,000 people, more than Shelbyville's population! It’s home to many community events throughout the year, like concerts and local recitals. The best time to visit the auditorium is during the Shelbyville Festival of Trees, a holiday event where the auditorium is transformed into a winter wonderland.
Metropolis
No, the small riverside hamlet of Metropolis isn’t named after the town in the Superman comics— they had the name first! However, since Superman’s introduction in the 1930s, the community has embraced the coincidental connection. In the heart of Metropolis is the famous Superman Statue, a 15-foot-tall bronze statue located on the grounds of the Massac County Courthouse. On the other side of the street from the statue is the Super Museum, home to the world’s most extensive collection of Superman memorabilia. You can check out rare comic books, props from the movies, or interactive exhibits celebrating Superman's legacy.
The best time to visit Metropolis is in June when the Metropolis holds the annual Superman Celebration. The festival spans four days, with fun events like costume contests, live entertainment, celebrity appearances, and the superdog contest! If you miss the festival, there’s still plenty of Superman-themed attractions in town, like Kryptonite Rock. While it’s just a giant rock painted green like kryptonite, it’s a fun, kitschy attraction that makes for the perfect photo op to remember your time in Metropolis.
Batavia
Settled by Dutch immigrants in the 1800s, the riverside hamlet of Batavia is a dreamy escape along the banks of the Fox River west of Chicago. Known as the ‘Windmill City’, Batavia is known for its beautiful windmills, most notably the Fabyan Windmill. Built in the 1850s, it is now part of the Fabyan Forest Preserve. The preserve, situated along the banks of the Fox River, is a perfect place to relax and go for a leisurely walk or explore the historical windmill.
In the warmer months, North River Street comes alive during the Batavia Farmers Market. It’s more than just a place to shop for seasonal veggies and local crafts. The entire street bustles with food vendors and live music every Saturday. And if you want to spend the day on the water of the Fox River, the Batavia Dam is a popular spot. There are brick pathways that trace the river where you can hike, boat, or launch a canoe or kayak onto the water.
Arthur
One never stumbles upon the hidden gem of Arthur by accident. It’s a small rural village with just under 2,500 residents in southeastern Illinois. Don’t be surprised to see a few horse and buggies or roadside Amish markets in the heart of Illinois Amish country. Restaurants like Yoder's Kitchen are the perfect place to sit down to a homemade meal, or storefronts like Amish Country Heirlooms are an ideal place to shop for unique treasures.
While Arthur is a great place to slow down for a weekend amid the quiet pace of the Amish, it also has exotic surprises you may not expect in Amish country. The Aikman Wildlife Adventure is less than a 10-mile drive southwest of Arthur and is an incredible adventure for the family. It’s a drive-thru animal sanctuary with over 100 exotic animals, including zebras, striped hyenas, and kangaroos.
Casey
In southeastern Illinois is the charming hamlet of Casey, affectionately referred to as The Home of Big Things. As a small town of fewer than 2,500 residents, the attractions in Casey are significant. It’s where you’ll find quirky roadside attractions like the World's Largest Rocking Chair (weighing in at over 46,000 pounds), the World's Largest Wind Chime, and the World’s Largest Mailbox, to name a few. These attractions aren’t centrally located within a single park, but somewhat scattered throughout central Casey to highlight its larger-than-life persona.
There are more enormous attractions to discover in Casey, but some things are better left a surprise! While exploring central Casey, there’s more to see than massive art installations. Fairview Park is an idyllic escape where you can slow down and relax. With a playground, peaceful pond, paved walking paths, and a sunken flower garden, it’s a popular place to take in the natural beauty of Casey.
Collinsville
On the western edge of Illinois, just outside of St. Louis, is the small suburban treasure of Collinsville. In the early 1900s, Collinsville was known for its G.S. Suppiger Company, which bottled and distributed ketchup. While the bottling plant closed in the 1960s, one unusual relic remains: the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle! The 170-foot-tall bottle was once a functional water tower for G.S. Suppiger Company but now serves as a quirky roadside attraction and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
While the water tower may draw your attention when traveling to Collinsville, there’s much to see and do in this quirky Illinois town. Sloan's Pub House is a local favorite, serving classic American fare in a cozy setting. On the other side of Collinsville is the Willoughby Heritage Farm, part of a 30-acre wildlife preserve and part of the living history museum of farm life. You can explore the Craftsman-style farmhouse, barns, and tractors, or walk the trails that traverse over bridges with sprawling vistas of the prairies.
The next time you’re itching to take a road trip, venture off the major highways and get lost in Illinois’s unusual corners. You may stumble upon the world’s largest ketchup bottle in Collinsville, or an authentic Dutch windmill in Batavia. These are the areas where you can sit down for an Amish meal in Arthur, and then venture into Bishop Hill to celebrate the Swedish festival of Jordbruksdagarna. From windmills to hippie memorials, the whimsical side of Illinois is anything but boring!
