2025 saw a number of restaurants open across northern Illinois.

After months of renovations, demolition and installation of new fixtures, painting walls and selecting tiles, Kelsey and Dane Stier were ready to welcome their first guests at the renovated Knox Hotel on North Main Street in downtown Princeton.

Kick off the New Year with a winter hike at a state park in northern Illinois.

Starved Rock Lodge will host guided hikes and historic trolley tours Dec. 27-28.

Celebrate the New Year at these exciting events in northern Illinois.

National Bloody Mary Day is Jan. 1. Celebrate with a cocktail at one of these award-winning bars in Kane and McHenry counties, the Sauk Valley and the Illinois Valley.

Established in 1936 by Sylvio “Rip” and Emma Gualandri, the establishment in Ladd has been serving chicken, crispies, pickles, fried appetizers, beer and liquor for 89 years.

Here are the winners for the best coffee shops in the Best of the Fox, Best of the Illinois Valley, DeKalb County's Finest and Sauk Valley Favorites contest.

Watch college and professional football playoffs this January at these award-winning pubs and sports bars in Kane, Kendall, McHenry, DeKalb and Will counties, as well as the Sauk and Illinois Valley areas.