I learned so much today! The mansion history was very interesting and the history about Ottawa was…read morefascinating too. The tour was ten dollars and was well worth it. I was told Christmas is a really great time to visit. I didn't even know about this mansion until a few days ago. I searched for other things around Starved Rock and foind the mansion. It was the best part of the day.

Beautiful turn of the century home. The docent was very knowledgeable (maybe a bit too…read moreknowledgeable). She shared the history of the home, it's pervious uses and work being done to restore it to the time of the Reddick family's occupancy. We stopped as an activity during a road trip but had to leave a before the end of the tour to get back on the road. The home had beautiful plaster detail, original wood work, windows, doors, and fireplaces. Definitely worth visiting to appreciate the architecture of days gone by.

A little bit down a side road from downtown Ottowa, this statue commemorates the Radium Girls who…read morewere tricked into sacrificing their health for corporate greed. Could be a little bigger, but it was nice that someone had added a scarf and flowers recently.

Here for Kris Kringle Market. Vendors are spread apart, social distance and mask being enforced…read more Luckily for us it was a beautiful day to be outside.

It's a nice memorial just a crappy road to get there and they could cut the grass and trim more…read moreoften , at least if your going to make a memorial take good care of it

At the end of the road in the Illini State Park by the Army Corp of Engineers and Locks sits this…read moremoving memorial for the Illinois men and women who gave their lives for our freedom. Borrowed from the Illinois Department of Transportation website: MARSEILLES - In honor of Veterans Day, Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig announced today the dedication of the Illinois Fallen Soldier Tree Memorial in Illini State Park in Marseilles. The new memorial park was put in place to honor Illinois Soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. "We want to do our part to honor and recognize the men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice," said Secretary Hannig. "This new memorial site will serve as a quiet and serene venue to remember Illinois' fallen and reflect on their great contribution to our state and our nation."

Shift manager (beard guy) was very knowledgeable and hospitable. These days customer service is…read moreusually lacking but not here.

This was me and my husband's first time here, but it was a great visit. They practice social…read moredistancing, but alot of ppl didn't have ok their face masks. We did though. This is a older movie theater, and family owned. Nice young employees at the concession stand and ticket booth. Reasonable prices for tickets, and snacks. We went to watch Spider-Man and it was a great movie. We ordered a large popcorn, 2 drinks, a box of m and m's and a pretzel. Everything was good but the pretzel. My husband love pretzels, but not that one. We will definitely be back soon.

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.

The Ottawa Visitors center is located is located just west of the Historic Reddick Mansion and is…read morelocated in it's care takers cottage right in the middle of the Historic district of Ottawa. The Visitors center offers up local menus and activities all over the area not just Ottawa, and not long after arriving you will realize you can spend more than a mere day trip in town. They also boast a small souvenir shop with items ranging from a few dollars to a $100 + for from shot glasses to framed photography and art work there is something to fit your budget.

From the owner: Welcome to beautiful Ottawa, Illinois. pickusottawail.Com!read more

Located between Ottawa Illinois and Utica,this park is along the Illinois River across from Starved…read moreRock State Park. We didn't stay long but walked to the lookout where we saw many kayakers on the river. Picnic areas and kids play areas are throughout the park. Plenty of parking.

Small but big sometimes is best! We were here last weekend…read more Beautiful sunny cool pleasant day. Got there about 8:20. First time here. The views of the IL River were spectacular. We were about 30 minutes into our hike, when we started to hear gunshots. Well unbeknownst to us, we didn't know it was a gun range in the area. We sorta tried to just tune out those sounds and just get more into our hike. Saw several different species of birds. Then we finally saw an eagle . That was really cool! We met some friendly faces along the trail too! Plan to go back before winter sets in and see the two remaining buffalo . We heard that there was a recent loss. Hope they can introduce more buffalo to the park.