The Small Town In Illinois You’ve Never Heard Of But Will Fall In Love With
You may not have heard of it, but there’s a tiny town in Illinois that’s worth a trip from anywhere in the state. The best remote small town in the Land of Lincoln may not look like much but it’s got just the right amount of restaurants, hotels, and attractions to make for a trip away from it all.
Lovers of history, nature, luxury, and good eats will all adore this place. Check it out:
Located in the middle of nowhere and practically in the exact center of the state is the tiny town of Clinton, Illinois. It is home to 6,900 residents and is situated in a sort of no man's land between Springfield, Peoria, Bloomington, Champaign, and Decatur.
At most, it will take you just a few hours to get to the best remote small town from anywhere in the state.
The first thing you'll need is a great place to stay. The only place you'll want to book is the Sunset Inn and Suites, which is situated on the outskirts of town.
While there are regular hotel rooms, you'll never forget your stay if you book one of a dozen fantasy suites. Enjoy themed rooms like Arabian nights, space odyssey, under the sea, African safari, and much more.
The hotel also features a 24/7 pool and game room. Click here to learn more about special amenities and room rates.
After you check in, calm those road-trip rumbles with some local pizza. Everyone knows that Sorrento's near downtown is the best place for take-out or dine-in.
In addition to pizza, the menu features Bosco sticks, garlic bread, bread sticks, meatballs, salads, hot sandwiches, and pasta. It has been family owned for more than 40 years and is located at 101 E Washington St., Clinton, IL 61727.
Hours of operation are 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
For the best breakfast entrees and American fare, Robin's Diner on the downtown circle is the place to be. The inside is cozy and country-chic, and you'll always be welcomed with a smile.
The menu features the freshest eats in town. Burgers, pasta, beef n' noodles, sandwiches, meatloaf, and myriad breakfast items abound at 603 West Side Square, Clinton, IL 61727.
Hours are 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Once you're properly fueled up, it's time to explore the town. The north side features an immaculate mansion that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It depicts life during the 1800s and features a wealth of old artifacts.
This museum is only available April 1 through December 31 each year and hours are Tuesday through Saturday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and Sunday between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. It is located at 219 E Woodlawn St., Clinton, IL 61727.
Nature lovers wont want to leave the best remote small town without a trip to Weldon Springs State Park. This 550-acre area can be enjoyed any time of year and it is popular for hiking, camping, fishing, picnicking, and boating.
Find this lovely place at 4734 Weldon Springs Rd., Clinton, IL 61727.
Illinois' best remote small town wouldn't be what it is without its unique boutique stores and vintage shops. Country Junction is one of the most iconic. Established in 1992, it specializes in urban farmhouse decor like mason jar crafts, clothing, accessories, furniture, clocks, lamps, kitchenware, and more.
You'll find this boutique market at 1447 IL-54, Clinton, IL 61727. It is open Monday through Saturday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. as well as Sunday between noon and 5 p.m.
Next, move on to Clinton Antique Mall where there are more than 100 dealers and 15,000 square feet of space. Furniture, toys, primitives, quilts, china, crystal, books, and much more will have you shopping for hours on end.
The place is open daily between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and is located at 1439 IL-54, Clinton, IL 61727.
If you really can shop until you drop, there's one last place you've got to hit up. Encore Thrift Store is a non-profit that hires employees with intellectual and developmental disabilities and buys and sells used items. You'll find furniture, clothing, tools, housewares, home decor, craft items, and more.
An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeth’s articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals.
