HGTV: Most Charming Small Town Downtowns In Illinois, Wisconsin

Wherever you live in Illinois or Wisconsin, chances are really good that your city or town has not received even half the amount of recognition that a small, northwest Illinois town has gotten over the years.

Here's a small sample of some of the recognition this northwest Illinois town has gotten and could display in the city's trophy case:

• Travel + Leisure: Most Beautiful Small Town (ranked #18 nationally)
• Impulcity.com: Ranked #15 for Most Beautiful Cities
• World Atlas: Illinois' Most Beautiful Small Town
• Thrillist: #1 Must-Visit Illinois Town
• Mixbook.com: Most Christmassy Town in Illinois
• Afar.com: Most Charming Small Town/Destination in Illinois
• TripAdvisor: Travelers' Choice/Local Inns In Top 1%

You may have already figured out which Illinois town we're talking about, and like me, you probably don't begrudge this town for all the kudos and compliments it has raked in, and continues to accumulate.

HGTV Would Know A Little Something About Charming Cities And Towns, And They've Compiled A List Of The Most Charming Small Town Downtowns In America

Here's what HGTV looked at to come up with their 40 picks for inclusion on their list:

In creating this list of the best small downtowns in America (and it was tough to narrow this list to 40), we looked for vibrant towns that invite you in and encourage you to stay and explore. Caution: You may want to add all of them to your travel bucket list.

Before we get to the town in Illinois that made the list, here are the towns in our neighboring Midwestern states that also landed on the HGTV list:

• Wisconsin: Fish Creek
• Iowa: No town made it
• Indiana: No town made it
• Missouri: No town made it
• Kentucky: Covington
• Michigan: Marquette

Here In Illinois, As You've Undoubtedly Already Guessed, It's Galena

Like I pointed out earlier, Galena just has a way of racking up the awards, compliments, and praise.

HGTV.com:

The charming small-town downtown of Galena lies in northwestern Illinois. Civil War General and US President Ulysses S. Grant once lived here; today, visitors can tour his historic home. Antique shops and boutiques line the streets of this 19th-century-style downtown, along with art galleries, restaurants, cafes and tasting rooms that feature local foods and wines. The Chicago Athenaeum, a design and architecture museum that strives to advance public education in these disciplines, is based in Galena. Take to the skies in a hot air balloon, cruise or paddle along the scenic Mississippi River, snap photos on a trolley tour around town or book lodgings that range from cozy bed-and-breakfast accommodations to historic hotels to luxury resorts.

Read HGTV's full piece here.