A weekend’s journey is closer than you might think. Check out these fun destinations that are close to home but still feel so far away.
Starved Rock Lodge: The Best of the Season is Right Here
By Kathy Casstevens, marketing director, Starved Rock Lodge
Enjoy the crisp days of fall at Starved Rock Lodge, in Oglesby, Ill., where you can take in a sunrise or applaud a sunset. Instagram-worthy photos of scenic sandstone canyons are around every turn while exploring Starved Rock State Park’s 13 miles of trails. More fall colors are appearing daily, as the park takes on the hues of the season.
Every Saturday night delicious, locally sourced prime rib is served in the main dining room, seasoned with a secret spice rub and smoked that day. Sunday brunch offers a wide variety of choices for hungry diners.
Trolley tours are offered each weekend with the Land & Water Cruise, Fall Colors Trolley Tour or Autumn on the River Cruise. There’s even a combo tour that includes a guided hike to see Council Overhang and Ottawa Canyon followed by a boat ride on the Illinois River. For a shorter river cruise, the Waterfowl Tour is the best choice. Guided hikes are offered each weekend and include a packed lunch.
Enjoy a sunset cruise aboard the Sainte Genevieve Riverboat on Oct. 5 or Oct. 19. Guests board the trolley at Starved Rock Lodge and head to beautiful Ottawa, Ill., to climb aboard the only paddlewheel boat on the Illinois River. After the cruise, the trolley returns to Starved Rock Lodge for dinner in the main dining room. Reservations are required.
A limited number of tickets are still available for the Lodge’s annual Leinenkugel Dinner on Nov. 10. Everything on the menu is made with Leinenkugel beer.
Ghost Tours are back on the last three weekends of October, and they’re bringing spine-tingling haunted tales. Board the trolley and experience a nighttime tour of the Starved Rock area with spirited guides to lead the way. Reservations for this event are required … if you dare.
PowerFit Yoga’s Matt Hancock leads Yoga & Hike on Nov. 5. This event features a 75-minute yoga class and a 3-mile round-trip hike to scenic St. Louis Canyon. Hancock has taught more than 11,000 classes and is the owner of Hancock PowerFit Yoga. Reservations are required.
Concerts at the lodge put the “rock” in Starved Rock. Music lovers won’t want to miss the Rod Stewart Tribute matinee, featuring Steve Bobbitt, on Oct. 23 and 24. The Beatelles return for a dynamic tribute to the Beatles, also on Oct. 23 and 24. Elvis Tribute enters the building on Nov. 6 and 7 and an Andrews Sisters musical revue celebrates America’s wartime sweethearts on Nov. 13 and 14.
To embark on your adventure, head to StarvedRockLodge.com.
Elkorn, Wis.: Experience Fall on the Farm
By Pat Szpekowski
Enjoy the crisp days of fall at Starved Rock Lodge, in Oglesby, Ill., where you can take in a sunrise or applaud a sunset. Instagram-worthy photos of scenic sandstone canyons are around every turn while exploring Starved Rock State Park’s 13 miles of trails. More fall colors are appearing daily, as the park takes on the hues of the season.
Every Saturday night delicious, locally sourced prime rib is served in the main dining room, seasoned with a secret spice rub and smoked that day. Sunday brunch offers a wide variety of choices for hungry diners.
Trolley tours are offered each weekend with the Land & Water Cruise, Fall Colors Trolley Tour or Autumn on the River Cruise. There’s even a combo tour that includes a guided hike to see Council Overhang and Ottawa Canyon followed by a boat ride on the Illinois River. For a shorter river cruise, the Waterfowl Tour is the best choice. Guided hikes are offered each weekend and include a packed lunch.
Enjoy a sunset cruise aboard the Sainte Genevieve Riverboat on Oct. 5 or Oct. 19. Guests board the trolley at Starved Rock Lodge and head to beautiful Ottawa, Ill., to climb aboard the only paddlewheel boat on the Illinois River. After the cruise, the trolley returns to Starved Rock Lodge for dinner in the main dining room. Reservations are required.
A limited number of tickets are still available for the Lodge’s annual Leinenkugel Dinner on Nov. 10. Everything on the menu is made with Leinenkugel beer.
Ghost Tours are back on the last three weekends of October, and they’re bringing spine-tingling haunted tales. Board the trolley and experience a nighttime tour of the Starved Rock area with spirited guides to lead the way. Reservations for this event are required … if you dare.
