The NW Illinois Directory
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FeaturedAmboy Depot MuseumThe Amboy Depot Museum is located in a former depot and division headquarters of the Illinois Central Railroad located in Amboy, Illinois. The building is an architecturally unique two-story building built of brick and cut Joliet limestone and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has been completely restored both inside and out, and includes the original brick tarmac surrounding the depot and the grounds of the former rail-yard, now preserved as a city park. Also reconstructed were the distinctive chimney caps on the building's eight chimneys, fully restoring the building to its original exterior configuration. Within the museum are artifacts of both the history of Amboy and the Illinois Central Railroad. The museum complex also contains a freight house with additional artifacts, a fully restored one-room country schoolhouse, a retired steam engine and a caboose. So, come in to see what's to be seen at one of the best small-town depot museums to be found anywhere!
FeaturedDillon Home MuseumThe 1858 Dillon Home Museum offers a glimpse into Sterling’s past through the beautifully preserved Victorian home of Ambrose and Julia Dillon. Built in the late 19th century, the home reflects the craftsmanship, furnishings, and everyday life of a prominent local family, bringing regional history to life room by room. Visitors explore the home through guided tours led by knowledgeable docents who share stories about the Dillon family, the home’s architecture, and its role in the community. Original details, period décor, and thoughtfully maintained spaces make each tour both informative and engaging. Guided tours are offered every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. Additional tours are available by appointment only from 3–5 p.m. The museum is also open the second weekend of each month, with guided tours on Saturday and Sunday at the same times. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply curious about Sterling’s heritage, the Dillon Home Museum provides a meaningful and memorable stop. Admission General Admission: $7 Seniors (60+): $6
FeaturedHavencrest CastleTour Carroll County's grandest mansion, a 5 story, 63 room hilltop home with an eternal love story. Open for self-guided & VIP tours weekends in May and October, Self-guided 10am–4pm. (Close at 5). Dozens of themed rooms, 1000s antiques, art, & fantasy. VIP TOURS are guided by owner/artist Alan St. George limited to 10 people at 4PM sharp.
FeaturedJohn Deere Historic SiteStep back to the birthplace of one of America’s most recognizable brands at the John Deere Historic Site in Grand Detour, Illinois. Open seasonally from April through October, this free attraction invites visitors to explore the place where blacksmith John Deere invented the first successful self-scouring steel plow in 1837, forever changing agriculture in the Midwest and beyond. Guests can tour the restored 1836 Deere family home, watch live blacksmith demonstrations in a replica of the original shop, and explore exhibits and archaeological remains marking the exact location where the famous plow was created. Beautiful grounds, historic artifacts, and a gift shop enhance the experience, making it a memorable stop for history buffs, families, and anyone curious about the origins of the iconic green-and-yellow brand. Admission is free, and most visitors spend a couple of hours discovering where the John Deere story began.
FeaturedRochelle Railroad Park & Gift ShopRochelle Railroad Park in Rochelle, Illinois, is a public park dedicated to train viewing at the busy junction of the Union Pacific and BNSF mainlines. The park was established in 1998 as the first railfan park in the United States, providing visitors with a safe, elevated place to watch and photograph freight trains passing through the diamond crossing—often more than 80 per day. The site features an observation pavilion with picnic seating, a gift shop with railroad memorabilia, public restrooms, and informational displays about local rail history. A pair of historic Whitcomb locomotives and a replica of early strap rail provide points of interest on the grounds. A webcam at the park streams live rail action year-round for remote viewers. Rochelle Railroad Park is open daily and year-round, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., free to visit, and draws railroad enthusiasts, photographers, families, and curious travelers from across the region and beyond.
FeaturedRonald Reagan BirthplaceLocated in the small village of Tampico, the Ronald Reagan Birthplace & Museum offers visitors a meaningful look into the early life of the 40th President of the United States. This carefully preserved apartment, situated above a historic storefront, is where Ronald Reagan was born on February 6, 1911. Operated by the Tampico Area Historical Society, the site has been restored to reflect the period when the Reagan family lived there. Inside, guests can explore exhibits featuring photographs, memorabilia, and interpretive displays that highlight Reagan’s childhood, family life, and the values that shaped his future. The museum provides a self-guided experience that’s both educational and approachable, making it a worthwhile stop for history enthusiasts, road-trippers, and anyone interested in presidential history. Its location along the historic Lincoln Highway also makes it an easy addition to a scenic drive through Northwest Illinois. Visitors are encouraged to check seasonal hours before planning their trip. The museum is typically open weekends in March and expands to daily hours (Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sunday, 1–4 p.m.) from April through October, with closures on Easter Sunday and Mother’s Day.
