So close, but yet so far way. The Mercantile has a good…read moreinterior and great service, but the kitchen needs just a few weeks to get there. First week? Don't dump salt on your food. The seared geenbeans looked good but we're so salty you couldn't get past the first few. The flash fried edemame was interesting, but like a Steven King novel interesting--a little scary. Steam edemame, then season it. The Birria Ramen was above average and had a good broth. Stick with that. For a night out, the Mercantile works. A little more attention to detail in the kitchen and it could be the best go-to in Sterling.

This place looks like something out of Chicago. The elevated dishes and cocktails make the perfect…read moreplace for a date night. The ambiance, the atmosphere, the service, the food, the drinks.. perfection. It is a great addition to the area. It's nice having some thing different besides "bar and grill" food and meat and potatoes.

I've stayed at this Holiday Inn Express a few times and I really like it. The view from the…read morebalcony rooms is wonderful, a nice place to sit in the early mornings and evenings. There is also a large balcony off the dining area, a good place to enjoy breakfast, or to sit in the evening. My king room was large and clean. The bed was very comfortable and the shower was excellent. Breakfast was typical HIE but the food was kept hot and fresh, and the food area was clean.

We booked several rooms here for a family funeral in Rock Falls. We could not have been more…read morepleased with everything about it. The rooms were comfortable and clean, the pool was warm and clean, and they even worked with us to give us the meeting room area to have a family dinner! The breakfast was plentiful and tasty... with something for everyone in our group... ages 2-87! The staff went above and beyond to make our entire family group welcome and comfortable! Highly recommend staying here!!

When my fiancée (now wife!) and I began our search for the perfect wedding venue, we weren't sure…read moreexactly what we wanted. We had a vision of a place that combined natural beauty with a touch of vintage elegance, somewhere that felt both cozy and grand. After touring multiple venues and finding many that simply didn't fit our style, we discovered The Barn at Allen Acres. It was love at first sight, and our wedding planning journey took a delightful turn for the better. We had such an amazing experience that I felt the absolute need to write this article! Nestled in the serene countryside of Rock Falls, Illinois, The Barn at Allen Acres stands out as one of the most charming and versatile wedding venues in Illinois. As we arrived at the property, the peaceful surroundings and the majestic barn drew us in immediately. The barn's rustic charm, paired with an impressively well-maintained interior, made it the perfect spot to accommodate our nearly 200 guests. There was a welcoming, intimate atmosphere that made the venue feel like it was designed specifically for us. The space was not only ample but also flexible enough to bring our wedding day vision to life, whether that meant arranging tables for a banquet-style meal or setting up an outdoor dance floor for an unforgettable night of celebration. From the initial visit to the final goodbye at the end of our wedding day, The Barn at Allen Acres delivered FAR beyond our expectations. Guests continuously came up to us throughout the day to compliment the stunning setting. Several even mentioned how they wanted to host their own weddings or events there in the future. It's easy to see why; this barn wedding venue is truly a hidden gem, offering the perfect balance of rustic charm and modern convenience. Karen's Exceptional Hospitality Sets The Barn at Allen Acres Apart While the venue itself is undoubtedly spectacular, what truly made our experience exceptional was the owner, Karen. Wedding planning is a journey filled with excitement and stress, but Karen's support made everything so much easier. From day one, she was warm, inviting, and incredibly accommodating. It was clear that she genuinely cared about our wedding day, treating it as though it was as important to her as it was to us. Karen worked with us every step of the way, ensuring all our questions were answered and addressing every detail with care and enthusiasm. In a wedding industry where venues can often feel impersonal or even transactional, Karen's dedication was a breath of fresh air. Many wedding venues in Illinois come with a long list of strict rules and additional fees, but Karen was always flexible and understanding. Her problem-solving abilities shone through when unexpected challenges arose, and she quickly put us at ease by finding solutions and making sure everything was handled seamlessly. We never felt rushed or pressured, and there was never a doubt in our minds that Karen's top priority was to help us create the most beautiful and memorable day possible. She was truly invested in seeing us glow with happiness, and her joy was palpable as she shared in our excitement. An Idyllic Setting for Rustic Barn Weddings Near Rock Falls, IL The picturesque grounds of The Barn at Allen Acres provided the perfect backdrop for our wedding. The property's vintage charm is evident in every corner, from the beautifully decorated house on the grounds to the sprawling fields that nearly stretch endlessly under the sky. The house itself was a delightful bonus, offering an inviting space for getting ready, with decor that added a touch of nostalgia and elegance to the day. We loved the way it felt like stepping into a cozy, vintage retreat before joining our guests at the barn for the ceremony. The barn itself is not just large and impressive but also thoughtfully designed to host both intimate and larger gatherings. Our guests had plenty of space to move freely and comfortably, whether mingling over cocktails or dancing the night away. The rustic wooden beams and ambient lighting provided a warm atmosphere, while the modern amenities ensured that our guests felt at home. We even enjoyed a beautiful evening by the firepit, where the remaining guests gathered to relax and share stories as the night wound down. The barn had ample outlets for plugging in lighting, the caterer's food equipment, the DJ's collection of electronics, and more. There were also 3 bathrooms within the barn and an electronic lift for those needing a little extra assistance to get to the second floor of the barn where we performed the ceremony! The seemingly endless farm field surrounding the property made for incredible wedding photos--our photographer was having a "field day" (pun intended). There's something magical about a rustic wedding in the countryside, and the wide-open spaces gave us the perfect backdrop for timeless memories captured on camera. Additionally, the venue's convenient location made everything easy for

