crystal lake

10 Most Beautiful Small Towns in Illinois

Spring is the perfect season to try new things like venturing into unexplored territories. Nature wakes up from under the snow cover and reveals its fresh-faced glory to the world. Illinois is full of beautiful tons throughout picturesque countryside, along river banks, hilly grasslands, and bounded by scenic woodlands. Springtime Prairie State is really something special to behold.

These towns offer a perfect getaway from the city with amenities at hand in the surrounding beautiful landscapes, innate to countryside scape. It is the perfect time to travel to one of these homegrown town for a real spring fling with beautiful Illinois.

Crystal Lake

Aerial View of the Chicago Suburb of Crystal Lake, Illinois
Aerial View of the Chicago Suburb of Crystal Lake, Illinois

It is hard to find a town more beautiful or exciting during the warmer seasons than one with claim to fame right in its name. Crystal Lake is an unexpected oasis in southeastern McHenry County calling your name to relax without breaking the bank. The crystal blue waters beckon to linger along peacefully in a rented boat with bellies to the sun, or splice the surface with a kayak, canoe, or paddleboat. Don't forget a fishing rod, and take-up the opportunity to learn scuba diving.

People kayaking in a calm river in Crystal Lake
People kayaking in a calm river in Crystal Lake

The town is a popular getaway for quick access to some of the state's best nature under the all-encompassing small-town vibe. Enjoy springtime strolls and recreation along the banks like picnics and playing in the sand. Spread along the sunlit banks with a bottle of wine or find a shaded shelter and let the worries seep away at the incredible water views. The friendly lakeside community with special resort atmosphere was recently voted one of the state's best towns with a wealth of buildings adorned in locally produced terra cotta. 

Geneva

North view over Island Park in Geneva, Illinois
North view over Island Park in Geneva, Illinois

Geneva is a quaint, pretty enclave in northern Illinois with beautiful Victorian buildings deserving of its grand name. Sight-see historic architecture on a stroll-along 150 small local businesses amidst nature parks for fresh-air leisurely strolls and outdoor recreation. The appealing scape houses many great eateries and art galleries, along with a lovely Fox River riverwalk. Enjoy strolling along art displays with water views to one side, and townscape with vibrantly-decorated sidewalks and buildings, to the other. 

Fabyan Forest Preserve view in Geneva, Illinois
Fabyan Forest Preserve view in Geneva, Illinois

Geneva’s scenic history is laid-out along the historic district replete with well-preserved original buildings from the 1800s. The Fabyan Forest Preserve is great for nature ventures, while the glorious Japanese Garden is crowned with an iconic Dutch windmill. Take s blind pick from the glut of local boutique hotels for a feel of affordable luxury, or choose a real-budget stay that wouldn't matter when you are in one of Illinois' prettiest towns. The Herrington Inn and Spa is favored even by the locals for impeccable services that make everyday feel like a vacation. 

Lebanon

country folk singer on stage street performing with guitar on red brick road during fall festival with old buildings and craft booths in background,, via RozenskiP / Shutterstock.com
Singer performing with guitar on red brick road during fall festival with old buildings and craft booths in background, via RozenskiP / Shutterstock.com

The former Native American village in "Little Egypt" region of southern Illinois offers unique attractions in effigy mounds, and spooky legends. The nearby Lebanon Road is referred to as the “seven gates of Hell" for seven railroad bridges that driving under all at midnight would open a Hell portal. So far no one has fallen victim to this hauntingly-scenic landmark. Despite its most-haunted claim in the state, Lebanon is a light-hearted towns with rich nature through Homer Park's 58 beautiful acres for ventures.

ountain spraying water at the entrance marker to local college. Located in southern Illinois, McKendree University is the oldest in the state., via RozenskiP / Shutterstock.com
A fountain at the entrance marker to local college. Located in southern Illinois, McKendree University is the oldest in the state, via RozenskiP / Shutterstock.com

The small townscape encompasses the state's oldest, McKendree University, along with a cute downtown area aligned by architecture including Southern Colonial, Greek Revival, and Gothic. Check-out the preserved Emerald Mound, and visit the Mermaid House noted in Charles Dickens American Notes who stayed there himself. Peruse the wealth of great restaurants, theaters, quaint shops, and bars to hear a tragic story about the Acid Bridge in town with a shallow creek beneath. Today, the bridge merely connects to East Kirsch Road in Troy, but people continue to report creepy feels like sudden chill and strange noises.

