Dating outside Chicago
How singles meet in Rockford, Peoria and Springfield, with easy first date ideas in each town beyond Chicago.
Read the guideDating in Illinois
Illinois singles, from Galena to the Shawnee Hills
Date ideas and town guides for the whole state, not just Chicago. Browse singles close to home for free.
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Cities
Cities of Illinois
GalenaSpend an afternoon wandering Galena's historic Main Street.RockfordWalk the koi ponds and waterfalls at Anderson Japanese Gardens.PeoriaCatch a planetarium show at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.SpringfieldTake the free tour of the Lincoln Home, then walk the old streets.Champaign-UrbanaSee a play or a concert at Krannert Center in Urbana.CarbondaleSpend a slow afternoon on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail.
Date ideas
First dates around Illinois
Ideas our editors checked this month, with the source for each.
Winter dates in Illinois
Winter date ideas across Illinois, from frozen waterfalls and eagles at Starved Rock to a show in Urbana and a warm afternoon in Galena.
Read the guide
In-state weekend getaways
Weekend trips for Illinois couples without leaving the state: Galena, Starved Rock and the Shawnee Hills in southern Illinois.
Read the guideOut and about
Where singles meet here
- Train as an Illinois Master NaturalistUniversity of Illinois Extension runs Master Naturalist training in most counties, usually one day a week for 10 to 12 weeks, and anyone 18 or older can apply. You learn alongside the same group each week, then volunteer together in local natural areas.
- Join a forest preserve workdayFriends of the Forest Preserves hosts restoration workdays all year in prairies, woodlands and wetlands across Cook County, and all ages and experience levels are welcome. You clear invasive plants, collect seeds and plant natives, which leaves plenty of time to talk.
- Get out on the Illinois Prairie PathThe Illinois Prairie Path runs about 61 miles through Cook, DuPage and Kane counties, from Maywood to Wheaton and on toward Elgin and Aurora. It is open to walkers, cyclists and horseback riders, so it is a good place to meet regulars from the western suburbs.
What’s on
Coming up
- January: Eagle Week and frozen falls at Starved RockStarved Rock holds an Eagle Week each January, when bald eagle viewing is at its best, and the canyon waterfalls can freeze. Wrap up and make it a winter day trip.
- June: Great Galena Balloon Race WeekendOn the third full weekend in June, more than 20 hot air balloons race over Galena, with a night glow, live music and wine flights. Book somewhere to stay early.
- August: Illinois State Fair in SpringfieldThe state fair runs for about 10 days each August at the fairgrounds on East Sangamon Avenue, with concerts, fair food, rides and livestock shows. Check statefair.illinois.gov for next year's dates.
Members
Singles near you
Members choose to appear here. Join to see everyone in Illinois.
VerifiedAngela, 40Galena
VerifiedDarren, 41Rockford
Photo checkedLauren, 34Peoria
VerifiedBrandon, 37Springfield
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Real men across Illinois, at your own pace
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For men
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- Date ideas for downstate towns as well as the suburbs
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How we keep Illinois Dating real
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Before you join
Questions people ask
In shortIllinois Dating is a dating site and local guide for singles across Illinois, from Rockford and Galena to Peoria, Springfield, Champaign-Urbana and Carbondale. Every photo is checked by a person, members who pass an ID check get a Verified badge, and joining and browsing are free.
Is Illinois Dating free?
Joining, making a profile and browsing are free. You need a membership to read and reply to messages, and you see the options before you pay anything.
How do I know people are real?
Every photo is checked by a person. Members who pass an ID check carry a Verified badge, so you can see who has been checked.
Is it easier to date in Chicago or downstate?
Chicago has more people, but downstate dating is often slower and more relaxed. Illinois Dating covers the whole state, and our sister site chicagodating.com focuses on the city itself.
What are good date ideas in Springfield, Illinois?
Start with a free tour of the Lincoln Home and a walk around the historic streets nearby. In August, the Illinois State Fair makes an easy, fun day out.