The Dekalb center point is around 15 miles east of Rochelle Community Hospital and 21 miles northwest of Plano Amtrak Station.
When you visit Dekalb depends heavily on what you plan to do while you're there. If you are coming to Dekalb to visit Northern Illinois University, you'll want to visit while school is in session, between September and December and between February and May. These also happen to be the most expensive times to visit Dekalb, so be sure to book your accommodation well in advance.
It's also important to check whether there's a big football game coming up or when the university is hosting parents' weekend, so you can avoid the crowds or book your hotel early.
The summer is a very pleasant time to visit Dekalb, and the hotel prices are much lower than during the school year. Summer temperatures average a comfortable 75 degrees, with July as the hottest month of the year.
During the winter holiday period, hotel prices are also quite reasonable. The weather can get quite cold during this time of year, of course, and Dekalb gets a lot of snow in January, which is also the city's coldest month of the year. The great thing is that there are plenty of indoor activities to keep you busy, such as museums and historical villages.
There are some really great discounts on rooms around Dekalb. If you are a member of AAA, Quality Inn in Sycamore offers discounts on rooms if you have your AAA card. The hotel is only a short distance from downtown Dekalb, but it's also close to Aurora University and Chicago Rockford International Airport. Every room includes free breakfast, complimentary Wi-Fi, and access to a spa tub and indoor swimming pool.
If you're looking for a hotel in Dekalb that offers senior discounts, check out Baymont Inn & Suites Dekalb. It offers a 13 percent discount to guests who have proof of age. The Baymont Inn & Suites provides guests with a free continental breakfast, an indoor pool, and a fitness center. There is plenty of free parking with space for RVs and coach buses.
There are so many great value-for-money hotel options in and around Dekalb. The Holiday Inn Express in Rochelle is a great choice. It's only 20 minutes from downtown Dekalb and is about 15 minutes from Northern Illinois University. For an amazing price, you get a free buffet breakfast, complimentary wired internet, and access to an indoor pool and fitness center. There's also a free business center where you can hold meetings, as well as a laundry service in case you need to have something washed or pressed.
Another great value hotel option near Dekalb is the Herrington Inn & Spa. This hotel is all about affordable luxury. It's in nearby Geneva, Illinois, which is right along the Fox River. All the rooms have fireplaces, private balconies, whirlpool tubs, and a nightly delivery of milk and cookies. There's also a complimentary breakfast available in the dining room each morning. The inn feels like an intimate bed and breakfast, even though there are 60 rooms. There is also a spa where you can book a massage or facial.
The Country Hearth Inn is also a good value hotel near Dekalb. It's a few miles away in Rochelle, right off of Interstate 39, so it's easy to get to and very close to Northern Illinois University. It's also less than 20 miles away from Chicago Rockford International Airport. It's a great place in an excellent location, and it's packed with amenities. Every room has free Wi-Fi, guests get a complimentary continental breakfast, and you can keep in shape in the on-site fitness center with treadmills, stationary bicycles, and weights.
As a college town, Dekalb has plenty of great pizza joints and fast-food restaurants, but the food scene in Dekalb isn't all burgers and fries. The city has a huge selection of international options as well as some wonderful family-style American eateries.
Pita Pete's is a popular option for those looking to have a healthy meal. Its pitas are made fresh and delivered from the Al Khyam Bakery of Chicago every day. The restaurant makes its own hummus, baba ghanoush, tzatziki, and pita chips in-house. It's a build-your-own type of restaurant, so you can choose your protein, your salad, and your sauce to create a personalized pita that's healthy and delicious.
For something special, head to the Mikimoto Japanese Steakhouse. It has wonderfully fresh sushi on the menu as well as cooked seafood options. There's also a wonderful steak menu. Be sure to make a reservation so you can sit at one of the hibachi-style tables and watch the chef cook your meal right in front of you. Go for a surf-and-turf option of steak and shrimp or simply enjoy the house filet mignon. Be sure to finish off your meal with the mochi green tea ice cream.
The Junction Eating Place is perfect any time of day. It's an American diner with breakfast served all day and plenty of options to keep everyone in the family happy. The restaurant sources its produce locally when possible and pride itself on hiring students from nearby universities. Diners can enjoy big juicy burgers and healthy salads and sandwiches, as well as giant omelets and grilled salmon dishes.
Dekalb is a great college city with so many wonderful hotels. Whether you're looking for a luxury weekend away or want an affordable hotel to stay in while you visit your son or daughter at nearby Northern Illinois University, you can find a hotel that can suit all of your needs and desires.
Below are reviews of the city of Dekalb, IL from an actual visitor's perspective.
Hotel is across the street from NIU. Easy walking distance to football stadium.
There is a lot of history in the town.
Great steak house, Ellwood Steak. Waitress, Jackie was amazing along with the food!