Sometimes a visit to a tiny town is an excellent escape from the city or suburbs. It's nice to discover a slower pace of life elsewhere, perhaps a town surrounded by plenty of natural beauty to explore. Those of us who Iive in Illinois are lucky to have many wonderful small towns and villages that are always worth a visit. Let's have a look at just a few of these places.
Nestled in the northwest corner of the state, Galena is surrounded by the beauty of rolling hills, lakes, and rivers that will take your breath away. In town, historic buildings and homes are found, and with all the shopping, activities, and choices of restaurants and bistros that will make any foodie happy, this town is quite the destination.
Fulton was settled along the Mississippi River in 1835 and takes pride in its Dutch heritage. Visitors are invited to explore the historic downtown, Andresen Nature Center, Fulton Historical Museum, the 12-acre pioneer village, "de Immigrant" windmill, and the Windmill Cultural Center. There is also a marina and an extensive trail system for those who want to spend time out in nature.
When visiting Nauvoo, you can't help but notice the Nauvoo Temple, the most prominent building in town. Joseph Smith first led a group of Mormons to the area in 1839 and the temple was built in 1846. There are several notable historic sites which you are invited to visit on a self-guided walking tour. You will find printed maps and information sheets in town.
With a thriving arts community, a large Historic District that is part of the National Register of Historic Places, and fantastic local eateries, Mount Carroll is a unique small town with a lot to offer any visitor.
Charles Dickens once visited and wrote about the historic town of Lebanon, which was incorporated in the 1800s. As an ode to the famed writer, his play "A Christmas Carol" is performed in town every year around the holidays. Take in the beauty of this quaint town's historical district and the Mermaid Inn, where Dickens stayed on his visit.
Chester is a Mississippi River port town that also happens to be the hometown of Popeye the Sailor Man's creator, Elzie Crisler Seger. So when you are here, make sure you visit the Popeye Museum!
With a population of only 1,000 residents, the lovely town of Grafton sits at the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers and boasts a thriving downtown. Whether you want to explore the area along the river, visit a winery, walk along the main street, or go ziplining, Grafton is a destination offering something for everyone.
Enjoy the simple life in Illinois' Amish country with a visit to Arcola, where you'll see plenty of horse-drawn buggies traveling the streets. Shop for locally-made goods and furniture. Visit the Hippie Memorial, gardens, and the historic Carnegie Library. This is a lovely town to spend some time in!
The village of Elsah covers an area of 1.09 square miles and has just under 700 residents. Stop by the quaint general store and the museum. Walk around and feast your eyes on the mix of 19th-century architectural styles such as Italianate, Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, and others. It's a lovely place to visit.
In 1846, Swedish immigrants established the village of Bishop Hill, erected permanent structures the following year, and created a farming community that attracted other immigrants to settle here. The population increased to 1,500 back then. Today, just over 100 residents live here. Visit the historic Steeple Building, home to the Bishop Hill Heritage Museum where you can learn all about the history of the area. For such a small community, there is much to offer visitors between the historical landmarks, small eateries, and a couple of galleries.
These are just a few of many incredible small towns and villages in the great Prairie State. What are some of your favorite small towns that you would add to this list? Please let us know in the comments!
The holidays are always a time of fantasy, whimsy, and magic. And what better time than this to step out of your usual routine to experience something exciting and new? If you are a Christmas movie fan like we are, chances are, you’ve seen Home Alone. It was one of my favorite holiday movies as a kid. True fans can check out the "Home Alone" house in the flesh (or brick) right here in Winnetka, Illinois! It is the actual home used in part of the filming of this classic Christmas movie. This Home Alone movie house in Illinois will surely bring back some of your fond childhood memories like it did for us!
advertisement
If you’ve ever wondered, “Where Is the Home Alone house in Illinois?” Well, it's located at 671 Lincoln Ave in Winnetka and it's absolutely incredible. It's as good a holiday tradition as any in northeast Illinois to visit an iconic home once featured in a popular Christmas movie that is known and loved by millions.
The Home Alone house was built in 1920. Situated in the north suburb of Chicago, it was chosen for the 1990 hit film for its timeless appearance and size. It is certainly the type of home that a kid wouldn't mind being left home alone in...I know I wouldn't mind! And it is also the type of home that bandits could use to get up to a lot of childlike fun and mischief.
The home sits on a half-acre lot and encompasses 4,200 square feet. One of many truly stately and historic Illinois homes, the house has five bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, as well as a west wing master suite with four rooms of its own. Now updated from its original appearance in the movie, this home is fitted with a wealth of modern amenities.