Long Grove

Historical Long Grove Town view in Illinois State
Historical Long Grove Town view in Illinois State

If this list of beautiful Illinois towns was a chocolate box, then Long Grove would be the tastiest of them all. The scrumptious piece, only 40 miles north of Chicago, is an extremely popular getaway into a fun, festival-ridden small town scape. Celebrate year-round with Chocolate Fest in May, Strawberry Fest in June, Apple Fest in September, Vintage Holidays in November and December, and Craft Beer Festival in April. The historic district downtown is replete with year-round attractions and activities like great restaurants, breweries, and wineries to enjoy year-round.

 Historical Long Grove Town view in Illinois State, via Nejdet Duzen / Shutterstock.com
 Historical Long Grove Town view in Illinois State, via Nejdet Duzen / Shutterstock.com

Stroll along the charming townscape, protected by building ordinances with height regulations on a respite from the city and seek-out spectacular sights like the iconic covered bridge adorned with nature. Visit the Gerri’s Tea Room for some girly time among British-aspired high tea delicacies and complementing atmosphere, also perfect for couples on a romantic getaway. Take-up a unique dining experience in an RV at Chatterbox.

Marion

The Clock Tower at the Old Town Square, surrounded by old historic buildings, via Roberto Galan / Shutterstock.com
The Clock Tower at the Old Town Square, surrounded by old historic buildings, via Roberto Galan / Shutterstock.com

Marion is the famous "Southern Illinois Main Street," set peacefully in the Carbondale area of the state. It is a perfect anytime getaway with a wide range of pursuits for everyone, like golf, wineries, theater, and nature trails. The peaceful and quiet scape is the state's favorite getaway into natural ventures at the Shawnee National Forest just to the south. 

Marion's sole mayor for over 50 years lovingly calls the town "The Hub of the Universe," inspired by a plethora of surrounding highways. Enjoy easy access for a weekend respite to this lovable town with tons of shopping, dining, and other attractions. Explore Williamson Couny's countless woods and creeks, chill by the waters, or with a drink at hand at a local bar. 

Mount Caroll

Caroll County Courthouse
Caroll County Courthouse

The scenic town of Mount Carroll is “the New England of the Midwest,” replete with architecture under a tasteful countryside charm. Enjoy endless wonders among 30-some unique historic sites, and quickly access nature along the Mississippi River only 10 miles away. The secret Illinois gem takes local and quaint beauty seriously and proudly guards its buildings in original state, for the same-looking scape from 50 years ago.

The historic district in Mount Caroll
The historic district in Mount Caroll

Find a glut of modern amenities veiled behind scenic facades and livelier streets with many seeking to live in a remotely-charming scape since then. There's also better connection to the nearest large city, 2 hours away, while Galena is the next-proximate charming townscape with more amenities. Stop-by the Raven’s Grin Inn, an intriguing 5-story Victorian-style property with an eerie vibe. The mansion of physically juxtaposing objects from the 80s, encompasses a Halloween-themed haunted home with a spooky story-telling tour around. 

Ottawa

Exterior of the historic Reddick Mansion, built in 1855, on a beautiful Summer morning in downtown Ottawa, Illinois., via Eddie J. Rodriquez / Shutterstock.com
Exterior of the historic Reddick Mansion, built in 1855, on a beautiful Summer morning in downtown Ottawa, Illinois, via Eddie J. Rodriquez / Shutterstock.com

The charming small town of Ottawa is idyllic stop-over on the way to the nearby Starved Rock State Park. It is a popular place to linger amidst sights and amenities in the morning with downtown cafes and attractions. Return from a hike for rest and check-out one of the local favorites for an evening drink to share over impressions.

