Ottawa, Illinois: Things to Do

Ottawa, Illinois, located in the middle of LaSalle County, might be growing into something of a destination town. With the Illinois and Fox Rivers meeting in its midst, an abundance of county and state parks nearby and a revamped downtown showing big signs of renewed life, Ottawa is like -- a new Ottawa.

Things to Do: Outdoors

Starved Rock State Park is certainly the top-of-the-list destination in the Ottawa area. Hiking trails, a visitor's center and art gallery, and a sense of being in a pristinely ancient place are all on offer at Starved Rock. Many a day has been spent winding a way through the hills along the Illinois River in this park founded in 1911.

Starved Rock is not the only park in the vicinity. Deer Park and Buffalo Rock are also each within a half-hour drive of Ottawa.

Things to Do: Indoor/Outdoors

Pine Hills Golf Club has recently come under new ownership and, like the best of Ottawa, has been remodeled in a major way. This 9 hole golf course, on the south side of town, boasts a brand new bar, a renewed dedication to quality golf environs, live music, and they've brought in a family pizza recipe from Chicago-land. Pine Hills' pizza serves to round out an establishment that really doesn't need an embellishment or exaggeration from me.

Pine Hills has clearly got a lot going for it and makes a great destination for your post-Starved Rock afternoon or for your pre-downtown day in Ottawa. With any luck, we'll get an interview with one of the new owners of the Pine Hills Golf Club on these pages.

More establishments offering a dual, indoor-outdoor combination can be found along the river. Tracy's Boathouse and Captain's Cove are just a couple on the list.

Things to Do: Indoors

Ten years of development and re-development have given a face-lift to the Midwestern storefronts of downtown Ottawa.

Bars and restaurants abound downtown, highlighted by one of the best pizza shops you will ever come across. Bianchi's Pizza is a darkly lit, 1950's themed pizza shop decorated with the original stained-glass light fixtures from the ice cream shop that once occupied this downtown space.

There are too many businesses to list here, which might be surprising if you haven't visited Ottawa since 2000. Since then, many new businesses have opened making the night-life of this town lively and even a bit rich.

Yes, the food will be fried sometimes. The pizza will be greasy. The people will be Midwestern friendly, most of the time, and you'll see for yourself '" Ottawa has got something to offer.

The two day visit plan:

On you first day, find a cup of coffee and shop downtown then head south to Pine Hills Golf Club. For an afternoon of golf and games and good food (and beer, naturally).

Rent a room at the Starved Rock Lodge and check in late, then sleep late and take a day at the park when you wake up. After breakfast at the lodge check out Lover's Leap and the bald eagles nests along the river.

More From this Contributor:
Desert Destinations
Belize: Summer in the Tropics

Sources:
Canyon Daily Ledger