6 Playfully Peculiar Towns In Illinois

Most tourists flock to Illinois to roam the streets of Chicago. The Magnificent Mile, Willis Tower, and deep-dish pizza are all staples in the Windy City. But many unique attractions are hidden in smaller towns for those who dare venture off the beaten path. Visit neighborhoods with a deep sense of heritage, see large structures replicating everyday objects, or enjoy the historical architecture. Those are just a few views that can be seen in these six playfully peculiar towns in Illinois.

Casey

Casey is home to oversized roadside attractions of everyday objects. With a dozen “World’s Largest” objects, possibly one of the most popular is the World’s Largest Mailbox. To receive this title, the mailbox had to be fully functioning. Guests can climb the stairs into the oversized structure, and it comes equipped with a smaller mailbox inside where letters can be dropped off for delivery. Another fully functioning oversized item in Casey is the World’s Largest Teeter Totter. The teeter-totter can be accessed daily, but only “teeters” on Saturdays. Other days it is locked for safety, so make sure to visit on a day when you can get the whole experience.

Although Casey has multiple “World’s Largest” items, not all are functional. Some are just for looks. The World’s Largest Rocking Chair, weighing 46,200 pounds and standing 56 feet tall, took 10 men to build. The armrests and headrests include delicate carvings of a dove. A final large item in this town is an icon and serves as a landmark for a functioning business. The World’s Largest Barbershop Pole stands outside the town barbershop with multiple owners over the years, complete with the spinning stripes seen on many "normal-sized" poles.

Fulton

The town of Fulton takes pride in its Dutch heritage, beginning in 1856 when the first Dutch settler arrived. The settlers coming directly from the Netherlands worked to create deep personal connections with the community in the New World. Immerse yourself in Dutch history at the Fulton De Immigrant Windmill. The windmill was engineered and constructed in the Netherlands and transported to the United States. Dutch masons ventured to the United States thrice and rebuilt the windmill. Fully operational, the windmill is accessible by stairways and walkways; visitors can tour the inside.

The windmill is located across from the Windmill Cultural Center, which contains 22 more windmills. The mills come from Belgium, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Portugal, and the Netherlands. For an additional historical stop, visit the Fulton Museum within the Martin House. This Civil War-era home is furnished with stained glass windows and walnut accoutrements. The museum contains memorabilia, photos, and genealogy from Fulton.

Niles

Pamper yourself in Niles at the King Spa & Sauna. Enjoy a facial, massage, or immerse yourself in the salt room. King Spa & Sauna is a Korean-inspired spa offering nine exclusive healing sauna rooms, acupressure massage, pools, and a movie theater. It is also the largest Asian sauna in the United States. As an outdoor excursion in Niles, spend some time at Bunker Hill, a public forest preserve. The park area is a hot spot for bird watching, hiking, walking, biking, and cross-country skiing in the winter. The nature area contains a floodplain forest, open prairie, and the Sidney Yates Flatwoods.

Perhaps the most distinct attraction in town is the Leaning Tower of Niles. It is open for tours and is half the size of the original Leaning Tower of Pisa. It stands 94 feet tall, 28 feet in diameter, and leans 7.4 feet. It was constructed with reinforced concrete.

Woodstock

The charming town of Woodstock has one very famous reputation, and that is for being the filming location for the cult classic movie Groundhog Day. Visit the same places featured in the film, with special attention to the Bill Murray Stepped Here Plaque. It represents the puddle that Bill Murray repeatedly stepped in during the movie. The plaque features an outline of a shoe and reads “Bill Murray Stepped Here”. Another theatrical visit that shouldn’t be missed is catching a show at the Woodstock Opera House. In the heart of downtown historical Woodstock, it is one of the oldest operating theaters in the United States. Built in 1889, it served as multiple businesses before becoming the opera house it is today. Check their events calendar online to take in a show. For a picturesque adventure, get out in nature at Dufield Pond. Enjoy fishing in the seven-acre lake and hiking on the nature trail. Signage along the trails identifies and educates about the different trees within the community.

Nauvoo

One time, this city was one of the largest cities in Illinois and the headquarters for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Even though many Mormons were eventually forced to flee, they still have a significant presence there. Explore the past establishments of the Mormon population at the Nauvoo Illinois Temple. The temple sits on a bluff overlooking a bend in the Mississippi River and is an almost identical reproduction of the original Nauvoo Temple built by church settlers in the 1840s. Visit the church to educate yourself on the Mormon religion. Another educational site in the town is Brigham and Mary Ann Young Home. Brigham Young was the president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and his home offers details about the family’s life and their decision to leave Nauvoo behind and begin their new life in the West.

One more feature that combines nature and the Mormon faith is the Trail of Hope. The trail is the original path the Latter-day Saints took when they left Nauvoo and began their journey west. It features the resilience of those who followed the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to a new life in the Great Salt Lake's valley.

Arthur

Founded in the 1860s, Arthur became Illinois's largest and oldest Amish community. Amish-friendly to this day, you can get a home-cooked meal at Yoder’s Kitchen. Expanding and adapting to changing times, Yoder’s has made many updates to its restaurant style, but one thing has stayed the same: traditional Amish food. Enjoy more laid-back activities in this central Illinois town with a visit to The Great Pumpkin Patch. Seasonally, they have pick-your-own-pumpkin patches, mazes, wagon rides, and a bakery. A similar experience with just as many fall traditions is the Master Maze. The signature maze provides endless entertainment once you enter. The area itself also has live animals and a game area.

From oversized attractions to cultural towns, each of these six towns in Illinois features a unique focal point. Ride an 82-foot teeter-totter after standing inside the World’s Largest Mailbox. Learn about the prominent presence of the Mormon religion and dine at a traditional Amish restaurant. If your travel plans include skipping the big cities and opting for small towns, these will surely provide boundless entertainment.