Sonya's Guidebook
Hiking/Kayaking/Birdwatching in Starved Rock Country
Starved Rock State Park is only 7.7 miles away! Go online to the Starved Rock Hikers’ web page to see current trail conditions and plan a hike that’s perfect for you with the free planner.
🐾Dog Friendly 🐕🦺 beautiful hiking and nice patio bar and grill restaurant.🐾
90 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Parque Estatal Starved Rock
2678 E 875th Rd🐾Dog Friendly 🐕🦺 beautiful hiking and nice patio bar and grill restaurant.🐾
🐕🦺 Dog Friendly 🐾 Gorgeous hiking trails. Sunflower field from mid-July thru August is a photographer’s dream.
43 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Parque Estatal Matthiessen
2500 IL-178🐕🦺 Dog Friendly 🐾 Gorgeous hiking trails. Sunflower field from mid-July thru August is a photographer’s dream.
🐾🐕🦺 Dog Friendly. Chance to see American Bison up close and nice picnic area and trails.
26 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Buffalo Rock State Park
1300 N 27th Rd🐾🐕🦺 Dog Friendly. Chance to see American Bison up close and nice picnic area and trails.
Birdwatching, boat ramp, outdoor charcoal grilling, picnic shelter, kayak rental. Located on the Illinois River off Route 71.
Lone Point Shelter
1145-1173 Illinois 71Birdwatching, boat ramp, outdoor charcoal grilling, picnic shelter, kayak rental. Located on the Illinois River off Route 71.
🐶🐾See their website for information and bookings. You may need to call for same-day reservations. They have more than one location, so make sure you’re booking for Starved Rock. Dog friendly!
Kayak Starved Rock
1170 North 27th Road🐶🐾See their website for information and bookings. You may need to call for same-day reservations. They have more than one location, so make sure you’re booking for Starved Rock. Dog friendly!
Starved Rock State Park is only 7.7 miles away from Snug Owl Cottage! Beautiful hiking trails for all skill levels, Eagle watching, and other activities at the visitor center and the historic lodge.
14 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center
2678 East 873 RoadStarved Rock State Park is only 7.7 miles away from Snug Owl Cottage! Beautiful hiking trails for all skill levels, Eagle watching, and other activities at the visitor center and the historic lodge.
Mitchells Grove Nature Preserve
Cycling
The canal towpath is popular for cyclists and Utica is a great little town to visit via the towpath, with many lunch options
🐾If you don’t have a bike with you, you can rent one at The I&M Canal Visitor Information Center and Cafe located at the corner of First Street and 351 (Joliet St) in Downtown LaSalle. The towpath is also popular with runners. Locals like to ride bicycles about 5 miles down the path over to Utica to visit Mill Street businesses like Skoogs Pub, Lodi Taphouse, Joy and Ed’s, Clark’s Run Antiques and Wines, ice cream at The Bickerman Building, or delicious breakfast for dogs and humans at Nonies on the deck. 🐾🐾
I&M Canal National Heritage Area
754 1st St🐾If you don’t have a bike with you, you can rent one at The I&M Canal Visitor Information Center and Cafe located at the corner of First Street and 351 (Joliet St) in Downtown LaSalle. The towpath is also popular with runners. Locals like to ride bicycles about 5 miles down the path over to Utica to visit Mill Street businesses like Skoogs Pub, Lodi Taphouse, Joy and Ed’s, Clark’s Run Antiques and Wines, ice cream at The Bickerman Building, or delicious breakfast for dogs and humans at Nonies on the deck. 🐾🐾
You can rent bicycles in warmer months outside the I&M Canal Visitor Center on First Street in LaSalle and ride the towpath to Utica, and then a bit farther to the Starved Rock State Park Entrance. Pick up some maps and brochures inside the LaSalle Visitor Center before you go. If you don’t want to ride that far, you can also rent bicycles in nearby Utica. The towpath section (about 5 miles) is flat, but there will be hills at both ends of the trip. There are some tasty refreshments available near the route in Utica and LaSalle.
90 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Parque Estatal Starved Rock
2678 E 875th RdYou can rent bicycles in warmer months outside the I&M Canal Visitor Center on First Street in LaSalle and ride the towpath to Utica, and then a bit farther to the Starved Rock State Park Entrance. Pick up some maps and brochures inside the LaSalle Visitor Center before you go. If you don’t want to ride that far, you can also rent bicycles in nearby Utica. The towpath section (about 5 miles) is flat, but there will be hills at both ends of the trip. There are some tasty refreshments available near the route in Utica and LaSalle.
Horseback Riding/Petting Zoo/Goat Yoga
Horseback riding, Petting zoo, and Goat yoga. I am not making this up. Visit the website for more info and call ahead, as activities are weather-permitting.
Cedar Creek Ranch
249 IL-71Dog Park
Rotary Park in LaSalle is known for its charity fundraiser “Celebration of Lights” during the holiday season and its playgrounds and sports complex, but there’s also a large dog park. 🐾🐾
There’s a small dog section and a separate large dog section. It’s wide open with lots of room to play frisbee or just let off some steam.
Rotary Park
2837 E 5th Rd,There’s a small dog section and a separate large dog section. It’s wide open with lots of room to play frisbee or just let off some steam.
