Welcome to Northwest Illinois
Lose Yourself
In Northwest Illinois
Ever dreamed of getting gloriously lost? Welcome to Northwest Illinois, 2,700 square miles of “ooh, what’s that?” and “let’s go there!” From the Mississippi’s mighty swagger to -39’s eastern embrace, we’re a treasure map disguised as a region.
Bowman Park – Holiday (De)Lights
Timber Lake Playhouse – Great Location - Great Performances
Nachusa Grasslands – Come and Roam
The Dixon – We Live for Live Music
Plan Your Adventure
Putting together your own itinerary for an action-packed expedition can seem intimidating; with so many wonderful spaces to explore, deciding where to begin may be easier said than done. Let us be your guide to Northwest Illinois. Our itineraries provide stop-by-stop directions to help you make the most of your adventure — from exploring our friendly communities to leaping out of a plane at roughly 14,000 feet above the ground. Find the itinerary that suits your trip and take the guesswork out of your planning.
Mississippi Palisades State Park
16327A IL Rte. 84, Savanna, IL 61074
Located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Apple rivers, this 2,500-acre park is rick in Native American history and offers great hiking and stunning views.
Savanna Museum & Cultural Center
406 Main St., Savanna, IL, 61074
This facility houses exhibits including a Civil War uniform, a Model Railroad depicting Savanna's railroad history, the Wayne "The Waltz" King room, and a nurse Helen Scott Hay exhibit honoring her Red Cross work.
Havencrest Castle
140 N 5th St., Savanna, IL, 61074
Built in 1901, the St. George's bought this home in 1976, beginning a lifelong mission to create a place in the manner of the "American Aristocracy." For over 30 years, they expanded the original 22 rooms to 63, executing every small detail of the many th
Timber Lake Playhouse
8215 Black Oak Rd., Mount Carroll, IL, 61053
Come enjoy a mix of large-scale musicals, new plays, and contemporary classics. The theatre also hosts annual educational workshops for children and teens and has a concert series which brings in acts from around the Midwest.
Trailside Mini Golf
21-78 Lake Carroll Blvd., Lake Carroll, IL, 61046
This 18-hole course is challenging and fun for all ages. Set on a gentle slope, players can play through streams, ponds, and waterfalls. The view from the top of the course is nothing short of spectacular.
Lake Carroll Golf Course
29-11 Ironwood Dr., Lanark, IL 61046
Lake Carroll Golf Course will challenge you whil providing a relaxing, picturesque backdrop. This course is a pleasure for golfers of any skill level to play.
De Immigrant Windmill
First Street and 10th Ave., Fulton, IL, 61252
This authentic Dutch windmill stands nearly 100 ft. tall. As a fully functioning mill, you can see how different grains are ground, then purchase the flour and learn more at the nearby Windmill Cultural Center.
Morrison Rockwood State Park
18750 Lake Rd., Morrison, IL 61270
Choose from a variety of recreational opportunitiesAt this picturesque park. Its Lake Carlton features an abundance of waterfowl and is a great place to fish. The park is also perfect for hiking , boating, birding, picnicking, and camping.
Dillon Home Museum
1005 E. Third St., Sterling, Illinois, 61081
Built in 1858, the home had a number of owners before Washington Dillon purchased it in 1882. Unique from most historic home museums, it retains all the original furnishings and belongings and is filled with treasures.
Midway Drive-In Theater
91 Palmyra Rd., Sterling, IL, 61081
Visiting the Midway is like stepping back into the 50s. From the retro "spaceship" ticket booth to the concession stand, The Midway embodies the charm of the Drive-In era. Oldies play before movies and the "Dancing Hot Dog" short runs at intermission.
White Pines Forest State Park
6712 West Pines Rd., Mt Morris, IL, 61054
Set along the winding banks of Spring and Pine creeks, the park has beautiful moss-covered cliffs strung with vines. It's perfect for hiking, fishing, camping, picnicking, and cross-country skiing. There's also seasonal bow and firearm deer hunting.
The Rink at Pine Creek
6929 West Pines Rd., Mount Morris, IL, 61064
Welcome to Northern Illinois' largest roller rink. Skate to top 40 music, play at the arcade, and then refuel at the snack bar. The Rink at Pine Creek is open every weekend.
