LaSalle Canal Boat & Lock 16 Visitors Center

Mule pulled canal boat rides with period clothed storyteller, open May-October. The year-round Visitor center includes exhibits, programs, visitor information, cafe and gift shop.

CITY: LaSalle

Captain Swift Covered Bridge

Located one mile west of Princeton in Bureau County, Illinois is the Captain Swift Covered Bridge. Built in 2006, the bridge derives its strength from its burr arch design, an idea patented by Theodore Burr of New York in 1804. Made entirely of wood using 1800s concepts (it has an outer skin of Douglas Fir), the Captain Swift Covered Bridge is the only two-lane covered bridge in Illinois. It has a 16’-3” vertical clearance, a 28 foot minimum roadway width and a 128’ span over the Big Bureau Creek. GPS co-ordinates - N41 22.745 W89 29.871

CITY: Princeton

Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail at LaSalle

Explore the fabled canal route that connects Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River by way of the Illinois River. Once used by Native Americans and early explorers, today the trail meanders through four state parks with landscapes ranging from towering bluffs to rolling hills. Modern-day explorers can enjoy hiking, boating and even snowmobiling.

CITY: LaSalle

American Discovery Trail

What a way to travel - about 75 miles, from one major river to another (the Illinois and the Mississippi), all on one newly built trail. The Hennepin Parkway State Trail (a linear state park) offers surcease from the flat, treeless Illinois prairie with a lock-strewn straight course of water and a green tunnel over the old tow path of a canal that was obsolete before it was completed. Quaint towns lie nearby, camping spaces (usually primitive) abound, and history is there for the dipping of your fingers in the water. At Sheffield, a comprehensive trail museum more than fills the gaps in your experience of a very unique way to travel through the heart of America. The trail ends in Rock Island, just a bike/pedestrian bridge over the Mississippi River to Iowa.

CITY: Bureau Junction

Hornbaker Gardens

Hornbaker Gardens is a family owned and operated nursery specializing in perennial flowers. Large collections of hostas, daylilies, iris and other perennials draw plant enthusiasts from all over the Midwest to this nursery in the country. Whatever we get interested in as gardeners, we seem to start providing for our customers as well. Thus, the offerings of granite and pottery, bronze sculptures and rusty metal artwork. In 2008, we put up a new building which we call The Shop at Hornbaker Gardens. It is stocked with garden art and other garden accessories where you are sure to find something unique for your garden.

CITY: Princeton

A Hundred Acres Orchard and Market

A fun-filled orchard featuring apples, berries, melons. The indoor market is filled with jams, jellies, sauces, dips, salsas, candy and homemade "take n bake" pies. Also unique is the Krazy Kernel Kettle Korn, produced right in Princeton! Specialty cheeses, such as Antonella, Buffalo Wing Jack, and Tomato Basil Yellow Cheddar are also available. Pair these cheeses with some of the wines that are sold in the new wine shop, or enjoy your purchase on the newly constructed outdoor patio area. The Cider Mill banquet room has been expanded to accommodate 200 guests, so plan your wedding, reception, party, or reunion here!

CITY: Princeton

Rock River Miniatures

This miniature horse farm is located in Whiteside County.

CITY: Rock Falls

Oppold Marina

Offers boat access to the Rock River, with a 50-ft. renovated boat launch. During the summer season, offers boat gas, concessions, paddleboat/rowboat/canoe rentals as well as 2 large shelters for family reunions and parties,

CITY: Sterling

Lowell Park

Featuring 240 acres, Nature Center, parking, boat launches and Rock River access, fishing, hiking, nature preserve, cross-country skiing, shelters, grills, playground equipment, and more. Ronald Reagan saved 77 lives here as a lifeguard during his boyhood years.

CITY: Dixon

Paone's Blackhawk Lanes

This bowling alley features 20 lanes, a pro shop and a lounge.

CITY: Sterling

Boggio 's Orchard and Produce

Bakery opens at 6:00am and Market opens at 9:00 to 5:00pm, Monday- Saturday, and Sunday 6:00 to 4:00 pm. May is spring bedding plants, summer is fresh picked vegetables and fruits. After Labor Day, on weekends, pumpkins, pedal cars, pony and wagon rides, corn maze, animal barn, jumping pillow, food stands and the last weekend in Sept. a Craft Show with live music and over 100 crafters.

CITY: Granville

Deer Valley Golf Club

Located just 10 miles south of Rock Falls, Deer Valley is a challenging 18-hole championship golf course.

CITY: Deer Grove

Senica Oak Ridge Golf Club

This 18-hole championship course has bent grass greens, tees, and fairways, plus a full-service pro shop.

