Things to Do in Ottawa, Illinois

This is the big draw, and Illinois’ most-visited state park, with about two million visitors a year. It has 18 canyons cut into St. Peter Sandstone and more than 13 miles of trails along the Illinois River. French, LaSalle, Ottawa and St. Louis canyons hold the longest-lasting waterfalls.

★ Good to know A trail improvement project means some trails may be closed or limited through 2026, so check the park’s alerts before you hike; the lodge, campground and visitor center stay open.

Washington Square is where the first Lincoln-Douglas debate took place. Bronze statues of both men went up in 2002, and a 1908 boulder marks the debate spot. The 22-room Italianate Reddick Mansion anchors the square; it was built in 1855 and served as the public library from 1888 to 1974.

★ Good to know Mansion tours run on a set weekly schedule, so check the Reddick Mansion site before you go.

Just west of town on the north bank of the river, this 298-acre park sits across from Starved Rock. Artist Michael Heizer shaped five huge animal earthworks here between 1983 and 1985, including a snake more than 2,000 feet long. There are bluff-top river overlooks and a pair of bison in a pen near the ball diamond.

★ Good to know The Effigy Tumuli trail is about 1.5 miles, and the shapes read best from the higher ground.

Volunteers opened this museum in 1997 to tell the story of Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Camp Fire. It has uniforms, awards, photos and a recreated room from W.D. Boyce’s Ottawa home. It sits at 1100 Canal St., near the old canal.

★ Good to know It keeps weekday hours and is closed on weekends, so plan it for a Friday if you’re in town for a weekend.

The I&M Canal opened in 1848 and linked Lake Michigan to the Mississippi by way of the Illinois River. Its towpath is now a 61.5-mile state trail from Rockdale to LaSalle, and it runs right through Ottawa. In town, the canal crosses the Fox River on a 464-foot aqueduct built in the 1840s on seven Joliet limestone piers.

★ Good to know The Cheese Shop ‘N’ Deli, open since 1970, is close to the canal and makes a good lunch stop on a ride.

The visitor center at 950 N. 27th Road looks over the Starved Rock lock. From its deck you can watch towboats push barges through the lock, with Starved Rock right across the river. Bald eagles show up in winter, and pelicans and herons in warmer months.

★ Good to know It pairs well with Buffalo Rock, which is on the same side of the river.

This marina resort sits on the Illinois River between the Marseilles and Starved Rock locks, with more than 12 miles of river to explore. It rents pontoons, kayaks, paddleboards and e-bikes. The Red Dog Grill is on site for waterfront meals.

★ Good to know Boat rentals run May through October, weather permitting.

Despite the name, this skydiving center is in Ottawa, and it’s one of the largest in the country. It has run since the early 1980s and flies the Midwest’s largest skydiving fleet. First-timers can make a tandem jump with an instructor.

★ Good to know Spectators are welcome, and there’s a cafe on site if you’d rather watch.