Train and Bike Adventure to Unforgettable Forgottonia
Get outdoors on a weekend getaway in Unforgettable Forgottonia, a little gem in west Illinois
“What stuck out the most about visiting Macomb was its small-town feel and super welcoming community. It’s the type of town where people treat you like an instant friend – they want to share their love of Macomb, their Unforgettable Forgottonia pride, and welcome you as if you’re a local.”
No car? Love to Bike? Well, Macomb, Illinois is your spot. This small town on the west side of Illinois, also known as Unforgettable Forgottonia, is far from forgettable. It is the perfect escape for any Chicagoan (or any Midwesterner, really) with an adventurous spirit who wants to explore a quiet town with no shortage of things to do. Just a few hours by Amtrak train from downtown Chicago, Macomb combines local small-town charm, outdoor adventure, and tons of places to eat, drink, and explore.
Day 1: Train, Paddle, and Roll
“Pulling into Macomb on the Amtrak train, we were instantly greeted with a quaint, small-town feel. I was reminded of what it was like to live in Upstate New York where everything is close, the people are welcoming, and you feel like you’re home. ”
Head to Macomb via Amtrak train, choosing from two departure times from Chicago’s Union Station – a morning departure (7:40 a.m) or an evening departure (5:55 PM). Trust us: You won’t regret opting for a stress-free start to your trip. Along the quick (and relaxing) three-hour ride, you’ll take in views of the central Illinois countryside while you chill in a comfortable train car and fill up on snacks and drinks from the fully-stocked Amtrak Café car. If you take the morning train, you’ll have plenty of time to explore on your bike all day once you arrive.
Pro tip: Reservations are required on all trains that offer bike service. Make sure to check out the Amtrak bike FAQs before booking your trip.
Take a short and sweet bike ride on quiet city streets from the Macomb Amtrak station to your accommodations.
A huge advantage of Macomb is the proximity of shops, bars and restaurants, and places to stay in town. From the train station, it’s an insanely short and simple two-minute bike to the Lafayette House Airbnb (and you won’t even have to deal with traffic). Other hotels in the area are a stone’s throw from the station too, so don’t worry about a long trek to wherever you stay.
The walkable and bikeable Historic Downtown and Courthouse Square.
“Biking in Macomb was a breeze compared to Chicago. You’d see a car every once in a while, but most times, cars would make sure they could pass you safely before doing so. I found the town to be extremely bike friendly, drivers were courteous, and we were overwhelmed with this freeing feeling on our rides.”
After settling into the accommodations, head into town to Macomb’s Historic Downtown Courthouse Square. You can grab a classic diner breakfast at The Old Dairy and then check out local boutiques and shops after enjoying a heaping stack of pancakes and bacon. Popular stops in town include the Book Post, a super affordable used book store, Nostalgia Decor & Gifts, a great place to pick up a souvenir, and Bold Brew House, a cute coffee shop with a long list of specialty lattes. Macomb Food Co-op is also a great spot to pick up snacks, sandwiches, and food for your hotel or Airbnb for the weekend.
Pro tip: Many stores are closed in Macomb on Sunday so the Food Co-op is a great spot to stock up for your trip.
If you’re hungry for lunch Chicks on the Square is the perfect place to refuel. Their spicy-hot buffalo “Chicken Lips” are a local favorite (and we can see why). You can also catch Illinois’ oldest continuous Farmers Market in Macomb’s historic Chandler Park on Thursday and Saturday (7:00 AM to 1:00 PM) between May and October.
Try a chicken sando or the famous “Chicken Lips” at Chicks on the Square in the heart of downtown Macomb.
For a day-long adventure, a bike trip up to Spring Lake is a must. The 30-minute (6-mile) bike ride to Spring Lake takes you on quiet country roads north of Macomb. At the park you’ll find a stunning 230-acre spring-fed lake that has it all when it comes to exploring the outdoors: camping, kayaking, hiking, swimming, mountain biking, or a relaxing lakeside hang.
