Grand Village of the Illinois

In 1673, this was the site of the first Native American contact with Europeans when Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet passed up the Illinois River. Located in the middle of the site is the 1851 Sulphur Springs Hotel, a resort for travelers and visitors.

CITY: Utica

Hegeler Carus Mansion

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this 57-room, Victorian-era mansion features century-old chandeliers, ornate woodwork and other fine details. It was built in 1876 by Edward C. Hegeler and the mansion was designed by Chicago architect William W. Boyington.

CITY: LaSalle

Sandwich City Hall and Opera House

On August 20, 1878, 25 years after Sandwich first became a town, a contract was signed for construction of the Sandwich City Hall and Opera House. An allotment of $10,000 was given for the project, with the stipulation that it must be completed by the end of the year. The building was finished on time, but there was a cost overrun of $2,000 After much time, money and energy by volunteers to restore and renovate the City Hall and Opera House, a grand re-opening was held on April 12, 1986. Once again the building functions as a community oriented facility, bringing community theatre, lectures, recitals, style shows, weddings and a wide variety of outstanding performers, ranging from country to classical, to its stage.

CITY: Sandwich

The Farnsworth House Estate

Master architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created the ultimate minimalist masterpiece, the Farnsworth House, in pastoral Plano. The stellar structure of floor-to-ceiling glass seemingly "floats" above the rambling Fox River.

CITY: Plano

Majestic Theatre

Art Deco Theatre, seats 550, with a full balcony. Dolby digital sound. Affordable snack bar and friendly service. Open Mon-Sat 6:00pm-11:00pm and Sundays 2:00pm-8:00pm

CITY: Streator

Reddick Mansion Association

One of Ottawa's greatest treasures. Pre-Civil war mansion, one of the area's most expensive and ornate Italianate residences. Tours available. Check website for hours.

CITY: Ottawa

Blue Beaker

Handcrafted Soap, tea, chocolate and gourmet treats, fair trade clothing & goods, yarns, knitting & crochet supplies, fairy gardens, miniature plants, garden accents, home decor, lighting and more! Classes offered too!

CITY: Ottawa

Engle Lane Theatre

An astonishingly well-equipped theater in its 42nd season. Plays and musicals running May-August.

CITY: Streator

Ottawa Visitors Center

Open 7 days a week to service the traveling public. The Ottawa Visitors Center is your one stop shop for information on Ottawa's special events, free tour guides and unique Ottawa souvenirs at our Souvenir Shoppe.

CITY: Ottawa

Ewe and Me Fiber Studio

Ewe and Me Fiber Studio offers their shoppers great gift ideas, accessories, classes, knitting groups, patterns, and yarn.

CITY: Sandwich

Country Village Studio

Portrait studio and gallery conveniently located in downtown Utica. Providing photographic services to the area, including a gallery of local artists. Open Monday-Saturday.

CITY: North Utica

LaSalle County Historical Museum

LaSalle County history including Native American artifacts in an I & M Canal era warehouse, plus a blacksmith shop, a one room school and pioneer farm equipment.

CITY: Utica

Déjà vu

Enter and enjoy a 3,500 sq ft. building full of unique gifts, florals, and home décor.

CITY: Ottawa

First National Bank of Dwight

Famed architecht Frank Lloyd Wright designed and engineered this bank in 1905, and it is the only one of his three designed banks still standing.

CITY: Dwight

The Back Door Lounge at Starved Rock Lodge

Enjoy a relaxed dinner on the veranda during the summer months and live music every Friday from 8pm to 11pm. Rock, alternative, acoustic, R & B, Jazz, country & pop. Visit the website for a complete music schedule. Special events include beer dinners, pub crawls, theater productions, and holiday events.

CITY: North Utica

Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum

A museum established to promote and preserve the history of the Ottawa area and the colorful and proud traditions of Boy/Girl Scouting and Camp Fire. Features national traveling exhibits from museums and libraries. Open Thursday-Monday 10:00 AM-4:00 PM, Closed on Holidays.

CITY: Ottawa

Grundy County Historical Society

The Grundy County Historical Society operates a museum located near the historic I&M Canal in Morris, Illinois. Within the museum you will find an array of historical items. There are several cases on display filled with WWI and WWII memorabilia, artifacts from the Civil War era, and local history objects. Along with the museum, the Society owns an EJ & E railroad caboose which is open to the public for tours upon request. Museum hours of operation are Thursday, Friday & Saturday 10 AM to 3 PM. Call in advance for guided tours (48 hour notice).

CITY: Morris

Clark St. Studio & Village Pottery

Wheel-thrown pottery by resident potter.

CITY: Utica

Historical Society Museum/Alton Railroad Depot

The restored railroad depot, designed by Henry Ives Cobb, is now the home of the Dwight Historical Society and is still an operating Amtrak train station.

CITY: Dwight

Streatorland Historical Society Museum

Displays include 19th-century clothing, music room, local artifacts, and many photographs depicting Streatorland history.

CITY: Streator

The Old Barn Museum

Housed in an original 1840s barn, this museum features thousands of Native American artifacts, including arrows, axes, drills, stone implements, trade beads, beaded garments and natural history items.

CITY: Newark

Opera House of Sandwich

The Opera House functions as a community oriented facility. It brings to its stage: theatre, lectures, recitals, weddings and a wide variety of outstanding performers, ranging from country to classical.

CITY: Sandwich

Marie Olmstead Museum

Described as "a hidden gem" of local cultural, natural and prehistoric history for lower DeKalb and upper LaSalle Counties. Three rooms comprising some 5,000 square feet packed full of artifacts and antiques that could be featured on "Antiques Raodshow". One of the "must-sees" is a 32-round flitlock rifle reportedly presented to Chief Shabbona at the signing of the peace treaty at Prairie du Chien in 1829. A favorite of the youngsters to see while visiting the museum is a stuffed, two-headed calf.

CITY: Somonauk

M.J. Hogan Grain Elevator and Visitor Center

The earliest remaining elevator along the canal that was fully operational during the canal's heyday. Built in 1862, the grain elevator allowed farmers to unload their grain locally instead of hauling it to the Chicago market by wagon.

CITY: Seneca

The Carving Shop

The Carving Shop features the work of Joe Dillet, Master Craftsman, and specializes in custom hand carved heirlooms for the family, church and architectural carvings. We work from your designs, or ours, to create an awesome look that only hand carving can achieve. All wood is seasoned. All work is protected with a finish that will last many years. All work is guaranteed.

CITY: Somonauk

Farnsworth House

Master architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created the ultimate minimalist masterpiece, the Farnsworth House, in pastoral Plano in 1951. The stellar structure of floor-to-ceiling glass seemingly "floats" above the rambling Fox River.

CITY: Plano