This Illinois Town Just Made a Global Travel List—Here’s Why We Should Visit

The 50 best places in the world to visit in 2025, that's the name of a new destination list from Travel Lemming. Discover which Illinois city made the list—it's not Chicago, but it's close.

50 Best Places to Travel in 2025

At Travel Lemming, their team of experts creates online travel guides based on personal experience.

Every year, they all work together on a special project:

a mega-list of 50 places we think should be on your bucket list for the coming year.

When you see the top 10 locations on the list, it almost doesn't seem possible for Illinois to have made this list

1. Lombok, Indonesia
2. El Calafate, Argentina
3. County Kerry, Ireland
4. Yoho National Park, Canada
5. Lalibela, Ethiopia
6. El Nido, Philippines
7. Kazbegi, Georgia
8. Exmouth, Australia
9. Hà Giang, Vietnam
10. Vega Baja, Puerto Rico

At #48 on the list, between Cabrera, Dominican Republic and Cartagena, Spain is the Chicago suburb, of Oak Park.

Why Oak Park, Illinois, Needs to Be Your Next Day Trip

Oak Park just landed on Travel Lemming’s list of the world’s top travel destinations, and somehow, I’ve managed to live a short drive away without ever visiting. That changes now. If you’re also guilty of overlooking this gem, here’s why we need to fix that immediately.

First, Oak Park is practically a shrine to Frank Lloyd Wright. His home and studio, along with the largest collection of his designs, make this town an architecture lover’s paradise. If you’ve ever wanted to casually stroll through a masterpiece, this is the place.

Then there’s Ernest Hemingway. Before he was off winning Nobel Prizes, he was just a kid in Oak Park. His birthplace and museum offer a fascinating glimpse into the early life of one of America’s greatest writers.

But Oak Park isn’t just history. The food scene is wildly underrated, with everything from cozy cafés to international flavors that rival Chicago’s best. The indie boutiques make for some of the best shopping around, and the town’s vibrant art scene ensures you’ll stumble upon murals, galleries, and performances at every turn.

Best of all? It’s ridiculously easy to get to. Hop on I-90 or take the Metra, and you’re there. Whether you’re craving culture, food, or just a charming escape, Oak Park delivers. Looks like I’ve just convinced myself to go—who’s coming with me?