We recommend renting a kayak or stand-up paddleboard (only $10 per hour) followed by a hike on the well-maintained Fox Trail, a 4-mile multi-use loop trail that circles the lake. You’ll likely see mountain bikers on the trail, so keep an eye out. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even slide down the Spring Lake Spillway (but, shhh…you didn’t hear it from us). If you’re into camping, you can rent a campsite or cabin during the summer months. A bonus: The campsites and cabin come with a view of the lake.
6-miles north of downtown Macomb, you’ll find Spring Lake, a lush outdoor escape to paddle, hike, and explore.
“Spring Lake was beyond peaceful – it was quiet, surrounded with lush greenery, and it wasn’t overly built up or crowded with people. We loved that you could choose your own adventure, like hiding out in your own private cove, floating in the sunshine in the middle, or paddling along the edge of the shoreline.”
Jory and Andrea kayaking on Spring Lake at Spring Lake Park.
Post-adventure, head back into downtown Macomb for dinner and tons of places to listen to live music. Grab food on the patio at Chubby’s Bar & Grill a no-frills spot for casual American food and check out The Wine Sellers for beers on draft, wine by the glass, and live music on the weekends.
On warm summer nights, don’t be surprised if you hear more live music spilling out of a hidden alley that leads to an open-air plaza. This community gathering space hosts live bands that jam in front of a brick backdrop with plenty of room to pull up a chair and relax. Post-dinner grab a drink at The Café a neon-sign-adorned tavern filled with locals.
Don’t be surprised if you hear music spilling out of a hidden alley that leads to a community plaza with live music.
Day 2: Argyle Lake State Park Adventure
In the morning, grab a coffee at Sullivan Taylor Coffee House (you can’t go wrong with their classic latte) before making the trek by bike (or car if you drove) to Argyle Lake State Park for a day of adventuring. The lush 1,700-acre park with 5 miles of hiking trails, wooded campsites, and a 93-acre lake at its center. The 45-minute (7-mile) bike ride west of downtown Macomb.
We recommend following the AllTrails route to stay on track during the 5-mile hike. The route takes you in a full circle around Argyle Lake through dense forest and hilly terrain. You may see a few mountain bikers on the loop but expect total serenity and solitude on this lesser-traveled rugged hike. Post-hike, grab lunch at the Shanty Shack, a casual cabin-inspired restaurant that overlooks Argyle Lake.
Pro tip: The bike ride to Argyle Lake State Park can be long and hot in the summertime. Make sure to pack plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen for the adventure.
Jory checking out the 5-mile loop hiking route at Argyle Lake State Park before heading out on the trek.
Expect nothing but scenery, solitude, and serenity while hiking on the Argyle Lake State Park loop trail.
On your way back into town, stop for a beer or two at Forgottonia Brewing. Their rotating list of craft brews changes seasonally but the brewery is known for its experimental pours, like the Dark Chocolate Wheat Ale, and fruit-forward styles, like the Where the Helles Forgottonia Lemon Shandy.
Fresh pours at Forgottonia Brewing & Beer Garden in downtown Macomb.
Post-drinks, check out the Everwood Disc Golf Course before heading to dinner and calling it a night. You can play just a few holes or all 18 holes if you’re feeling up for it. The super green course is full of trees, giving you not only a beautiful spot to play disc golf but a fun challenge along the way. If you need some discs, you can pick some up at Windy City Cannabis.
Andrea aiming to sink a shot at the Everwood Disc Golf Course.
End your Unforgettable Forgottonia adventure with dinner at Jackson Street Pub, which serves up juicy burgers, fried onion haystacks, and their famous open-face Horseshoe sandwiches. Their ribs are also stellar, especially when enjoyed with a loaded baked potato and a cold beer.
“I really love small towns. This trip literally got my wheels turning, thinking about what other unforgettable, hidden gems there are across Illinois. Macomb was the perfect little community to explore since I don’t have a car – and I can’t wait for more train and bike adventures like this one.”
You can’t beat a heaping plate of food after a full day of adventure from Jackson Street Pub.
