Founded in 1837, DeKalb, Illinois, is home to Northern Illinois University, barbed wire, agricultural research, and a thriving art & culture scene that one might not expect from a small rural town. Located about 65 miles nearly due west of Chicago, suburban sprawl has made DeKalb feel less like a small college town and more like a destination suburb. Today, DeKalb welcomes visitors with plenty of shopping and restaurants, a rich history, and dozens of things to see and do. Visitors could easily spend a weekend on the campus of Northern Illinois University, which is home to 25,000 students. But, even if NIU is not on your travel itinerary, there are plenty of things to see and do.
