United States 20 Best Things to Do in Crystal Lake, IL Crystal Lake is the largest city in Illinois' McHenry County. This city is an affluent northwest suburb roughly 45 miles from Chicago. Despite its unassuming appeal, this city is home to some exciting attractions, particularly its lake. In addition, Crystal Lake is home to an eclectic collection of shops, restaurants,
United States 20 Best Things to Do in Charleston, IL Charleston is one of Illinois’ best-kept secrets, a small but culturally rich town in Coles County. The city is home to Eastern Illinois University, a teacher’s college established in 1895. It’s also the hometown of the iconic Jimmy John’s sandwich chain. The city also has a rich
United States 15 Best Things to Do in Barrington, IL The Chicago suburb of Barrington is in both Lake and Cook counties in Illinois. It is known for its country-suburban atmosphere and abundance of wetlands, forest preserves, parks, and horse trails. Barrington has a dense suburban vibe. The area is known for numerous museums, cafes, restaurants, green spaces, and nature
United States 15 Best Things to Do in Cook County, IL Cook County was established on January 15, 1831, beyond the limits of Putnam County through an act of the Illinois General Assembly. It’s an urban county in Illinois’ upper northeastern section, containing over 800 local governmental units. Named after Daniel Cook, one of Illinois's pioneers and youngest politicians, the
United States 20 Best Things to Do in Kankakee, IL Kankakee County, Illinois, is home to historical sites, beautiful parks, and fun activities for the whole family. Located 50 miles south of Chicago, Kankakee is the primary county in the Kankakee-Bourbonnais-Bradley Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city was established in 1853 when the Illinois Central Road was built through the county.
United States 20 Best Things to Do in Sycamore, IL As a charming city in an idyllic setting, Sycamore is one of the most relaxing destinations in the state of Illinois. It’s a part of DeKalb County and is situated along the lengths of Illinois Route 64. While settlers had already lived there since 1835, Sycamore only became an
United States 15 Best Things to Do in DeKalb County, IL Nestled in the heart of Northern Illinois, DeKalb County is a hidden gem that offers something for everyone. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore over 25 miles of hiking and biking trails or spend a day fishing on one of many lakes in this county. Those who want to relax in the
United States 15 Best Things to Do in McHenry, IL McHenry County, Illinois, is surrounded by natural waterways and lakes. It has a long history as a central agricultural and recreational hub. The Fox River, various lakes, and its proximity to Chicago made it a popular vacation spot in the 1920s. Recent decades have seen substantial development and urbanization, but
United States 20 Best Things to Do in Plainfield, IL Considered the oldest community in Will County in Illinois, Plainfield is a village located 28 miles southwest of the Chicago suburb. Established in 1834, the town was initially named Walkers' Grove until it was included on a map and was named Plainfield in 1841. The Potawatomi Native Americans lived in
United States 15 Best Things to Do in Lake Forest, IL Along Lake Michigan's shores are many attractions at Lake Forest, Illinois. This place offers a stellar blend of lush, serene nature with a city's modern, captivating sights. Its origins can be traced back to 1857 when it had been a simple stop for people headed toward Chicago. Lake Forest has
United States 15 Best Things to Do in Antioch, IL Located roughly between Chicago and Milwaukee, Antioch is sometimes called the "Gateway to the Chain O'Lakes." The Chain O'Lakes is a series of 13 interconnected lakes and rivers. Antioch is within the larger Antioch Township in Lake County, Illinois. It has a population of 14,622 as of the 2020
United States 15 Free Things to Do in Oak Park, IL Oak Park is one of the small communities surrounding Chicago in Cook County, Illinois. This small village is a few miles west of Chicago. Besides being a village, Oak Park is a historically significant suburban area. It's mainly because of its rich architectural heritage dating from the middle 1800s to
United States 20 Best Things to Do in Oswego, IL Oswego is a fast-growing village approximately 45 miles west of Chicago. It's on the gorgeous banks of the Fox River and offers numerous parks with distinctive features. There are also various restaurant establishments worth visiting where you may appreciate and relish multiple cuisines. After restorations, the downtown is now a
