Find YourReal Getawayin NW Illinois

Escape to NW Illinois

100 miles due west of Chicago lie the rolling hills, old growth forests and the pristine rivers of the Blackhawk Waterways 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.

Get Here

Your real getaway is closer than you think.

  • 100 miles from Chicago
  • 112 miles from Milwaukee
  • 91 miles from Madison
  • 90 miles from Cedar Rapids
  • 281 miles from St. Louis

There's More to Discover

Trip Ideas

It’s Country Fair Season

The pigs have been soaped. The cucumbers have become pickles. And the strawberry rhubarb pie has been baked and tasted again.

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

22 Sep
Halloween Events
22 Sep
Live Theater

Blithe Spirit

Dixon Stage Left
23 Sep
Festivals & Fairs

Stillman Valley Fall Festival

Downtown Stillman Valley
23 Sep
Halloween Events

Fall Festival & BrewFest

Timber Lake Playhouse
23 Sep
bison1
Outdoor & Sports Events

Public Bison Tours | Nachusa Grasslands

Nachusa Grasslands Visitor Center
23 Sep
Ogle County

Public Skyviewing at the Weiskopf Observatory

Weiskopf Observatory in Byron Forest Preserve
23 Sep
Halloween Events
23 Sep
Live Theater

Blithe Spirit

Dixon Stage Left

GetInspired

Be 👸 👑 king or queen for the day on October 🍁🍁🍁 weekends at @HavencrestCastle in #SavannaIL! First tour is Oct. 1! Go to link in bio under EVENTS for details.
@AutumnOnParade 🍁🍁🍁 in #OregonIL is almost here! This event started with just 7 vendor booths in 1970 and is now averaging 180! Oct. 7-8. 👉 𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗢 at link in bio, under EVENTS.
Hey everyone! 🌶️ Get to the 𝗨𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗯 & 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗼𝗳𝗳 in #DixonIL on Sept. 24. Delicious ribs, mouthwatering chili, & a whole lot of fun at the Beanblossom parking lot! See you there! 🎉
👻 𝗛𝗮𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 😱 is ratcheting up for the #Halloween season. The 1st night is 9/22 thru most of Oct!! Load up the car & head to #RockFallsIL. For DETAILS go to link in bio, under EVENTS.
View distant wonders in the night skies at the The J. Weiskopf Observatory located within the @ByronForestPreserve. The 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗸𝘆𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 event happens every Sat. year round! 👉 Next one up is 9/16.
🎭 Experience the enchanting world of #BlitheSpirit 👻 at @DixonStageLeft. This delightful comedy is a rib-tickler! Bring a group of buddies. Get your tickets now! 👉  Sept. 22-Oct. 7 weekends. Info at bio link under EVENTS.
Did you hear the buzz 🐝🐝🐝 about the very 1st 🍯 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 in #ByronIL? It's Sept. 17 by @ByronForestPreserve. SWEET! Details at link in bio under EVENTS.
AUTUMN ON THE PRAIRIE

Don’t miss Nachusa’s Autumn on the Prairie festival on Saturday, September 16, 2023. The festival is held at the Visitor Center, 2075 Lowden Road, Franklin Grove IL.

There is fun at the festival for the whole family! The day’s activities include wagon rides through the prairie to look for bison, prairie plant exploration hikes, and guided tours that feature scenic photo locations, autumn wildflowers, preserve hideaways, grassland birds, native wildlife, sandstone rock formations, and more. Additional attractions include a Discovery Tent and a live birds of prey display by the Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab & Education. Headons Fine Meat food truck will be on-site to provide drinks & food.

See you there!

	

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VISITOR 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.