Enjoy waterfront dining at these restaurants along beautiful rivers and lakes in northern Illinois this season.

The new restaurant brings waterfront dining, live music and coastal cuisine to the Illinois Valley area.

The first Third Friday event for the 2026 season is from 5-9 p.m. Friday, May 15 in downtown Ottawa.

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

Festivals are blooming across northern Illinois this month.

Poison frontman Bret Michaels will headline Streator Fest on Saturday, Aug. 8. Other weekend performers include country star Jo Dee Messina and rock band Skillet.

Savor a variety of flavors this spring and summer at these vibrant food truck festivals in northern Illinois.

May is National Burger Month.

The Tee Box's menu offers family recipes, made from scratch using local meat and produce.

Check out these farmers markets opening for the 2026 season in northern Illinois.

Celebrate Mother's Day with these special events happening in the Illinois Valley this weekend.

Spring is here, and that means it's the perfect season to get out and explore new destinations.

Spring is here, and that means the return of some of the area's most popular beer and wine festivals of the year.

Frozen Jr. is set to sweep into Streator’s Engle Lane Theatre later this month, bringing a cast of kids from all over the Illinois Valley together for a familiar Disney favorite and Engle Lane’s first show of the year.

Find the perfect champagne or sparkling wine for Mother's Day.

The Tom Naumann Memorial Morel Fest & Burger Bash is Saturday, May 2 at Washington Park in Ottawa.

The menu offers beef brisket, chicken & waffles, pulled pork and southern classics like fried okra.

From a massive warehouse of vinyl deep dives to shops that stock the latest releases, four Starved Rock Country record stores have something for every music buff.

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 10.

These flower-filled events in the Midwest go beyond the blooms, offering everything from artisan markets and live music to garden tours and family-friendly activities.

Enjoy sweet treats from Utica businesses and play some carnival-themed games at Utica's Sweet Stroll: The Sweet Escape Carnival on Saturday, April 25.

The Market on Mill, Utica’s outdoor retail plaza, will be opened for the 2026 season on Saturday, May 2.

Across the suburbs and throughout the region, you’ll find fascinating spots dedicated to art, history, science and unique local stories.

Sometimes a trip off the beaten path can give people more things to learn and talk about. Take a drive from Mount Carroll to Scales Mound, and there's something for everyone.

Special dining experience to feature whisky by Mississippi River Distilling ft. Cody Road

Stage 212's "The Play That Goes Wrong" opens Friday, April 17.

Check out these restaurants where you can find the best breakfast and brunch in the Illinois Valley.

“The Play That Goes Wrong” will be presented April 17-19 and 24-26 at Stage 212 in La Salle.

You don't need to travel to Vegas to enjoy the bright lights at a casino in northwest Illinois.

The Ottawa Concert Association will present “Divas of Soul,” a tribute concert featuring award-winning vocalist CeCe Teneal, at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at Central School in Ottawa. The performance closes the 2025-2026 concert season.

Dreamwave Wrestling—Anniversary XI: “Undeniable” is at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 11.

The next time you're exploring Starved Rock State Park or one of other state parks, check out these delectable dining destinations in the area.

The Boatyard Bar & Bistro in Ottawa will reopen for the season Thursday, April 9, bringing back riverfront dining with a mix of familiar favorites and new menu offerings.

The Spring Valley ‘Uriah’ Walla Walla Valley Red Wine 2022 is a dark, brooding red with blackberry, plum, cedar, tobacco leaf and cracked pepper flavors.

Veteran actors might be chagrined watching "The Play That Goes Wrong" at Stage 212 in La Salle, but most audiences will find it uproarious.

Celebrate Easter with egg hunts in Ottawa and Utica this weekend.

Pancheros Mexican Grill is expected to open the Princeton location this summer and the Sterling location in the fall.

Pick up your Easter chocolate at these fine chocolatiers in northern Illinois. Easter is Sunday, April 5.

Easter is Sunday, April 5.

Camp Aramoni's Spring Hike & Dine Experience includes food and drink pairings, hiking and live music on March 28.

Streator native Seth Ragusa is the personality behind Grazing Guse, a restaurant review channel on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

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

Starved Rock Lodge will host their annual Bunny Bash at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 21.

“Sunday with The Rat Pack” showcases nationally-known singer and comedy impressionist Jerry Armstrong of Marseilles as he brings the music of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr. to vibrant life.

The Beach House matches the flavors, décor, and relaxed feeling people may remember from their coastal vacations – and that’s exactly how owner John Mathias designed it to be.

The NCAA basketball tournament kicks off Thursday, March 19. Watch all the action at these northern Illinois bars.

La Salle's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade is at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 14.

Check out these 8 eateries that are serve up mouth-watering burgers.

St. Patrick's Day is Tuesday, March 17 but there's plenty of Irish fun with parades and parties across northern Illinois this weekend.

The original Knox Hotel opened in 1854 to provide accommodations near the new train depot because travelers on the railway needed a place to stay.