United States 15 Free Things to Do in Berwyn, IL Berwyn is a culturally diverse suburban community on the western outskirts of Chicago. This small community in Cook County, Illinois, is full of history, charm, and activities. Despite its size, Berwyn is home to over 57,000 inhabitants, primarily working or studying in nearby Chicago. Historically, Berwyn was purchased by
United States 21 Best Things to Do in Hyde Park, Chicago The 41st neighborhood area in Chicago will bring out the outgoing part of you. As early as the 21st century, Hyde Park was home to the University of Chicago. The former US President Barack Obama served as a senior lecturer at the Barack Obama Presidential Center. Hyde Park has become
United States 20 Best Things to Do in Bloomingdale, IL Chicago, Illinois, has many suburbs with their own unique identities and charms. One of these suburban communities is Bloomingdale, west of Chicago. This small village may not be as popular as other travel destinations in the Lake Michigan area. However, visitors will enjoy a unique travel experience filled with outdoor
United States 20 Best Things to Do in Pontiac, IL A delightful discovery awaits visitors to Pontiac, Illinois. Known as the county seat of the Livingston County, this thriving mid-western city has much to offer. Pontiac is famous for its museums and historical homes located within a one-mile loop within the city center. The historic houses are open for viewing
United States 20 Best Things to Do in Northbrook, IL Northbrook, Illinois, is a village on Chicago's affluent North Shore. It features a mix of beautiful natural attractions and enjoyable recreational spots. The suburb seated at Cook County’s upper border evolved as a stopover between Chicago and Milwaukee travelers. The area once flourished with the booming brick industry in
United States 20 Best Things to Do in Litchfield, IL You can find the city of Litchfield in Montgomery County, Illinois. It was the first town in the state to respond to the President's summons when the Civil War broke out. With support from a Litchfield company, the town formed the Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment. During the 1880s, people
United States 15 Free Things to Do in Oak Lawn, IL The village of Oak Lawn is one of the suburban communities surrounding Chicago in Cook County, Illinois. This small community is known in the county for more than 300 acres of its land area, comprised of parks and outdoor recreation spots. This village was established in the mid-1800s as a
United States 20 Best Things to Do in Harrisburg, IL Funded in 1853, the city of Harrisburg is near the southern tip of Illinois. Currently, it is the seat of Saline County, also referred to as the “Center of Southeastern Illinois.” The city is best known as the “Gateway to the Shawnee National Forest.” Tourists come from around the country
United States 20 Best Things to Do in Arthur, IL Arthur is a village in the Moultrie and Douglas counties in Illinois and home to the state's oldest and largest Amish community. In Arthur are sights you can see nowhere else in Illinois, such as horse-drawn buggies, well-kept farmyards with blue-curtained houses and gardens. Check out roadside stands with produce
United States 15 Best Things to Do in Sterling, IL Though small, with just an area of about six square miles, Sterling is an interesting place to visit when traveling to Whiteside County in northwestern Illinois. Sterling was incorporated as a city in 1857, and many of its points of interest are woven around its rich history. This city emerged
United States 15 Free Things to Do in Evanston, IL Evanston is a small city on the northern outskirts of Chicago in Cook County, Illinois. Like most towns and cities in Illinois, this one boasts a beautiful view of Lake Michigan. Historically, Evanston became known throughout Illinois, and the region after Northwestern University opened in the mid-1800s. During the American
United States 15 Free Things to Do in Skokie, IL Skokie is a quaint village in Cook County, Illinois, located 16 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. This diverse neighborhood is home to a sizable Jewish population, and some of its attractions are directly influenced by their cultural heritage. Sprinkling a few free attractions into your Skokie itinerary is a great