John Deere Historic Site
8334 S. Clinton St., Grand Detour, IL 61201
Stand in the exact location where John Deere forged the first self-scouring steel plow. View excavated artifacts, tour the home he built for himself and his family, and watch live blacksmith demonstrations in a replica of his original shop. The site is op
Castle Rock State Park
1365 W. Castle Rd., Oregon, IL 61061
Located on the west bank of the Rock River in Ogle County, you'll find a rolling topography, interesting rock formations, deep ravines, and unique vegetation. The park gets its name from the majestic sandstone bluff adjacent to the river.
Lowden State Park
1411 North River Rd., Oregon, IL 61061
Besides stunning views, this park is perfect for hiking, boating, fishing, picnicking, and camping. However, perhaps the park is most famous for its 50-foot statue that was created as a tribute to Native Americans, known as the "Eternal Indian."
Byron Forest Preserve & Jarrett Prairie Center
7993 North River Rod., Byron, IL 61010
These areas can be enjoyed by walking the trails, using a picnic shelter, playing on the playground, going horseback riding, golfing at the golf course or indoor/ outdoor driving range, viewing the night skies at the observatory, or just looking out over
Prairiefire Golf & Grill
6734 N. German Church Rd., Byron, IL 61010
Whether you're a regular player or hardly ever swing a club, PrairieFire has a digital Toptracer Range® game for you. PrairieFire features heated bays, lounge seating, fire pits, and TV monitors. There's also great food and a variety of beverages.
Chicagoland Skydiving Center
1207 Gurler Rd., Rochelle, IL 61068
Since 1968, the Chicago Skydiving Center has been in the business of jumping out of perfectly good airplanes. With a perfect student safety record, world-class training program, ultra-modern facilities, and on-site bar and restaurant, there's no place lik
Dixon Arch
Galena Ave. & Rt. 2, Dixon, IL 61021
Since 1919, this lighted historic memorial arch on Galena Avenue in Dixon has honored its war veterans. A true Dixon landmark, the arch is here to greet all travelers and visitors who pass beneath it.
Lowell Park
2114 Lowell Park Rd., Dixon, IL 61021
This 200-acre woodland along the Rock River offers beautiful scenic drives, hiking trails, dedicated natural areas, picnic shelters, a nature center, playgrounds, handicap-accessible boat access, and great fishing spots.
Northwest Territory Historic Center
205 W. 5th St., Dixon, IL 61021
This museum, history research, and learning center is housed in Ronald Reagan's boyhood school. The Center, affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, features an auditorium, research library, historical exhibits, art gallery, surround-sound theater, an
Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home
816 Hennepin Ave., Dixon, IL 61021
Come tour the restored home that the Reagan family lived in from 1920- 1923. The tour includes a four-room Presidential Timeline exhibit and a viewing of a Reagan biographical video.
Franklin Creek Grist Mill
1893 Twist Rd., Franklin Grove, IL 61031
Tour this historic mill, a reproduction of one located on the site over 150 years ago. Witness waterpower in action, view early construction techniques, see how corn was ground, and learn about the importance of the mill in the early life of the area.
Franklin Creek State Natural Area
1872 Twist Rd., Franklin Grove, IL 61031
The beautiful Franklin Creek flows throughout this 882-acre park. The area also features several large natural springs, hardwood forests, bedrock outcroppings, and a wide variety of flora and fauna. Hiking, cross-country skiing, snowmobile, and equestrian
Nachusa Grasslands
2075 Lowden Rd., Franklin Grove, IL 61031
Consisting of 4,000 acres of restored, remnant prairie, the Grasslands is home to 180 types of birds, more than 700 native plant species, and a herd of bison. Many other rare animals such as the endangered Blanding's turtle also call Nachusa home.
Amboy Depot Museum
99 East Main St., Amboy, IL 61310
Here, you'll find artifacts of both the history of Amboy and the Illinois Central Railroad. The complex also contains a freight house with additional artifacts, a fully restored one-room schoolhouse, a retired steam engine, and a caboose.
Go Northwest
For Great Events
Small Towns, Big Weekends
2026 Summer Festival Guide
If you’re the type who doesn’t like sitting still all summer… you’re in the right place.
From riverfront concerts and high-speed boat races to classic car shows and full-blown county fair chaos (hello, Chicken Poo Bingo), Northwest Illinois knows how to fill a calendar.
Read More
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