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Starved Rock

I decided to go on an adventure of Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks with Emily, who was one of our guests, and you can see our personal photos of the tours by clicking here

Lots of fun close to Fox River Bed and Breakfast

Matthiessen State Park

Canyons, streams, prairie and forest, 1,938 pristine acres combine to delight visitors at Matthiessen State Park. Located in central LaSalle County, approximately four miles south of Utica and three miles east of Oglesby, Matthiessen is a paradise for those interested in geology as well as recreation. Visitors can expect to see beautiful rock formations in addition to unusual and abundant vegetation and wildlife. All of this, along with park and picnic facilities, make Matthiessen State Park a popular choice for a special outing. Only 30 minutes from Fox River Bed and Breakfast!

Silver Springs State Park

A pool of clear bubbling water which sparkles like silver on sunny days provides the basis for the name " Silver Springs " Visitors marvel at the bordering beds of watercress. Majestic Oaks and prairie grasslands provide a panorama of natural beauty to park visitors... Picnicking, fishing, and hiking are popular pastimes in summer, with ice fishing, sledding, ice skating and cross-country ski trails available for the winter sports lover.

Starved Rock Adventures

Starved Rock Adventures is just 80 miles west of Chicago in the Illinois River Valley and minutes from Starved Rock State Park and Starved Rock Lodge. We offer houseboat rental and vacation as well as lodging with our harbor side villas and suites. In addition to our overnight accommodations, we offer a variety of watercraft including pontoon boats, speed boats and fishing boats. Whatever your inclination, contact our vacation planners at (815) 434-9200 or via the internet to schedule your vacation get-away today!

C & M Canoe Rental

Come have a blast canoeing on the Fox River with C & M Canoe Rental. The Fox River is very scenic and fun to canoe. You, your family and friends can enjoy canoeing, fishing and swimming. For reservations or more information, contact C & M Canoe Rental.  (815) 434-6690

Open Spring through Fall - 7 days a week. Excursions leaving every hour ~ Monday through Friday: 10am - 2pm.  Saturday and Sundays: 9am - 3pm  Must be back before dark.

Day Trips

7 Mile Trip - $45.00 (2 to 4 hours)  Limit two persons per canoe.
12 Mile Trip - $45.00 (4 to 6 hours) Limit two persons per canoe. No 12 mile trips after 2 pm.

2 Day Trips
21 Mile Trip - $80.00

Cash, or check.  No credit cards. 

ATM now at C & M for your convenience

Ice, soda, frozen pizza

River Adventures (815) 434-2142

Located along the Fox River Dells at Skydive Chicago, north of Ottawa, Illinois - in Dayton.

Experience the natural beauty and tranquility of the Fox River...follow the path taken centuries ago by pioneers and Native Americans by canoe.Discover and explore the beauty and wonders in your own backyard.

The friendly and experienced staff at River Adventures offers you:

• Canoe rentals
• Kayak rentals
• Full livery service
• Ottawa Fun Bus Transportation
•  

For our customers, our location features:

• Onsite campgrounds
• 
  With advance reservations
• Sand volleyball
• Swimming pond with beach
• Cafe & Tiki Hut
• Sport of Skydiving - just watch or join in!

Ayers Landing Canoe Rentals (815) 434-2233

Just minutes from Fox River Bed and Breakfast.  Canoe trips on the beautiful Fox River.  Call for reservations.  www.ayerslandingandcanoerental.com

Ayers Landing, 3494 E. 2089 Road, Wedron, Illinois

Vermillion White-Water Rafting

Known for offering you the challenge of Class II and Class III waters! Much more to mention. Only 30 minutes from Fox River Bed and Breakfast!

Skydive Chicago - - - Skydive for the First Time!

Skydive Chicago offers the best in first time tandem skydives. Tandem jumps are unsurpassed for someone wanting to experience it all in one jump.  During this experience, you will be harnessed to the front of a fully licensed tandem instructor.  Their twin engine turbine aircraft will take you up 13,000 feet, where you and your tandem master will exit.  After falling for one minute at 120 MPH you will pull the cord and your parachute will open.  After that you will enjoy 5 - 7 minutes of breathtaking views of the earth as you descend safely to the ground. http://www.skydivechicago.com/  (815) 433-0000

Watch Charlotte's skydiving video!!!

Fox Valley Off-Road

The Ultimate Off-Road Experience!!  Just down the road from Fox River Bed and Breakfast! 

Enjoy Trails by Horse-Back

Offering one to three hour rides for beginners and advanced riders.  Everything from group walks along beautiful timberline to trots, canters and lopes.  Also offers hayrides led by two giant Belgian Draft horses! Only 25 minutes from Fox River Bed and Breakfast!

