In-state weekend getaways
Key facts
| Galena | Ulysses S. Grant Home and river cruises |
|---|---|
| Starved Rock | Less than 100 miles southwest of Chicago |
| Shawnee Hills Wine Trail | 11 wineries on a 40-mile route |
| Garden of the Gods | Quarter-mile Observation Trail |
A weekend away is a good step once you have had a few dates. These three trips cover the north, the middle and the far south of the state. Each one has enough to do for two days.
Galena
Visit the Ulysses S. Grant Home, which still has the family's original furniture, and take a 90-minute cruise on the Mississippi from Chestnut Mountain Resort. Stay at a B&B such as the Aldrich Guest House. In June, the Great Galena Balloon Race fills the sky on the third full weekend.
Source: Enjoy Illinois: 10 reasons to visit Galena, checked 8 November 2026
Starved Rock
Starved Rock has 18 canyons and more than 13 miles of trails, less than 100 miles from Chicago. The waterfalls are at their best in early spring and many dry up by summer. Starved Rock Lodge, on the National Register of Historic Places, has rooms and cabins.
Source: Enjoy Illinois: Starved Rock State Park, checked 8 November 2026
Garden of the Gods and the Shawnee Hills
In the Shawnee National Forest, the Observation Trail at Garden of the Gods is a quarter-mile loop of natural sandstone past Camel Rock and Devil's Smokestack, with views over the Shawnee Hills. It is open 6am to 10pm and there is no water, so bring your own. Pair it with a day on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail.
Source: USDA Forest Service: Garden of the Gods Recreation Area, checked 8 November 2026
Questions
Where can Illinois couples go for a weekend?
Galena, Starved Rock and the Shawnee Hills are three of the best, and none of them need you to leave the state.
When are the Starved Rock waterfalls best?
In early spring, when snowmelt feeds them. Many dry up by summer.
Is Garden of the Gods hard to walk?
The Observation Trail is only a quarter of a mile, on natural sandstone. Allow about an hour and wear sensible shoes.
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