School is in session, and you realized you let the whole summer go by without doing much. Now you don’t have days and days to go on vacation. Don’t worry – there are plenty of great trips you can still go on this year in just one day. The weather is nicer, and the crowds will be smaller. Check out these 10 Illinois towns on your next weekend getaway.
- Metropolis
Mark and Allegra Jaroski/Flickr Comic book fan or not, you have to get down here at some point. This town truly celebrates being the home of Superman. There is, of course, the iconic Superman statue. There are Superman museums and other themed shops. Spot little nods to Superman around town.
- Galena
Wesley Fryer/Flickr This is one of the most charming towns in Illinois. There are loads of great little shops, and nice restaurants to eat at. Take a trolley around downtown to see it all.
- Nauvoo
Ken Lund/Flickr This was once the town that Joseph Smith and the Mormons fled to in order to escape religious persecution. The town has done a great job preserving that history. Look for all sorts of historical markers around town. Enjoy free historical reenactments, available daily.
- St. Charles
David Wilson/Flickr This is another beautiful town on the river. There are great restaurants, shopping and B&Bs. Make sure to check out the Arcada Theater Building, and take in a cabaret along with a cocktail.
- Fulton
Dennis Carr/Flickr This place gives a nod to its Dutch heritage. Check out the large windmill–you can’t miss it! It was constructed in the Netherlands. At the windmill, there is a museum with many smaller windmills, too. There is a nice gift shop inside.
- Naperville
David Jakes/Flickr This Chicago suburb has a great downtown area, with everything from independent shops to higher end shopping. On the outskirts of downtown, there is a river walk, a nice trail by the river, complete with covered bridges. The town is massive, with loads of other shopping and amenities outside of the (large) downtown area.
- Arthur
Amy/Flickr There aren’t many places to see the Amish anymore. This is the largest Amish settlement in Illinois. Shop at great antiques shops and get loads of good Amish food. Make sure you try the shoo-fly pie!
- Utica
Lotzman Katzman/Flickr Home to Starved Rock State Park, this one is worth the trip. The park is the most visited in Illinois. It has loads of trails, complete with canyons and waterfalls. The downtown area has some restaurants and even a good cupcake shop.
- Alton
Don Kasak/Flickr Alton is an interesting town. It is one of the most haunted in Illinois, with ghost sightings and allegations of paranormal activity around town. It was home to the tallest man. And it was the supposed sight of the Piasa bird, a create that is part bird and part lion. There is a lot to the history of the town, and a lot is commemorated.
- Peoria
CinCool/Flickr Peoria is out on a great riverfront. See that downtown, or go on Grandview Drive, a 2 mile stretch called the most beautiful drive in America. Check out the great Riverfront Museum, as well as the Wildlife Prairie Park and botanical gardens.
Want to check out other great Illinois towns? Here are the most charming towns.
Mark and Allegra Jaroski/Flickr
Comic book fan or not, you have to get down here at some point. This town truly celebrates being the home of Superman. There is, of course, the iconic Superman statue. There are Superman museums and other themed shops. Spot little nods to Superman around town.
Wesley Fryer/Flickr
This is one of the most charming towns in Illinois. There are loads of great little shops, and nice restaurants to eat at. Take a trolley around downtown to see it all.
Ken Lund/Flickr
This was once the town that Joseph Smith and the Mormons fled to in order to escape religious persecution. The town has done a great job preserving that history. Look for all sorts of historical markers around town. Enjoy free historical reenactments, available daily.
David Wilson/Flickr
This is another beautiful town on the river. There are great restaurants, shopping and B&Bs. Make sure to check out the Arcada Theater Building, and take in a cabaret along with a cocktail.
Dennis Carr/Flickr
This place gives a nod to its Dutch heritage. Check out the large windmill–you can’t miss it! It was constructed in the Netherlands. At the windmill, there is a museum with many smaller windmills, too. There is a nice gift shop inside.
David Jakes/Flickr
This Chicago suburb has a great downtown area, with everything from independent shops to higher end shopping. On the outskirts of downtown, there is a river walk, a nice trail by the river, complete with covered bridges. The town is massive, with loads of other shopping and amenities outside of the (large) downtown area.
Amy/Flickr
There aren’t many places to see the Amish anymore. This is the largest Amish settlement in Illinois. Shop at great antiques shops and get loads of good Amish food. Make sure you try the shoo-fly pie!
Lotzman Katzman/Flickr
Home to Starved Rock State Park, this one is worth the trip. The park is the most visited in Illinois. It has loads of trails, complete with canyons and waterfalls. The downtown area has some restaurants and even a good cupcake shop.
Don Kasak/Flickr
Alton is an interesting town. It is one of the most haunted in Illinois, with ghost sightings and allegations of paranormal activity around town. It was home to the tallest man. And it was the supposed sight of the Piasa bird, a create that is part bird and part lion. There is a lot to the history of the town, and a lot is commemorated.
CinCool/Flickr
Peoria is out on a great riverfront. See that downtown, or go on Grandview Drive, a 2 mile stretch called the most beautiful drive in America. Check out the great Riverfront Museum, as well as the Wildlife Prairie Park and botanical gardens.
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