Lincoln - Douglas Debate Memorial Plaza and its monument located in historic downtown in Ottawa,, via Dawid S Swierczek / Shutterstock.com
Lincoln - Douglas Debate Memorial Plaza and its monument located in historic downtown in Ottawa, via Dawid S Swierczek / Shutterstock.com

Ottawa boasts a unique twist of masterfully combing the old with the new through sights like an abundance of modern murals that decorate old architecture. Spend a day strolling the streets studded with preserved Victorian houses while munching on fresh, salty kernels from the long-beloved Popcorn Wagon. The relic from the 1890s is just one of many treasures sites from Lincoln to Douglas eras to power through. 

Rockton

George H. Hollister House in the Rockton Historic District
George H. Hollister House in the Rockton Historic District

The scenic little village of Rockton in Illinois at the border with Wisconsin is a popular getaway from both states for sightings from the past. The ambient townscape boasts a glut of buildings from way back in the 1800s, with modern amenities hiding behind distinctive limestone facades. The small town atmosphere includes attractions like the Dairy Haus ice cream shop with flavors like bourbon praline and wedding cake that have devoted followers from area well-beyond the village scope.

Mount Carroll Historic District in Connecticut
Mount Carroll Historic District in Connecticut

Hop a few miles over to the Badger State for New Glarus beer, sold only there and with its cult os country-wide followers. Visit the next-door town of South Beloit for some fast-paced acton along the Blackhawk Farms Raceway. Aside from popular car and motorcycle races, the venue has a driving school to take-up the art of racing yourself. 

St. Charles

St. Charles Town street view in Elgin Town of Illinois, viaNejdet Duzen / Shutterstock.com
St. Charles Town street view in Elgin Town of Illinois, viaNejdet Duzen / Shutterstock.com

Just an hour from the Windy City, St. Charles is a small town with one big natural quality, the Fox River. The splicing river offers outdoors from the doorstep, with scenic parks and trails trough the woods and riverside. Enjoy the riverwalk on a stroll with pretty water views to one side and St. Charles Downtown to the other. After anchoring at one of the local boutique hotels, dive into the wondrous downtown with a glut of main street attractions.

St. Charles Town street view in St. Charles Town of Illinois.
St. Charles Town street view in St. Charles Town of Illinois

Stroll amidst historic facades while perusing through shops and top-tier restaurants, and enjoy a summer band live music alongside the locals. Catch a live vaudeville act or a silent movie at the Arcada Theater from 1926, for an experience dripping with nostalgia. You can also grab a picnic and head for a day hike of relaxing recreational activities along the river's banks. Stay right along river's edge at the Hotel Baker, which happens to be dead-center in town with amazing window views.

Batavia

The beautiful town of Batavia in Illinois
The beautiful town of Batavia in Illinois via Batavia, IL - Official Website | Official Website (cityofbatavia.net)

One of the state's most-charming towns just-off the Fox River, is just a short drive from the Windy City. It is a popular weekend escape from the city's blur into natural beauty that extends year-round in and around Batavia, with beautiful gazebos adorned in greenery. Batavia is a designated Bike Friendly community for feel-good explorations with a lot to see like the FermiLab and its beautiful Robert Rathbun Wilson Hall.

Batavia depot museum
Batavia Depot Museum

The most atmospheric River Street reminisces of the Dutch with a glut of historic windmills and revitalized amenities. Come for the small town scape but stay for the beautiful Fox River that captivates with magnetic sights on a stroll or a picnic. Hike to the Challenge Dam with roaring waters before making your way back downtown to scout-out the Peg Bond Center. The riverside setting is perfect for sunset views and chilly evening gatherings around the fireplace, to share impressions of the beautifully-spent day. 

Illinois is akin to many things like charming small towns, friendly locals, as well as some haunting stories. These towns sit blessed with natural beauty and replete in downtown sights for the best weekend getaway from the city.

The small scape will pull you in with a ton of attractions and hospitable amenities to relax and recharge in any preferred style. Don't wait any longer than you have to and visit a town on this list before summer crowds start seeping in, hogging the best natural vistas around. 

Share
  1. Home
  2. Places
  3. Cities
  4. 10 Most Beautiful Small Towns in Illinois

More in Places