Despite this, and how long it's now been since the movie was filmed here (one of many movies filmed in Illinois), people still refer to it as the Home Alone Illinois house, or simply the Home Alone house. Originally more than $2 million, the price of this Home Alone mansion today probably sits closer to about $1.5 million. If you are from Chicago or the surrounding area, you may often get asked by visitors if you've ever been here!
As a small child, were you ever inadvertently left "home alone"? Of course, the home is visited by a regular cast of characters each year who want to get a glimpse of the house from their favorite classic Christmas movie - and repeat that famous Macaulay Culkin look!
Have you ever been to the Home Alone movie house? If you did, we hope that it brought back some fun childhood memories for you.
If you’re interested in a trip to Europe but want to skip the overseas flight, just head to the little town of Galena. This riverside hamlet is like a place that time forgot – it’s filled with picture-perfect streets lined by homes and businesses built by European immigrants long ago. I enjoyed a short trip to Galena, which was even better than I imagined. I explored downtown Galena, Galena’s attractions, and more and found this little city has a lot to offer. Looking for things to do in Galena? Here’s a quick Galena travel guide.
advertisement
From the coast of Oregon to the mountains of Pennsylvania and everywhere in between, there are countless charming and captivating small towns across America worthy of a weekend getaway. Curated by our team of local travel experts, you’ll love our 2024 Small Town Getaways.
This area has been inhabited for a very long time. Long before Europeans arrived, the area was home to Native American tribes. The French began exploring the region in the 1600s, but the town really started to boom when a lead mining exploded around here in the 1800s, drawing scores of immigrant miners. The town was officially established in 1826 and it quickly became a hub for lead mining and steamboat traffic on the Mississippi River.
In the latter half of the 1800s, the lead mining industry in Galena went into a serious decline. The rise of railroads diminished the importance of river traffic, the river began to fill with sediment, and Galena went into an economic decline. But there was an upside – new development did not replace the beautiful old buildings, and they still stand proudly today. The Galena Historic District now encompasses about 85 percent of the town and includes more than 800 properties!
The secret is out on Galena. Today, Galena is a vibrant community that attracts visitors from all over the world. Its historic downtown is filled with boutiques, restaurants, art galleries, and antique shops. If you’re looking for a place that feels like a true escape, Galena could be the perfect destination.
advertisement
Galena is a small town with about 3,200 residents, but that’s part of the charm. It’s a bustling place but it’s far from urban traffic jams, and it’s easy to explore – one cobblestone at a time. I’ve traveled to more Midwest destinations than I can count, but this was one spot where I really felt that I was somewhere else – it reminded me a little bit of Europe, but it’s truly its own place. If you are considering a trip to Galena, you won’t be disappointed.
You’ll probably want to take a car to get to Galena, although there are also motor coach tours that stop here. It’s a pretty easy drive from the major destinations. It’s less than a three-hour drive from Chicago - you’ll take US 20 west out of Rockford. Galena is only about 90 minutes from the Quad Cities. You’ll head up to Dubuque, then take US 20 east into Galena.
While it’s easy to find parking anywhere in town, this city is best explored on foot. It was a good thing my pedometer was charged. I logged a few miles strolling up and down downtown and through the historic sights. It gave me an excuse to enjoy a few sweet treats along the way – I burned a lot of calories on this trip!
One thing that sets Galena apart from other destinations is that there is really no bad time to visit. While there are some seasonal recreation options nearby, the town is always beautiful and it’s always a pleasant escape, whether the trees are ablaze in fall color or dusted in snow.
There are some seasonal events you might not want to miss. The Great Galena Balloon Race takes place each June and there are other festivals that celebrate everything from beer to garlic. There’s always something happening – see upcoming Galena Events on the Visit Galena website. Plan your trip when you have time to travel. Galena will be waiting for you, and there will be plenty to do.
Galena is filled with a ton of historic and charming places to stay, including vacation homes and hotels, but you’ll still want to book early for the best options.
This incredible property was built in 1855 – notable visitors include Abraham Lincoln. The DeSoto House is just as beautiful as it was in the 1850s, and the location is perfect for exploring Galena. If you want to immerse yourself in the history of Galena, there’s no better hotel. I wasn’t able to stay in the hotel, but I couldn’t resist peeking into their lobby – next time I’m in Galena, I’ll have to book a room.
Airbnb Pick: Beautiful Miner's Cottage in a Garden
Want to experience a getaway that will take you back to old Galena? This 1840s miner's cottage could be perfect. It’s just three blocks from Main Street, and the house has a corner lot in the Galena National Historic District. The home has been nicely updated to make it comfortable for today, but it still has plenty of old Galena charm.
