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Summer is just around the corner, so it's time to start planning those sunny getaways. For residents of Illinois or anyone aiming to explore The Prairie State this year, there are tons of enticing small towns to choose from. Since I'm currently in the midst of a spring road trip to see my family in St. Charles (i.e., my super-biased first pick for this list), I figured I would give you a sneak peek of what awaits. These are the eight coolest towns in Illinois for a 2024 summer vacation.

St. Charles

St. Charles, aka "The Pride of the Fox," is more than just a suburb of Chicago - much more. Yes, it sits just 40 miles west of "The Windy City," which is handy when you crave an afternoon shopping spree or night on the town, but St. Charles itself is a charming, family-friendly enclave. For starters, summer vacationers will love the park- and walking-path-lined Fox River. On the west side, there is Mount Saint Mary Park (great for dogs and the kids), and Wheeler Park (with its playgrounds and sport facilities, including mini golf and disc golf). On the east side of the slow-moving waterway sprawls Pottawatomie Park, which stretches north into Norris Woods Nature Preserve. Here, the whole community seems to gather on weekends to have picnics (BBQ pits provided), toss frisbees, peruse the gardens, work out at the open-air gym, burn some calories in a kayak, and perhaps even embark on a fancy paddlewheel riverboat tour aboard the "St. Charles Belle" and "Fox River Queen."

Geneva

Immediately south of St. Charles, the fun continues in Geneva. This cute Kane County city also straddles the Fox River and boasts unique parks of its own. Summer tourists will love the Fabyan Villa Museum & Japanese Garden and the authentic, German-crafted Fabyan Windmill on either side of the Fabyan Forest Preserve, as well as the quiet nature strolls and unique Sacred Heart Grotto monument within the Gunnar Anderson Forest Preserve. Shifting into the historic downtown strip, Geneva has recently dressed up its commercial core, which is now replete with independent retailers and cool eateries, many of which reside within refurbished Victorian houses. Since you'll be here this summer, aim to catch the Swedish Days festival from June 19 - 23 or the Geneva Classic Car Show just a couple weeks later, on July 11th.

Beach Park

Don't forget that northeastern Illinois lays claim to the southwestern chunk of Lake Michigan - and there's no better time to visit a Great Lake than in the heat of the summer. A quiet and overlooked small town, or rather, village within the townships of Benton and Waukegan, is that of Beach Park. From here up to the Wisconsin border, there is nothing but preserved, publically available shores to enjoy. From south to north, Illinois Beach Nature Preserve flows into Illinois Beach State Park, which connects to North Dunes Nature Preserve. Here, vacationers will be treated to sandy beaches and dunes interspersed with wildflowers, hiking and biking paths, a 241-site campground, bird-watching, fishing, boating, swimming, and even SCUBA diving opportunities. Just off the water's edge, along Sheridan Road, is where all the lodging and summer-grub eateries can be found.

Galena

Over in the northwestern corner of Illinois, Galena shifts the focus to stately architecture and the green bluffs of the Mighty Mississippi River (as well as its tributary, the Galena River, which bisects this small town). The Italianate-style home of the former president/Civil War general Ulysses S. Grant is just one of many 19th-century brick buildings/monuments. Galena's downtown, which has been voted one of ""America's Best Main Streets," will accent any makeshift walking tour. No less than 125 individualized shops and restaurants are spread across this elegant strip. For a dash of excitement, check out the Great Galena Balloon Race on June 21st-23rd, where colorful hot air balloons amicably duke it out across Galena's skyline.

Mount Carroll

Also flirting with the Mississippi River (just 40 miles south of Galena) is the quaint community of Mount Carroll. Even though the population hovers at right around 1,500 people, the business district along Market and Main Street is surprisingly vibrant. Here, red-brick-lined pavement meets a multi-colored strip of historic buildings, which now house cafes, galleries, restaurants, antique shops, and cozy inns. On the outskirts of town, the 371-seat Timber Lake Playhouse hits its stride in the summer with all kinds of musicals, classic plays, and other hot-off-the-press performances. Over on the banks of the mighty river, the 2,500-acre Mississippi Palisades State Park boasts dense forests, scenic bluffs, and a communal campground to boot.

Galesburg

The small but captivating city of Galesburg brings the party to the west side of Illinois. This historic railroad town is full of surprisingly diverse experiences. Train enthusiasts can pass an afternoon at the Galesburg Railroad Museum; classical music connoisseurs can catch a concert by the Knox-Galesburg Symphony at the dynamic Orpheum Theatre; coffee addicts and shopaholics can take to the vendors along downtown's Seminary Street, and kids will get a kick out of the Discovery Depot Children's Museum over on Mulberry Street, with its hands-on exhibits and art studios. All these offerings are available year-round but are that much more enjoyable when the warm sun accompanies you between exhibits.

Arlington Heights

Another cool suburb of Chicago, this time to the northwest, is that of Arlington Heights. Like St. Charles and Geneva, this village offers a respite from the popular metropolitan while also providing plenty of wholesome summer fun. Parks and golf courses line the perimeter, with Busse Woods (with its elk habitat and sinuous lake), Deer Grove Forest Preserve (with its hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing opportunities), and Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve (featuring all of the above, plus a brief but lovely boardwalk), and of course, little Lake Arlington being some of the standouts. In the heart of town (i.e., right next to the train station), you've got the flashy Metropolis Performing Arts Centre - a 329-seat venue that puts on music, comedy, and even cabaret performances. In terms of restaurants, expect to find everything from tapas to Thai to pho, Italian, Mexican, and everything else that can be thrown into the melting pot.

Woodstock

Some 40 miles northwest of Arlington Heights, inching towards Wisconsin's southeast border, Woodstock (though separate from the well-known New York destination) is as cool as it sounds. Given that the name Woodstock will forever connote festivals, this McHenry County gem has made sure to bring its A-game. July 21st, 2024, will mark the 39th year of the Woodstock Folk Festival. Local and international performers are scheduled to take to the main stage at the Woodstock Square Historic District (which has been listed on the National Register since 1982). Another highlight in this core area of town is the Woodstock Opera House (built in 1889 and still going strong), and the stately McHenry County Courthouse (built in 1857 - now a museum, events venue, and historical landmark). After walking a few blocks, the scenery might start to look familiar. This is because Woodstock was the primary location used in the Bill Murray classic Groundhog Day. How cool is that?

Summer vacations in America can take many satisfying forms. Naturally, the lengthy Atlantic and Pacific Ocean coastlines call with a pronounced intensity during this time of year. And the mountains, though they have just seen off the last of the skiers, exude a whole new kind of magnetism for fair-weather adventurers. But the Midwest has an understated appeal that also deserves attention. This summer, why not veer into the small towns of Illinois? Community events, one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants, parks a-plenty, and even a chunk of the Great Lakes all await.