Find Your Real Getaway in NW Illinois

Find YourReal Getawayin NW Illinois

Escape to NW Illinois

100 miles west of Chicago lie the rolling hills, old growth forests and the pristine rivers in Northwest Illinois. With its quaint cabins and darling bed & breakfasts, it’s the perfect weekend getaway in Illinois. Every mile is steeped in history, surrounded by outdoor beauty and dotted with charming villages.

There's More to Discover

Travel Blog

Sweet Spots in NW Illinois

If one thing can make any day a little better, visit a great bakery. Whether you’re after a decadent cheesecake, a perfectly crusty loaf of bread, or a donut with rockstar flair, our region in Northwest Illinois has some fantastic spots to satisfy your cravings.

Your next adventure awaits

Whether you’re seeking a day trip or a week-long adventure, discover a region rich in history from a treasure trove of museums to monuments and historic sites. Travel the original Lincoln Highway. Visit our restored prairies, and meet a bison or two. Jump out of a perfectly good airplane. It’s all here…in northwest Illinois.

UpcomingEvents

29 Mar
Farmers Markets

Twin City Farmers Market

Twin City Farmers Market
05 Apr
Farmers Markets

Twin City Farmers Market

Twin City Farmers Market
05 Apr
05 Apr
Community Events
09 Apr
Live Entertainment
10 Apr
Live Entertainment
11 Apr
Live Entertainment

G.I.T. Improv at The Dixon

The Dixon Historic Theatre
12 Apr
Farmers Markets

Twin City Farmers Market

Twin City Farmers Market

GetInspired

#HIKING in #LeeCountyIL!👉 https://link.vnwil.com/Werd  This is just one of our 4 counties of hiking possibilities. Do you have any favorites?

#enjoyillinois
#middleofeverything
#VisitNWIllinois 
@enjoyillinois Enjoy Illinois 
@visitleecountyil Visit Lee County 
@nachusa
Friends of Nachusa Grasslands
It's never too late to go #hiking in #LeeCountyIL! https://link.vnwil.com/Werd

#enjoyillinois
#middleofeverything
#VisitNWIllinois 
@enjoyillinois Enjoy Illinois 
@visitleecountyil Visit Lee County 
@nachusa
Friends of Nachusa Grasslands
It's close--the season opening of the John Deere Historic Site in #GrandDetourIL! The perfect family-friendly outing from April 1 through Oct. 31. Live #blacksmith demos, archeological site, gift shop, beautiful grounds, and more. The best part...it's #FREE! 👉 https://link.vnwil.com/Wd5n

#VISITnwillinois Enjoy Illinois @enjoyillinois #middleofeverything John Deere #historicsites
It's the first day of #SPRING! Before long, the gray and brown tones will disappear, and the vibrant colors of spring will be everywhere, from forest floors, prairies, and backyard gardens!

#VisitNWillinois Enjoy Illinois @enjoyillinois #middleofeverything #illinoisspringtime Visit Carroll County IL @viistcarrollcountyil Visit Lee County @visitleecountyil Visit Rock Falls @visitrockfalls Explore Savanna @exploresavanna
ROAD TRIP! Take your pick of a raucous 𝗕𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗢 night, a hilarious 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗬 event, a 2-day 𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗤𝗨𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗪, & 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗖 to welcome in #Spring! Go to our EVENTS calendar 👉👉 https://swiy.co/OTAe to see what's happening.

#VisitNWillinois Enjoy Illinois @enjoyillinois Visit Rock Falls @visitrockfalls Discover Dixon @discoverdixon #middleofeverything #livemusic #comedy #antique #Collectibles
Travel silently through the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge and experience the beauty only the refuge can bring. From May to September, the Golf Cart Wildlife and Birding Tours take visitors on their own up-close adventure. 

The refuge hosts more than 3.7 million annual visits for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, and other recreation. Your next adventure awaits in Thomson, IL.

#VisitNWillinois Visit Carroll County IL @visitcarrollcountyil Enjoy Illinois @enjoyillinois Stewards of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge #familyfriendly #wildlife #birding
🕰️✨ Step back in time at the 𝟳𝟯𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀 & 𝗩𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄
! ✨🕰️

It's a treasure hunter's dream weekend on 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟮-𝟮𝟯, 2025, at the Blackhawk Center in Oregon, IL! With 𝟰𝟬+ 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝘄𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀, you’ll find stunning antiques, vintage collectibles, furniture, jewelry, textiles, and more! 🏺🪑💎

𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗹? Bring your small treasures on Sunday from 10 AM - 2 PM for expert evaluations by Hack’s Auction ($5 per item). 

📍 Blackhawk Center, Oregon, IL
🎟️ $8 admission covers the whole weekend!
⏳ Saturday: 9 AM - 5 PM | Sunday: 10 AM - 3 PM

Tag your favorite vintage-loving friends and mark your calendars! 🛍️✨ 

#VisitNWillinois @enjoyillinois  Enjoy Illinois #middleofeverythVisitNWillinois @enjoyillinois Enjoy Illinois #middleofeverything Oregon IL Area Chamber of Commerce #OregonILAntiqueShow #VintageTreasureHunt #OregonIL #antiques
A little birdy 🤣 tells us that the American White Pelicans are making their way back to our region in #NWillinois! Have any of you seen them yet? 

#VisitNWillinois @enjoyillinois Enjoy Illinois #whitepelican #middleofeverything #birding #illinoisbirdingphotography #illinoisbirding #migratorybirds

TRAVEL GUIDE

Request a free copy or view our latest guide online.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Ideas and resources to help plan your next real getaway in NW Illinois.