1870 Buffalo Grove Lime KilnHistoric lime kiln on the Old Galena Trail, operated until early 1900s. Restored and on the National Register of Historic Places since 2002. Burned local stone for mortar used by pioneers.
1918 Standard Oil Filling StationRochelle’s first filling station and the first station built along the Lincoln Highway in Illinois. Restored in 2001, the 1918 landmark now houses the Spark Shop, a retail incubator for local small businesses.
2 a.m. ParanormalParanormal tours on 3rd floor, 309½ Main St, Savanna. Fri/Sat: 1.5-hr tour (5–6:30pm), 3-hr tour (7–10pm). $15–25. Appointments on request. FB for booking.
Albany Mounds State Historic SiteAlbany Indian Mounds State Historic Site in Albany, Illinois consists of 205 acres of tree covered hills, valleys and surrounding prairie which is ideal for a walk, bike ride or just sitting and observing the wildlife from deer to eagles that call the park home. The Indian Mounds is now an Illinois State Historic Site. Laying neglected for hundreds of years it is now a natural park open for the public. The Albany Indian Mounds Foundation sees the site as an interpretive center for the history of the Hopewellian culture of more than 2000 years ago. Located at the south end of the village, there is a parking lot at the entrance, at the southwest end of Cherry Street. Nearby is a covered picnic shelter with tables and electricity outlets, water fountain, rest rooms and interpretive signs. The parking lot is also the north entrance of the asphalt-covered Great River Recreation Trail. Here the trail runs for nearly a mile to the south to Bunker Hill and Meredosia roads. Across Meredosia Road to the south is another 15 acres that once was a village site owned by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. The Natives who lived here as early as 500 BC were part of the Hopewell culture, so named because their existence was first learned of on the Hopewell farm in Ohio, where similar mounds had been built. It is not known what the people called themselves or what language they spoke. It is believed that their culture declined sometime around 350 A.D. The site was well-suited to the Hopewell culture, which was not an Indian tribe but rather a term referring to the period in American Indian prehistory marked by trade, communication, and the sharing of ideas throughout a huge area of the continent. They preferred to build their villages at the base of bluffs along the floodplains of major rivers, such as the Mississippi, that offered transportation. At Albany, with the adjacent Meredosia Slough, which served as flood drainage for the Mississippi and Rock rivers, there was an abundant source of food and water. The waters, forests, and prairie provided food and fuel for the Hopewell. Open dawn until dusk. The site also includes a parking lot, picnic shelter, walking trails, and interpretive signs along a bike trail. The Friends of the Albany Indian Mounds Foundation is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the site. Accessibility Information The following are available for the visitor to the site: The parking lot is blacktop. There are no spaces marked accessible. There are no sidewalks or ramps. There are no buildings or an office at this site. There are no water fountains at this site, but there is a pit toilet, which isn't marked accessible. The site has a one-mile blacktop bike trail.
Amboy City Park Wood CarvingsMore than 30 tree trunk wood carvings, including three U.S. Presidents from Illinois (Reagan, Lincoln, Grant) and scenes of Amboy life. More carvings planned.
Amboy Farmer’s MarketLocated at the corner of Main Street and East Avenue in the Amboy Depot Museum parking lot, the Amboy Farmers Market brings the community together with fresh, locally-sourced products. Visit us to find locally grown produce, homemade baked goods, handcrafted items, farm-fresh eggs, and quality poultry—all raised, grown, or produced by local vendors. The market provides a vibrant gathering place for residents and visitors to support local agriculture and artisans while enjoying the charm of historic downtown Amboy.
Andresen Nature CenterThe Andresen Nature Center in Fulton, Illinois, is a small educational center focused on local wildlife, plants, and environmental stewardship. Located near the Mississippi River and next to Heritage Canyon, the center features displays that highlight the region's natural history, including mounted animals, insect and plant exhibits, and information about the local watershed. The center hosts school field trips, educational programs, and community events that encourage visitors of all ages to learn about nature and conservation. Guided tours and special programs are often available by appointment, making it a welcoming stop for families, students, and anyone interested in learning more about the natural world in Northwest Illinois
Argo Acres Farm Stand & OrchardFarm stand 6 miles east of Thomson. Sells seasonal fruits and vegetables (asparagus, rhubarb, strawberries, beans, corn, tomatoes, apples, pumpkins, squash, gourds, Indian corn, popcorn, raspberries). Open daily July–November. Find at Lyons Farmers Market in Clinton, IA.
