Overview
4 sights · 4 things to do · 1 places to eat · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about DeKalb
Northern Illinois University
Blackwell History-Education Museum
At Northern Illinois University.
Ellwood House Museum and Park
DeKalb County Forest Preserves
River Heights Golf Course
Buena Vista Golf Course
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 20°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: May and Jun. (climate data from nearby Chicago)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- RFD Chicago Rockford International Airport, Chicago/Rockford — 25 mi away. Directions
- ORD Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Chicago — 44 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Northern Illinois University, Ellwood House Museum and Park
- Lunch Thai Pavilion
- Afternoon River Heights Golf Course, Hopkins Park Pool and Community Center
Day 2
- Morning Blackwell History-Education Museum, DeKalb County Forest Preserves
- Afternoon Buena Vista Golf Course, Annual DeKalb Corn Fest
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
See
See DeKalb County Forest Preserves
Do
Do River Heights Golf Course
Do Buena Vista Golf Course
Do Hopkins Park Pool and Community Center
Festivals
- This festival features a carnival complete with rides and games, food booths, live music, craft show, kiddie korner with large inflatables, and family entertainment. Friday night is carnival wristband nights for the kids with unlimited rides from 6-10pm. Festival areas feature booths, craft fest and a beer garden
Annual DeKalb Kite Fest--mid September, at Northern Illinois University 2009-September 13th from 11-4pm
This festival features many kites that are over 100ft. in length and boasts kites that are actually five stories high. Enjoy dancing kites, stunt kites, fighting kites, and other specialty kites that change on an annual basis. There are games, family entertainment, food, and wide open spaces. Festival features a candy-drop and kite making for kids.
Eat
Eat Thai Pavilion
Delicious authentic Thai cuisine with abundant fresh vegetables: Spicy Basil, Mixed Vegetables, Spicy Eggplant, Massaman Curry, to name a few. Appetizers are exceptionally tasty: Chicken Satay, Crying Tiger, Fresh Lime Chicken, Shrimp in blankets, Thai Custard.
- Happy Wok 1190 W Lincoln Hwy. +1 (815) 756-8828. M-F 11AM–9PM, Sa-Su 4PM-9PM. Delicious fresh Chinese food.
Sleep
Nearby
Sycamore
City / town · 4 listings · 5 mi away
Rochelle
City / town · 6 listings · 16 mi away
Geneva
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Elgin
City / town · 9 listings · 25 mi away
Aurora
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West Chicago
City / town · 4 listings · 28 mi away
Rockford
City / town · 19 listings · 29 mi away
Bartlett
City / town · 4 listings · 29 mi away
My experience
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