Food scene
Fire on Fifth
300 5th StreetPour wall, bar, games and entertainment nightly, fired pizza Thursday-Sunday
Uptown Grill
601 1st StIs it your birthday? Save room for the “Apple Pie Roll” dessert. (My fave.) Joe is the chef and excellent host. I love sushi and he does not disappoint. Friendly servers and good food.
Koi Sushi & Hibachi
1519 Water StreetIs it your birthday? Save room for the “Apple Pie Roll” dessert. (My fave.) Joe is the chef and excellent host. I love sushi and he does not disappoint. Friendly servers and good food.
This is a favorite cozy place to have dinner with friends. I’ve never had a less than stellar meal or drink here.
The Study Supper Club
414 1st StreetThis is a favorite cozy place to have dinner with friends. I’ve never had a less than stellar meal or drink here.
Great service, good inexpensive takeout pub food. They do curbside pickup so you don’t have to leave your vehicle.
Flo's On Pulaski
1309 Pulaski StreetGreat service, good inexpensive takeout pub food. They do curbside pickup so you don’t have to leave your vehicle.
Palermo Pizza
Where locals get their pizza
BLUE MARGARITAS OGLESBY
Carnitas. Steak street tacos. Blue Margaritas. What more do you need?
Country House Restaurant
Their skillet breakfasts are hearty and delicious diner fare.
Nightlife
The location inside the historic Peru Westclox factory building is ideal for a night out, especially in bad weather. Eat fired pizza and have some great beer at Fire on Fifth, then go next door to Star Union Spirits for some cocktails and live music.
Fire on Fifth
300 5th StreetThe location inside the historic Peru Westclox factory building is ideal for a night out, especially in bad weather. Eat fired pizza and have some great beer at Fire on Fifth, then go next door to Star Union Spirits for some cocktails and live music.
The Camden Bar and Lounge
126 Marquette StreetPrizewinning Distillery, tasting room, bar and lounge, live music venue located in the historic Westclox Building in Peru, IL
Star Union Spirits
300 5th StreetPrizewinning Distillery, tasting room, bar and lounge, live music venue located in the historic Westclox Building in Peru, IL
Creative people find Sanctuary here. If it’s fun, they’ll include it, so you’ll need to check their social media for updated entertainment schedules. 🦄🌈
Sanctuary LaSalle
516 1st StreetCreative people find Sanctuary here. If it’s fun, they’ll include it, so you’ll need to check their social media for updated entertainment schedules. 🦄🌈
Coffee and Pastries
Starved Rock Country has lots of good places to start your day.
Millstone Bakery just opened and already gets 5 star reviews! Espresso Drinks and French style baked goods on First in LaSalle. Fresh every day, so go early before they sell out of your favorites.
Millstone Bakery
821 1st StreetMillstone Bakery just opened and already gets 5 star reviews! Espresso Drinks and French style baked goods on First in LaSalle. Fresh every day, so go early before they sell out of your favorites.
🐾Nonies, located in nearby Utica, has yummy coffee and food in a friendly atmosphere. Outside deck seating. They are dog friendly and also sell gourmet dog treats. 🐾🐾
10 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Nonies Bakery & Cafe
522 S Clark St🐾Nonies, located in nearby Utica, has yummy coffee and food in a friendly atmosphere. Outside deck seating. They are dog friendly and also sell gourmet dog treats. 🐾🐾
Jeremiah Joe Coffee - Peru Drive-Thru
1501 38th Street🐾🐕Locally roasted coffee and gourmet breakfast sandwiches. 🐕🐾
🐾Just down the hill past the Save-a-Lot grocery store, you’ll find the tiny Bean Box serving coffee and espresso drinks with a smile. Easy walk from Snug Owl Cottage. 🐕🦺
Bean Box Espresso
750 Joliet Street🐾Just down the hill past the Save-a-Lot grocery store, you’ll find the tiny Bean Box serving coffee and espresso drinks with a smile. Easy walk from Snug Owl Cottage. 🐕🦺
🐾🐕🦺This is the original location, where coffee beans are roasted on site. It doesn’t get any fresher than that! They also have excellent breakfast sandwiches and sweet treats. Stop in at my other favorite Ottawa small businesses, Prairie Fox Books and A Mess of Things while you’re there. Outside seating.
6 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Jeremiah Joe Coffee
807 La Salle St🐾🐕🦺This is the original location, where coffee beans are roasted on site. It doesn’t get any fresher than that! They also have excellent breakfast sandwiches and sweet treats. Stop in at my other favorite Ottawa small businesses, Prairie Fox Books and A Mess of Things while you’re there. Outside seating.
Streator is a bit of a road trip from the Snug Owl, but this European style breakfast is worth it.
Good Morning Good Day Cafe
417 East Main StreetStreator is a bit of a road trip from the Snug Owl, but this European style breakfast is worth it.
They have coffee flights, ice cream, and a fireplace! And Bruce and Ollie are dogs. Perfect.
Bruce & Ollie's Ice Cream, Specialty Coffee & Deli
They have coffee flights, ice cream, and a fireplace! And Bruce and Ollie are dogs. Perfect.
Mexican ice cream parlor with fun and unusual dessert and snack options in Downtown LaSalle. Outdoor seating. Located on First Street behind Kea Roze Boutique.
La Michoacana 5 Estrellas
Mexican ice cream parlor with fun and unusual dessert and snack options in Downtown LaSalle. Outdoor seating. Located on First Street behind Kea Roze Boutique.