8 Picture-Perfect Main Streets In Illinois
Illinois is full of small towns and little big cities that greet visitors with Midwest warmth. Their main streets are the heart of it all, packed with locally owned shops and longstanding restaurants. Some are Route 66 landmarks while others sit along rivers or historic squares. Each one rewards a slow afternoon of wandering. Here are eight small-town main streets worth a trip in Illinois.
Galena
Galena is one of the most beloved small towns in Illinois, with a main street that's warm and welcoming. If food is your love language, downtown Galena delivers it by the baker's dozen. On Main Street there are numerous must-visit bakeries including LGBT-owned Galena Bakehouse, Bread and Vine, and Klein's Market Bakery.
After grabbing something sweet to eat, plan to spend a full day in Galena. Boutiques like Lulu's and Lulus Too sit near the farm at Hat & Honey, which offers tours, tastings, and special events. If you can, plan your visit around one of Galena's many festivals like Galena Brew Fest, Mallard Fest, and the Fall Harvest Festival.
Atlanta
A beloved Route 66 town in Illinois, wandering downtown Atlanta truly feels like a step back in time. The town's biggest draw is the American Giants Museum, the only museum in the country dedicated solely to Muffler Men, larger-than-life monoliths part of a popular ad campaign in the 60s.
Aside from the American Giants Museum, downtown Atlanta is teeming with local businesses that fully own their space in Route 66 history. Arch Street Artisans is an homage to the Mother Road, full of Route 66 laptop stickers and quirky themed coasters. Don't miss the giant Paul Bunyan Hot Dog statue in town, and when you get hungry, stop by the Palms Grill Cafe for a hot, home-cooked meal or packed sandwich from this nostalgic diner in Atlanta.
Grafton
Located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, Grafton is one of the most beautiful riverfront towns in the Midwest. A town deeply tied to its locale, you'll find lots of riverfront dining and shops in Grafton, Illinois. One of the most unique dining experiences in the state, the ARRR Bar and Grafton Oyster Bars are located on a floating marina. Be sure to check hours, however, as the ARRR Bar is only open seasonally. Along Main Street, the 3rd Street Bar & Grill is a favorite for easy, classic dishes like burgers and fries. Boarding House Bistro offers an elevated charcuterie and cocktail experience, and Fountain Hill Steak & Seafood is a must for delicious surf-and-turf.
Enjoy the sights from the water aboard the Grafton Ferry, or enjoy a bird's-eye view of this Illinois town via the Grafton SkyTour's gondolas.
Lockport
In honor of the Route 66 Centennial, Lockport erected a Route 66 monument with a cut-out designed for photo opps. Located at 1327 S. State Street, this photo op makes a fun first impression for folks driving into downtown Lockport.
Lockport's downtown district is equally fun and lively. There is always a festival, farmers market, or special event happening in the Historic District. Foodies could easily make a day out of dining in downtown Lockport. Enjoy a hearty lunch at Mamma Onesta's Italian Restaurant or The Lockport Stagecoach Eatery & Saloon, and Embers Tap House and 933 Speakeasy offer great date night options. And if you're plant-based, Lockport's Vegan Cafe is a great place for a healthy bite to eat after shopping along State Street.
Elsah
The village of Elsah has been called the most scenic spot in Illinois, and after visiting this small town and its inviting downtown, you'll be inclined to agree.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Elsah is home to some wonderful old inns for folks looking to stop and stay awhile. Green Tree Inn Bed & Breakfast and Maple Leaf Cottage Inn offer excellent hospitality and memorable B&B experiences and are located near local trails and shopping. Downtown, Peace Works - A Market with a Mission, State Street on LaSalle offer excellent shopping and dining, respectively, and if you're looking to bone up on area history, look no further than the Village of Elsah Museum.
Woodstock
A town rich in arts and culture, Woodstock offers remarkable experiences in a small-town setting. The centerpiece of Woodstock is its historic brick-paved Square, where you'll find delicious restaurants, unique local businesses, and a robust arts scene. Benton Street Tap is a town favorite known for its old-school atmosphere, delicious libations, and live music.
The real-life setting where Groundhog Day was filmed, cinephiles can step into movie scenes when exploring Woodstock's historic town square. There, you'll also find an award-winning farmers market and also the Woodstock Opera House, one of the best-known theatres in Illinois.
Princeton
Princeton's town square is a classic Main Street, USA. Its location along the Amtrak route make it a popular weekend getaway for folks coming from bigger cities like Chicago, Peoria, and the Quad Cities.
Town pride is strong in Princeton, which has a robust calendar of community events including Homestead Festival, Bureau County Fair, Festival 56, as well as a popular farmers market and live music lineup.
With its location in the Illinois heartland, Princeton prides itself on being the kind of town where presidential hopefuls enjoy a meal at one of its dozen restaurants. Alexander Park Tavern is a longtime local favorite for its unfussy fare, and Hawg House Saloon is the place to go for live music and a drink in a classic, low-key bar.
Litchfield
Located in central Illinois, Litchfield is a classic Route 66 town that's a great place to stop for a meal and afternoon adventure. In terms of the former, Ariston Cafe has been operating continuously since 1924 and is hailed as the oldest continuously operated restaurant on Route 66. The sandwiches here are manna for road-weary travelers and if you want a sit-down meal, the steak is excellent.
If you're looking to learn more about the Mother Road, the Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center is awesome. The museum boasts a bevy of exhibits and memorabilia and is free to visit. Just check the website as hours change seasonally. Also in town, the Litchfield Carnegie Library Building was funded in 1904 by Andrew Carnegie and is now home to the Litchfield Tourism Office and Litchfield Chamber of Commerce. The former library is open to the public, and after exploring indoors, definitely explore the grounds, which feature a park, fountain, and Veterans Memorial.
Illinois main streets worth the drive
Memorable main streets abound in Illinois and make for great road trip stops, day trips, or weekend getaways. From Route 66 towns like Litchfield and Atlanta, whose main streets boast a bevy of Mother Road pride, to scenic locales like Woodstock and Galena, exploring the myriad main streets of Illinois is a wonderful way to experience the state, especially its smaller towns.
