9 Illinois Towns That Locals Love
One of the most iconic and beloved states in the Midwest is Illinois, often referred to as "The Land of Lincoln," as it was the boyhood home of President Abraham Lincoln. Numerous amazing and relaxed communities are truly worth visiting, whether outside of Chicago or St. Louis. Towns like La Grange, Alton, and Glencoe offer a unique local perspective on life, and more just a step slower, making for a nice breath of change for a weekend away from major cities.
Quincy
Nicknamed "Gem City," the city of Quincy has a history tied to the Underground Railroad and served as a transportation hub, with the Mississippi River flowing nearby. East of downtown is the Quincy Museum, which preserves the city's history through its exhibits, as well as those on the wildlife and dinosaurs that lived in the area centuries ago. Further west on Maine Street is Washington Park, located in the heart of downtown and the city's first park. It provides its visitors with access to fabulous shops, museums, and restaurants, such as the Fuzzy Bubbler, the Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County, and the Corinthian Event Center, all of which are within walking distance of the park.
A fun and memorable annual local event to see in town is the Quincy Festival of Lights, which is held from after Thanksgiving until New Year's Eve from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Moorman-Wavering Park. Drivers experience 1.5 miles of animated lights from the comfort of their cars in a wonderful drive-through experience, especially during the holidays, with the season’s charm in the air.
Long Grove
About 35 miles north of Chicago lies the village of Long Grove, a relaxed-paced community with a Hallmark feel. A unique place to visit is the Sock Monkey Museum, which features 2,300 sock monkeys on display, a Guinness World Record. Just down Old McHenry Road is Enzo and Lucia Ristorante, where patrons can enjoy some freshly made Italian meals and lavish drinks for a lovely night out on the town.
Three fantastic local events to enjoy are the Chocolate Festival in May, the Strawberry Festival in June, and the Apple Festival in September. Each festival allows people to try different chocolate-flavored foods, strawberry-flavored foods, and apple-flavored foods during their respective windows. Each festival also has live music, carnival rides, and games to keep the family entertained.
Monticello
Between Champaign and Decatur lies Monticello, a city renowned for its alluring Victorian architecture and fantastic attractions. The Monticello Railway Museum is a wonderful attraction to visit in the city. The museum offers train rides from May to October, hosts events during the holidays, and features an extensive collection of locomotives, passenger cars, cabooses, and other train-related items for train enthusiasts to enjoy. Just west of downtown is the Allerton Park and Retreat Center, an estate built by the University of Illinois with luscious gardens surrounding a historic mansion. In downtown, across from the Monticello Courthouse, is the Moore Building Ballroom, which hosts lavish and memorable events, including weddings, family reunions, and corporate gatherings.
On the northern end of town is the Piatt County Rodeo, which hosts the annual Trail Blazer Rodeo, which is held every June. The rodeo is a family-friendly event featuring bull riding and food vendors. It attracts people from all over, ready to conquer bulls, and to wear the iconic cowboy hats and boots for an adrenaline rush of excitement and a memorable event.
Clarendon Hills
Clarendon Hills is a peaceful and relaxing suburb of Chicago with a charming, walkable downtown area to enjoy. Prospect Avenue is a lovely spot in town, filled with wonderful shops and restaurants to explore and savor. Il Mio Italian Restaurant is a beautiful place to visit on the avenue, offering meals inspired by hometown kitchens and family gatherings. Il Mio also has a spacious patio available for private events. The Hinsdale Golf Club is located on the northern end of town and features 18 holes of golf, tennis courts, a swimming pool, and hosts elegant events.
During the summer, the village hosts its annual Summer Concert Series and Dancing in the Streets, a free event where people can bring their own chairs and blankets to gather downtown and enjoy music performed by local musicians. People can also enjoy the excellent local food and beverages, and go dancing under the stars for a fun and memorable night in town.
La Grange
Just east of Charendon Hills is the village of La Grange, another delightful Chicago suburb, which also has a very walkable downtown, unique boutiques, and vibrant local events. On La Grange Road (U.S. Route 45), there are an endless number of incredible restaurants and shops to visit, from Kama Bistro, which serves delicious homemade Indian meals with a lot of flavor and love to enjoy. On the opposite side of the train tracks is Gordon Park, a relaxing park to enjoy on a nice, sunny day, featuring a playground, skatepark, soccer fields, baseball/softball fields, and a 0.4-mile-long loop for exploration.