PowerFit Yoga’s Matt Hancock leads Yoga & Hike on Nov. 5. This event features a 75-minute yoga class and a 3-mile round-trip hike to scenic St. Louis Canyon. Hancock has taught more than 11,000 classes and is the owner of Hancock PowerFit Yoga. Reservations are required.
Concerts at the lodge put the “rock” in Starved Rock. Music lovers won’t want to miss the Rod Stewart Tribute matinee, featuring Steve Bobbitt, on Oct. 23 and 24. The Beatelles return for a dynamic tribute to the Beatles, also on Oct. 23 and 24. Elvis Tribute enters the building on Nov. 6 and 7 and an Andrews Sisters musical revue celebrates America’s wartime sweethearts on Nov. 13 and 14.
To embark on your adventure, head to StarvedRockLodge.com.
Monroe, Wis.: Come for the Cheese, Stay for the Charm
By Pat Szpekowski
As the “Swiss Cheese Capital of the USA,” Monroe has an abundance of this delicious, versatile food, but the town itself has many additional flavors for visitors to savor and enjoy.
“Monroe exudes that quintessential fall charm with an abundance of vibrant foliage and a surge of activities, from outdoor dining to strolling our downtown and its thriving retail scene,” says Jordan Nordby, executive director of Main Street Monroe.
Launched in the summer, Monroe’s 12th annual Art Installation is still going, with compelling art to enjoy while exploring downtown.
“We have a collection of 23 intriguing public art displays scattered throughout downtown,” says Nordby. “This year’s theme, Level Up on Main, brings together public art that celebrates the world of video games with interactive experiences, trivia, scavenger hunts and art pieces.”
Wisconsin is known for its beer and cheese, and Monroe is perhaps the state’s ideal ambassador city. It’s home to the second-oldest brewery in the country – Minhas Brewery, which has its own distillery and wine garden. Bullquarian Brewhouse, another beer lover’s destination, is a nanobrewery with specialty beers and a full cocktail menu serving drinks like an Elderflower Collins and Caipirinha, a refreshing mix of cachaca, sugar and lime that has become Brazil’s national cocktail.
Then there’s Baumgartner Cheese Store & Tavern, Wisconsin’s oldest cheese store. Baumgartner still serves the classic cheese sandwiches that made the shop popular when it first opened in 1931.
Monroe’s events are another popular draw. Wine is the star of the Fourth Annual First Thursday Wine Walk on Nov. 7. It’s a great opportunity to savor local vintages while enjoying the crisp fall air and checking out Monroe’s bustling retail scene, set in a vintage Americana atmosphere.
“The city’s historic square, one of only a few in Wisconsin, showcases an 1891 courthouse and Victorian-style buildings dating back to the mid-1800s,” notes Nordby. “Walk through the square, marvel at the well-preserved architecture and immerse yourself in the stories of yesteryear.”
In this age of online shopping, it’s a treat to find boutiques that provide personality, friendliness and warmth. JoAnne’s Dress Shop has been locally owned for more than four decades and offers the latest in women’s clothing trends. Another gem is 213 Mercantile, which is run by a husband-and-wife team who specialize in handcrafted home decor. In total, there are more than two dozen locally owned boutiques offering men’s and women’s clothing, toys, jewelry, antiques, home goods and unique gift items.
Monroe also offers plenty of opportunities to hit the trails. The Cheese Country Trail is popular with motorists who enjoy a speedy overview of the scenery. Love to cycle? Try the Badger State Trail and head south toward Freeport or north to Madison. The nearby New Glarus State Woods State Park offers hiking trails and a stunning opportunity to walk to the treetop-level platform. The platform is accessible to all and offers spectacular views.
Plan your next exciting Monroe adventure and find everything that you’re looking for at mainstreetmonroe.org.
Ottawa, Ill.: Fall Family Fun in the Middle of Everywhere
By Pat Szpekowski
The month of October is winding down and time continues to move more swiftly than it seems. But that doesn’t mean the time to enjoy fall events is ending. As a matter of fact, in Ottawa, Ill., the fun is just getting started.
“Set aside some time right now to explore our picturesque Starved Rock area in Ottawa,” says Donna Reynolds, tourism operations manager at the Ottawa Visitors Center. “We’re proud to say we’re ‘in the middle of everywhere’ and have so many choices of fun things to do.”
Being in the “middle of everywhere” means visitors have ready access to luxurious and convenient modern amenities as well as some of the most beautiful state parks Illinois has to offer. Starved Rock State Park, Illini State Park, Matthiessen Sate Park and Buffalo Rock State Park are all a stone’s throw away, just waiting to show off an array of stunning fall colors during a crisp afternoon hike.
