7 Most Underrated Cities in Illinois
Illinois is the Prairie State and the Land of Lincoln, with deeply-rich history and wide-open natural areas. Chicago, the world-renowned state's most populated city, is a popular and bustling metropolis that many tourists flock to, but the rest of the rural state holds a laid-back beauty of its own. There are many underrated cities that glow with the true essence of Illinois traditions while offering fewer crowds and a plethora of stunning attractions.
Champaign
Champaign is a lively city with nearly 90,500 residents in east-central Illinois, about 135 miles southwest of Chicago. Along with Urbana immediately to the east, the cities are often called Champaign-Urbana. Urbana hosts the main campus of the University of Illinois (founded in 1867), and many students visit Champaign. The city dates back to 1854 as a depot along the newly-laid Illinois Central Railroad tracks two miles west of Urbana. It was incorporated the next year. Community petitions successfully kept it separate, and it was first called West Urbana. In 1860, it was renamed for the county (which was incorporated in 1833).
With the university as the main economic asset, there is also prominent agriculture in the area, primarily corn and soybeans. Additional industries include food processing, distribution, technology, office supplies, and the manufacturing of plastics and ceramics. Champaign today is a vibrant city with must-visit attractions, including museums of natural history, art, and science. It is rich in nature, with the 900-acre Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve just ten miles to the northwest. The city offers a variety of family-friendly activities, along with many beautiful parks to explore. The lively downtown features excellent shopping options and diverse cuisine choices.
Evanston
The historic city in Cook County of northeastern Illinois stretches scenicly along the banks of the massive Lake Michigan, 15 miles north of downtown Chicago. With 79,200 residents, it holds rich history and landmarks. The home of Frances Willard, an advocate of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) in 1865, is a national historic landmark. The Evanston Historical Society is housed in the former home of Charles G. Dawes, vice president of the US from 1925 to 1929. Meanwhile, The Cradle is a nonsectarian adoption home founded in 1923. Visitors also enjoy the picturesque Grosse Point Lighthouse, built in 1873, which features a museum and a nature center.
Evanston was initially inhabited by the Illinois and Potawatomi Indians, with the first French explorers arriving in the 17th century, who named it Grosse Pointe. Between 1795 and 1833, the Potawatomi ceded their lands to the US, and the city saw its first major settlement in 1836, initiated by a jewelry dealer from New York and Major Edward H. Mulford's tavern. From 1850 to 1957, locals referred to the town as Ridgeville. In 1953, a group of Chicago businessmen purchased land along the lakeshore for Northwestern University, prompting Evanston's expansion. The city, named after John Evans—one of Northwestern’s founders—annexed North Evanston in 1874 and South Evanston in 1892.
The city today stands as the region's leading educational and religious hub, housing many notable institutions. The massive Technological Institute building at Northwestern University ranks among the world’s largest academic structures. The lively city is often overshadowed by the nearby state capital, yet it offers an impressive scene of fantastic restaurants featuring cuisines from around the world and excellent shopping. Additionally, its beach provides one of the best views of Lake Michigan and is lined with numerous attractions. Both residents and tourists who enjoy cultural scenes appreciate the symphony orchestra and various theater groups. Tourists flock to the popular Fountain Square Arts Festival, and at the end of December, the city becomes crowded for the state's largest New Year's Eve celebration, First Night Evanston.
Frankfort
The charming and underrated city of about 21,000 residents boasts Victorian-era treasures in Downtown Frankfort. Its most notable historic landmark is the tall, symbolic Grainery tower. Standing tall as the only remnant of the building that burned in 1985, the tower symbolizes the city's resilience and crowns the historic downtown. Frankfort takes pride in its well-preserved history, which gives the town an 1890s vibe and a charming small-town atmosphere.
The beautiful downtown main street just off the Old Plank Trail offers many attractions. The central green square hosts large summer farmers' markets with local businesses selling fresh, home-grown goods and tasty eats. There is also the popular Creamery near the bike trail, a charming shop with famous ice cream treats that are delicious no matter the weather.
Grafton
Grafton, the oldest city in Jersey County, is often overlooked for its prime location near the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. Founded in 1832, it is known as "The Winter Home of the Bald Eagle," which speaks volumes to bird-watchers and nature lovers with expansive landscapes surrounding the lively town. Grafton offers a variety of unique activities, such as a floating winery in the marina. Visitors can rent pontoon boats for self-guided explorations along the winding rivers, or enjoy scenic bike routes like the Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail parallel to the Mississippi. The paved Great River Road is perfect for scenic drives with the car roof down and music playing.