Jet -Karting

Welcome to JET Karting.  Located on-site at the Concept Haulers Motor Speedway, in Norway IL, JET Karting is your full service kart shop. Whether you're just getting started or a seasoned race veteran, we can take care of you.  Don't own a kart?  Our Rental Racing, Group Outings, and Driver Academies make you a racer without the investment!  Call to schedule a custom program to suit your needs.

Monday - Friday 10am-dark
Saturday Raceday!
Sunday 12pm-5pm

Just 8 miles from Fox River Bed and Breakfast!

Pine Hills Golf Club

Pine Hills Golf Club is located 1 1/2 miles South of Ottawa, Illinois...Just off Route 23. It is a challenging 9-hole course and one of the most scenic in North Central Illinois. This beautiful course gives meaning to the phrase.." Golf as it should be! " Designed by Thomas Bendelow (designer of the famed Medina and Olympia Fields, Illinois) and opened in 1924. It is well known for its natural scenic beauty! Only 8 minutes from Fox River Bed and Breakfast!

The Bourne

This truly is one of the best golf courses in Illinois! Marseilles, Illinois...(815) 496-2301

Common Grounds Book Café

"...for an extremely pleasant coffee break, stop at Common Grounds Book Café, 723 S. Clark St., on Illinois Highway 178, about four blocks south of downtown Utica. There is a small selection of unique books, and when we visited, a guy giving a guitar lesson at one table." -Barbara Brotman, The Chicago Tribune, Feb 16, 2006

Foothills Organics ................

Enjoy some of our best local organics at Foothills Organics! They offer a variety of fresh grown and produced organics ranging from honey to cosmetics, coffee, cookies, even massages can be arranged. Music and art classes, Tai Chi and Yoga. Come and get your first-visit free organic cookie and enjoy an enlightening and friendly conversation with Gerard and friends.

Illinois River Winery

Come tour one of Illinois largest wineries. Learn how wine is made from start to finish. Free tours are available on Saturday afternoons at 1,2,3 and 4 pm. Meet at the Tasting Room to start the 20 minute tour. Children welcome!  Also get the chance to try the blush that won the gold in the U.S. and Silver in the world!! We are very proud of this accomplishment!  723 S. Clark, Utica, IL Phone 815-667-4012

Washington Square

Walk where Lincoln walked! Hear the echoes of a memorable speech that catapulted him to national prominence! The date was August 21, 1858, and tens of thousands of people gathered in Washington Park to hear Sen. Stephen Douglas and his upstart rival, Abraham Lincoln, in the first of seven debates! Only 8 minutes from Fox River Bed and Breakfast!

Weber House

The Weber House is a storybook, Tudor cottage sitting in a beautiful English garden of meandering paths, Foxglove, Hollyhocks and old oaks. Located in Streator, IL just minutes from Starved Rock and downtown Ottawa! Only 25 minutes from Fox River Bed and Breakfast!

Reddick Mansion

Constructed in 1858 by former LaSalle County Sheriff and Illinois State Senator William Reddick for $25,000, The Reddick Mansion is the oldest surviving building in Ottawa's historic Washington Square. Today, Reddick Mansion is open for tours, and houses the Ottawa Visitors Center, a stop which all LaSalle County visitors are encouraged to make. There, the staff will assist visitors with information on all of Ottawa's other historic sites! Only 8 minutes from Fox River Bed and Breakfast!

Winter Activities

There are many winter activities from snowmobiling, to cross country skiing, ice fishing, bird watching, scenic ice caverns and more all within minutes of Fox River Bed and Breakfast!

Bird Watching

Watch all wildlife throughout the area, and in late winter-early spring its "Flock to the Rock" Come and watch eagles soar over the Illinois River at Starved Rock.
www.flocktotherock.com

Snowmobile Riding

Trail along the I&M Canal or other areas designated for snowmobile enthusiasts.

Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor Commission
201 W. Tenth Street, #1-SE
Lockport, IL 60441
(815)588-6040

Cross Country Skiing/Rental

Matthiessen State Park - Dells Area on weekends when snow permits. December - March.
(815) 664-2484.

Ice Caverns

Explore the beautiful ice caverns throughout Starved Rock State Park during the winter.

In Ottawa, there are nearly 50 Local Restaurants, 11 Bars and Pubs and more Nightclubs to choose from... all just minutes from Fox River Bed and Breakfast.

Or maybe you would rather bring your own and just relax . You grill or let us grill for you over an open fire, or taste our World Class BBQ!  Either way, you'll feel comfortable and welcome here.