Arcola
Of all the small towns in Illinois I recently featured during my Illinois Small Town Tour – Arcola was one that seemed to gain quite a bit of attention. It’s a tiny town with beautiful old buildings and was pretty quiet on a weekday morning when I drove through. However, people were blown away when I shared that this was the birthplace of the doll – Raggedy Ann.
John Barton Gruelle was born in Arcola in 1880 and became an artist, political cartoonist and illustrator. The story goes that his daughter, Marcella, found a faceless old rag doll in her grandmother’s attic. Her father drew a face on the doll and called it “Raggedy Ann”, and over the years he told, and wrote, many stories about Raggedy Ann. Raggedy Ann was patented in 1915, and was soon joined by Raggedy Andy.
You’ll find some murals around town and a park bench with permanent statues of the famous dolls for a fun photo op!
Macomb
With a bustling courthouse square and the world’s largest game of Monopoly, Macomb is gaining traction as a fun road trip destination. Lizzie Magie, the inventor of Monopoly, was born here in 1866. She came up with the original concept of the classic board game which was called “The Landlord’s Game”. Her idea was later stolen and after some alterations, sold to Parker Brothers. The town pays tribute to Magie with her own statue downtown along with giant Monopoly board pieces like a top hat and dice that spin. Visitors can scan a QR code while on the square and download a free app to play Macombopoly. The game offers discounts to stores and tests your trivia skills. While playing the game, you can pop into locally owned shops and restaurants like Chicks On The Square or Sullivan-Taylor Coffee House.
Other attractions around Macomb include a self-guided Finding Lincoln tour; Spring Lake Park with walking trails and outdoor activities like paddle boarding and fishing; and the Lakeview Nature Center – known for its large labyrinth.
Monticello
I’d never heard of Monticello before my recent tour of small towns in Illinois and boy was I glad I pulled off the road to check it out! The Allerton Park & Retreat Center has a gorgeous historic mansion you can tour and lots of amazing hiking trails. There’s also a local railroad museum and charming town square.
Casey
It may be a tiny town but Casey is full of big things! Just a mile or so off of interstate 70, Casey has become one of the most popular small towns in Illinois. The town made a name for itself by adding over a dozen gigantic roadside attractions. You’ll find the world’s largest rocking chair; world’s largest mailbox; world’s largest barber pole; and world’s largest golf tee – to name a few!
Quincy
A welcoming river town, Quincy is located about two hours north of St. Louis. Most of its downtown buildings are original and the lavish homes from the 1800s are absolutely incredible to view on a casual walk or bike ride down Maine Street. More than a dozen homeowners offer private tours of their historic homes throughout the year. Quincy too has ties to Abraham Lincoln – a sculpture markets the spot in Washington Park where he and Frederick Douglas once debated. There are plenty of great spots to grab a bite to eat at locally owned restaurants like Tiramisu or perhaps a sandwich at Winkings Market. Winkings is a nostalgic favorite as the oldest grocery store in town. Quincy is home to a dozen museums that feature art, history, and agriculture.
Looking for a fun brewery? Quincy Brewing Company is a local favorite with trivia events and live music.
Grafton
Located along the Great River Road in Illinois, Grafton has grown into a legit destination for a fun weekend outing or stop for the day. There are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat with views of the Mississippi River! Check out Aerie’s Resort & Winery and try out the awesome alpine coaster or zip lines!
Nearby is one of the most popular state parks in Illinois – Pere Marquette State Park. You’ll find a scenic drive, hiking trails, and wildlife viewing. The lodge and conference center are beautiful!
Alton
Another great historic town on Illinois’ Great River Road is the town of Alton. If you love dining out – I swear, Alton has more local restaurants that I could count! It’s also rich in history. The world’s tallest man (Robert Wadlow) and jazz legend, Miles Davis have statues in town. Lincoln and Douglas held their final debate in Alton – both men are also recognized with statues. Catching a sunset along the Great River Road is a must!
Champaign/Urbana
While not exactly a “tiny town” – Champaign still has a great small town feel. As a college town, there’s also something going on! Take a walk around the gorgeous campus and a relaxing stroll through the Japan House Gardens. Legendary film critic, Roger Ebert is memorialized with a statue out in front of the Virginia Theater where he watched movies as a kid. Downtown has lots of small local shops and restaurants. If you’re looking for the best burger spot in town – try out Smith Burger Company!
Champaign is a great “home base” to explore some of the small towns that surround it: Monticello; Arthur; Arcola; and St. Joseph to name a few.
Springfield
They don’t call Illinois “Land Of Lincoln” for nothing. Springfield – the state’s capital city and former hometown of the 16th president has amazing sites dedicated to Abraham Lincoln and his family. Visitors can tour the only home Lincoln ever owned and even walk around the neighborhood with buildings preserved from the time period. Don’t miss the chance to visit the Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum with fascinating exhibits and experiences as well as the tomb where Lincoln is laid to rest in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Other notable sites include the old state house where Lincoln once worked and his former law office.
Springfield also has ties to historic Route 66 with must-visit attractions like the Cozy Dog Drive-Inn and Motorheads Bar & Grill. Be sure to check out the Illinois State Fairgrounds and see the wonderful nostalgic signs that were produced by Springfield’s Ace Sign Company. The company which has been around since 1940 has a small but impressive sign museum of its own that’s also worth visiting. They do public tours weekdays at 10 and 2.
Atlanta
This is one of my new favorite small towns in Illinois is located along historic Route 66! If you blink, you might miss it – but they have a nice little downtown with a new attraction called the Museum of the American Giants. It’s not a huge museum but the artifacts are indeed – huge! They have several restored giants that were once used for marketing businesses. It’s a fun place to take photos and grab a quick bite to eat if you’re traveling Route 66!