Major city · United States
MacombMacomb, Illinois
Skip unless you are visiting Western Illinois University or passing through on US-67. One night covers the campus museums and a meal; two nights if you add Spring Lake or Argyle Lake.
Macomb is a small college town in western Illinois, home to Western Illinois University. Its main draws are a few free campus museums, a historic house, and two nearby lakes for hiking and fishing. Most travellers use it as a stop between Peoria and the Quad Cities or as a base for exploring the region.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Dec–Feb (cold, some closures)
- Airports
- PIA · MLI
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
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 Macomb911 ▾
- Police, Fire, Ambulance911
- McDonough District Hospital+1 309-833-4101
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 Macomb, 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
- SafetyMacomb is a safe college town.
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 · +1 309-833-4101 McDonough District Hospital
- 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.
- AirportPIA General Wayne A.
- Getting aroundA car is essential.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$8–12
- BeerBeer (draft)$4–6
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within town$10–15
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (most free)Free
- Budget bedHostel or budget motel room, a night, per roomUS$60
- Mid-range bedHostel or budget motel room, a night, per roomUS$80
- High-end bedHostel or budget motel room, a night, per roomUS$120
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
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
- PIA General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport (About 1 h 15 min drive east via US-136 and I-474.) · MLI Quad Cities International Airport (About 1 h 30 min drive north via US-67.)
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
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Macomb: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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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)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
8 rd
Feb
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
7 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
9 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°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
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
8 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
A car is essential. Go West bus (check) serves campus and some town routes. Downtown is walkable, but sights and parks are spread out.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
US-136 east then I-474 east, about 1 h 15 min
Riverfront museum, zoo, and Caterpillar visitors center.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
US-67 north, about 1 h 15 min
Rock Island Arsenal and historic district.
Door to door: About 1 h 20 min
US-67 north, about 1 h 20 min
John Deere Pavilion and riverfront.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min
US-136 west then US-24 south, about 1 h 30 min
Historic architecture and river views.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
US-136 west then IL-96 south, about 1 h 15 min
LDS historic sites and wineries.
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.
Near WIU campus
Walkable to museums and downtown; motels and a few B&Bs.
US-67 corridor
Chain hotels with parking; convenient for a one-night stop.
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
| Mid-range hotel room1 × 1 night × US$120 | US$120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Car rental per day (economy)2 × US$45 · check | US$90 |
| Gas for 100 km2 × US$12 · check | US$24 |
| Meal at a diner2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$50 |
| Trip total≈ US$277 per person per day, bed included | US$554 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Diner breakfast | $8–12 |
| Pizza (large) | $12–18 |
| Beer (draft) | $4–6 |
| Taxi within town | $10–15 |
| Museum entry (most free) | Free |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Campus museums close during school breaks and holidays: check the schedule before visiting.
- Spring Lake Park charges a day-use fee (check).
- Argyle Lake State Park may have seasonal hours; call ahead.
Emergency numbers
- Police, Fire, Ambulance
- 911
- McDonough District Hospital
- +1 309-833-4101
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
MacombMacomb, Illinois
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police, Fire, Ambulance911
- McDonough District Hospital+1 309-833-4101
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Peoria Airport → Macomb: about $80–100 by taxi (check)
- Quad Cities Airport → Macomb: about $90–120 by taxi (check)
- Amtrak Macomb → Chicago: about $30–50, 4 h (check)
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much? — How much? (how much)
- Where is the bathroom? — Where is the bathroom? (where is the bathroom)
English is universal; no language barrier.
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 Macomb. 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 Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Dec–Feb (cold, some closures) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for University Art Gallery, Geology Museum, Old Bailey House, Spring Lake Park, Argyle Lake State Park.
- Eat pages with verified hours and last orders.
- Walking cluster: downtown and campus loop (1.5 km).
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for US-67 and US-136.
Sources
- officialCity of Macomb official website
- officialMake It Macomb (tourism)
- officialWestern Illinois University Art Gallery
- officialWIU Geology Museum
- officialSpring Lake Park
- officialArgyle Lake State Park
- secondaryWikivoyage: Macomb (Illinois), revision 5105047 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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