If you love exploring historic sites and architecture, you’ll love Galena – there’s so much to experience. In a sense, the whole town feels like a landmark, and many of the buildings certainly are. You might consider a walking tour of the town, but be sure to allow plenty of time to stroll, as there’s a lot to see here. I found myself taking a ton of photos as I walked.
Galena residents gave Grant this beautiful home in 1865 as a gift for his war service. Since 1904, it has served as a memorial to the famous Civil War General and American president. I missed the tour of the Ulysses S. Grant Home but I still hiked up to see the home’s exterior and grounds. It’s an impressive property on a hill above the city, and it feels very presidential!
I next hiked over to a home that’s considered the finest in Galena. The Belvedere Mansion is a lavish Italianate-style mansion built in 1857. It has 22 rooms and was once the home of one of Galena’s most prominent residents, J. Russell Jones. It’s incredible – I spent a lot of time just taking in the ornate exterior.
This local history museum is pretty amazing. The U.S. Grant History Museum has over 6,000 feet of exhibit space and it’s a great place to learn about lead mining – you can look down into an actual mine! The building itself is pretty cool – it’s a mansion that was built in 1858 for a Galena Merchant named Daniel Barrows.
One of the best Galena attractions will take you all over town. Galena Trolley Tours has tours that will take you through the history and architecture of the town. You can buy tickets right at the depo on Main Street - look for the big red parked trolleys! Get a ticket and enjoy a ride like no other up and down Galena’s historic streets.
Galena is a city for shoppers. The downtown is filled with unique and eclectic shops and galleries – whether you’re looking for a special gift or a souvenir, you’ll find it. There are shops everywhere, with a big selection in and around Main Street.
I’m from Wisconsin, so I would not have guessed I would be impressed by an Illinois Cheese shop. I was wrong – the selection at Galena River Wine & Cheese is fantastic. You can buy great cheeses from around the world and, of course, from Wisconsin!
If you love root beer, you’ll feel like you’re in heaven here. Root Beer Revelry has an enormous selection of root beer on hand, and you can even do a tasting. Kids of all ages will enjoy this place. I tried some great varieties and left with some bottles for the road!
It’s easy to work up an appetite in Galena, and fortunately, you're in a very good place to dine out. From casual cafes to formal restaurants, there’s something for every diner, and on nice days, there are some spots with outdoor patios.
But first, start your day with a perfect pastry at Galena Bakehouse. You may have a hard time choosing, but it’s all delicious. The owners took very good care of me when I was in Galena. They gave me a lot of great tips that helped me explore the town, and I left with what I needed for an impromptu picnic!
This cozy Galena dining spot on a cobblestone street is the perfect place to tuck in for a relaxing lunch or dinner. Vinny Vanucchi's has plenty of delicious Italian fare, and it’s a welcoming spot - you’ll feel like you’re part of the familia! For lunch, you might try one of Vinny’s “Neighborhood Sangwiches” like the Italian Meatball. On nice days, look for a table outside.
Located on Diagonal Street, this is another good bet for lunch or dinner. Galena Taphouse serves a variety of casual options like sandwiches and salads as well as upscale dinner options like duck risotto. And, of course, the beer selection is pretty outstanding – they feature a large number of craft beers that are produced within 200 miles of Galena.
This bistro is a little bit French and a little bit German – and it gets great reviews. Fritz and Frites is a great spot for dinner – if you like traditional German food, try the sauerbraten. My parents love German food and this is one of their favorite Galena restaurants!
You’re never far from a beautiful natural area when you’re in Galena. From walking paths in the heart of town to wild paths along the nearby Mississippi River, there’s plenty of natural beauty in and around Galena.
For a short but pleasant stroll, consider walking along the town’s levee. It was built from 1948-51 to protect downtown from flooding but now it’s a nice place for a walk by the river. I took my morning coffee along for the walk and it was fantastic! There were a lot of people strolling here, and no one seemed to be in much of a hurry as they enjoyed the river view. I could see why!
There are some beautiful trails that are just a short drive from the heart of Galena. The Casper Bluff Trails wind through some gorgeous prairies on land that overlooks the Mississippi. I hiked only part of the trails and found them really beautiful – I bet they are gorgeous during the late summer when the wildflowers are in full bloom.
advertisement
I loved my time in Galena! There’s so much to explore in this little town. If you visit Galena, I recommend you plan at least a weekend to explore the town. I visited in the spring but hope to catch Galena in different seasons – from what I hear, it’s magical to see the seasons turn! Learn more about things to see and do in Galena on the Visit Galena website. If you’re planning a road trip to Galena, here is an ultimate packing list to make your travels even easier!
