A mid-1800’s architectural wonder helped make Chicago the city it is today. The 96-mile Illinois & Michigan Canal (I&M Canal) connected the Great Lakes in Bridgeport, Chicago to the Illinois River at LaSalle-Peru, and amazingly unique towns sprung up that maintain their authentic charm to this date.
Freedom. The Open Road. The American Dream. All are still alive on The Mother Road. The nostalgia of diners, museums, tourist stops and neon lights are there for you to visit as you make the drive from Chicago to Santa Monica, CA. You can still get your Kicks on Route 66!
A visit to Starved Rock State Park consists of many sights to behold, including breathtaking views of its many canyons and awe-inspiring scenes of eagles flying during the winter month.
Are you looking for a specific type of place to visit in the I&M Canal Heritage Corridor? If you're a craft beer fan, you will love the Heritage Corridor Ale Trail? Seeing a thrilling journey or just an escape, check out Adventure Outside Chicago. We've got all the info to unlock your next trip right here.
03/20/2023 by Kate Meehan
Earth Day this year is Saturday, April 22 and after a cold winter, we are all ready to get out and embrace Mother Nature. Below are some tips of how you can celebrate Earth Day in the Heritage Corridor.
Starved Rock State Park
Information about all events at Star...READ MORE
07/26/2021 by Kate Meehan
Bronkberry Farms, located in Plainfield, is known by the community as the farming “destination” and the best place to go for locally-grown fruits & vegetables, as well as flowers, plants and garden decorations. In addition to all of the seasonal offerings, Br...READ MORE
07/08/2021 by Kate Meehan
The Forge, located in Lemont, offers adventure for every age and every ability, including the country's largest ropes challenge courses, outdoor dining, laser tag, six lakes for fishing and kayaking, miles of flat hiking, running, biking trails, races, and special e...READ MORE
06/22/2021 by Kate Meehan
Now is the time to get out of the house and explore the great outdoors! The Heritage Corridor Region has plenty of wonderful outdoor activities for everyone in the family, check out some of our ideas below.
Skydive Chicago
Ottawa
Extreme adventur...READ MORE
06/16/2021 by Kate Meehan
The season of family/friend reunions are right around the corner and gives us another reason to gather as a group and bond over food and fun activities! One of the best parts is exploring and trying new things with your favorite people. Check out the...READ MORE
05/26/2021 by Kate Meehan
Summer is here, and that means festival season! The Heritage Corridor Region has festivals throughout the season to entertain everyone in the family. Below, we have provided information on just a few of the exciting upcoming events.
Ot...READ MORE
03/19/2021 by Kate Meehan
When you’re looking to expand your palate or try something new, look no further than these restaurants in the Heritage Corridor. We have many unique restaurants in our area that will shock your taste buds with exciting flavors that you will sure enjoy. Check ...READ MORE
02/10/2021 by Kate Meehan
Just because there is snow on the ground, doesn’t mean you can embrace nature and head out for a hike at Starved Rock State Park. I recently sat down with Lisa, from the Starved Rock State Park Visitors Center to learn about how to prepare for a winter hike, ...READ MORE
01/19/2021 by Kate Meehan
With the assurance of cold and snowy days ahead, now is the perfect time to grab a warm drink from your favorite shop (like Drip Coffee from Krema, hot tea from Jitters, or yummy Hot Chocolate from Liberty Street Café) and cuddle up with a good book. As some...READ MORE
12/09/2020 by Kate Meehan
A visit to Starved Rock State Park consists of many sights to behold, including breathtaking views of its many canyons and awe-inspiring scenes of eagles flying during the winter month. The area known as Starved Rock Country contains so much more!
Day One
Start the day...READ MORE
12/08/2020 by Kate Meehan
The Illinois and Michigan Canal played a huge part in forming today's midwestern cities, from Lemont down to LaSalle, the history is celebrated daily. Start your trip by learning about the early days in Illinois, visit museums, hear speakers and explore the famous Old Jo...READ MORE
12/07/2020 by Kate Meehan
The Mother Road. America's Main Street. Route 66. The road that symbolizes freedom and the days of cruising from Chicago to LA, stopping and mom and pop diners, roadside attractions, and stores of every variety. Start your journey with two days al...READ MORE
10/06/2020 by Kate Meehan
Mickey has Minnie. Peanut Butter has Jelly. And Hamburgers have French fries… but what else!? We decided to reach out to some of our Burger Trail locations for a little insight into the perfect side.
The Lone Buffalo, Ottawa:
At The Lone Buffalo,...READ MORE
FREE VISITORS GUIDE
FREE VISITORS GUIDE