A fantastic event to enjoy in town every May is the annual Pet Parade, which features pets wearing costumes as they parade down the street, celebrating the bond between people and their beloved furry friends. The parade itself is a 1.5-mile walk through downtown, and there are food vendors, carnival rides, and various games for people to enjoy while visiting town.
Peru
On the northern banks of the Illinois River is the calm city of Peru, a historic industrial hub, and it is currently renowned for its natural attractions. Baker Lake Park is a serene park in town, featuring disc golf fields, playgrounds, shelters, Baker Lake itself, which is an excellent spot for fishing, and a one-mile paved pathway for a leisurely walk. Just east of town is Starved Rock State Park, a historical and natural landmark featuring numerous canyons, waterfalls, and magnificent rock formations. In town, people are treated to alluring shops, event venues, and restaurants, from the likes of Stone Jug Barbecue, which serves incredible barbecue meals and does catering for events.
Before the Fourth of July, the town hosts its annual Rock the River Fireworks Celebration on Water Street on July 3rd. The event features a large display of fireworks, food vendors, music by local artists, and games to keep the family entertained, marking the beginning of the Fourth of July Festivities on an exciting and memorable note.
Crystal Lake
Just east of Rockford is the city of Crystal Lake, which boasts a relaxing and alluring downtown area and an abundance of recreational opportunities. The Crystal Lake Main Beach is a cozy spot to enjoy during the summer, offering a small and relaxing sandy beach, access to Crystal Lake, a bathhouse, a fishing pier, and a boat launch. The Three Oaks Recreation Area is another example of the city's natural beauty. There's also a beach to unwind and soak up the sun, pristine waters for fishing, boating, and kayaking, as well as a picnic area where people can enjoy the views of the lake and surrounding small islands. Further in town is the Reaue Center for the Arts, where its visitors can enjoy local shows, musicals, and concerts from local artists.
The annual Alton Eagle Ice Festival is held every winter, celebrating the return of the bald eagle in the region. The festival features eagle meet-and-greets, allows visitors to purchase food from food and drink vendors, offers live music, live fire performers, and much more, making it an incredible event honoring the nation's bird. The National Great Rivers Museum also hosts family-friendly activities for everyone to enjoy, with a view of an eagle on a dam tour.
Alton
Just north of St. Louis, on the Mississippi River, is the city of Alton, renowned for its rich history associated with the river and its pivotal role in the Civil War. The American Oddities Museum is a mysterious place featuring supernatural items, slideshow relics, actual crime memorabilia, magic, witchcraft, and much more. The Alton Military Prison, National Register of Historic Places, is on the west side of town and held over 11,000 Confederate prisoners of war. After the Union won the war, the prison closed and was demolished. All that remains is a small portion of the wall, which is maintained as a state park. The Alton Amphitheater, situated right on the river, hosts concerts, festivals, outdoor movie events, and more, making it an incredible attraction to visit in town.
The annual Alton Eagle Ice Festival is held every winter, celebrating the return of the bald eagle in the region. The festival features eagle meet-and-greets, allows visitors to purchase food from food and drink vendors, offers live music, live fire performers, and much more, making it an incredible event honoring the nation's bird. The National Great Rivers Museum also hosts family-friendly activities for everyone to enjoy, with a view of an eagle on a dam tour.
Glencoe
Just north of Chicago, on the banks of Lake Michigan, is the picturesque lakefront village of Glencoe, a community renowned for its stunning architecture and local attractions that draw people back again and again. The Chicago Botanic Garden is located in town. It features 385 acres of gorgeous greenery, over 28 gardens to explore, a waterfall garden, and four natural areas on islands within the lake, all of which are within the garden to enjoy. Within downtown is the Writers Theatre, where people can enjoy shows, plays, musicals, and other various events. It is also next to Friends Park, where visitors can enjoy a relaxing picnic on a sunny day. The rest of downtown has incredible restaurants and shops to enjoy, such as Guildhall, which serves its patrons American fanfare in a quaint setting and also hosts private events.
An exciting event that takes place during the summer is the Glencoe Al Fresco, which is free and features an endless number of food vendors serving incredible and memorable meals for the community to enjoy. The event features live music and other various activities for visitors and residents to enjoy in the town.
No matter which town people venture to in Illinois, each of these delightful communities has unique local events and community attractions, and is beloved by the residents who live there. Whether the community is near St. Louis or Chicago, its charm, local amenities, and history will keep people coming through the area for local enjoyment and a well-needed break from being in a larger city. Nothing screams memorable times more than enjoying fireworks, parades, and food festivals in "the Land of Lincoln!"
