One Of The Most Unique Towns In America, Mount Carroll Is Perfect For A Day Trip In Illinois
A day trip provides a much-needed getaway that allows us to explore someplace new but not too far away from home. If you’re looking for your next unique day trip adventure, consider a small town with a lot to offer. Located in the northwest corner of Illinois, Mount Carroll provides a unique blend of history, culture, and nature, making it a perfect place for a quick getaway. Let’s take a look at what makes this town a unique and perfect day trip destination.
During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
A visit to Mount Carroll is like stepping back in time. It started as a mill town back in the 1840s, was incorporated as a town in 1855, and then became a city in 1867. Although it is technically a city, it has maintained its small-town charm.
With a population of just under 1,600 residents, Mount Carroll has a thriving business district and has maintained a majority of the historic buildings and homes around town. It's an ideal place to visit for those who love both history and architecture. There are brick streets that have also been preserved throughout town.
For those who love the strange, unusual, haunted, and macabre, Raven's Grin Inn has been a huge draw to Mount Carroll over the years. You can read more about Raven's Grin on its website.
Although it has a small population, various types of people are drawn to Mount Carroll. Here you will find farmers, families, retirees, and artistic types like musicians and artists. If you can, take in a theatrical performance or a concert at the Timber Lake Playhouse.
If you are looking to spend time in nature, visit the 25-acre Point Rock Park along the Waukarusha River. It features a large rock at the entrance, which is how the park got its name, and it's a lovely place to spend time outdoors relaxing, hiking, picnicking, and letting the kids play on the playground.
From this park, you can even take a trail that leads to Oak Park Cemetery and view graves that date back to the time of the Revolutionary War.
If you're looking for a place to spend the night in Mount Carroll, consider one of the historic properties in town. Built in 1886 as a luxury hotel, the Bridgewater Inn is a wonderful place to stay if you want some peace and quiet on a historic property.
Although there have been plenty of updates made to the inn, it has still retained many historic elements like the main doors and wood floors. Bridgewater Inn is located at the corner of Market and Clay Streets in Mount Carroll's historic district.
Will you be making plans to visit the quaint and charming town of Mount Carroll? You can learn more on the Mount Carroll Chamber of Commerce website and Facebook page.
Mount Carroll is also a stop along the barn quilt trail. You can read more about this unique trail and the other small-town stops along the way in our article here.
Address: Mount Carroll, Mt Carroll, IL 61053, USA
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She's an east coast girl living in a west coast world. Melissa has worked in the entertainment industry for much of her adult life and loves photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. and to far-flung locations around the world.
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