The Small Town In Illinois That Comes Alive In The Fall Season
By Linze Rice|Published October 06, 2023
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Linze Rice
Author
Ope! From the rural cornfields of DeKalb County, Linze is an Illinois native and true Midwestern gal who can make a mean bonfire and whip up a perfect marshmallow salad. Since 2014, her bylines and photography have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago/DNAinfo Chicago, Only in Your State, and more. She has interviewed Dolly Parton, written about beloved diners along historic Route 66, visited the last Rainforest Cafe in the Illinois, and reviewed luxurious English manor-inspired hotels. Whether it's writing about a local gem or world-renowned establishment, Linze brings a heartwarming and historical perspective to each story, using facts, wit, and personal experience to impress upon readers the importance of culture, food, travel, and all things local. Her favorite destinations in Illinois include Starved Rock State Park, Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, the charming small town of Sycamore, and historic Rosehill Cemetery. When she's not writing or photographing, Linze enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband and pets, cooking, baking, and grilling, and relaxing with trashy TV.
One of the benefits of living in Illinois is that we truly get to experience four distinct seasons. The shortest one, fall, offers the most striking views of our state’s incredible natural environment — so much so that I’ve always found it worth a day trip or weekend getaway just to fully experience it. So though summer may be over, the exploration and adventuring throughout the state doesn’t have to stop. In fact, visiting this charming small town in the fall is a great option for those looking to soak in as much foliage and autumnal aesthetic as possible.
Located just north of the beautiful Illinois River in LaSalle County is the small town of North Utica (often referred to as simply, "Utica"). Visitors may take the historic Abraham Lincoln Memorial Bridge into town, which offers stunning views of the river, particularly in the fall.
Utica features a quaint downtown with several restaurants and businesses housed in historic buildings. In the fall, it serves as the grounds for the annual Burgoo Festival, which features burgoo — a stew made with beef and vegetables that is cooked in huge pots and a wood-burning fire for between 12-18 hours. This year the festival is held on Oct. 7-8.
For more than 50 years, the festival has attracted visitors from across the state, who enjoy both the culinary traditions, but also the wide variety of local vendors and artists who are on display.
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If stew doesn't get you in the fall mood, the festive decor throughout town surely will. Pumpkins, mums, leafy garland, hay bales, and smiling scarecrows make it feel warm, inviting, and cozy.
The town even has its own blacksmith shop. Built in 1892, it's operated by the LaSalle County Historical Society and opens occasionally for demonstrations.
But the star of Utica is its awe-inspiring natural beauty. Surrounded by state parks, flowing waterways, and rare wildlife, the area truly comes alive in the fall.
Just on the other side of IL-178 is the equally convenient and gorgeous Starved Rock State Park. Also known for its waterfalls, enclaves, and stunning foliage, Starved Rock also offers camping and cabins, as well as overlooks with some of the best views in the state.
If you're in the area, chances are good you may also see the national bird — the bald eagle. Whether from an overlook or the nearby Illinois Waterway Visitors Center, these majestic creatures are a memorable sight to behold.
At the end of the day, make to swing by Lodi Tap House, 101 Mill St., a Utica staple specializing in cheesy smash burgers, craft beers, and all-around delicious tavern fare. If you're like me, you'll want a friendly place to sit and unwind where we can discuss our favorite moments from the day and pour over photos we took.
