The Scene - Illinois Valley

The Lumberyard is a recreation and shopping destination, and home to Refuge Coffee and The Rusty Rooster, an eclectic home decor store.

Vocal soloist Luke MacDonald from Festival 56 will be featured in Sunday's Princeton Community Band's Patriotic Concert

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing afternoon picnicking with family, a challenging hike on a scenic trail, or a fun-filled day playing games with the kids, here are some municipal parks in communities across northern Illinois that have something for everyone.

Summer is filled with beer festivals, from Joliet to Princeton, Galena to McHenry and more.

The 2025 farmers market season kicks off soon in communities across northern Illinois. Here's a list of some of the best markets in the area.

Enjoy a quick weekend getaway in the Hyatt Lodge Oak Brook's serene setting, spend the afternoon swimming in the pool or relaxing in the spa.

Visit Skydive Chicago in Ottawa or Chicagoland Skydiving Center in Rochelle this spring or summer for a thrilling adventure.

Starved Rock Lodge offers canyon tours, cruises, guided hikes and more to explore the natural beauty of one of the state's most-visited state parks.

The musical is based on the classic 2001 film starring Reese Witherspoon.

Festival 56 will begin its summer 2025 cabaret series Saturday, June 21, with a 7:30 p.m. performance at the Grace Theater, 316 S. Main St. in Princeton.

Northwest Illinois is full of many gorgeous state parks, perfect for family-friendly outdoor adventures.

Saturday, June 21 is World Martini Day. Check out these top-rated bars and restaurants for the best martini in Kane, McHenry and DeKalb counties and the Illinois Valley area.

Event pairs beer and wine tastings with brick oven pizza and live music

Father's Day is Sunday, June 15.

The Lions Club Carnival, Summer Fun Fest and more happening this weekend in the Illinois Valley!

Event pairs beer and wine tastings with brick oven pizza and live music

The Starved Rock area in the Illinois Valley is home to many breweries, including those in Utica, Ottawa and Princeton.

Check out these candy shops in northern Illinois that are worth visiting... this month, or any time of the year!

Your guide to some of the hottest festivals happening in communities across northern Illinois in 2025, from Joliet to Crystal Lake and Dixon to Geneva.

The Ottawa Lions Club will host its annual carnival Wednesday through Saturday, June 11-14, at Lincoln-Douglas Park, 600 E. Norris Drive.

Engle Lane Theatre in Streator will present "These Shining Lives," a drama based on the true story of the women who worked at the Radium Dial Company in Ottawa, beginning Sunday, June 15.

On June 1, the city of Marseilles recognized the Evola family for being in business for half a century, proclaiming the day as “Sam’s Pizza Day.”

The Jammin’ at the Clock summer concert series will return to Heritage Park in downtown Streator for its 10th year, beginning with a performance by Noreen Stark on Friday, June 6.

With everything from duck derbies to tractor treks, there is plenty to do in the Illinois Valley this weekend.

The Ottawa Special Events Committee has announced the schedule for its 2025 Music in the Park concert series, bringing live music to Washington Park every Saturday evening this summer.

The Midwest is full of beautiful national parks, perfect for a weekend getaway.

Check out these niche stays in St. Charles, Ottawa, Algonquin and more.

The Second City 65th Anniversary Show showcases some of Second City’s audience’s favorite songs, sketches, and characters written by some of the famed company’s illustrious alumni.

Greenfield Station will provide live music Friday, June 21 at a Reimagine Mendota event at Lake Mendota.

The Abbey Resort has everything for a family or couples getaway this summer – golf, spa, swimming, boating and more.

Sweet Tooth in Morris carries nostalgic candy, gourmet chocolate and more. Hey Sweetie in downtown Ottawa offers a variety of candies and ice cream.

Wine on the Hill events, which feature live music in the afternoons, and Cave Tasting Experiences begin in May and run through October at August Hill Winery in Peru.

Enjoy trolley rides, baseball, and more this weekend across the Illinois Valley.

Summer is here, and it's time to get outside and enjoy the natural beauty of northern Illinois.

Northern Illinois offers a vibrant international food scene ready to tantalize your taste buds.

Here's a list of some of the most beautiful road trip ideas in the U.S.

May is National Burger Month, and National Burger Day is May 28. Here's a list of award-winning burgers in the suburbs, DeKalb and Illinois Valley.

Bureau County has a variety of fun activities for all ages happening all summer long.

A new Italian restaurant focusing on fresh pasta, wine and bringing a culinary twist to classic Italian dishes and drinks is opening at the former JJ’s Pub in Ottawa.

The inaugural Ottawa Food and Wine Festival is May 31 in downtown Ottawa. Enjoy award-winning wines, small bites and live music.

Northern Illinois is home to many unique distilleries that use farm fresh-to-bottle ingredients.

Kayak, sky dive, ride an ATV, rides bikes on a guided tour or take a cruise along the Illinois River during your summer adventure in Starved Rock Country.

Here's where you can find award-winning BBQ in DeKalb, Kane, Kendall and McHenry counties and the Illinois Valley. National Barbecue Day is Friday, May 16.

The free events feature shopping, kids activities, food and drink specials and more in downtown Ottawa.

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.

Harbor Inn vacation rentals at Heritage Harbor, located near Ottawa on the Illinois River, give guests a relaxing getaway.

Check out these northern Illinois restaurants known for their burgers. From McHenry County to the Illinois Valley and everywhere in between, we've got you covered with a variety of places to try during National Burger Month.

Visit these award-winning breweries and wineries in Kane, Kendall, McHenry and DeKalb counties and the Illinois Valley area.

Open Prairie United Church of Christ in Princeton will host a free concert by folk artist Bobby Jo Valentine at 7 p.m. on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11.

Utica businesses kick off the outdoor dining season by setting up patio furniture, flowers, decorations and canopies on Thursday for customers on Mill Street in downtown Utica. The outdoor dining season on Mill Street runs through October.