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

Photo: Stephanie Frias | @familytravelnomads
Trip Ideas

Year-round hiking adventures await in Lee County

Find adventures any time of year in Lee County, northwest Illinois. It has plenty of sprawling parklands, conservation areas, and parks, which makes it a fabulous place to throw on your hiking boots.

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

06 Dec
Christmas Events

Artisan Holiday Pop-Up Shop

The Next Picture Show Community Fine Art Center
06 Dec
07 Dec
Christmas Events

Artisan Holiday Pop-Up Shop

The Next Picture Show Community Fine Art Center
07 Dec
08 Dec
Christmas Events

Artisan Holiday Pop-Up Shop

The Next Picture Show Community Fine Art Center
08 Dec
Christmas Events

Scrooge The Comedy | MATINEE

White Pines Playhouse
08 Dec
Christmas Events

Scrooge The Comedy

White Pines Playhouse
08 Dec
Christmas Events

GetInspired

Our latest blog post takes you on an enchanting journey, celebrating local holiday traditions unique to our region. Discover now and light up your festive spirit! 🎅🏻❄️🎁 

#visitNWillinois #middleofeverything #enjoyillinois
It's a shopping #ROADTRIP on Dec. 10 for the #HomeTownHandmadeChristmasMarket in #OregonIL! 🎄 Shop the 30+ amazing vendors & find the perfect, unique gifts for everyone on your Christmas list. 🛍️
It’s finally time to announce the Red Bow Box Winner! 

👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼

And this years winner of $250 Candlelight Walk cash is ….. 🥁 

Chloe Metz! 🎉

••••• 🎄❄️🎅🏼 •••••

#candlelightwalk #smalltownchristmas #christmas #illinois #christmasmagic #christmascountdown #oldfashioned #holidayfun #holidays #holidayseason #holidayfun #family #familyfriendly #oregonillinois #oregonil #visitnwillinois #enjoyillinois #redbow #giveawaytime
@WhitePines_Resort tradition 30+ years. Don’t miss this wacky audience-participation comedy starring the curmudgeonly Ebenezer #Scrooge & his side-kick, Narrator. 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 👉 at the link in bio, under "EVENTS."
Don't miss the 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 at Timber Lake Playhouse, Dec. 1-10! 🎶 Relive the 1956 jam session with Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, & Johnny Cash. #RockNRoll history comes alive! 🎸 Info at link in bio under EVENTS.
Our region is SO READY for the #holiday 🎁 season. Start creating family memories while cutting down your tree, driving among light displays, going to a live holiday event, and more! 🎄 We've just published an article highlighting all the fun stuff happening here. Go to link in bio, under Trip Ideas or Blog.

🎄 Christmas Tree Farms
🎄 Christmas Walks
🎄 Holiday Light Displays
🎄 Live Music & Theater events for all ages
🎄 Heritage Events
Last night's "Sunset on the Rock River" as seen from the Sinnissippi Walking Bridge at the upper dam between Rock Falls and Sterling, IL…12" x 18" format...ENJOY!!!

#gierhartphotographics #paulrgierhart #gierhart #rockriver #visitrockfalls #sunset #sunsetlovers #SunsetMagic #sunsetphotography #sunsetskyline #visitnwillinois #nwillinois #whitesidecounty #takemetotheriver #illinoisphotographer #illinoisartist #visitrockfalls

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.