Latest Reviews

Ozzy's Burgers &...
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Ozzy's Burgers & Brew

Ozzy's offers the best food along the Mississippi River in Iowa/Illinois. Four of us were ready...

Bella's Offers...
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Bella Food & Spirits

My wife and I had supper from Bella's tonight and it was awesome! My wife had the teriyaki ribs and...

The Best Deli in...
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Cobblestone Ice Cream &...

This is by far the best place to get a sandwich. I am from New Jersey and this is as close to a big...

Our Pinehill Inn...
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Pinehill Inn

This was our first time staying at a B&B and the experience was wonderful. The property was...

Martin's Steaks &...
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Martin's Steaks & Spirits

We had a wonderful meal at Martin's Steak & Spirit, Sterling, IL. Nice bar to sit relax and have a...

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Blackhawk Waterways - a getaway like it used to be.
What to do in the Blackhawk Waterways

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What to do in the Blackhawk Waterways
A Thriving Country Art Community
Since the late 1800's artists have coming out to our neck of woods to escape the city and to become inspired!  In some places, art doesn’t just happen, it’s a happening...Read More >>
 
Hike and explore our natural wonders
For those who enjoy the great outdoors, the Blackhawk Waterways region is the place to be! Consider this: within our four-county region, there are six state parks, preserves and wildlife...Read More >>
 
Meet our region's namesake.
His given Sauk name was "Ma ca tai me she kia kiak", but he was better known as "Black Hawk". Born in 1767 in the Sauk tribe village of Saukenuk...Read More >>

Discover More in Our Neck of the Woods...
Bald Eagle Pair are Expecting! View the WebcamBald Eagle Pair are Expecting! View the WebcamIt's hard to find a better place in Illinois for Bald Eagle watching than the Upper Mississippi River Refuge near the towns of Fulton and Thomson Illinois. But this year is special. A pair of Bald Eagles have nested right under a webcam and there is an...Read More >>
A Getaway Like it Used to Be!A Getaway Like it Used to Be!Do everything or nothing at all. The Blackhawk Waterways region, in Northwest Illinois, is filled with opportunities for wildlife viewing, hiking and biking, boating and fishing, shopping and antiquing, and exploring our nation’s rich history, or just sitting in an old-growth forest and reading a book. Blackhawk Waterways...Read More >>
Ronald Reagan Trail - Making of an American PresidentRonald Reagan Trail - Making of an American PresidentMaybe it’s something in the water, or maybe it’s Illinois’ warm, pragmatic nature. Four American Presidents have called Illinois their home at one time or another but one of them stands above them all in Northwest Illinois. Ronald Reagan, 40th American President, the man who helped end the Cold...Read More >>
Wildlife Viewing At Its Best!Wildlife Viewing At Its Best!  Birdwatching at the Franklin Creek State Natural Area Watching and observing wildlife is an exciting activity, providing a sense of discovery for all ages. Whether you look at, photograph or sketch wildlife, or listen to the sounds of unseen creatures, wildlife viewing has become an increasingly popular hobby. And here...Read More >>
Windmill worth the trip to FultonWindmill worth the trip to Fulton FULTON, Ill. — A sunset was on the way. We knew the sun was breaking its way through after a day of clouds, wind and rain, so we couldn’t wait to head for the windmill. Just the word “windmill” is all that is needed when you breathe the name “...Read More >>
Prairieland splendor at Nachusa GrasslandsPrairieland splendor at Nachusa GrasslandsLocated about 10 miles south of Oregon, near the Lee County village of Franklin Grove, you can wander nearly 3,000 acres of rolling landscape consisting of a mosaic of 11 natural community types, including dry prairie, tallgrass prairie, bur oak savanna, sand savanna, fen, sedge meadow, and streamside marsh. You’ll...Read More >>