The Best Vacation Rentals to Book in Illinois

The large double bedrooms in this house in this stylish Bucktown home are spread over two floors with varnished wooden floors and stylish touches, roll-top baths and exposed brickwork. Downstairs, watch dinner come together while perched at the kitchen island – or on warmer days, the garden with outdoor kitchen and seating area is the perfect place to gather. Guests in search of a Chicago deep dish will love the proximity to the much-loved family-owned restaurant My Pi Pizza.

As the name suggests, this fun, nautical-inspired home on the banks of the Illinois River in Heritage Harbor is perfect for dipping your toes in the water. Bunk beds in the second bedroom make this vacation rental ideal for small families, and with on-site amenities including an outdoor pool, there is plenty to do other than watch the boats go by from the deck. You’ll find everything you need to cook family dinners here – or try the Red Dog Grill on the marina for a night out.

Buttercup yellow and sitting on a lawn that rolls down to the water, this quiet one-bedroom vacation rental in Heritage Harbor lives up to its name. Watch the sun setting behind the river bend from the deck or curl up on the squishy corner sofa and catch up on a box set. It’s even pet-friendly, so furry friends can join in the fun.

This two-bedroom apartment is conveniently located if you’re looking for a vacation rental close to DePaul University. Memory foam beds, exposed brickwork and a compact kitchen dining area make it a cozy place to stay with a lot to explore nearby. Sports fans can catch a game of baseball at Wrigley Field – or explorers can head to Lincoln Park Zoo or the Chicago History Museum.

Sleeping up to six guests in two double bedrooms and an extra sofa bed, this comfortable home in Heritage Harbor is ideally placed for all the activities on offer. For the adventurous, there’s kayaking, kite flying, hiking and even skydiving. Or take a more sedated approach and spend the afternoon craft beer or wine tasting. And when you just want some me time, chill at home and watch the world go by from your sunny porch – it’s your vacation, after all.

The teal wooden fronting on this vacation rental perfectly reflects the river, and the interior has been given just as much thought. A light and airy spot, Casa Margarita is a two-bedroom, two-bathroom vacation rental on the water’s edge. Open-plan living, neutral earthy tones and elegant design touches such as wooden floors, paneled doors and linen headboards make this a stylish home from home.

Watch the comings and goings in the marina from this one-bedroom villa, wandering straight out onto your private deck from bed. Downstairs, a kitchen with breakfast nook and cozy sitting room makes this vacation rental the perfect spot for two – but with the option of inviting a friend to stay on the sofa bed and enjoy the views with you.

Spacious and contemporary, this townhouse on the Illinois River close to Ottawa sleeps up to eight people and delivers everything you want from a vacation. All bedrooms have a view of the water and there’s even a bar for fixing sundowners to enjoy on the large deck. This vacation rental comes with parking and enough attractions and activities nearby to keep everyone entertained – including kayaking, fishing and boat trips.

This pet-friendly riverfront home offers plenty of living space for larger groups. A double-height kitchen and living area complete with a chandelier and open fireplace seem like the center of the action – until you discover the games room upstairs with its own bar, plump sofas and card table. For quieter moments, bask in the sunny reading nook overlooking the water, or on the rear deck that backs onto it.