From an old piano factory to a one-of-a-kind shopping experience While visiting the Blackhawk Waterways region of northwest Illinois (Carroll, Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside Counties), a shopping mecca straight out of the 70s must be put on your itinerary. Conover Square Mall is a historic shopping center in Oregon, Illinois, just one block west of the gorgeous Rock River--the northeast corner of 3rd and Franklin St. It is situated in a complex of buildings once home to the Conover Piano and Organ Company, founded in the late 19th century. You might need bread crumbs… The sprawling old piano factor ..read more

Summer had to end The summer of 2022 was enjoyable around here, and the fall was fabulous. Enjoying the outdoors with friends and family is addictive. It doesn't have to end when our furnaces start to growl. Many people don't think of northwest Illinois as a winter vacation destination, but you'll be surprised. The Blackhawk Waterways area, which includes Carroll, Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside Counties, has a lot to offer. It's also easy to get there by car from Chicago and its suburbs, which takes 90 minutes to 3 hours, and from all places in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Several major waterway ..read more

Since the beginning, Selmi’s Greenhouse, Farm & Pumpkin Patch, located in Rock Falls, Illinois, has been a family-owned farm rooted in quality. They grow their produce ranging from its over-the-top delicious bi-color super sweet corn to tomatoes and green beans. Each crop is hand-picked daily at peak ripeness to ensure local and visiting customers receive the best flavor with each taste. The Selmi's are proud to support other local farmers by offering these farmers fresh produce at the Selmi farm markets. Matt Selmi personally visits each of its market partners and selects the freshest fr ..read more

Community space on the river RB&W District Park is located on the banks of the beautiful Rock River in Rock Falls, IL, in Whiteside County. After a fire in December of 2007 destroyed 31 structures on the 17-acre site of RB&W (Reliant Fastener) Manufacturing, the landscape was bleak. The community was fortunate to have the foresight and vision of its hardworking citizens, employees, and elected officials. After just nine years, Rock Falls took the former RB&W/Reliant site and started the Riverside Bike & Walk Greenspace Project. The vision and commitment, collaboration, goal se ..read more

Art is not a thing. It is a way. The Next Picture Show (TNPS) is a non-profit community fine arts center that opened its doors in February 2004 after a complete renovation of the building. Visitors and locals alike visit TNPS in downtown Dixon at 113 W. First Street to view the latest art exhibition, attend classes, celebrate life events, or listen to live music. Ralph Edgar, a former real estate developer, undertook a complete restoration of this vintage 1854 building in 2003-2004 by recreating the 1898 façade look. He ensured the preservation of the original wood floors, tin ceilings, and i ..read more

  Planning an event is a lot of work. Planning a wedding is all that and more. The Barn at Allen Acres enables you to create a special, memorable event and actually enjoy it. Another event season awaits  Located just outside Rock Falls, Illinois’ city limits, the Barn at Allen Acres is an effortless drive off I-88’s Rt. 30 exit. Owned and operated by Karen Allen Rogers, this event venue is gearing up for the wedding season.  The Barn at Allen Acres is an authentic, 1920’s-style dairy barn on a 3- ½ acre farm restored to serve as a romantic wedding venue that can comfortably hos ..read more

A dining tradition since 1934 Residents in and around Whiteside County cherish the Forest Inn. Many travel the roads to Morrison, Illinois, weekly for a dinner menu that harkens back to the early days of supper club dining. Owner Ajdin Bajrami works the floor every night, greeting his guests. It’s a tradition that encompasses a generation or three. “My dad's always worked the front of the house,” said Almir Bajrami, Ajdin’s son. “Parents came in with newborns or toddlers 25 years ago, and now these children are coming in with their kids.”  The Forest Inn Restaurant began in 1934 by the o ..read more

Innkeeping is more than a business. It's an art form. Building upkeep, marketing, customer service, and personal time must all be balanced. Bill and Stephanie ("Steph") Nelson embody the ideal husband-and-wife team. They love working together.  Originally from Texas–their accents are a dead giveaway–the Nelsons have lived all over. While living in Dillon, Colorado, they worked for a diamond trading company. In 2009 it was acquired by a company in Canada that decided to close all U.S. offices. A change was coming. Bill found work after moving to Florida, but Steph struggled to find employ ..read more

It all began simply enough. A casual remark about an antique shop "that had to be seen to be believed" led to a weekend spent traveling throughout Carroll County in northwest Illinois. Meet the Andersons Len and Linda Anderson own and operate The Mad Hatter’s Ideas N’ Designs Antiques in historic downtown Mt. Carroll, Illinois. The brick-paved streets of the historic section of town have shops and restaurants throughout the area. This business definitely belongs there.  The Andersons purchased the building, formerly a furniture store, in 1999. Married for 48 years, they are two peas in a ..read more

Since 2009 In a charming, cozy 1850s building, Basil Tree Ristorante serves outstanding Italian cuisine in Dixon, Illinois. The restaurant's core style embraces southern Italian dishes. The wine list provides a diverse assortment. "It's almost like a taste of Chicago right here in Dixon." Our visitors do not have to travel far." Doing the research and making a dream a reality Research is key before deciding on starting a restaurant business and moving your family to a new town. Nick Dalipi and his son, Mili, would travel back and forth from suburban Oakbrook Terrace to visit family in Sterlin ..read more