We are staying nearby in Clinton visiting our grandkids and we decided to bring them here as this…read morehas been on my list a couple of times when we've been through town. Please note that this is an actual working grain milling windmill and you can purchase the different types of flour that they mill as well as the brown mustard. Give yourself some time because there are guides who really wish to walk you through both the windmill itself and how it operates and then you go across the street to the cultural center where there is another Guide, who explains all of the different windmill models to you. Give yourself at least an hour and a half to two hours. I will say our grandkids were quite fascinated, especially with some of the working windmill models they could see in action. There was not a charge for a mission, but they do accept donations. Also, you are right on the Dyke so there are nice walking pads so give yourself some time to take a walk and enjoy the area. Note that they also have Stroopwaffles for sale for $1.25 each so we had to introduce our grandkids to this too!

Beautifully cared for grounds with great view of the river. The Dutch history of Fulton is evident.read more

One of the best experiences -if not best- that Clinton has to offer. I'm always amazed by the…read moretalent they bring in each year and this year was just as wonderful. It's so unique to see the different cast members swap rolls. The staff is always so friendly and I appreciate the cool air conditioning to bring comfort through each production!

Biggest Little Gem along the Mississippi River!!! If you have never seen a show, what have you been…read morewaiting for.

We were in town mainly for genealogical research on my family which came to Carroll County in 1840…read more (Among other things, historians say my Great-great-great-uncle, David B. Emmert Sr., and his wife, Susan Price Emmert, were instrumental in founding the town of Mount Carroll.) So technically, this is the Carroll County Historical Society, and the Owen P. Miles Museum. Both a historic home and history museum, the museum complex is steeped in Carroll County history. The museum is generally open by appointment only. But during the summer it looks like they're open 9:30am to 1:30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Call ahead to be sure though. Give yourself at least an hour to tour the museum, and to view the very nice exhibits. In our case, Ronnie gave us almost four hours of her undivided attention that added enormously to what I already knew about my family. Compared with the disorganized local history section at the Mt. Carroll Library, the all-volunteer Carroll County Historical Society is a priceless resource, Thanks, Ronnie and Anne!

Three ladies just driving through savanna we decided to pop in. It was their first day open since…read morewinter. Amazing service and very friendly staff.

Iron Horse is awesome. Old town bar, motorcycle themed. Big inside, multiple floors. Cool…read moremerchandise.

Great show that was put on in tribute to Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. Highly recommend going to…read moresee them if they come into your town again

A cute rail car that has been used as a museum. I wish they had a docent there who was trained in…read morethe history more. You have to just rely on the one page sheet they have and peruse the displays. What is bizarre is the camera set up to show you the railway right behind the car - why? If the windows were open you could see it (but I understand the need to keep sunlight off the displays). The ladies lounge when you walk in is the coolest part of the train.

These folks are clearly doing what they can with limited resources. It was a treat getting to see…read morea preserved rail car. This museum also contains photographs, uniforms, and other memorabilia. The museum is staffed seasonally, weather permitting. We found it open on a Sunday morning in mid-September, but Colleen told us they'd probably be closing for the season a in a couple weeks. This museum was especially great because we were in Carroll County for the weekend to indulge my genealogical hobby. My ancestors on my mom's side came to the Salem Township area of what is now Carroll County in the 1840s from Darmstadt in the Grand Duchy of Hessen (Germany after 1871). My goal was to find resources to help in my research of the lives and times of my ancestors, and of living relatives whom I've never met. (Unlike the TV commercials, genealogical research is a LOT harder than subscribing to Ancestry.com, then downloading movies of your well-dressed, attractive ancestors.) Based on my late mother's comments from many years ago, I believed my grandfather, Charles. W. Schriner, had left the farm and taken work in town with the railroad. I had been able to verify her recollection to the extent that the 1910 and 1920 censuses listed a Charles Schriner with an occupation of Freight Clerk with the railroad. But that's all I had to work with. I still don't know what Grandpa Charles looked like, or how he lived in Carroll County after his wife and daughters left town around the time of WWI. I was hoping against hope to find an old photo at the Train Car Museum identifying Grandpa Charles. And there were quite a few group photos dating from the early 1900s. But while Grandpa Charles may have been in one of these photos, none named him. But I found the next best thing. Lying in a display case was an open Railroad Time Book which included an entry for "Chas Schriner" ("Chas" was a common abbreviation for "Charles," and "Schriner" is how my family spelled it (versus the far more common "Schreiner"). I'd found a first-hand record of Grandpa Charles! Sadly, however, 54-year-old Grandpa Charles wasn't working in September 1922 as a Freight Clerk, much less as something sexy like a Superintendent, Engineer or Fireman. No, Grandpa Charles was working at the age of 54 as a mere Laborer ... and not much at that either. Grandpa Charles apparently only worked one day in the first half of the month ... 8 hours on the 11th of September in 1922 ... and he seems to have been paid only $2.94 for the work. Yikes. What a life. Regardless, this is the way it usually goes in genealogical research ... even at its best. Ancestors found working at anonymous, lackluster jobs is the norm. Few of us actually have relatives who commanded armies, made great fortunes, or moved society. Fewer yet are related very closely to Cleopatra, Napoleon, or George Washington. But then, even my more successful farmer relatives didn't make it into any history books ... even though they came to northwest Illinois when there weren't even towns there yet, and even though the farms they scratched out of the wild prairie were the very foundation of all the wealth eventually generated in Carroll County. Nope. It was the self-promoting bankers, merchants, and politicians who got all the notoriety in the local histories, and whose names are now recorded on historical plaques in front of the grand old houses in places like Mt. Carroll. The ancient names "Schreiner" and "Schriner" are now mainly found inscribed on headstones in the Mt. Carroll, Chadwick, and Lanark cemeteries. Anyhoo ... thanks, Ron, Colleen, and all the other volunteers who devote their time and energy to preserving these little bits of our past. It's a rare devotion, and getting rarer all the time when the almighty buck seems to be all anyone cares much about. You folks are doing important work, and it's very much appreciated!

Riverview Ranch and Resort was an amazing time! So good that we had tears upon leaving because they…read morewanted to stay longer. Wraingler Roger, Sabina, and allllll of their farm animal family were incredible! If you are in the area, please consider checking them out! They are amazingly patient, understanding of safety and kids' needs when around animals, and overall it is such a relaxing and fun atmosphere. Wraingler Roger even helped our 4 year old tap into her imagination to help their unicorn fly! Our 2 year old was too little to ride, but didn't mind one bit. She loved just sitting on the unicorn and running around with the dogs, goats, chickens, rooster, pigs, etc. A personable experience and we will be back again!

This is a woman owned winery on the outskirts of Galena…read more Soon as you walk in their tasting room and gift shop,you are greeted with a smile . They offer a number of white and red wines. Tastings are generous pours. We both loved their reds, especially their Reserve Red. You can purchase any of the bottles in their gift shop. They don't serve food but we brought in our own cheese and crackers. You can sit outside on their covered patio overlooking the vineyard. Open 7 days a week and only 30 minutes outside of Galena,this is definitely a winery worth a visit.

Off the beaten path in Elizabeth, IL this woman owned winery is in a lovey settling. We were…read morewarmly welcomed and made our tasting selections. They were brought out to us on the deck outside overlooking the vineyards. Our favorite wine was the Massbach Reserve and we purchased a bottle to enjoy at home.