Fulton, IL

Fulton sits right along the Mississippi River in northwestern Illinois, directly across the water from Clinton, Iowa. It has a distinctive small-town feel shaped by the river and a proud Dutch heritage that is hard to miss. Perched right on the riverfront dike stands De Immigrant, an authentic working Dutch windmill that looks out over the water, just steps from the Windmill Cultural Center downtown.

ATTRBoscophotos / CC BY-SA 3.0

For everyday downtime, there are plenty of scenic spots to explore without leaving town. You can take a peaceful walk through Heritage Canyon, a wooded 1800s pioneer village tucked into an old limestone quarry, or spend an afternoon at Cattail Park and the Andresen Nature Center. Every spring, the whole community gathers for the annual Dutch Days festival, giving the town a lively, neighborly atmosphere that makes it easy to feel at home.