A mid-1800’s architectural wonder helped make Chicago the city it is today. The 96-mile Illinois & Michigan Canal (I&M Canal) connected the Great Lakes in Bridgeport, Chicago to the Illinois River at LaSalle-Peru, and amazingly unique towns sprung up that maintain their authentic charm to this date.
Freedom. The Open Road. The American Dream. All are still alive on The Mother Road. The nostalgia of diners, museums, tourist stops and neon lights are there for you to visit as you make the drive from Chicago to Santa Monica, CA. You can still get your Kicks on Route 66!
A visit to Starved Rock State Park consists of many sights to behold, including breathtaking views of its many canyons and awe-inspiring scenes of eagles flying during the winter month.
Are you looking for a specific type of place to visit in the I&M Canal Heritage Corridor? If you're a craft beer fan, you will love the Heritage Corridor Ale Trail? Seeing a thrilling journey or just an escape, check out Adventure Outside Chicago. We've got all the info to unlock your next trip right here.
Welcome to "a mess of things". You will find vintage, shabby chic, repurposed, recycled, home decor, clothing, accessories, this and that...and more! We are located in downtown Ottawa where there is plenty of free parking, shopping and restaurants to enjoy while making a trip to see us.
August Hill Winery & Illinois Sparkling Co. in Downtown Utica is Starved Rock Country’s award winning winery. August Hill Winery has been making wine since 2002. The Winery includes caves for aging wine, a tasting room, a sparkling wine program, and a staff that is family. A visit to winery allows you to not only taste the wine but see how the wine is made. Enjoy wine tastings of the August Hill Winery in the tasting room or on the outdoor patio and enjoy live music in the lounge.In ...
Clarks Run Creek Wine & Gifts is located near Spirit Knob, Blue Sky, Kickapoo Creek and Pheasant Hollow. Their store has the perfect environment for getting a taste of the local culture and spending time with friends. With a spacious lounge, it offers their guests a place to relax, talk and enjoy their wine. Venue rentals are available as well for bachelorette parties, bridal showers and more. Live music and other events are featured through out the year as well.
Countryside Village is your one-stop shop for all things home décor, quilting fabric, gourmet food, teas, coffee and wines, kitchenware, women’s fashions and accessories, and everyday savings. Their fabric department is the biggest in the area with over 1,500 bolts of the finest quality fabrics. Enjoy the shopping atmosphere with a small town feel at Countryside Village.
Fun, functional pottery and custom creations. Found in K's Secret Garden in Streator. Demonstrations and classes available. See our website for more information: finefieldpottery.com
H & H Mercantile in Streator, Illinois offers the largest selection of vintage vinyl in LaSalle County. The store has many eclectic and unique items, such as antiques, jewelry, collectibles, housewares, small furniture and more. Located on historic Main Street in Downtown Streator, H & H Mercantile provides big city shopping at small town prices.
Hufendick Farm Market provides fresh and frozen meat sourced directly from Hufendick Farm south of Norway, Illinois. Hufendick farm raises our animals the old fashioned way. No confinements, No antibiotics, No steroids. Our animals are free range with room to roam.
At ItisAmazing, They select the right mix of special pieces and offer affordable pricing for their customers. As a personal shopper, the employees at ItisAmazing will focus on making your shopping experience enjoyable, especially for the thrift conscience individual.
Items change seasonally and if you don’t find what you’re looking for, catalogs are available for custom orders.
An amazing retail store sells women’s apparel, shoes, men & women’s accessories, some children ...
Jobst Monuments & Gifts is two shops in one, housed in an historic 1800’s building. The store carries unique gifts for the home and garden, as well as provide family and civic memorials. When visiting Jobst Monuments & Gifts be sure to stop by the fairy garden corner. A great store to stop at when visiting the Starved Rock area.
The Lock 16 Gift Shop is located at the Lock 16 Visitor Center in LaSalle. Gift Shop boasts a wide selection of unique gifts, seasonal décor, cards, books, souvenirs and mementos and exclusive I&M Canal Boat items. No matter the occasion you’re sure to find the perfect I&M Canal themed gifts at the Lock 16 Gift Shop.
Mabel's Market offers treasure seekers and casual shoppers a varied collection of farmhouse, cottage and vintage wares, rustic and re-purposed furniture and home goods, as well as locally hand-crafted accessories.
Be a Mabel!
The original antiques shop in Wilmington opened in 1963 and is family owned and operated. Dealing estate jewelry and 3 storefronts of general antiques and European Imports.
PK UnKorked Wine Shop and Tasting Room is perfectly located right on the square in historic Downtown Pontiac, Illinois just off of the famous Route 66. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon in their cozy lounge area sipping on one of over 100 wines while overlooking Downtown Pontiac. No Route 66 journey is complete without trying their Route 66 labeled wine, you won’t be disappointed and you may even bring some home with you to remember your journey.
Prairie Fox Books is an independent bookstore in Ottawa, Illinois. The book store features an English library-style atmosphere and knowledgeable booksellers. Prairie Fox Books hopes to create a community gathering space for book lovers of the area.
Rock Paper Scissors in Downtown Ottawa features a wide array of educational toys, games and school supplies for children of all ages. The includes hands-on experiences for educational learning, and an open space for classes, workshops and events. Rock Paper Scissors is Starved Rock Country’s headquarters for teachers and students.
A trip to the Starved Rock State Park area is refreshing, especially when you make a stop at Ottawa's SaltTreeYoga.
Everything at SaltTreeYoga focuses on restoring wellness and balance to the body, mind, and spirit. All services help with pain, detox, and/or relaxation. So many people in today's world are looking for more proactive choices to support their health and well-being. Their goal is to provide some of the latest natural healing methods and educational opportunities ...
Thimbles is one of the top ten quilt shops specializing in Bernina and Baby Lock Sewing Machines. Located in I&M Canal town of Lockport, Thimbles offers a variety of sewing classes from beginning quilting to sewing techniques, tote bags and sewing clubs. Each class, the staff at Thimbles aims to educate the customer further on quilt and fabrics, and different sewing techniques for each project. Thimbles is the sewing and quilting headquarters of the Illinois Valley.
True North was voted Grundy County's Best Antique Store. Located in Morris, True North is the home to an enormous amount of vintage items, antiques, and hand-made gifts. The store features over 70 vendors who work hard to bring the most popular vintage and antique items to the area for customers to purchase. At True North, you're sure to find something that makes you say, "I remember that".
Wine & Cheese Co. is a fine wine and artisan cheese shop, wine bar and cafe located in historic downtown Plainfield, IL. It's a safe haven for the clueless to the connoisseur looking to sip, nibble and enjoy. Stop in to browse our diverse selection, stay for a meal with friends and bring your favorites home to share.
Due to the COVID-19 virus, organizations may have different hours and services. Events may be rescheduled or cancelled. Please check with the organization/event prior to traveling to ensure hours/status.
FREE VISITORS GUIDE
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FREE VISITORS GUIDE
