Central Illinois is a delightful mix of old-fashioned rural charm, high-tech cities, and historical landmarks and destinations. Travelers can visit the quiet Amish towns, the bustling riverfront locales or the country farm towns, and stay at the area's many bed and breakfasts that exude hometown charm and comfort.
One and a half hours from Chicago, about 84 miles total, is the rural wonderland of Rockford. There is a lot more than cornfields in Rockford, though, in spite of its rural attitude. Rev'd Up Entertainment center hosts go-cart fun that is hard to beat, and Magic Waters Waterpark provides fun water rides for the entire family. Anderson's Gardens is home to beautifully sculpted Japanese garden plants and the Best Western Clock Tower Resort is central to it all. The resort hosts its own water park, the CoCo Key Water Park. There are 245 guest rooms, swimming pools, spa and restaurant on site, and each room has high-speed Internet access.
Best Western Clock Tower Resort
7801 East State Street
Rockford, Illinois 61108
(815) 398-6000
clocktowerresort.com
Arcola, Illinois is the heart of Amish country. Everything there moves at a leisurely pace, most of it by horse and buggy. The Flower Patch Bed & Breakfast is right in the middle of it all. Rockome Gardens is just minutes away and the world's only Hippie Memorial are just a few of the attractions in Arcola, just a short one and a half hour drive from downtown Chicago. Visitors wake up in a lovely country bedroom and enjoy the Flower Patch Bed & Breakfast's famous seven-course breakfast. In the summer, all of the meals have delicious vegetables and herbs from the Flower Patch's own beautiful gardens accenting them. Packages include antiquing weekend, dinner and theater, a romantic getaway weekend and a happy birthday weekend.
Flower Patch Bed & Breakfast
225 East Jefferson
Arcola, Illinois 61910
(217) 268-4876
arcolaflowerpatch.com/index.php
Galena is a turn of the century historical town 175 miles (three hours driving) from Chicago. Located by the bank of the Illinois River, and its own Galena Lake there are plenty of water sports to enjoy in Galena, along with Maquoketa Caves State Park just across the border in Iowa. The Farmer's Guest House is a lovely bed and breakfast. While it may be old-fashioned and charming, there are plenty of modern amenities to make a stay comfortable from a beautiful outdoor hot tub, to relaxing CDs and DVDs in the living room.
Farmers' Guest House
334 Spring Street
Galena, Illinois 61036
(815) 777-3456
galenabedandbreakfast.com