CITY: LaSalle

Mautino State Fish and Wildlife Area

Encompasses 871 acres of mostly unreclaimed strip-mining land. The area is dotted with some 15 stocked lakes for fishing. Be aware that shore access is limited and that shorelines tend to drop off suddenly into deep water.

CITY: Sheffield

Donnelley/Depue State Fish and Wildlife Area & Complex

This complex is an important North American waterfowl migration corridor. Much of the 3,838-acre complex is managed for waterfowl feeding, nesting, resting, harvesting, and viewing.

CITY: De Pue

Emerald Hill Golf and Learning Center

This golf complex features an 18-hole course.

CITY: Sterling

Sandy Pine Elk Farm

Surrounded by a ridge covered with thousands of pine trees, Sandy Pine has some of the largest and top-ranked elk bulls in the Midwest. Take a tour through the pasture and snap some photos.

CITY: Deer Grove

Green River Oaks Camping Resort

Camping resort with two pools, mini golf, basketball courts, fishing in lake and river, rental trailers, 225 sites with hookups.

CITY: Amboy

Pineview Campground

On 40 acres of pine trees, the camp welcomes trailers, RVs and more.

CITY: Amboy

Nachusa Grasslands, The Nature Conservancy

Private natural area owned by the Nature Conservancy. Highlights are 1500 acres of prairie, wetlands, and savanna woodlands. Grassland flowers, birds and butterflies to observe.

CITY: Franklin Grove

Jim Ardvini Boat Launch Park

Boat ramps into Lake Sinnissippi area of Rock River. Picnic tables, scenic river view, adjacent to Hennepin Canal State Park.

CITY: Rock Falls

Mendota Hills Campground

More than a campground, hit a golf ball, take a golf lesson, catch a fish or hayrack ride, swim, dance, hike row/paddle a boat, play basketball, horseshoes, video games and pool or kickback with a campfire. We have 130 acres to do it all.

CITY: Amboy

Lost Nation Golf Club

This beautiful 18-hole course with large, smooth greens and rolling hills is open to the public, and offers a pro shop and restaurant.

CITY: Dixon

Franklin Creek State Natural Area

Developed by local volunteers, it offers scenic trails, horseback riding, fishing, and limited hunting. The site contains the historic Franklin Creek Grist Mill and a 180-acre dedicated nature preserve.

CITY: Franklin Grove

Hennepin Canal Bike Paths

The Hennepin Canal Parkway follows an old towpath that was actually never used, although the locks and aqueducts are in still in place. It was originally built to link the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. The 105-mile path is level and easy; however, water is scarce along the way (found only at locks 21, 22 and the Visitor Center), so be sure to bring plenty, especially during hot days. The landscape varies from forest to grasslands to marsh to farmland, and the trail is particularly pleasing during fall, when the leaves are changing colors. The Hennepin Canal Parkway has become a cyclist's paradise and an exceptional spot for fishing, birding, horseback riding and a wealth of outdoor recreation.

CITY: Sheffield

Blue Goose Run

Blue Goose Run is the perfect farm setting for an outdoor wedding, family or class reunion, corporate or business meetings, and baby or bridal showers. Visit the Machine Shed Gift Shop and Corn Crib Restaurant.

CITY: Sterling

Ruffit Park

Located west of Sterling & Rock Falls on Rt. 30 & 2.

CITY: Sterling

O'connell's Yogi Bear Jellystone Park

287 acres of clean camping. Large pull-thru site with 50 amp electric available. Daily activities June-August. Swimming, mini golf, water slide, 5 comfort stations, laundromats, and Yogi Bear.

CITY: Amboy

Green River State Wildlife Area

Green River is the best remaining example of the wetland-prairie mosaic that once covered the area's nearly 1 million acres of lowlands. This multiple-use site provides hunting, hiking, and birding opportunities.

CITY: Harmon

Leisure Lake Campground

68 full hookup sites, of which 32 are pull-thru. All are 20 & 30 amp. Hookup (50 amp available), pay phones, full laundry.

CITY: Rock Falls

Rock River Valley Skydivers, Inc.

Student training. Tandem & sport/fun jumping. Demonstration jumping for events. USPA group member drop zone. Two Cessna C182 jump planes, visitors welcomed. Located at the Whiteside County Airport.

CITY: Rock Falls

Rogers Hunting Club, Inc.

Established in 1957 - public hunting, plus memberships for pheasant, quail, wild turkey, doves and deer in season. Hunter Safety Course for ages 16 & under - held the second weekend in October.

CITY: Ohio