10 Best Towns and Cities to Visit in Illinois

Set on the shores of dramatic Lake Michigan, Chicago has long been considered one of America’s great cities. Chicago boasts a cinematic skyline that features renowned architecture including the Willis Tower, the John Hancock Center, and the neoclassical Wrigley Building. A cultural hotbed, Chi-town draws visitors with its arts, music, and culinary delights which span hot dog stands, food vans, and award-winning eateries.  

Mingle with the locals at the annual Wicker Park Fest, take in the dazzling skyline from a rooftop bar, or stroll the scenic Chicago Riverwalk with ice cream in hand. Sporting fanatics can catch a baseball game at the famed Wrigley Field, while culture lovers can get their fix at the Art Institute of Chicago.  

An impeccably preserved town in northwest Illinois, Galena is known for its 19th-century Main Street, which boasts more than 125 shops and restaurants. Visitors flock here to take in architectural jewels including the Ulysses S. Grant Home, the opulent mansions of Prospect Street, and the Elihu Benjamin Washburne House with its Greek Revival Doric columns. 

A former Mississippi River steamboat hub, Galena now showcases year-round attractions, whether that’s wintertime skiing in its snow-capped mountains, its hot air balloon race at Eagle Ridge Resort, or the PRCA Rodeo at the Shenandoah Riding Center. The town is also teeming with fabulous nightspots including Amelia's Under the Lamplight, Jamie’s Wine Studio, Green Street Tavern, and the Log Cabin Steakhouse. 

Illinois’ state capital Springfield offers plenty of attractions that will delight history buffs and road-trippers alike. 3 hours from Chicago, this Route 66 pitstop will see you enjoying burgers and French fries in vintage roadside diners, as well as trips to the Abraham Lincoln Museum and cutting-edge art galleries. 

Visit the New Salem State Historic Site, a remarkable reconstruction of the 17th-century prairie cabin village where Lincoln lived before moving to Springfield, or take a guided tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's Dana-Thomas House. Foodies should head to Chesapeake Seafood restaurant for its impressive menu of succulent dishes. 

Set on the banks of the scenic Fox River, the city of Aurora woos with its world-class retail, charismatic festivals, architectural gems, and eclectic food scene. By day, you can shop at Chicago Premium Outlets for ready-to-wear apparel from Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren, or head to Pacifica Square for big box stores like Best Buy and Dr Gadget. 

Once you’ve splashed some serious cash, visit the Paramount Theatre for its Art Deco-Venetian façade, ostentatious interior, and Broadway shows like Andrew Lloyd Webber’s smash-hit CATS and Disney’s popular Frozen. Don’t miss Blues on the Fox, a festival that showcases musical prodigies and upcoming talent, held every June in RiverEdge Park. 

Alton is a Mississippi River town that’s renowned for its hiking, biking, fishing, and horseback riding. It’s the perfect place to spend a weekend if you love the great outdoors. Head to Pere Marquette Park for its miles of equestrian trails and panoramic vistas, before pitching a tent in its wooded campsite to sleep under the stars. 

In the town center, you’ll find independent stores like Olive Oil Marketplace, Rushmore Boutique, and the 1904 General Store, which sells a range of nostalgic confectionary including handmade fudge and candy. After you’ve scared yourself silly on a Haunted Trolley Tour, visit Fast Eddie’s diner for a mouthwatering feast of golden French fries and juicy hamburgers.  

Found along the Great River Road, the undiscovered town of Grafton sits at the confluence of America’s 2 great waterways: the Mississippi and the Illinois. Once a stopping point for steamboats and trawlers during America’s river trade era, the settlement now draws visitors with its waterfront eateries, outdoor pursuits, and quaint wooden guesthouses. 

Thrill-seekers can chase an adrenalin high at Grafton Zipline Adventures, or take a cable car to Aerie's Resort Winery, which teeters on the blufftop and boasts outstanding views of the river. Here, you’ll enjoy an array of house-made wines on a panoramic outdoor terrace, paired with generous charcuterie boards and flatbread pizzas. 

Rockford is known as “The City of Gardens” thanks to its 4,000 hectares of parks, commons, and landscaped spaces that entice visitors from miles around. For unbeatable color, head to Anderson Japanese Gardens, an expansive sanctuary that is home to waterfalls, koi-filled ponds, and an oriental teahouse. Don’t miss the garden’s tai chi and meditation classes, or ikebana workshops. 

See Jane, the T-Rex dinosaur skeleton, at the Burpee Museum of Natural History, or spend the day scouring for antiques at Hidden Treasures Mall. In the evening, catch a show at the Coronado Performing Arts Center in its elaborate auditorium, or enjoy farm-to-table fare, like bone-in bison and lamb with fennel, at the buzzy GreenFire restaurant.  

The city of Quincy, on the shores of the mighty Mississippi River, features over 1,000 acres of public parks, a picture-postcard riverfront, and a historic downtown. It teems with ritzy restaurants, mom-and-pop shops, and atmospheric bars and lounges. When you’re not wandering the streets, admiring buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, you can take a kayak out on the water, or tour the Dick Brothers Brewery District. 

Having made a name for itself as a flourishing foodie town, Quincy’s neighborhoods offer an enticing range of dining options that span regional and international cuisine. Grab a table at the Riverside Grill for finger-licking BBQ blowouts, or head to Seoul 2 Soul Bistro for aromatic Korean dishes. 

A tiny settlement in Kane County, Geneva boasts a historic downtown that’s lined with over 160 specialty shops and restaurants, as well as a wealth of Victorian houses. It’s also famed for its many events and seasonal celebrations like the Swedish Days carnival, the Christmas Walk party, and the Festival of the Vine, which serves food, wine, and beer. 

Visit the Fabyan Villa Museum for its historic manor, remodeled by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1907, or marvel at the Viking ship that first made its debut at the World’s Fair in 1893. Those with religious inclinations will delight in a visit to the Sacred Heart Seminary Shrine, a hidden grotto adorned with beautiful mosaics, in the Kane County Government Center. 

A 22-minute drive from the city of St Louis, Collinsville fuses kitschy Americana with a rich and storied heritage. Visit the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle, which dates back to the 1940s, the 17th-century D.D. Collins House, and the Native American Cahokia Mounds, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and archeological haven. 

For an inspiring day out with the kids, head to Willoughby Heritage Farm and Conservation Reserve, a heartwarming throwback to a simpler life, with its 40 acres of bluff-lined prairie, abundant hiking trails, a 1930s Craftsman-style farmhouse, and animals such as pigs, chickens, goats, and donkeys. Feeling hungry? Reserve a table at Ravanelli's Italian Steakhouse for succulent ribeye, Sicilian pizza, and a range of homemade desserts.