HGTV Calls This 2025’s Most Charming Small Town In Illinois

Let's get this out of the way before we get started: Galena is not the most charming small town in Illinois...at least according to the experts at HGTV. I felt the need to let you know that because so many lists of charming, cute, and/or romantic small towns in Illinois give Galena the crown...but not this time.

Let's give you some clues about HGTV's pick for Illinois' most charming small town:

• It's about a four and a half hour drive from Northern Illinois
• The town was the site of the last debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, and also the location of Lincoln's one and only duel
• It was an important part of the Underground Railroad during the Civil War
• The town is also the hometown of a man who holds the title of the World's Tallest Man (that can be verified) and another man who is regarded as one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time (there's a plaza named after him in the downtown area)

Here's the world's tallest man:

And here's the great jazz musician:

Now That We've Gotten The Clues Out Of The Way, You've Probably Figured Out Which Illinois Small Town Is HGTV's Most Charming In Illinois

That charming town is none other than Alton, Illinois, with a population of about 25,000 people according to the 2020 US Census.

Here's what HGTV had to say about Alton:

Alton, Illinois, the hometown of jazz musician Miles Davis, is located where Route 66 meets the Great River Road. This quaint river town is known for its limestone bluffs, which make it one of the best spots in the U.S. to see bald eagles. Every January and February, the town kicks off the eagle-watching season with the Alton Audubon Eagle Ice Festival. Alton is reportedly one of the most haunted small towns in America; at least 10 spirits are said to inhabit the McPike Mansion.

Here are some shots that show off Alton's charm very nicely: