Major city · United States
Cherry
Skip as a base: 2–3 hours on foot covers the 1909 mine-fire memorials. Sleep in Peru, 15 min south, and come for the cemetery.
Cherry is a village of about 435 people in Bureau County, western Illinois, just north of Interstate 80 and roughly 100 miles (160 km) west of Chicago. It is known for one thing: the 1909 St. Paul Mine fire, one of the deadliest mining disasters in US history, which killed more than 250 men and boys. There is no hotel, almost no food, and no reason to stay the night. Come as a short, sobering stop between Chicago and the Quad Cities, or as a half-day from Peru or LaSalle.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, snow, unplowed side streets); late Jul–Aug humidity
- Airports
- ORD · MDW · MLI
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Cherry911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Illinois Poison Center800-222-1222
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Cherry, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery low street crime in a village of about 435 people.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 800-222-1222 Illinois Poison Center
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportORD Chicago O'Hare (About 2 h 15 min by car via I-88 and I-80; the usual gateway for international arrivals.).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee to go$2–4
- Sit-down mealSupper-club dinner, main courseTipping 18–22% is expected.$15–30
- Street or quick mealBeer at a Main Street bar$4–7
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
- Budget bedCampsite, Starved Rock area, a night, per roomUS$25
- Mid-range bedChain motel room, Peru or LaSalle, a night, per roomUS$110
- High-end bedChain motel room, Peru or LaSalle, a night, per roomUS$180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$120 · High US$220
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ORD Chicago O'Hare (About 2 h 15 min by car via I-88 and I-80; the usual gateway for international arrivals.) · MDW Chicago Midway (About 2 h by car; smaller and easier to leave than O'Hare.) · MLI Quad Cities International (Moline) (About 1 h 15 min west; useful if you are looping to Rock Island or Moline.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Feb
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid*
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C) low), wettest Apr (11 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Cherry: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
8 rd
Feb
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
7 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
9 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
8 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
8 rd
Dec
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. Cherry sits just north of Interstate 80 on Highway 89, about 100 miles west of Chicago. Main Street and North Main Street are walkable in 10 minutes; everything else, including the cemetery on the south edge, is a short drive. There is no local bus or train.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Peru and LaSalle
goDoor to door: 20 min
I-80 south, about 15 min by car
Motels, chain food and the Illinois and Michigan Canal lock sites at LaSalle.
Starved Rock State Park
goDoor to door: 45 min
I-80 east then Route 178 north, about 35 min
Canyons and bluff trails; parking fills by mid-morning on weekends.
Princeton
goDoor to door: 35 min
Route 92 west, about 30 min
Small downtown with cafés and a historic main street.
Door to door: 1 h 30 min
I-80 west to I-74 south, about 1 h 15 min
A full city with riverfront museums; too far for a quick return.
Door to door: 1 h 20 min
I-80 west, about 1 h 15 min
Mississippi riverfront, Arsenal Island and the Quad Cities airport.
Nauvoo
overnightDoor to door: 2 h 45 min
I-80 west then Route 96 south along the river, about 2 h 30 min
Historic Mormon settlement on the Mississippi; stay a night.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Peru and LaSalle
The practical base: chain motels and the I-80/Route 51 junction, about 15 min south of Cherry. Book ahead on summer weekends.
Princeton
About 30 min west; a small downtown with a few independent inns and more evening food.
Cherry itself
No motels or B&Bs in the village. Treat it as a stop, not a bed.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain motel room, Peru or LaSalle1 × 1 night × US$110 | US$110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Car, one day, compact with insurance1 × US$60 · check | US$60 |
| Fuel, Chicago to Cherry and back1 × US$40 · check | US$40 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$48 |
| Trip total≈ US$264 per person per day, bed included | US$528 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; prices are shown before Illinois sales tax. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee to go | $2–4 |
| Supper-club dinner, main courseTipping 18–22% is expected. | $15–30 |
| Beer at a Main Street bar | $4–7 |
| Motel room, Peru, midweek | $70–120 |
| Gallon of fuelcheck | $3.20–3.80 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The St. Paul Mine site is on private land: view it from the road, do not walk in without permission.
- Cell coverage is patchy in the village; download your map before you leave I-80.
- Winter side streets are not always plowed; the cemetery path can be icy.
- Food is limited to a supper club and a bar and grill — check hours before you drive out, as both close on some weekdays.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Illinois Poison Center
- 800-222-1222
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
CherryCherry
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Illinois Poison Center800-222-1222
Embassy
No consulates in Cherry. Nearest consulates-general are in Chicago (about 2 h east); embassies are in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Chicago to Cherry by car: about 100 mi / 160 km (99 mi), 2 h via I-88 and I-80 (check)about 100 mi / 99 mi (160 km), 2 h via I-88 and I-80 (check)
- Peru to Cherry: about 15 min by car
- Fuel, round trip from Chicago: about $40 (check)
Say or show
- Holy Trinity Miners Cemetery — Where is the miners' cemetery?
- Private land — view from the road — Is the mine site open to visitors?
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Peru, about 15 minutes south — Where is the nearest motel?
- Thank you — Thank you
Print this card before you leave I-80: coverage is patchy in the village.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cherry. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, snow, unplowed side streets); late Jul–Aug humidity · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Field-check the Holy Trinity Miners Cemetery gate and the village park plaque, then publish a walking loop with a 20-minute cutoff.
- Confirm current opening hours for the town library archive and both Main Street kitchens before the page goes live.
- Add a Peru/LaSalle bed list with the I-80 exit numbers so a stop can be booked in one tap.
- Build the 1909 disaster context page with dates, casualty figures and the cemetery layout.