Soaking up nature in the chilly fall air can be thirsty work. Fortunately, downtown Ottawa is a haven for local eateries and coffee shops offering hot drinks and delicious fare. Jeremiah Joe Coffee is one such stop, with locations downtown and on Canal Street. There’s also a drive-thru location in nearby Peru. Thirsty customers can choose from a plethora of flavorful hot or cold beverages, all crafted from Jeremiah Joe’s small-batch coffees that are roasted in-house.
For travelers looking for something with more kick than coffee, the ever-popular 8th Annual Wine and Art Walk on Nov. 4 from 2-6 p.m. in historic Downtown Ottawa. What a fun time to enjoy samples of wine, nosh on delicious appetizers and purchase art at participating businesses along the Wine and Art Walk. Do some holiday shopping while purchasing your favorite wines and visit the cute boutiques for those perfect items for everyone on your list. Local hotels beckon visitors, too, with specials for your weekend stay.
“We have so many highlights throughout downtown Ottawa,” notes Reynolds. “Our streetscapes and parks are second to none, and virtually all of our downtown is included in the Ottawa Historic Commercial District. Up to 156 of our structures are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. History buffs love the experience of seeing as many historic places as they can.”
The Jordan Block, Art & Sculpture Gardens is another special park that’s worth a visit, located across the street from the iconic LaSalle County Courthouse in downtown Ottawa. Regarded as the premier event space in Ottawa, it’s always hosting a festival or gathering. Walk through the park and find your favorite art or sculpture, take a selfie and enjoy the memories when you return home.
Visiting Ottawa and the “middle of everywhere” is a good thing. Enjoy what’s old and new, historic and contemporary – all in one fantastic place.
Get more ideas at pickusottawail.com.
Rock Falls, Ill.: A Getaway that Isn’t Far Away
By Pat Szpekowski
The Rock Falls area in the Sauk Valley Region of northeastern Illinois offers outdoor recreation amidst majestic natural scenery. It’s amazing to think that its beautiful backdrops – a river and a historic canal – are located only 2 hours from Chicago and the suburbs right off Interstate 88.
“We have so many options for visitors to stay, play and explore,” says Melinda Jones, director of Rock Falls Tourism. “Besides our spectacular natural settings, we provide a lively variety of special events, a bustling nightlife, unique boutiques and our delicious, popular restaurants that are home to the Sauk Valley region alone.”
Every season in Rock Falls offers its own special experience, and the late-fall season brings on a variety of family-friendly events that kids of all ages enjoy.
If you’d like to get that last good run in before the weather turns, take part in the Paws and Claws 5K on Oct. 28. The race starts at 8 a.m. and participants meet at the Happy Tails Humane Society in Rock Falls. It’s a dog-friendly, chip-timed run/walk that features awards, music, food and plenty of fun for the two-footed and four-footed alike. Of course, pets are encouraged to attend and even take a chance to win the “howl-o-ween” pet costume contest.
Be a part of frightening fun during the Biz Boo! Trick or Treat event on Oct. 29, held in downtown Rock Falls and at the RB&W Riverfront Park District.
“We encourage the kids to wear their costumes and visit our local businesses who are waiting to give them special treats,” says Jones. “This continues to be a popular and fun event that brings everyone together in the spirit of Halloween.”
Make sure you get to Rock Falls on the weekends until the end of October to have a hair-raising experience at Haunted Haven. Since 2009, this wildly popular tradition has upped the chills and thrills for those who dare to explore the 8,000 square feet of spine-tingling adventure. It’s an exciting Halloween experience for adults and kids ages 13 and up.
Before the unpredictable weather turns, visit the Hennepin Feeder Canal in Rock Falls.
“This is a great place to hike, walk, run, fish, kayak and take in the last of the fall colors,” says Jones. “You might even see a few eagles along the Rock River, too.”
There’s no need to haul all of your equipment to enjoy these adventures. Rock Falls provides opportunities for kayak and bicycle rentals that can easily be done on your smartphone. Kayak rentals are available at the Route 40 boat launch on the Hennepin Canal. Just download the app called Rent.Fun. For cyclists, bicycle rentals are available at the RB&W District in downtown Rock Falls. They are easy to rent by downloading an app called Movatic.
Enjoy the ride to Rock Falls and discover something new. Start your adventure at visitrockfalls.com.