Only one Illinois town made it on a new list of "charming hidden towns" across the United States, and it's one that draws visitors in with its quaint downtown, growing gastronomy scene and serene nature.
Only In Your State, a travel and lifestyle website, released its list of the 17 "most charming hidden towns you've never heard of."
According to the roundup, "Every state has one: a town so small and so quiet that even the people who live there would rather you didn't find out about it. These are the places locals drive past a highway exit to protect, the ones with no chain restaurants and no billboards, just good coffee, a walkable Main Street, and a whole lot of character."
The charming city of Geneva came in fifth place.
The historic town on the bank of the Fox River in Kane County "has all the charm of its famous Wisconsin namesake without the crowds."
"A historic Dutch windmill and a lineup of Victorian houses give the whole town a storybook feel, especially in the fall," the platform said. "It's not exactly a secret, but Geneva's 160-plus shops and its historic Dutch windmill still fly under most visitors' radar, tucked far enough from Chicago to feel like its own world."
Only In Your State said Geneva is best seen in the fall — thanks to beautiful foliage and fun fall festivals. The recommended must-sees are the Fabyan Windmill, off Crissey Avenue just east of the Fox River, and the downtown area.
Check out the rest of the list here.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Geneva Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.