Is there anything in Illinois outside of Chicago? (Peoria, Schaumburg: houses, to live in)

[JoeisSweet]

Hi I'm from Iowa, an extremely rural state, the only place in my state that would be considered a "city" would be Des Moines.

I went to Chicago this summer and loved it, but the whole ride there it seemed eerily similar to Iowa, endless farmland and no cities.

This spring we're going to go to Illinois again. So I guess what I was wondering is there anything worth seeing in Illinois outside of the Chicago area that we should go visit?

[lighthearted grin]

One (out of many) great places to visit is the historic town of Galena. It's in the upper NW corner, across from Dubuque. Red brick houses and shops, many good places to eat and to stay, and unique stores and art galleries, all worth a visit. It was the home of President U.S. Grant, and his home and other sites are worth touring. Galena was known for it's lead mines during the Civil War, when the need for lead for bullets was huge. At one time, Galena was a larger city than Chicago.

There really are lots of worthwhile places in Illinois. But if you truly prefer Chicago - make us an offer. Please! Those of us from downstate would love it if you would take Chicago off our hands!

[via chicago]

Originally Posted by lighthearted grin

But if you truly prefer Chicago - make us an offer. Please! Those of us from downstate would love it if you would take Chicago off our hands!

Or you could just move to Iowa. Problem solved.

[Avengerfire]

Nope not really.

[JoeisSweet]

Wait, do people in rural Illinois resent Chicago or something?

I really liked it cause there's nothing in Iowa that can come close to it. Des Moines is a joke compared to Chicago.

[j33]

Corn, loads and load of Corn. Oh, and Ikea.

[alwaystraveling25]

Originally Posted by JoeisSweet

Wait, do people in rural Illinois resent Chicago or something?

I really liked it cause there's nothing in Iowa that can come close to it. Des Moines is a joke compared to Chicago.

I may not be a native "Illinois-ian", but I know that there is a HUGE divide between the Southern Part of the state and Chicago. It's a much greater divide then in Iowa, where people may not like Des Moines, but don't hate it. There are more then a few threads on this forum debating Chicago versus the rest of the state, so I won't go into an insane amount of detail.

Basically, It's very similar to New York City versus New York: The people that reside outside of Chicago/Chicagoland feel that Chicago gets too much emphasis for the state (money, news, tourists, etc.), and there are certain people in Chicago who have never been elsewhere in the state (I have lived here in March and have only been the suburbs three times, and never been south of I-80).

If you like Chicago, visit Chicago. If you want to see scenic areas, the state capital, or other things the state has to offer, by all means, do it. Do what makes you happy. I spent a lot of time visiting Des Moines (I used to live in Kansas City), and I agree with you: Des Moines can't hold a candle to Chicago.

[southernnaturelover]

Originally Posted by alwaystraveling25

and there are certain people in Chicago who have never been elsewhere in the state.

That seems to obvious from reading this board.

[TabulaRasa]

Hi, it's predominantly a farming state. What were you expecting? You live in Iowa, not on another planet.

Also, as a native "downstate" Illinoisan (live in Kansas City now), don't be confused by the concept held by most Chicagoans that everything non-Chicago metro is "southern Illinois." I grew up an hour and twenty minutes south of the Wisconsin border (yes, north of I-80! north, in fact, of much of suburban Chicago and portions of the city, proper! Shocker!), which residents of Schaumburg, etc. would have you think is "southern Illinois."

[whatever you want]

Originally Posted by TabulaRasa

Hi, it's predominantly a farming state. What were you expecting? You live in Iowa, not on another planet.

Also, as a native "downstate" Illinoisan (live in Kansas City now), don't be confused by the concept held by most Chicagoans that everything non-Chicago metro is "southern Illinois." I grew up an hour and twenty minutes south of the Wisconsin border (yes, north of I-80! north, in fact, of much of suburban Chicago and portions of the city, proper! Shocker!), which residents of Schaumburg, etc. would have you think is "southern Illinois."

We've always considered everything from north of Mt.Vernon to Peoria to be central and everything north of Peoria to be northern IL...That's always the way it's been said around here by everyone.