Best Places to Propose in Illinois

Photo by Johannes Krupinski on Unsplash

If you’re looking for a magical proposal in Illinois, you’ve come to the right place. Here are 6 of the best places to propose in Illinois.  

RELATED: Best Places to Propose in Chicago 

Lake Michigan   

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Lake Michigan is the third largest of the Great Lakes and is surrounded by Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and of course, Michigan. Lake Michigan is a super popular place to propose – in Chicago, the waterfront and the city skyline views provide romantic scenery. Why not pop the question on a dreamy dinner cruise? Or you can rent a boat for a quieter, more intimate proposal.  

360 Chicago Observation Deck 

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Wow your significant other with amazing views – and a stunning diamond engagement ring. The observation deck, which is on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center, rises 1,000 feet over the city and offers the best views of the city and Lake Michigan. Get tickets in advance here. 

Shawnee National Forest  

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Take in the truly gorgeous scenery at Shawnee National Forest. Make it a day trip, rent a cabin or go camping. If you’re lucky, you may get to see bald eagles in the forest! 

Garden of the Gods is one of the most photographed places in Illinois. It’s a short, ¼ mile trail with stunning views, and it’s the perfect place to propose. Little Grand Canyon is another popular trail in the forest that leads to a beautiful lookout point. Check out more of the best trails here. 

Anderson Japanese Gardens 

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This 12-acre Japanese garden in Rockford, Illinois is a breathtaking and serene place to pop the question. It’s one of the top-rated Japanese gardens in North America. Enjoy the site's streams, koi ponds, and waterfalls. The garden is open seasonally, so check their website in advance before making the trip. 

Chicago Botanic Garden 

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Take a step away from the city and enter the ultra-romantic Chicago Botanic Garden. It’s located in Glencoe, just 20 miles north of Chicago. You could spend hours here exploring all the different gardens – the entire property is 385 acres! Stroll through rose garden, circle garden, English walled garden, and more. Check out all the different gardens here to plan where you want to propose.  

Rosewood Beach 

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This small but picturesque beach in Highland Park is a lovely place to ask your significant other to marry you. Reviewers have shared that they forgot they were even in Illinois! Get there early as finding parking nearby can be difficult.  

Getting an Engagement Ring in Illinois  

Save money and get access to thousands of diamonds by shopping online. Ritani gives you the unique opportunity to design your engagement ring online, then preview it with your actual selected diamond at a partner jeweler or WeWork location near you. Discover locations where you can pick up or preview your engagement ring today. 

Up Next: 10 Things to Know Before Buying An Engagement Ring​