Buffalo Rock State Park and Effigy Tumuli

On the bluffs of the Illinois River stand five earthen sculptures molded from Illinois clay. Called Effigy Tumuli, this unique "earth art" is a grand sculpture. Biking, canoeing, hiking, snowmobiling, picnicking, cross-country ski trails, and ball field.

CITY: Ottawa

Blackberry Farm's Pioneer Village

Go on a one of a kind country adventure you'll never forget! Become pioneers for a day on a real 1800s farm and village. Miniature train rides, pony rides, petting zoo, pioneer craft demonstrations, and special events.

CITY: Aurora

Gurler House

Bea Gurler was nine years old when her father George moved his family into the house in 1893. Her cousins, the children of her father’s brother Henry, had been living since 1888 in the Ellwood Mansion. Everyone said it was magnificent. Bea’s parents George and Zillah, evidently shared a taste in homes that favored the elegance of simplicity. It was the unimposing yet dignified structure on Pine Street–where the back door was always open. George and Henry Gurler were both prominent businessmen, and joint owners of a number of dairies. They quickly became world-famous and respected by many dairy farmers. Bea eventually made it a goal of hers to renovate The Gurler House to be the home that she once new and loved. The Gurler House hosts an annual Folk Music Festival every summer, where people are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the music. While you are at The Gurler House, make sure to take a walk through their beautiful garden.

CITY: DeKalb

Pierce Harley-Davidson Museum

Over 65 antique and modern motorcycles are on display, along with memorabilia and vintage clothing.

CITY: DeKalb

Mastodon Gallery at Phillips Park

Get an up-close view of Ice Age mastodon bones unearthed in Phillips Park in the 1930s, while glimpsing into the rich history of one of the area's most beautiful parks.

CITY: Aurora

Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple of Greater Chicago

This temple is one of only three Sri Venkateswara Hindu temples in the United States, constructed by Native American artisans.

CITY: Aurora

Northern Illinois University Convocation Center

Northern’s 10,000 seat Convocation Center is a $36 million multipurpose facility that hosts a variety of sporting events and live entertainment. The Convo features a NCAA-level indoor track, large-scale event/activity space, a full basketball court, an additional practice gym, and storage facilities. The Convo generally hosts athletics such as basketball, volleyball, track, gymnastics and wrestling. Meetings, conventions, and concerts are also popular events at the Convo.

CITY: DeKalb

Ottawa Scouting Museum

A museum to promote and preserve the colorful and proud traditions of Boy/ Girl Scouting and Campfire.

CITY: Ottawa

Batavia Depot Museum

Experience railroad and war history alongside Batavia-related exhibits. The original bed and dresser from Mary Todd Lincoln's room at Bellview Sanitarium are displayed here.

CITY: Batavia

Northern Illinois University

Come tour the Northern Illinois University, catch a show preformed by their Theatre or Dance department, or explore one of their Art Galleries. There is much to do on campus including their new Anthropology Museum, an Observatory, and the Huskies Den. Their Museums are free to visit, some fees may apply for shows or School of Music Concerts. There is never a dull moment on campus!

CITY: DeKalb

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

Hume Carnegie Museum

Wild Bill Hickok, extensive photographic collection, memorabilia of yesteryear, and special exhibits.

CITY: Mendota

Illinois Lincoln Highway Interpretive Gazebo - DeKalb

The Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition presents 16 Interpretive Gazebos along the Lincoln Highway, a 179-mile National Scenic Byway in Northern Illinois. The DeKalb gazebo offers a unique and interactive way for visitors to learn the significance of the highway in DeKalb while enjoying stories of the early Lincoln Highway and its other Illinois communities.

CITY: DeKalb

Aurora Downtown Walking Tour

Take a self-guided tour of Aurora's historic downtown. Tour brochures are available at the Aurora Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau.

CITY: Aurora

African American Heritage Museum and Black Veterans Archives

This museum dedicated to black veterans includes a sculpture garden featuring African-American art.

CITY: Aurora

Joiner History Room

The Joiner History Room is a cooperative effort of the DeKalb County Board, the County Judiciary, the County Clerk’s Office, the County Facilities Management Office, Sycamore Library and DeKalb County Citizens concerned with safeguarding their historical documents. The Joiner History Room is an archives that has many items of museum quality. Our historical materials date back to the hand written minutes of the first session of the County Commissioners in 1837. As there has never been a fire to destroy any of the county valuable historical files, they have been meticulously preserved to meet the needs of today’s researchers. The collection includes Civil War papers, newspaper files, old photographs and numerous boxes of manuscript materials.

CITY: Sycamore

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

Ageless Classics

Air Classics Museum and Bannockburn's Ageless Classics showcases classic cars, aircraft memorabilia and a gift shop in downtown Aurora's transportation museum.

CITY: Aurora

Aurora Historic Districts/Aurora Historic Preservation Commission

Tour the Near Eastside (350 homes dating from the 1800s), Stolp Island, Westside and Riddle Highlands, two of which are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

CITY: Aurora

Air Classics Museum of Aviation

Vintage military and training planes, plus displays of aviation uniforms and memorabilia. Open by appointment only.

