The 7 Best Resort Towns In Illinois For Your Next Vacation
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Elizabeth Crozier
Author
As local travel experts, we know what travelers are looking for when it comes to finding the perfect accommodations for their next trip. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for.
When it comes to planning a vacation, you want to make sure to reserve time for both fun and leisure. Whether you love nature, luxury, or just getting away from it all, these seven resort towns in Illinois will have something for you.
Learn all about the most special resorts in each of Illinois’ most charming towns. Scroll on for more details.
This is a village in Lake County of about 14,000 residents, and it is a nature lover's paradise. Surrounded by forest preserves, it sits on Lake Bluff along our northern border with Wisconsin. Hiking, biking, and boating are the most popular activities around this town.
Since 2012, nature lovers have been enjoying the lovely accommodations and views at this resort. There are several different styles of cottages to rent and many beach activities to be found. Learn more from previous coverage of this exciting place here.
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Restoring the experience of the traditional resort, this getaway offers cottages and also has space for RVs. Guests enjoy boating, grilling out, having bonfires, and many other outdoor activities.
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Known as a landmark of the Chain O'Lakes, this resort has been around since 1938. Guests enjoy boating and other lake activities, and even winter activities, like a toboggan slide, are available. Take your meals in the on-site restaurant where you'll be treated to homemade German cuisine.
Located near the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers in Jersey County, this is one of the tiniest resort towns in the state with just less than 650 residents. The best attraction outside of the resorts is Raging Rivers WaterPark, which you'll definitely want to hit up if you're there in the summer.
This stunning place has it all. Enjoy wine, pizza, incredible views, and even better accommodations at this vacation vineyard. It has been open since 2001 and offers some intensely fun attractions. Learn more about the fun you can have at this resort's on-site adventurer park here.
This one-stop lodge has it all. In addition to fabulous sleeping arrangements, guests enjoy and on-site restaurant and winery, as well as a gift shop. Guests also enjoy boating, hiking, biking, picnicking, and much more. Additionally, there is a pool and various events that take place throughout the year.
Located right next to each other along the Fox River, these Chicagoland communities are similar in that they are both beautiful resort towns with stunning views and even better places to stay. Together, they have a population of more than 50,000 people and feature such attractions as parks, forest preserves, and historic amusements.
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You'll never run out of things to do here. Guests enjoy a beautiful outdoor pool and a stunning replica of New Orlean's Bourbon Street that includes numerous restaurants, live entertainment, and artwork. Learn more from previous coverage of this resort here.
Set right on the river, guests of this luxurious resort enjoy spa treatments and serenity rooms as well as a fine dining restaurant that is open for each meal of the day. There are many upscale suites to choose from, and each evening is accompanied by turn down service and fresh cookies. Click here to learn more about the amazing history behind this resort.
This village of about 1,300 residents is located near Starved Rock State Park along the Illinois River in LaSalle County. Other well-known nearby state parks are Matthiessen State Park and Buffalo Rock State Park, giving you many reasons to visit again and again.
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This fantastic resort has 92 rooms as well as restaurants, bars, and cafes for patrons to enjoy. On-site activities include a mini golf course, an arcade, and the most amazing indoor waterpark in the nation. Get more information about this resort from previous coverage here.
This is one of the most beautiful resort towns in the entire Prairie State. Home to just about 3,000 people, the town is best known for its old-fashioned Main Street that is full of boutique shops and vintage charm. It is located along the Galena and Mississippi rivers in Jo Daviess County and is home to a wonderland of attractions from mini golf to sculpture parks.
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Adventure lovers need to get a load of this epic place. There are fun things to do here anytime of year, including mini golf, skiing, riverboat cruising, sliding, and more. Guests also enjoy luxurious rooms and fabulous views. Click here to learn more from previous coverage of this exciting place.
The perfect getaway for couples, this resort includes spa treatments, hiking opportunities, and four different golf courses. There are many different rooms and villas to choose from as well as many dining options to enjoy. Get more details from previous coverage of this awesome getaway here.
Featuring eight distinct guest rooms, this inn has been around since 1988. It offers some of the most amazing views of the state as well as a pool, fire pits, a gazebo, a 1.2-acre lake, and many hiking and biking opportunities. Breakfast is provided each morning, and discounts to the nearby golf course are available for patrons.
Nestled along the Mississippi River, this pair of towns are close and contain resorts you don't want to miss out on. All together, just more than 4,000 people live in this area, enjoying the peace and quiet of small river towns. Area activities include a river walk and state parks.
Guests enjoy camping among their neighbors at this community-style resort. Activities include an outdoor pool, boat rental, fishing, a game room, various recreation areas, and hiking. Each weekend has a different theme at this traditional vacation spot, making each visit unique and entertaining.
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Camping lovers will never want to leave this fun spot. It has been a local favorite since it opened in 1996 and features an outdoor pool, fun meals, games, tournaments, and much more. Guests can rent cabins, hotel-style rooms, or bring an RV to park.
This small boating community of just 4,500 people sits along the Kaskaskia River and Lake Shelbyville. When you're ready to venture outside this town's lovely resorts, you may visit the historic little downtown with shops and restaurants to try.
Featuring nearly a dozen cottages and just as many hotel-style rooms, this stunning place is perfect for fishers, hikers, and general outdoors lovers. Accommodations are large and perfect for whole families to enjoy.
Enjoy a simple vacation at this charming getaway. Another amazing spot for those who love the outdoors, this place offers boating docks, tube rentals, and generous amenities, such as kitchenettes, fire pits, and grills. There is also an on-site store that provides breakfast, groceries, bait and tackle, and more.
If you’re looking to get closer to nature, check out this amazing Illinois glampground that will blow your mind.
What other resort towns in Illinois do you love to visit? Share your favorites with us in the comments below.
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