What to Know, Do, and See in Northern Illinois This Year

The vibrant region of Northern Illinois is full of opportunities to expand your horizons while enjoying a peaceful life. As 2024 begins, let’s dive into the exciting developments in Northern Illinois this year. 

From Frosty Fridays Public Skate Sessions to Into the Magic shows presented by Disney on Ice, wonderful winter festivities are coming up in Rockford this season. Other social extravaganzas happening soon in Rockford include the Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition scheduled for January 24th through January 27th, Winter Dazzle Day on January 27th, and A Winter Tea Party on February 3rd.  

The Galena Historic District is a fantastic starting point for exploring the rich cultural attractions of Northern Illinois, with notable places such as the Old Market House and the Galena-Jo Daviess County History Museum. 

To gain a deeper understanding of Northern Illinois’s culture, consider checking out the Ellwood House Museum in DeKalb, Starved Rock State Park in Oglesby, and the Old Settlers Log Cabin in Dixon. Each site offers intriguing insights into the community’s present-day identity and the history behind it all. 

Northern Illinois is an excellent place to be if you have a passion for delectable cuisine and exploring new dishes. From classic all-American eateries such as Grubsteakers Restaurant in Rochelle and Old Route 66 Family Restaurant in Dwight to diverse options such as Yen Ching and Fushi Yami in DeKalb, this region provides an outstanding culinary landscape for indulging in a variety of cuisines and desserts.

The North Shore comprises affluent communities across Lake and Cook Counties along Lake Michigan. With attractions such as the Halim Time & Glass Museum in Evanston, Anne Loucks Gallery in Glencoe, and Lake Bluff Brewing Company, this district offers a wealth of engaging experiences. Lighthouses, parks, live music, and gardens will further contribute to making time spent in Illinois’s North Shore region incredibly worth your while. 

The real estate market in Northern Illinois varies by city. Let’s explore a sample of a few towns below:

– Rockford: Rockford’s real estate market is notably competitive, indicating a growing interest in putting down roots in the area. According to Redfin, as of November 2023, homes typically sold at their asking prices within 8 to 10 days, and in the past year, more than 45% of homes sold above their asking rates.

– DeKalb: In DeKalb, the real estate market is less competitive than Rockford’s, but there’s still a fair demand for homes. On average, homes in DeKalb sell at their approximate asking rate within roughly 45 days. Meanwhile, in the past year, 36.4% of DeKalb homes sold at rates higher than their initial listings, according to Redfin in November 2023.

– Northern Township: Northern Township, considerably smaller than both Rockford and DeKalb, features a more modest real estate market with fewer homes available for sale. According to Niche, 79% of residents in this part of Northern Illinois own their homes, with few renters.