Attractions that survive in rural Illinois are the best of the best. Below are 12 places in the state that residents are willing to take a road trip for, and you will be too.
Illinois’ hidden pockets are where its true treasures are kept. Scroll on for all the best things to do in the middle of nowhere.
- Country Cheese and More, 205 S Vine Street in Arthur.
Facebook/Country Cheese and More This small Amish town general store is the best place in the state for gourmet cheeses and other fresh goods. Find gifts for loved ones, sweet treats, and much more. Click here for more information about this vintage store.
- Inspiration Point, Shawnee National Forest near Wolf Lake.
Flickr/David Wilson Nothing says middle of nowhere like this secluded overlook in Illinois’ largest national forest. It’s just a quick .8-mile hike across rock formations to get to this elevated point. Click here to learn more about why people love this peaceful spot.
- Sunset Inn & Suites, 100 Sunrise Court in Clinton.
Facebook/Sunset Inn & Suites Featuring about a dozen themed rooms, this is the best hotel in all of rural Illinois. Pretend you live under the sea, in an arctic wonderland, in the Arabic desert, or any number of other unique places when you stay here. Click here to learn about more luxury amenities and other fun things you can do.
- The Slammer Bed & Breakfast, 309 S College Avenue in Aledo.
Facebook/The Slammer & The Great Escape Bed and Breakfast This one-of-a-kind hotel was once the Mercer County Jail. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it became a B&B in 1998 and features nine unique suites that are themed after different aspects of history. Get more information about this getaway here.
- Blue Sky Vineyard, 3150 S Rocky Comfort Road in Makanda.
Facebook/Blue Sky Vineyard Get whisked away to Tuscany with a visit to this lovely remote vineyard. In addition to delicious wine, it also offers tasty meals and overnight accommodations. Click here for further details about this epic attraction.
- Acquaviva Winery, 47W614 IL Route 38 in Maple Park.
Facebook/Acquaviva Winery
Facebook/Acquaviva Winery Both a vineyard and a restaurant, this is the ultimate place to find yourself if you love worldly cuisine and fine wine. Discover authentic Italian dishes of veal, steak, pasta, pizza, and much more. Click here for more information about this epic eatery.
- Firefly Grill, 1810 Mid America Avenue in Effingham.
Facebook/Firefly Grill
Facebook/Firefly Grill What looks like an abandoned building is actually one of Illinois’ best country restaurants. It offers sophisticated menu items and marvelous views of the pond on which it sits. Learn more about this popular spot here.
- Mclintock’s Saloon & Steakhouse, 24720 N Standard City Road in Standard City.
Facebook/Mclintock’s Saloon & Steakhouse
Facebook/Mclintock’s Saloon & Steakhouse This is the best little steakhouse in Southern Illinois. In addition to steak, American fare like burgers, tenderloins, kabobs, soups, salads, and a wealth of appetizers are served. The rustic atmosphere and friendly service are what keep locals coming back. Click here for previous coverage of this awesome steakhouse.
- Moonshine Store, 6017 E 300th Road in Martinsville.
Facebook/Moonshine Store
Facebook/Moonshine Store Serving the best burgers in Illinois, this little-known, yet well-loved joint seriously sits in the middle of nowhere, but Illinoisans don’t mind the drive. In fact, this place gets visitors from around the entire country to try these epic burgers. Click here to learn more about this restaurant that has been around since 1912.
- Hank’s Farm, 2973 IL-71 in Ottawa.
Facebook/Hank’s Farm
Facebook/Hank’s Farm Known for serving some of the best comfort food in the state, this farm sits along the Fox River and attracts customers from near and far. It began as a dairy farm and was turned into a tavern in 1941. Check out menu items and hours of operation here.
- Sorrento’s Ranch, 50W187 State Route 64 in Maple Park.
Facebook/Sorrento’s Ranch Restaurant
Facebook/Sorrento’s Ranch Restaurant In business since 1974, this amazing eatery is the perfect spot for a date or special family meal. It is best known for its prime rib and seven-layer chocolate cake. Get more information about this wonderful spot here.
- White Pines Inn, 6712 W Pines Road in Mt Morris.
Facebook/White Pines Inn
Facebook/White Pines Inn This amazing place is a two-in one. Guests may make reservations to stay the night in on-site cabins that will make you feel just like Abraham Lincoln.
Facebook/White Pines Inn Or you can just stop by for a bite to eat. Enjoy a generous buffet and cozy fireplace when you dine here. Learn more about why you should get acquainted with this lodge here.
Remote attractions like this are quintessentially Illinois. Check out 16 other things that make Illinoisans think of home.
Facebook/Country Cheese and More
This small Amish town general store is the best place in the state for gourmet cheeses and other fresh goods. Find gifts for loved ones, sweet treats, and much more. Click here for more information about this vintage store.
Flickr/David Wilson
Nothing says middle of nowhere like this secluded overlook in Illinois’ largest national forest. It’s just a quick .8-mile hike across rock formations to get to this elevated point. Click here to learn more about why people love this peaceful spot.
Facebook/Sunset Inn & Suites
Featuring about a dozen themed rooms, this is the best hotel in all of rural Illinois. Pretend you live under the sea, in an arctic wonderland, in the Arabic desert, or any number of other unique places when you stay here. Click here to learn about more luxury amenities and other fun things you can do.
Facebook/The Slammer & The Great Escape Bed and Breakfast
This one-of-a-kind hotel was once the Mercer County Jail. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it became a B&B in 1998 and features nine unique suites that are themed after different aspects of history. Get more information about this getaway here.
Facebook/Blue Sky Vineyard
Get whisked away to Tuscany with a visit to this lovely remote vineyard. In addition to delicious wine, it also offers tasty meals and overnight accommodations. Click here for further details about this epic attraction.
Facebook/Acquaviva Winery
Both a vineyard and a restaurant, this is the ultimate place to find yourself if you love worldly cuisine and fine wine. Discover authentic Italian dishes of veal, steak, pasta, pizza, and much more. Click here for more information about this epic eatery.
Facebook/Firefly Grill
What looks like an abandoned building is actually one of Illinois’ best country restaurants. It offers sophisticated menu items and marvelous views of the pond on which it sits. Learn more about this popular spot here.
Facebook/Mclintock’s Saloon & Steakhouse
This is the best little steakhouse in Southern Illinois. In addition to steak, American fare like burgers, tenderloins, kabobs, soups, salads, and a wealth of appetizers are served. The rustic atmosphere and friendly service are what keep locals coming back. Click here for previous coverage of this awesome steakhouse.
Facebook/Moonshine Store
Serving the best burgers in Illinois, this little-known, yet well-loved joint seriously sits in the middle of nowhere, but Illinoisans don’t mind the drive. In fact, this place gets visitors from around the entire country to try these epic burgers. Click here to learn more about this restaurant that has been around since 1912.
Facebook/Hank’s Farm
Known for serving some of the best comfort food in the state, this farm sits along the Fox River and attracts customers from near and far. It began as a dairy farm and was turned into a tavern in 1941. Check out menu items and hours of operation here.
Facebook/Sorrento’s Ranch Restaurant
In business since 1974, this amazing eatery is the perfect spot for a date or special family meal. It is best known for its prime rib and seven-layer chocolate cake. Get more information about this wonderful spot here.
Facebook/White Pines Inn
This amazing place is a two-in one. Guests may make reservations to stay the night in on-site cabins that will make you feel just like Abraham Lincoln.
Or you can just stop by for a bite to eat. Enjoy a generous buffet and cozy fireplace when you dine here. Learn more about why you should get acquainted with this lodge here.
What else do you love about rural Illinois? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
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