Enjoy The Simple Life When You Visit This Tiny Rural Community In Illinois
By Linze Rice|Published September 12, 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.
Where I grew up in Illinois there were less than a thousand residents. The village was so small that we had a combined school district with the neighboring town, which was about five times our size. As a kid, I often thought it was boring living in a sea of corn, so far away from malls, oceans, and kitschy restaurants. Sometimes when driving, I’d get stuck behind a tractor. It wasn’t until I was older and lived in Chicago did I realize the perks of having a place in the country to call home. Now, I love being able to take a break from the chaos of modern living to return to my simple roots. And while there are tons of charming communities in the Prairie State, this tiny rural town in Northern Illinois is the ideal place to slow down and relax.
Byron is a small town of just over 3,700 residents in Northern Illinois' Ogle County. Located just off of Illinois Route 2, about halfway between Rockford and Oregon, Byron is a classic rural Midwestern town — a country feel, a passion for high school sports, and a love for all things local.
The community is nestled along the Rock River, where residents and visitors alike enjoy spending time on the water. From kayaking, to fishing, to boating, the river offers a variety of ways to unplug and connect with nature.
It's a great place to escape to when you're looking for a breath of fresh air. There are no skyscrapers, midnight trains, or traffic jams here — just simple solitude.
The town's surprising claim to fame is its nuclear plant and two reactor towers, which rise from the cornfields like a scene straight out of "The Simpsons." The facility provides most of the electricity for Northern Illinois.
Growing up not far from Byron, I was always in awe of the towers. I saw them every night watching America's favorite yellow family, but to see them up close — or even at a few miles distance — was more than my young mind could comprehend.
Stroll through the town's small downtown area for cute shops, local services, eateries, and watering holes. The original architecture will take you back in time to the early days of Byron, when it first became a farming community.
For a rural community, Byron does have a handful of popular eateries. You can hop back into a 1950s diner at Sam's Drive-In, or grab a pizza and locally brewed beer at the Hairy Cow Brewing Company, 450 E. Blackhawk Drive.
Being from the country, I always recommend checking out local breweries — there's nothing better than a fresh pint of beer made from your own community.
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The road to Byron is a leisurely countryside journey itself, with small highways and backroads with vast fields of farmland on either side gently guiding you toward town.
And when you're looking for some peaceful sleep, this cabin is the perfect retreat for restoration. With enough rooms to sleep 12, this 4-bed/2-bath is a modern farmhouse with gorgeous wood touches, skylights, a wood-burning stove, vaulted ceilings, and an expansive outdoor property with a gazebo.
Plus, you'll have a washer and dryer, Wi-Fi, and all the amenities you'd expect in your own home.
So, would you add this tiny rural town in Northern Illinois to your small-town bucket list? Where in Illinois do you like to go to unwind and spend time in nature? Tell us in the comments! Start planning your trip by checking out the City of Byron’s website and the City of Bryon’s Facebook page. Use our ultimate road trip packing list to help make sure you have all your travel essentials covered.
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