Starved Rock State Park will host a family-friendly Groundhog Day program Sunday, Feb. 1.

Check out what Shaw Local audiences voted as the best romantic and fine dining restaurants in Kane, DeKalb, Will and McHenry counties, as well as the Illinois Valley.

'Little Women' kicks off Stage 212's 2026 season with performances running Feb. 6-15.

This unofficial holiday, celebrated annually on Feb. 13, is a time for ladies to ditch the romance and have an evening out with your best girls.

Verucchi's Ristorante in Spring Valley was voted Best Italian Restaurant and Best Pasta in the Illinois Valley.

Sullivan Rutherford Estate's Cœur de Vigne Cabernet Sauvignon has hints of blueberry, plum, dark chocolate and dried flowers.

Eagle Watch Weekend events happen at locations throughout the Illinois Valley Saturday, Jan. 24 and Sunday, Jan. 25.

Check out what pizzerias Illinois Valley residents love the most!

While Brian and Teresa Faber visited a candy store in Galena, they browsed the chocolates and other sweets, but also noticed the atmosphere of the store.

Next multi-course dinner to be held on Jan. 22

Not going to Soldier Field for the big game? Check out these sports bars in northern Illinois where you can catch all the action and enjoy food and drink specials.

Open Space Gallery in Ottawa will host a Craft & Chill Journaling and Collage event on Jan. 15, as well as an oil painting workshop on Jan. 18.

Outdoor ice rinks are a great way to have fun, fit in some physical activity and enjoy fresh air this winter.

You don't need to travel too far to enjoy downhill and cross-country skiing.

Eagle Watch Weekend returns Jan. 24-25 at Starved Rock and all those who service and support the park are hoping for strong turnout.

2025 saw a number of restaurants open across northern Illinois.

Jonata's Todos wine blends blackberry, plum, dried violets, cocoa powder, fig and singed rosemary aromas.

Camp Aramoni will host the 'New Year, New You' brunch on Sunday, Jan. 11.

In addition to antiques, Nellie Roberts Curiosity Shop offers old-fashioned candy, licorice, bubble gum, coffee, and teas.

These 15 stories from The Scene saw the most visitors this past year.

Oglesby native and vocalist Erin Shields will hold a benefit concert at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26 at Illinois Valley Community College.

The Starved Rock Lodge Winter Wildlife Trolley Tours take guests to several areas where they can view majestic bald eagles and more.

Heritage Corridor Destinations partners with NCIArtworks for a pop-up gallery show

Start the New Year off right with a guided winter hike at Starved Rock State Park.

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.

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

Explore the white wines from The Hilt and Jonata labels.

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

Reddick Public Library in Ottawa has scheduled several events for the week of Jan. 1, including movie screenings, escape rooms and club meetings.

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

Starved Rock Lodge’s convenient guided tours bring you close to wildlife

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.

Starved Rock Coffee Co. uses coffee beans from all over the globe to build a line of coffee named after local natural wonders.

Leave the cooking and clean up to someone else on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!

You may not know Lacey Haltenhof, but if you’ve shopped downtowns in the Illinois Valley this holiday season, you’ve seen her work.

It's the last chance to shop for unique goods at Ottawa's Chris Kringle Market and get your holiday scares on at Insanity Haunted House!

Stage 212 will hosting a special entertainment event at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, when Her Majesty’s Radio Theatre presents Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol: The Ghosts of Christmas.”

Bring the kids to see Santa Sunday, Dec. 21 at Hank's Farm in Ottawa.

Visit these spectacular light shows and displays this Christmas season.

Check out these theaters across northern Illinois that are bringing holiday classics like "The Nutcracker" and "A Christmas Carol" to life this season.

Check out these sparkling wine selections

Tour La Salle's Hegeler Carus Mansion and Ottawa's Reddick Mansion during holiday open houses this weekend.

Experience a Victorian Christmas as the Reddick Mansion in Ottawa.

The Village of Ladd will host its annual Christmas Walk from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, featuring activities throughout downtown.

Celebrate the holidays with a family brunch at these locations in northern Illinois.

Stage 212 will host three performances of 'Joy to the World: A Holiday Revue to Benefit the Auditorium' this weekend.

The show is a fundraiser supporting the recent renovation of the auditorium. It will feature local performers singing and dancing to a variety of holiday favorites.

The beloved Chris Kringle Market runs through Dec. 21.