Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway

11/22/2024

The Pointsettia Show at Luthy Botanical Garden opens this weekend through December 30. Visit their page to check out all of the festive events happening this season. ⭐️

🌺✨ Experience the magic of the season at the Poinsettia Show! ✨🌺

On Friday (11/22), Please join us & step into a winter wonderland where vibrant poinsettias mix with our lush tropical collection, creating a beautiful holiday escape. Bring the whole family, soak in the festive atmosphere, and let the holiday spirit bloom! 🌿🎄

📅 Event Dates: November 22 - December 30, 2024
📍 Luthy Botanical Garden Conservatory
⏰ Hours: Open daily from 10am to 5pm (gates close at 4:30pm)
🎟️ Admission: Free, Donations are encouraged & appreciated!

Don’t miss this enchanting display—perfect for all ages!

11/22/2024

Historic Havana Illinois is inspiring other small towns by sharing how to tap into their resources and revitalize their communities.

11/19/2024

Looking to start your holiday shopping? Check our list of unique spots of shop along the Illinois River. From antiques to boutiques, we've got it all. 🛍

Shopping Unique Products & Shops Along the Illinois River Shopping along the Illinois River Road is an experience that combines the joy of discov

11/18/2024

Check out this hidden gem along the Illinois River, Cooper Park in East Peoria. 💎

A little hidden gem along the Illinois River in East Peoria, is Cooper Park North, and South. The north section, which you can access on the southern side of the parking lot of Spindler Marina, has a raised wooden platform that extends quite a ways to the south and eventually becomes Cooper Park South-terminating in the parking lot behind Jonah’s Seafood . 🦞 At Spindler Marina, you can also rent kayaks, throw a tent up on the beach of the Illinois River, and hike around some fun trails that extend to the north-pretty much all the way to the McClugage Bridge.

11/16/2024

Plan your visit to the Chris Kringle Market in Ottawa opening on Friday, November 29. The holiday spirit will be alive and well in downtown Ottawa with twinkling lights, tasty treat, and vendors for your holiday shopping.

11/13/2024

Get outside this week for National Get Outside this week! 🌲 Take a trip out to Wildlife Prairie Park or visit one of the many state parks, hiking trails, community areas, and family parks along the byway including Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks, Forest Park Nature Center, Canton Park District, Chillicothe Chamber of Commerce, Havana Park District, and more.

11/12/2024

North Utica (Utica, Il) was featured by Illinois Family Destinations as a perfect spot for a family getaway. We couldn’t agree more!

This tiny town is perfect for family weekend getaways! https://familydestinationsguide.com/tiny-town-getaway-illinois/

11/11/2024

In honor of Veteran's Day, the mayor of the newest community to the byway, Oglesby, shares about his experience as a Navy recruiter. Thank you to all of the veterans for your service to our nation. 🇺🇸

He took one look at the sea, dreamed of a Navy career and finished as chief after 20 years' service. Oglesby Mayor Jason Curran encourages almost any young person to try military service, but cautions that family life with the service can be complicated and stressful.

11/08/2024

Fun Fact Friday from I&M Canal National Heritage Area ⬇️🧠 The canal's rich heritage started out of a need to provide transportation of goods from East to West (at the time).

You probably didn't realize that these TWO factors (among others) influenced the building of the I&M Canal in the 1800s...

1) The ever-increasing population of the East needed food–especially as it moved from agriculture to industrialization. The "West" (as in, at the time, Illinois) had expansive, stone- and tree-free soil that would be easy to farm.

2) The East (especially New York) wanted to maintain economic dominance over the South by developing a water route to the "West" and driving commodities in their direction as opposed to down the Mississippi River to New Orleans.

When the I&M Canal was built and connected Lake Michigan to the Illinois River (which flows into the Mississippi), the inland waterway from the East Coast to Gulf of Mexico benefited the entire nation enabling the easy flow of goods and resources to all regions. But, it also helped sow some seeds of discontent for the bitter Civil War that was to come in the 1860s.

Discover more interesting reasons and results by reading the Canal Story on our Substack: https://bit.ly/IMCanalsImportance

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1) Click the link above. The landing page may ask you if you would like to subscribe. Please do! Then, you'll receive an email every time we add a new Canal Story.

2) Subscribing is FREE. Just make sure to look for and click the free option. Or, you can choose one of the paid donation options, which will help fund our programming throughout the year.

3) More questions? Reach out. We're happy to help.

11/01/2024

Did someone say National Bison Day? Head out to Wildlife Prairie Park this weekend to celebrate our National Mammal! 🦬

10/30/2024

Pulling some fall photos out of the archives. 😍