My daughter's wedding was held her last year and it was the most perfect venue. It is a beautiful…read moreplace. Rachel was a huge help to us and helped make the day even better. We had many compliments from guests on the beauty of the place and how perfect everything was. It was a great place to have all weekend for all our wedding festivities. You can't go wrong choosing this venue.

I played golf here today for the about the 4th time this year. I had played here early in the year…read moreand the course was pretty rough early. I had heard and I was hoping that it was true, the the course had really filled in throughout the year. I was sadly mistaken today. The course is very rough. I have played at least a dozen places this year and this course is by far, the worst course in the area. Alot of the greens had spots that were completely bare. One of the tee boxes was completely covered with crabgrass. Most of the tee boxes that weren't covered in crabgrass were very bare. The fairways were also the worst I have seen this year as well. It is really too bad that this course continues to get worse every year.

From the owner: Rock River Gap is always open to the Public! We are the perfect venue for any special event or…read moreoccasion. We offer a beautiful 18 hole golf course and Restaurant. Rock River also offers a full banquet menu, rental space, meeting space, reception hall, wedding ceremony locations and much more!

This place feels magical from the moment you drive in…read more Incredible variety of garden decor, indoor and outdoor plants. Friendly and knowledgeable staff.

A real hidden gem located on the outskirts of Princeton…read more A family owned and operated nursery specializing in perennial flowers,plants and trees. They even have aquatic plant options. Even if you are not in the market for new additions to your garden,their Botanic Gardens and Arboretum is worth the visit. The grounds and layout are just breathtaking. This is one of the best nurseries I have ever visited.

Really nice place to stay. Showed up on a weekday afternoon without reservations. They one had one…read moreroom left which was a suite, but were willing to give a discount to this tired traveler. Clean and updated room. Only disappointment was that the jets in the bathtub did not work. The Candlelight restaurant next door provides room service. I had an excellent meal at a very reasonable price.

8 couples stayed at this hotel while attending a wedding in Rock Falls. Had we had time in our…read moreschedules we would have moved to a different hotel. This hotel was disgusting and filthy. The toilets in the bathrooms had not been cleaned and in one room did not work at all. The previous guest obviously had not been able to flush it and they left it their feces in it which was not cleaned between guests by housekeeping and the toilet was not fixed. They were moved to a different room, but that room was dirty too. In another couples room, there were no pillows & no towels and their bathroom was dirty too. In fact, all 8 rooms had dirty bathrooms. The TV's did not work and the Wifi was not functioning. The phones in the rooms did not work. The last night we were all there we were sitting in the breakfast area visiting with each other and a mouse ran out of the cupboards under where breakfast is served. Needless to say, no one ate breakfast there the next morning. This hotel was so bad, we questioned how they have a certificate of occupancy as there were many health & safety issues. Do not stay there!!!