It's not Galena.

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Just like finding out there's a new restaurant to get BBQ in Missouri other than Kansas City and Missouri, there is a historical downtown in Illinois that is a must-visit and it's not located in Galena. This historic downtown is known as Old Chicago and is one of the oldest in the state.

I have been to this neighborhood/downtown area when visiting Chicago and it's beautiful. The architecture is stunning and I could only dream of living in one of those historical buildings.

Why Does this Downtown Stand Above Others?

We always hear about how great and fantastic Galena is and don't get me wrong I love Galena. So why is Old Chicago the best over Galena? Love Explore says,

Unlike the rest of Chicago, Old Town, also known as The Grid due to the layout of the streets, has a charming, old-world feel – streets are filled with artisan bakeries, beautiful boutiques and historic architecture.

Again, it's always hard to pick the best of the best when you're talking about the entire state, but it's one to see another historic downtown in Illinois getting recognized other than Galena. If you want to step back in time and see what it was sort of like living in Chicago back in the day then Old Chicago is that neighborhood. Get your walking shoes on and get ready to explore an amazing part of the city, it's so worth it.