8 Serene Illinois Towns For A Weekend Retreat
Midwestern Illinois is perhaps best known for the Lincoln Memorial Garden in Springfield and Millennium Park in Chicago. Yet the state of Illinois, with Iowa and Missouri to the west and Indiana to the east, has several small towns that are ideal for that weekend retreat as well, either with friends, family, or even alone. From Sycamore, home of Blumen Gardens, to Petersburg and the New Salem State Historic Park, a variety of small Illinois towns await those looking for that sense of peace and tranquility. Here are eight serene small towns in the Prairie State that are perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday living.
Sycamore
Approximately sixty miles west of Chicago, Sycamore is home to Blumen Gardens. Along with being a premier wedding venue, Blumen Gardens has a great home and garden shop. The shop specializes in perennials, trees, vines, shrubs, and a variety of grasses. Blumen Gardens has various workshops, including garden clubs and community events.
Empower Wellness and Elevate Wellness also call the town of Sycamore home. Both of these beautiful spas provide the comfort needed to eliminate any built-up stress and anxiety. Plus, the Paper Doll House is located on Main Street in downtown Sycamore. This awesome bed and breakfast inn features an invigorating experience for guests through its unique three-night weekend retreats.
Princeton
Further to the west of Chicago, and about fifty miles north of Peoria, Illinois, the quaint town of Princeton is ideal for a weekend retreat with that someone special. Home to a couple of phenomenal covered bridges, Red Covered Bridge and the Captain Swift Covered Bridge, a peaceful walk in Princeton can be easily achieved.
There is also the Lovejoy Homestead to check out. Also called the Owen Lovejoy House, this beautiful getaway provides visitors with an intimate understanding of who the Lovejoys were, and they helped in the growth of the area. And, right down the road, the Historic Knox Hotel offers awesome service and comfortable rooms at a great price.
Fulton
Picturesque Fulton, along the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, is known for being home to Heritage Canyon. This great historic phenomenon, established in 1967, is the perfect replica of a village from the 1800s. With a little white chapel, a variety of log cabins, a one-room schoolhouse, and much more, this attraction allows guests to experience what life was like for people in the 19th century.
For those planning on staying overnight, the AmericInn Hotel on 17th Street offers great lodging. Once accommodation is settled, De Immigrant Windmill is another great attraction. This authentic Dutch windmill stands nearly a hundred feet tall and sits in the center of town. First engineered in the Netherlands, it was dedicated in Fulton during the Dutch Days Festival of 2000.
Galena
Another great small town near the banks of the Mississippi, though it is fifty miles to the north of Fulton, the tiny town of Galena is known for being home to the house of Ulysses S. Grant. One of the more important generals of the American Civil War, Grant was presented this house as a gift for defeating Robert E. Lee when he returned from the war in 1865.
The small town of Galena is also known for Chestnut Mountain Resort, which is located to the south of downtown. This phenomenal resort is perfect for weekend getaways. Along with a beautiful wedding venue, it offers guests spring hiking and activities, including a bike park and an alpine slide, lodging in comfortable rooms & suites, and even food & drink on Summit Deck.
Ottawa
Just west of Joliet and north of the Illinois River, the picturesque town of Ottawa is home to a plethora of attractions that make it ideal for a weekend retreat with that someone you love. From Reddick Mansion & Gardens, first built in 1858, to Washington Park Historic District, also known as Washington Square Park, Ottawa has a great taste in pre-Civil War history.
Buffalo Rock State Park also calls the town of Ottawa home. With amenities such as hiking, biking, canoeing, and kayaking, this almost 300-acre state park has a bit of everything. It even has a campground, where you can stay overnight or for the entire weekend. Offering RV and tent sites, this park is perfect for anyone.
Lebanon
Approximately 25 miles east of St. Louis, Missouri, the small town of Lebanon is home to the Looking Glass Playhouse and Hettenhausen Center for the Arts. While Hettenhausen, or “The Hett,” is known for being southern Illinois’ best performing arts center, the Looking Glass has offered visitors opportunities to enjoy several great plays, like “Babes in Toyland,” which was their first production, since the 1970s.
Horner Recreational Park is a great venue that is situated just north of downtown Lebanon. Featuring Horner Parker Lake, this small-town park has some awesome activities, like hiking the Trillium Trail or fishing in the lake. And, right down the road, the Mermaid House Inn in the center of town offers great service, cozy rooms, and delicious food.
Arcola
Around 125 miles outside of Indianapolis, the quaint town of Arcola is perhaps best known for Aikman Wildlife Adventure, which is perfect for any age. Offering a prehistoric museum, with life-size dinosaur models, a walk-through zoo, and an off-road adventure, this is unlike any other attraction. Aikman Wildlife Adventure even offers the Triple Crown, which includes the museum, the drive-thru, and the walk-thru at a low price.
Arcola Inn is another excellent place to check out while in Arcola. It offers great food and cold drinks, as well as great rooms. It is also quite near the Hippie Memorial on North Oak Street, which is dedicated to America’s era of peace, love, and individual thought. Bob Moomaw, who created this over sixty-foot-long “memorial,” passed away in 1998, yet the “memorial” still stands to be witnessed today.
Petersburg
Half an hour north of Springfield, the town of Petersburg is home to Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, which features a replica of a village Abraham Lincoln spent some time at during the early 19th century. There is history around every corner, including events like the Boy Scouts of America Abraham Lincoln Pilgrimage and village tours, including Miller’s Blacksmith, the schoolhouse, and the grist mill.
Petersburg is also home to Starhill Forest Arboretum and Hurie Park. The park offers stunning strolls along trails banking the Sangamon River, and fun picnic opportunities for the entire family. The arboretum has its own share of scenic hiking trails along fifty acres of pristine woodland. New Salem, which is close to Hurie Park, even offers camping overnight.
Finishing Thoughts
While the entire state of Illinois is inundated with many great activities and venues, such as Lincoln’s Tomb in Springfield and the Art Institute of Chicago, it also possesses several small towns with their own share of attributes. From Princeton and its historic covered bridges to the Aikman Wildlife Adventure in Arcola, there is something for everyone within these small towns. Here are eight of the greatest weekend retreat towns in the state of Illinois, ones that provide serenity and tranquility to those who choose to visit.
