These Illinois Towns Have The Best Views In The State

Beyond the sports teams (Bears, Cubs, Bulls, White Sox, and Blackhawks) and the economy so diverse and powerful that it boasts the fifth-highest GDP in the country, according to recent data, Illinois puts nature at the forefront. The midwestern state is full of opportunities for adventurous sightseeing, chasing scenery across diverse landscapes, and easy viewpoints.

Call it the Land of Lincoln, Chicagoland, or simply the Prairie State, Illinois adapts to your travel style, with a hearty dose of national parks, rivers, and Lake Michigan beaches. Illinois' small towns reveal the best side without crowds, making the complex state effortless to experience, with the great outdoors at your doorstep, history easy to imbibe in small doses, and great entertainment after.

Alton

Just 22 miles north of St. Louis, Missouri, this Midwestern gem is an ideal escape in a cradle of the rolling valley and the sparkling Mississippi waterfront on the eastern bank of the "Mighty," meeting the historic Great Rivers National Scenic Byway. Aka, the Great River Road, the 2,000-mile National Scenic Byway stretches along historic towns and three rivers. In addition to Alton's golf, marina, and boat ramp, scenery accumulates under the majestic limestone river bluffs and across many parks.

Get in for a scenic 30-minute drive west to chase the views along miles of scenic paths and wildlife trails, plus fishing and boating at Illinois' largest Pere Marquette State Park, featuring hiking, biking, horseback riding, and water pursuits. Sightseeing also extends to the town's 18th-century McPike Mansion, the stunning Clark Bridge, featuring wide bike lanes and sunrise views, and the nearby Piasa Bird, a step back in time by the painted Native American mural on cliffsides above the river.

Galena

The red-bricked city near the Iowa border and the Mississippi River captures many hearts with a blend of nostalgia and views unmatched by any place in the state. Known for its tri-state panoramas, Galena is small, historic, and absolutely charming, with eclectic boutiques and eateries occupying well-preserved 1850s-era brick buildings along Main. Each spot is curated, and with no chain stores in sight, it is a hop to explore lush river valley trails with local vineyards and championship golf courses.

Minutes away, Thunder Bay Falls is absolutely stunning after rain or in July, when the area around Lake Galena brims with wildflowers, some people fishing, and the idyllic Eagle Ridge Inn along the banks. Scenic through every season under the drape of foliage, Galena turns into a real winter wonderland. Hit the ski slopes at the nearby Chestnut Mountain, an all-season hotspot for thrills down the Alpine Slide, the Soaring Eagle zip line, or a Segway tour through the scenic Chestnut hills.

McHenry

Home to under 30,000, this larger, historic river town boasts top-notch natural beauty along two waterfronts. The Fox River, which anchors a series of nearby lakes for boating and fishing, sets the scene along the McHenry Riverwalk, from Green Street across the bridge to Riverside Drive. Having blazed the way for McHenry's renaissance, this leisurely greenway is ideal for scenic strolls to the next hotspot or a spot for recreation, from fine waterfront dining to the shops at the Riverwalk district.

The surrounding luscious habitat with rare plants and unlimited access for hiking and wildlife watching encompasses beaches and sheltered coves for water sports in the Chain O'Lakes region, particularly the 2,200-acre glacier-formed Moraine Hills State Park, with woods, wetlands, and lakes 3 miles south. Even Chicagoans who enjoy unlimited access to Lake Michigan go out of their way to relax in McHenry's small-town vibes and endearing nature, offering both amazing views and entertainment.

Oglesby

Just 100 miles from Chicago, Oglesby and its tiny sister, North Utica, across the Illinois River, feel far enough like a real getaway. Offering quality lodging and entertainment to unwind, with two state parks in the backyard, it is exactly what your sense-deprived soul desires across the canyons and waterfalls at Matthiessen Park, featuring springs, camping, and horse trails on the Vermilion River. Your Starved Rock adventure starts here, along the 291-mile Illinois River Road, "Route of the Voyageurs."

Just east via the historic National Scenic Byway, thirteen miles of trails thread through the dramatic Starved Rock State Park, featuring eighteen canyons, spectacular waterfalls, and unmatched views from the Illinois River bluff overlooks. In addition to riverfront trails, fishing, and boating, summertime travelers can enjoy the historic landmark area overnight, thanks to camping for tents and RVs with amenities, a lodge, and cabin rentals near highlights like the tumbling waterfall at LaSalle Canyon.

Winnetka

Incorporated in 1869 and named after a Native American word for "beautiful land," Winnetka is one of the most charming North Shore villages, with tree-lined streets and lakefront trails that set it a world apart and appeared in films like Home Alone, The Breakfast Club, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Some 20 miles north of Chicago, many enjoy the refreshing appeal and watery vistas exploring Skokie Lagoons, plus the adjacent Erickson Woods, with a boardwalk, boat access, and dog-friendly trails.

Boasting four pedestrian-friendly business districts and historic buildings, this affluent village on Lake Michigan's shore was recognized as "one of the best places to live" by CNN, with well-kept scenic beaches you can enjoy for a roughly $25-30 fee. In addition to the nearby Glencoe Beach, free for all during the off-season between Labor Day and Memorial Day, it is also minutes from the Chicago Botanic Garden, featuring millions of plants and scented flora across 385-acre landscaped gardens.

Winthrop Harbor

Home to under 10,000, this Lake County village is the state's cornerstone at the northeasternmost point, 45 miles north of Chicago and 47 miles south of Milwaukee. Renowned for North Point Marina, Winthrop Harbor boasts distinction as "Chicagoland's Other Lakefront Destination," and no wonder. The US's largest freshwater marina on 140 acres attracts nearly one million annually from across the nation with over 1,500 boat slips, public beaches, a pier, a yacht club, and 40 fishing charters.

In addition to the endless Lake Michigan vistas, cruising, and boating adventures, the imposing North Dunes Nature Preserve is part of the larger Illinois Beach State Park, which provides boundless exploration across 4,160 acres, preserving the state's last beach ridge and swale habitat, with over 650 native and protected plant species and 300 animal species. Just north, Spring Bluff Forest Preserve is a perfect dog-friendly venture to see the change of season atop a cute observation tower.

From the Starved Rock State Park in Oglesby to the Chain O'Lakes, it is time to put the worries on the back burner and pick a town along a scenic byway, McHenry's charming riverwalk, or another one of the Midwestern delights that are sure to move you. The state's small towns make it easy to get in the midwestern state of mind, with accessible history and scenery to explore, relax in nature, and unwind after, sharing impressions with your loved ones across unforeseen entertainment and dining hotspots.