CITY: Sugar Grove

Little White Schoolhouse Museum

Constructed in 1854 as a church, this Greek Revival building also served as a schoolhouse for nearly 50 years. A later addition now serves as a museum of Oswego memorabilia.

CITY: Oswego

Aurora Art and History Museum

Discover the "City of Lights" through the Aurora Historical Society's collection of photographs, books, maps and other memorabilia. The Aurora Public Art Commission hosts six to eight rotating exhibits.

CITY: Aurora

Grundy County Historical Society

Museum hours of operation are Thursday, Friday & Saturday 10 AM to 3 PM. Call in advance for guided tours (48 hour notice). The museum has extensive Mazon Fossils, a replica of an early 1890 store, a replica of a 1900 living room as well as a 'tool shed' showing many of the early tools used by pioneers and early farmers. There are many other exhibits as well.

CITY: Morris

Aurora Regional Fire Museum

This museum features vintage firefighting equipment, memorabilia from the 1871 Chicago Fire, photographs and a gift shop.

CITY: Aurora

Lincoln Highway Interpretive Mural -- DeKalb

The Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition has produced many Interpretive Murals along the Illinois Lincoln Highway National Scenic Byway and its corridor in northern Illinois. The DeKalb mural depicts the history, heritage, and events of the highway and its impact on DeKalb and the other communities along the Illinois route.

CITY: DeKalb

Aurora Historical Society.

This local history research archives houses historic photos, books, documents and maps covering Aurora's history from the 1830s to the present. Open by appointment only.

CITY: Aurora

Ellwood House Museum

Perhaps the most notable of historic gems in DeKalb. This grand Victorian mansion was built by barbed wire millionaire Isaac Ellwood. Looks just as it did when the family lived there.

CITY: DeKalb

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

Kendall County Historical Society's Heritage Hall & Chapel on the Green

Dating back to 1855, the chapel is Kendall County's oldest church building, adorned with stained glass windows and a restored 1899 pipe organ. The adjacent hall houses local artifacts, including photographs and clothing.

CITY: Yorkville

Garfield Farm Museum

The Garfield Farm Museum is an 1840s living history farm featuring the story of the Garfield family, the Brick Tavern & Inn, restored barns, heirloom gardens, rare farm animals, restored prairie and more.

CITY: Lafox

Joseph F. Glidden Homestead

Joseph Farwell Glidden's invention of one of the most widely-used types of barbed wire in 1873 helped change the history of the American West and had far-reaching impact throughout the world. His Homestead, a Victorian Mansion, in DeKalb, IL, is being preserved and restored by a not-for-profit organization founded in 1995. Both the home and the barn are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. We welcome your visit and encourage your membership!

CITY: DeKalb

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

Joseph F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center

Built in 1861, the house and brick barn were constructed for local farmer and barbed wire inventor Joseph Glidden. The Illinois State Historical Society has commemorated the barn as the birthplace of barbed wire.

CITY: DeKalb

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

Ellwood House Museum

The story of the Ellwood House reflects the central role of Isaac Ellwood in the development of the barbed wire industry in America. The magnificent estate is also a testimony to three generations of the Ellwood family whose tastes shaped the evolution of the house and grounds. As you visit Ellwood House you will be aware of the comfort and quality of workmanship that wealth could provide. At the same time, you also sense the warmth and hospitality of a family home that was lived in for almost one hundred years. The Ellwood House provides historical tours of the grand Victorian and are approximately one hour tour times. Tours are available for teachers, students, groups, and families. Capacity: 80-100

CITY: DeKalb

NIU Anthropology Museum

The Anthropology Museum houses over 12,000 ethnographic and archaeological objects. The ethnographic collection has regional strengths in Southeast Asia, New Guinea, and the plains and southwest regions of North America. Ethnographic specimens from Africa, Mesoamerica, and South America are also represented.

CITY: DeKalb

The Nehring Gallery

The Nehring Gallery is a space within DeKalb dedicated to promoting arts and culture. It is currently the home of the DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association, an organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the storied history of agriculture in northern Illinois, through exhibits, educational programs and community outreach. Visit their website to see what exhibit is on display today!

CITY: DeKalb

Grand Army of the Republic Hall

Built in 1878 from funds raised by the people of Aurora, this structure was originally built as a monument to Aurora's Civil War veterans and as a shrine to their fallen comrades.

CITY: Aurora

NIU Art Museum

The Museum serves to educate, preserve, exhibit and enlighten by balancing the challenges of contemporary art with the riches of traditional media for a comprehensive examination of visual culture. The Museum pursues its goal of furthering understanding of the visual arts by presenting a balance of high-quality, professional contemporary art exhibitions supplemented by written educational material, gallery talks, artist lectures, panel discussions, symposia and other related activities.

CITY: DeKalb

William Tanner House

Built in 1856, this Italianate is home to the Aurora Historical Museum which offers tours of the fully furnished home.

CITY: Aurora

Aurora University

This university boasts a beautiful quad, and features the Schingoethe Center and Dunham Gallery of student art.

CITY: Aurora

NIU Art Museum

The NIU Art Museum presents rotating exhibitions from the university collections, thematic contemporary exhibitions of the work of regional and national artists, and nationally traveling exhibitions.

CITY: DeKalb