El Paso, Illinois travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

El Paso, Illinois is a charming little town approximately two hours southwest of Chicago. It's in a perfect location for people in the Chicago metro area who want to take a day trip or for people across the state line to visit. It is a town that offers something many towns in the Midwest lack: unique character.

3 things to do · 1 bars & cafés

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about El Paso

El Paso Public Library

El Paso Golf Club

600 N.

South Pointe Park

Swimming pool, baseball fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, fun playground equipment, a great place.

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 18°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: May and Apr. (climate data from nearby Peoria)

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.
BMI Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal, Bloomington/Normal — 19 mi away. Directions
PIA General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport, Peoria — 36 mi away. Directions
MDW Chicago Midway International Airport, Chicago — 98 mi away (major hub). Directions

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 1-day itinerary

Day 1

Morning El Paso Golf Club, El Paso Public Library
Afternoon South Pointe Park
Evening Furrow Vineyard and Winery Ltd.

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

Photos

Understand

The area used to feature a well-known winery, famous for its unique Midwestern flavor as well as miles of unspoiled corn fields. But this town isn't a just another small town out there in the middle of a cornfield. This town offers more for their residents and tourists. Right off of Interstate 39 there are several fast food restaurants, a diner, a Mexican restaurant and some nice pubs for those seeking typical Midwestern style cuisine.

There is a well-kept golf course with dining that is a favorite hangout of the locals and rival many that are seen on TV. Money donated by Andrew Carnegie makes El Paso's library quite an establishment. The library is fully accessible. The depot museum also is a must see for those interested in American history. Numerous parks make this town a great place to take kids just for a weekend romp. This town may be small and is surrounded by unique villages like Panola, Secor and Kappa. This town is the best for people who live nearby who want an escape or who simply want to explore somewhere new.

Do

Do El Paso Golf Club

600 N.

📍 2860 County Road☎ +1 309 527-5225

Maps

Do El Paso Public Library

Built in 1906-07 to house the city's library in a Richardsonian Romanesque design inspired by the Morgan Park Library in Chicago. The two-story building has a buff stone exterior with a brick foundation. Round turrets rise on either side of the library's front entrance; the turrets are linked by a segmental arch above the front door. The building's hip roof features exposed rafter tails all around and dentillated eaves above the entrance. The library was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.

📍 149 W 1st St☎ +1 309 527-4360

Maps