The Coolest Visitor Center In Illinois Has Bald Eagles, Huge Boats, And An Up-Close Lock And Dam
By Linze Rice|Published August 18, 2023
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Linze Rice
Author
Ope! From the rural cornfields of DeKalb County, Linze is an Illinois native and true Midwestern gal who can make a mean bonfire and whip up a perfect marshmallow salad. Since 2014, her bylines and photography have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago/DNAinfo Chicago, Only in Your State, and more. She has interviewed Dolly Parton, written about beloved diners along historic Route 66, visited the last Rainforest Cafe in the Illinois, and reviewed luxurious English manor-inspired hotels. Whether it's writing about a local gem or world-renowned establishment, Linze brings a heartwarming and historical perspective to each story, using facts, wit, and personal experience to impress upon readers the importance of culture, food, travel, and all things local. Her favorite destinations in Illinois include Starved Rock State Park, Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, the charming small town of Sycamore, and historic Rosehill Cemetery. When she's not writing or photographing, Linze enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband and pets, cooking, baking, and grilling, and relaxing with trashy TV.
Something I love about Illinois is that it’s so easy to be a traveler in my own state. Each region has its own feel and all the small towns and cities within them have their own culture and defining features — making it perfectly possible to be an explorer over and over again. And, as any road tripper knows, pulling off at rest stops and visitor centers is one way to help make or break a long drive. Sometimes, if interesting enough, they can even become stop-along attractions of their own. For those who believe the journey is just as important as the destination, the coolest visitor center in Illinois is just a day trip away.
The Illinois Waterway Visitors Center, 950 N. 27th Road, is located in Ottawa just across the river from Starved Rock State Park. Its simple brick design, almost Prairie Style-like, offers incredible views of nature and access to the world of water transportation.
It's open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Saddled along the Illinois River, the site is at the base of the Starved Rock Lock and Dam and is owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Throughout the day, the lock opens to allow boats of all shapes and sizes to dock or pass through — often essential vessels transporting goods utilizing the country's water highway system.
The best part: Visitors can watch it all. With outdoor viewing decks and manual viewers, this traveler destination is beloved for being a favorite spot among those who love spotting boats and bald eagles.
Just across the river from Starved Rock State Park, eagle-eyed visitors have the chance to see the rare national bird. The visitor center even has its own wildlife viewing area.
The inside of the center is filled with taxidermy sea birds, maps, displays and exhibits, and plenty of resources to learn more about water travel and Illinois' waterways.
So, will you add the coolest visitor center in Illinois to your bucket list? Have another favorite visitor center or rest stop? Tell us in the comments! Start planning your trip now by checking out the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center website — and while you’re putting together your itinerary, why not turn your visit into a weekend getaway? Starved Rock State Park is one of the best state parks in Illinois and is filled with trails, scenic overlooks, and waterfalls. And just steps from Starved Rock and the Illinois River is the perfect tiny cabin to stay in — complete with all the amenities you need like a queen size bed, kitchenette, private bathroom with shower, fire pit, and more. Pro tip: Try this guided kayaking tour to add in a fun water activity.
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