Asa Crook HomeHistoric home built in 1839 by Prophetstown’s first settler, Asa Crook Sr. Served as inn, church, school, and post office. Restored and preserved by the Prophetstown Area Historical Society. Near the Rock River on Asa Crook’s original land.
Baileyville Christmas TreesTwo weekends only: opens Nov 29. Fri–Sun 8am–5pm. Choose and cut Scotch/White Pines, Firs, Blue Spruce. Boughs, garlands, barn quilts, gift shop. Tree shaking/baling. FB & website for updates.
Barnhart’s Stone Corner Farm MarketUSDA-certified organic farm: veggies, herbs, sorghum, molasses, honey, candles, beef, popcorn, and soap. Features unique stone collection laid by pioneers/Civil War vets.
Battleground Memorial Park - Stillman’s RunSite of the first battle of the Blackhawk War, 1832. Abraham Lincoln helped bury 10 soldiers here as a militia captain. Only war fought on Illinois soil. See Wikipedia link for more history.
BerryView OrchardU-pick orchard for aronia berries, apples, pears, peaches, vegetables. Peaceful, natural setting. Owners Jeff & Julie offer U-pick on weekends Aug–Oct, Sat–Sun 8am–4pm. FB for updates.
Beryl’s Country CeramicsCeramics studio offering greenware, paints, brushes, custom firing, gifts by order, and classes. Closed Fridays, Sundays, and holidays.
Billy Barnhart MuseumFree, year-round museum in historic Conover Square featuring vintage toys, collectibles, sleighs, farm equipment, and local relics. Located on the second floor; donations are welcome.
Black Hawk Statue“The Eternal Indian,” aka Black Hawk, is a 48-ft tall concrete monolithic statue by Lorado Taft (1911), in Lowden State Park. Weighs 536,770 lbs, was poured in place, and is a tribute to all Native Americans who lived along the Rock River.
Blackhawk LanesFamily-friendly bowling center offering open and cosmic bowling, leagues, birthday parties, arcade games, pool, darts, video gaming, a restaurant and bar, and a pro shop.
Blackhawk Model Railroad ClubAll-ages model railroad attraction featuring a large HO-scale layout and other train scales on the second floor of Conover Square. Open Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday 1-4 p.m. Admission is free; donations are welcome, and groups may visit by appointment.
Bos Brothers Historical Farm
Brave Arts Creative StudioBrave Arts Creative Studio is a welcoming, community-focused art space offering creative experiences for children, families, and adults. As Dixon’s first dedicated creative arts studio, Brave Arts blends open, drop-in artmaking with guided classes, workshops, and seasonal events designed to inspire all ages and skill levels. The studio encourages hands-on exploration through a variety of mediums, making it an approachable place for beginners while still engaging for more experienced creatives. In addition to in-studio programming, Brave Arts also offers DIY art kits that allow participants to continue creating at home. With an emphasis on creativity, confidence, and connection, Brave Arts Creative Studio provides a supportive environment where imagination is encouraged and artistic expression is accessible to everyone.
Bugsy’s Arcade and GamingBugsy's Arcade and Gaming is a popular entertainment spot, known for its fun and diverse range of activities. While it's not a widely recognized brand, if you're looking for arcades and gaming centers, you might find such places that offer a variety of classic and modern arcade games, redemption games, and other entertainment options.
Burns HouseDr. William Burns House built in 1854, Polo’s first brick house. Dr. Burns arrived in Buffalo Grove in 1848 and moved to Polo in 1854. He was called Polo's most prominent, historic character. The 1909 History of Ogle County had this to say about Dr. Burns: "In every community, great or small, there are found men who, by reason of super abilities and more industrious effort, have risen above their fellows in public, business or personal life, and such a man was the late William Wallace Burns, M.D."
Bybee Christmas Tree FarmSeasonal choose-and-cut Christmas tree farm offering Fraser fir and white pine, wreaths, saws, tree bagging and baling, plus free hot coffee and cocoa. Open on limited dates after Thanksgiving; confirm the current season schedule before visiting.
Byron Civic TheaterProduces four shows per season plus annual Gala. Located in Byron High School. Tickets: $12 adults, $10 seniors, $6 students/children. Evening shows at 8pm, Sunday matinees at 2pm. Website for show/ticket info.