The NW Illinois Directory
Explore All 821 Places
Every supper club, trailhead, main-street shop, and stay across all four counties — searchable in one place.
Copper Bit RanchCopper Bit is a riding lesson facility in Sterling, IL, set on 30 acres with a 16-stall barn, 3-stall quarantine barn, indoor arena, outdoor arena, cross-country jumping field, turnout paddock, and grazing pastures. Please call Joan at 815-625-4961 if you are interested in riding lessons. This facility is NOT a horse rental business.
Douglas ParkTwo-acre neighborhood park in Sterling's Douglas Park Subdivision, established on land donated in 1955. Amenities include basketball courts, playground equipment and open play areas.
Eberley ParkSet on 25 wooded acres, Eberley Park features a 1.5-mile soft-surface walking and running course. The shaded route is popular with walkers and joggers and offers a peaceful place to enjoy Sterling's natural landscape.
Emerald Hill Golf CourseEmerald Hill Golf Course has been a staple of the Sterling golf scene since 1923 and is currently operated by the Sterling Park District, combining tradition with quality facilities for golfers of all skill levels. The 18-hole regulation course challenges players with a thoughtful layout that includes well-maintained fairways, water hazards, and sand traps, while lush bentgrass greens and practice areas provide opportunities to sharpen every aspect of your game. In addition to the course itself, Emerald Hill features a driving range, three practice greens, and a chipping area — perfect for warmups or focused practice sessions. The welcoming clubhouse offers a pro shop stocked with gear, friendly staff to help with tee times and cart rentals, and the Clubhouse Grill, where golfers can enjoy snacks, beverages, or a full meal after a round. It’s a great stop for locals and visitors alike who want a relaxed but rewarding round of golf in Northwest Illinois.
Gartner ParkGartner Park is Sterling Park District's baseball complex, developed in 1961 and improved over the years with press boxes, lighting, and field upgrades. The park offers eight regulation baseball diamonds, available by reservation through the district's administrative office, plus a playground area.
Harry Kidd FieldHarry Kidd Field is a Sterling Park District football facility and the home field for Sterling Jr. Tackle's fifth- through eighth-grade program. Acquired through an Open Space Land and Water Conservation Fund grant in 1976, the site provides a dedicated community football field at West Seventh Street and Woodburn Avenue.
Hoover ParkHoover Park is a Sterling Park District green space with a playground, picnic area, open play fields, cross-country skiing opportunities, and access to the paved S.M.A.R.T. trail system. From the park, walkers, runners, and cyclists can follow the 2.25-mile Sinnissippi–Hoover route toward Redfield Park, Martin’s Landing, and the Dillon Home Museum.
Kilgour ParkKilgour Park is a 12-acre Sterling park on the former farm of Civil War Colonel William M. Kilgour. Today it features the Imagination Station play area, a nine-hole disc golf course, basketball and tennis courts, picnic areas, open play space, playground equipment, and a seasonal restroom. It is both a neighborhood recreation stop and a local historic site.
Lawrence ParkLawrence Park is Sterling's first park, acquired in 1925 and set on an island in the Rock River. Visitors can launch boats and small paddle craft, fish from the island, use grills and picnic shelters, play horseshoes, enjoy the playground and open lawn, or relax beside the river. State boating and fishing rules apply.
Martin’s Landing/Sinnissippi Dam WalkwayScenic walkway connects Sterling & Rock Falls, links to Hennepin Canal Parkway & Grand Illinois Trail. Benches, gazebo, fishing, trail access.
Oppold Marina Harbor HouseFree boat launching, slip rentals, picnic shelters, restrooms, fishing, playground, and open play areas. Open 7 days a week; call for holiday hours.
Platt Park Pump TrackPublic pump track in Sterling's Platt Park for bicycling and wheeled recreation, with the park's ball diamond and neighborhood green space nearby.
Propheter ParkOutdoor basketball courts, playground, open play areas, and a Lincoln statue.
Redfield ParkPlayground, open play, trails, biking/walking paths.
Roadside Park Boat RampRock River boat launch area.
Scheid ParkFourteen-acre Sterling park with basketball courts, a soccer field, playground, open play areas, restrooms, and a first-come picnic shelter.
Sinnissippi Park & Sinnissippi MoundsLarge riverside park with hiking, fishing, disc golf, playgrounds, picnic shelters, recreational space, and the nationally recognized Hopewellian Sinnissippi Mounds.
Sterling Park DistrictThe Sterling Park District, located in Sterling, Illinois, just 5 miles north of I-88 and halfway between the Quad Cities and DeKalb, offers a wide range of recreational opportunities for all ages. With 14 park sites spanning 525 acres, visitors can enjoy outdoor activities such as biking along 7 miles of bike paths, boating at Oppold Marina with two boat ramps, or spending time at one of the district’s three fishing ponds. For golf enthusiasts, there's an 18-hole golf course, a driving range, and practice greens. Disc golf is also a highlight, with both a 27-hole and a 9-hole course. Indoor facilities include a state-of-the-art aquatics center, gymnastics center, a 200-meter indoor track, a 60-yard indoor turf field, and multiple fitness areas, including 35,000 square feet of fitness equipment and a HIIT House for boxing and MMA. The district is also home to 4 indoor tennis courts, 12 outdoor tennis courts, 6 indoor pickleball courts, and one indoor wallyball/raquetball court. For basketball and volleyball enthusiasts, there are 4 indoor courts as well as 2 NBA-sized wood courts. The district also offers a variety of family-friendly amenities, including a sledding hill, a party rental facility at the Westwood and Duis Centers, and childcare at the Kids Gym. Other attractions include the Dillon Home Museum, Westwood Wellness, a turf Major League Ball Diamond, and a warehouse for functional fitness. For food and refreshment, visitors can stop by Westwood Smoothie Co. or explore the fitness areas and specialized programs offered year-round. Whether it's fitness, sports, or leisure, the Sterling Park District offers something for everyone.
Thomas ParkSterling Park District's 12.25-acre neighborhood park with six pickleball courts, basketball, a playground, dog park, picnic areas, open play space, seasonal restroom, and reservable shelter.