The drive to Grafton alone is one of the Midwest's most scenic. The river city offers a refreshing change of pace and scenery from the mundane metropolis. It is full of scenically located restaurants and bars, as well as water parks, zip lines, and the renowned river harbor with delicious dining options. The Piece of Quiche is a perfect spot for brunch, followed by a day outdoors. The nearby Pere Marquette State Park, the largest in Illinois, spans 8,000 acres and features hiking trails through the woods. There are also beautiful wineries around where you can taste local Illinois wines and buy a bottle for a picnic to watch majestic bald eagles overhead.
Naperville
The city in northeastern Illinois stretches scenically along the West Branch DuPage River, only 30 miles west of Chicago. Naperville is the county's oldest city, founded in 1831 and named after Captain Joseph Naper. Along with his brother John, they built mills, a school, and a trading house, and the city became the county seat in 1839. Naperville continued to grow as a crossroads from Chicago to Galena and Vandalia, while the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad (1864) spurred development into a rapidly growing residential suburb of Chicago. Naperville increased about ten times from 1960 to the end of the 20th century, becoming a hub for high-technology industries, research, and corporate headquarters. It is also the home of North Central College, which relocated on-site in 1870.
The large city with a population of almost 152,000 is thriving and growing. The charming downtown area offers a warm, inviting atmosphere, filled with a wide variety of quality shops and boutiques. Residents enjoy the beautiful Riverwalk during various daily activities, such as scenic sunset walks. It’s also a hub for outdoor recreation along the Du Page River, featuring scenic fountains, covered bridges, and an amphitheater. Outdoor lovers can visit one of the many parks with hiking and biking trails. Other popular local attractions include the Naper Settlement, a 13-acre outdoor living-history museum showcasing 19th-century life memorabilia, and the DuPage Children’s Museum. The 72-bell Millennium Carillon is among the world’s largest instruments, spanning six full octaves with one of the bells weighing six tons.
Peoria
The major port city in the Land of Lincoln on the Illinois River is home to 112,500 residents living their best lives within a highly diversified economy. Prosperity in Peoria began early as a trading hub for a large agricultural region, shipping products such as corn, soybeans, and livestock. Its traditional manufacturing industries remain important, including excavating, farming, and lawn-care equipment, along with metal products, building materials, and chemicals. Peoria was once home to many distilleries and breweries until the 1980s. There are various research and educational institutions, such as the US Department of Agriculture’s National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research and Illinois Central College (1967) in East Peoria.
Many people know the city by an old vaudeville phrase, "Will it play in Peoria?" which hints at its core "heartland" values across the U.S. The Civic Center, opened in 1982, serves as the hub for cultural and recreational activities, including concerts, exhibitions, and other events. Enthusiastic culture fans enjoy Lakeview Park, home to the Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences, Peoria Players Theatre, a swimming pool, and an ice-skating rink. The often-underrated city boasts an opera and ballet, symphony, theater, a zoo, as well as the Jubilee College State Park and Historic Site about 17 miles to the northwest.
The notable Riverfront was a gambling hotspot in the 1980s and 1990s that boosted local tourism. For outdoor activities, the Wildlife Prairie State Park offers a home to native Illinois animals such as bison, cougars, and bears, along with several state fish and wildlife areas southwest of the city. The vibrant cityscape is just a few hours from Chicago, offering a starkly different pace, vibe, and environment, like relaxing walks at the Luthy Botanical Garden. For a cultural experience, the Peoria Riverfront Museum showcases the city's history and contemporary life, while its sculpture garden, a delight to explore, is a must-see in Peoria.
Schaumburg
Schaumburg is often overlooked but is home to many attractions, including the LEGOLAND Discovery Center and Ned Brown Forest Preserve. This family-friendly city near Chicago is a shopping hotspot with a large mall that features every store imaginable. Located in the northwestern suburbs, it has a unique history of developing over a marshy area, with early settlers arriving from eastern states in the mid-1830s, such as Yankees from Kent in Oswego County, New York. The Germans mainly came from Schaumburg-Lippe, situated between Dortmund and Hannover, settling along present-day Irving Park and nearby highways as farmers.
They organized a German Lutheran congregation and built their first church in 1847. Schaumburg grew slowly in the fertile, albeit swampy area with no railroad depot to facilitate communication with Chicago. By the end of the century, with a population of 1,000, Schaumburg boasted three cheese factories but only expanded after its isolation was alleviated by the Northwest Toll Road in 1956. The farmers dedicated themselves to industrial, commercial, and residential growth, while the population of 53,305 in 1980 increased to 80,000 today. The German heritage endures in a large number of streets radiating from the old center, and the legacy continues in road names such as Biesterfield.
These lesser-known cities with a homey feel will immerse you in lively downtown areas and vibrant architecture. With easy access from Chicago via scenic drives and the boundless nature of meandering rivers and state parks spliced by trails right at the doorstep, there is much to discover on a refreshing getaway into unexplored territory.
