Fantastic boat experience on the Illinois River! We loved every minute of it. Super easy to book by…read morecalling. Friendly staff on phone and on the boat. We were warmly greeted when we arrived. Given the option of indoor or outdoor seating. We sat outside as it was a beautiful night. The captain drove carefully and we loved all the history on this two hour ride. We even got to see a majestic bald Eagle and its nest. SO COOL. They have a cash bar inside with any beverage you desire. Reasonable prices. This is a great idea for someone visiting from out of town. Or even someone who grew up here would enjoy - it is very educational. Awesome guy on acoustic guitar playing mellow tunes throughout. Definitely a MUST DO when you are in Ottawa IL!

Just got off the Saint Genevieve boat, and wow, what a great experience. Such a beautiful historic…read moreboat with the most ornate bar that serves incredible well priced cocktails, wine and beer. We were fortunate enough to listen to a singer, Aaron Kelly. Really great singer songwriter with a great bluegrass twist. He told the best stories and made his songs come alive. It was really cool! Beautiful view of the houses, saw bald eagle, and lots of neat infrastructure pieces like the railroad bridge etc. Price right, and a wonderful time. Highly recommended!

It really pains me to leave a negative review about any business. We took the Graveyard Stories…read morewith our Park District Group on Tuesday, Oct. 28. The "tour" included 3 stops. At the first stop we saw the dried up I and M canal where the only mention of ghosts was that the workers who died building the canal were buried in the canal. The highlight of this stop was the washroom in the old toll house. Second stop was a tiny graveyard next to a truck weigh station. We saw where Tom's family was buried. Last stop we saw the grave of a Texan who had been killed in the Civil War. There was nothing ghostly about this tour. Either the Ottawa area has nothing to offer in this regard and this tour doesn't need to exist. Or this tour operator should rename this tour. Not sure what I'd call it. As a history buff, I have taken other graveyard tours and they were far more interesting. One tour I took had graveside reenactments of the people buried there. In this case, it's hard to believe they charge $35 per person for so little information. What may be a well meaning venture to promote Ottawa's history was not a ghostly graveyard tour.

Two friends and myself did the Lincoln in Ottawa tour and it was fabulous. I just love local…read morehistory and Tom is so passionate about his city and the history within it. He does his research and makes you feel like you are part of the history. Can't wait until we book our next tour.

Was in the area and stopped in for a visit. On site restaurant featured sandwiches and desserts.read more

I enjoy learning about the history of towns, so this was a treat to me. Watching the mule pull the…read moreboat up the channel was cool, but the best part was listening to the history of the canal and Illinois. The only downside on my tour was the other occupants. If you schedule a tour, please show up on time. The guide waited on people that was late. Also, don't take a tour if you plan to be disruptive and talk about non-related items the entire tour. The tour guide had a lot of patience with the audience, and we could tell that the constant laughter and cackling was a distraction to him.

We were fortunate to get truly excellent weather to head out onto the lake for a boat ride with…read moreHarbor Country Adventures! We went on the Classic Lake Tour. Our tour guide was a retired high school history teacher and football coach with all sorts of interesting stories about the region. We passed Mount Baldy, the "living" sand dune that moves, at Indiana Dunes National Park and made it all the way down to a good view of the Century of Progress homes before making our way back. We also got to hear all about the ship, the Emita II, which is a historic ship from the 1950s, and about how it reached its current home. It was also very cute that Captain Jan had the kids come up and take turns at the wheel on the way back. There is a snack bar on the lower level of the boat, and there are restrooms on board. Free parking is available a little walk away - walk towards the Lighthouse Museum, as the dock is behind there. Definitely a great adventure!

Very enjoyable and comfortable experience. You get a different perspective of the shoreline and…read morelighthouse. Live music and drinks/snacks for sale. Only complaint is there was a group with a person who should have been cut off from being served any more alcohol but her friends bought it for her. She was extremely obnoxious and loud and made a lot of people on the boat uncomfortable, especially ones with small children.

Had an amazing experience at the CAC architecture tour. Our docent was incredibly knowledgeable. I…read morelearned so much, would 100% recommend!

I've visited the city many times and this is an absolute must! Such a great way to see the city and…read morelearn its history! Mark was an excellent guide and we enjoyed every minute!

This place is a bucolic respite, and tour guide Ted Weber is funny, self-effacing and passionate…read moreabout both history and his garden. Great for all ages. Streator clearly doesn't understand the hidden gem in its midst.

Beyond amazing! Truly thought we were looking at the garden when we walked through the gate. To…read moremy surprise, I believe there were 12 more to walk through! Each one absolutely beautiful. Was very taken with the English Garden. I began feeling like I was in the Secret Garden book. Then came the house tour. Beyond taken back with what history not only of the home, but the famous people that had stayed there! Definitely a must do! The owner himself gives the tour & is so informative! Don't pass up if you're in the area!!!!!!

Great tour! Our…read moreguide, Katie, was funny, friendly, and knew so many cool (and creepy) facts about Chicago's crime history. We hit everything from Al Capone and the Chicago Outfit to the Tylenol Killer and the crazy history of Streeterville. Loved hearing about speakeasies like The Bad Apple, the Rock n' Roll McDonald's drama, and wild stories like Johann Hoch and H.H. Holmes. Highly recommend if you love true crime with a side of Chicago history!

Nice tour, informative. Tour bus was new, clean and the A/C was on for the hot and humid Chicago…read moreJune afternoon. Enjoyed the commentary by the tour guide. Learned alot. Made two stops which was nice to get out and stretch and see some historical sites.

This is one of the best tours I've ever been to. It was magical and the owner is so generous to…read moreopen up the home to the public We were enthralled with the fantastic wonders that exist here. It's 3 hours and worth every minute The less you know the better. It's a fantastic surprise once you've entered into this excellent experience

The Sanfilippo Foundation (de la musique) has limited tours of their beautiful and amazing estate…read more It's located in Barrington Hills on over 57 acres. The 52,000 sq. ft Tudor style home has so many unique musical, one of a kind and ornate items that you really have to see to believe! We went on the tour yesterday and it was really enjoyable. They have so many historical Calliope's from Europe and US on the premises. Also many other items including Tiffany lamps, steam trains/engines, a perfume museum and a restored carousel in its own building that is really something to see! It's truly a fascinating tour and very tastefully done. They only collected the very best top of the line pieces for the collection. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. Pictures and reviews really don't do this place justice. You need to go and see everything for yourself! It's definitely worth it and you'll leave feeling dazzled!