Larger, well-known cities get all the love in Illinois. But did you know that there are loads of picturesque towns just hiding across Illinois? Here are 10 of the very best, beautiful small towns in Illinois, each hand-picked by us for you:

1. Galena
Galena, IL 61036, USA
Richie Diesterheft/Flickr
A Midwest travel destination, Galena offers plenty to the tourist in the way of dining, outdoor activities, and entertainment. Located in beautiful Jo Daviess County, Galena also offers golfing, wineries, and some really awesome bed and breakfasts. Learn more about Galena here.
2. Lebanon
Lebanon, IL 62254, USA
Paul Sableman/Flickr
Located in the "Little Egypt" region of southern Illinois, Lebanon is home to McKendree University and a really cute downtown. The town has nice restaurants, theaters, and even a golf course. Learn about some creepy legends from Lebanon, Illinois, here.
3. Woodstock
Woodstock, IL 60098, USA
Eden, Janine, and Jim/Flickr
If you want to step back in time, Woodstock has loads of buildings that keep with their history. This includes the gorgeous Woodstock opera house. You can feel free to reenact scenes from "Groundhog Day," as much of the movie was filmed here. Learn more about Woodstock here!
4. Nauvoo
Nauvoo, IL, USA
Ken Lund/Flickr
Nauvoo means "to be beautiful" and it is beautiful, which is why it's being included on this list. An important part of Mormon history, Nauvoo still honors that history with reenactments and plenty of tours. You can even take a carriage ride through this adorable little town.
5. Fulton
Fulton, IL, USA
Dennis Carr/Flickr
Right along the Mississippi, Fulton is named for Robert Fulton, the inventor of the steamboat. It is a charming town, with the crown jewel being the authentic Dutch windmill. Click here to discover more about Fulton.

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6. Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake, IL, USA
Ron Cogswell/Flickr
In southeastern McHenry County, Crystal Lake offers a friendly-small town atmosphere and--yes--there is a lake. Voted one of the best small towns in Illinois recently, Crystal Lake is no stranger to visitors from all over Illinois. You will love the many buildings adorned with locally produced terra cotta. Crystal Lake is so pristine that you might forget you're not on a tropical island somewhere.
7. Algonquin
Algonquin, IL, USA
Teemu008/Flickr
In the heart of Illinois' Fox River Valley, Algonquin is a quaint river town that was once little but has been growing. Algonquin has bakeries, bars, and restaurants, and many parks for you to stroll through. Learn more about this town here.
8. Batavia
Batavia, IL, USA
Teemu008/Flickr
A suburb of Chicago, Batavia is home both to FermiLab and a whole bunch of historic windmills. It is designated as a Bike Friendly community. And, the downtown River Street has a Dutch feel and has been totally revitalized. It's also wonderful in the fall.
9. Marion
Marion, IL, USA
Todd Kopriva/Flickr
In the Carbondale area, Marion is colloquially known as "Southern Illinois Main Street." There is truly something for everyone - from golf, to wineries, to theater, and plenty of trails to explore. Learn more about Marion here.
10. Mount Carroll
Mount Carroll, Mt Carroll, IL 61053, USA
Sam/Flickr
Called the New England of the Midwest, Mount Carroll has so much to offer that you'll want to spend the night in its beautiful, unique lodgings. There are quirky restaurants and shops with great owners that you will just love. Trust us, you'll love it.

As we said, these are just a few of the delightful towns across Illinois. Which is your favorite? Did your favorite not make the list? Let us know in the comments! We love to hear from you. Do you have a town you’d like to see featured? Let us know by filling out this form!

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More to Explore

Beautiful Small Towns in Illinois

Tori Jane | September 02, 2021

Where are the most beautiful places in Illinois?  

Illinois is a gorgeous state with so many picturesque, beautiful places that it’s tough to narrow it down to just a few for this paragraph! It truly is a state filled with so much wonder and beauty that it’s no surprise folks love to visit. Some of our favorite beautiful places in Illinois include Matthiesen State Park, in Oglesby, which is truly breathtaking all year ‘round. Speaking of state parks, you’ll probably also love the scenery and unique landscapes at Mississippi Palisades State Park, and Illinois Beach State Park as well. In Herod, you’ll find the Garden of the Gods, which is often considered one of the most beautiful places in the entire state. And believe it or not, Chicago itself is a hub of scenic and beautiful places. For example, the Riverwalk is stunning, especially if you’re a fan of city lights and skyscrapers. For more of our picks for the most beautiful places in Illinois, take a look at this article.  

Where can I go for some fun day trips in Illinois?  

Illinois may not be a huge state, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of delightful ideas for day trips you can indulge in! Pay a visit to any of its incredible state parks, like Illinois Beach or any of the other 309 (you read that right) state parks and state-maintained recreation areas. You can make an entire day out of learning the history of the interesting Cahokia Mounds, outside of Collinsville. There, you’ll find 80+ ancient mounds crafted by Native American peoples of long ago. If you’re a wine lover, you could always follow one of Illinois’s awesome wine trails. Go on, get outside and go – the whole state is waiting!  

What are the best things to do in Illinois? 

Illinois is a great place to live and/or visit, and there is plenty to do here. If you’re more interested in city life, there’s always the beautiful Anderson Japanese Gardens, near Rockford, where you’ll be blown away by the lovingly curated greenery of an incredible garden. Speaking of gardens, the Chicago Botanic Garden is another must-see, so make sure to add it to your bucket list! You could also spend countless hours lounging on the beautiful beaches of Lake Michigan, or you could explore any of the gorgeous small towns calling the state home. Your imagination is the limit, so start daydreaming; you never know where you’ll end up.  

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