Month: July 2024

5 Things to Do In/Around Amboy, Illinois

Of course, if you’re planning to stay at O’Connell’s RV Campground in one of their great glamping accommodations (choose a cabin or cottage), there is plenty to do there without even leaving “home.” From sports courts that include horseshoes, volleyball and basketball to the mini-golf course and plentiful lake activities, you can spend days at the campground doing something different every day. But if the urge strikes and you want to explore the nearby heart of Illinois attractions, we have some ideas:

Waterfall at Starved Rock State Park
Waterfall at Starved Rock State Park

1. Starved Rock State Park: Less than 40 miles from O’Connell’s, Starved Rock State Park is a great place to visit if you want to explore picturesque waterfalls, sandstone canyons and miles of hiking trails at one of Illinois’ main attractions. The Park offers all kinds of guided tours and water cruises while visitors can also explore over 13 miles of well-marked trails on their own. The Lodge was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Lodge features a cafe, lounge and a gift shop. The Park is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to sunset.

2. Dixon: The town of Dixon may be small, but it has plenty of history. For instance, not only was it the spot where Abraham Lincoln joined the militia to fight in the Black Hawk War in 1832, but it’s also the location of the boyhood home of our 40th president, Ronald Reagan. Public tours of Reagan’s former home are available Thursday through Saturday from April through December (yaf.org/reagan-boyhood-home). The Lincoln Monument State Memorial depicts a bronze statue of Lincoln as a 23-year-old captain during the Black Hawk War. Every Wednesday and Saturday through October, the Farmers Market is held in town’s Haymarket Square. Also, the Riverfront Plaza, which is dog-friendly, is a nice place to view the Rock River and check out the nearby stores.

Cabin Rentals at O'Connell's RV Campground
Cabin Rentals at O’Connell’s RV Campground

3. Ottawa Road Trip: Another charming small town within a short drive from O’Connell’s is the city of Ottawa. Here you can find The Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum which is dedicated to preserving the history of scouting in America and the start of the Boy Scouts of America (now known as Scouting America) and The Reddick Mansion (reddickmansion.org), an example of 19th century Italianate architecture and possibly the most expensive and ornate private home built in Illinois before the Civil War. After touring the mansion, make sure to visit Washington Square Park, which is across the street from the mansion. The park features bronze statues of Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas to commemorate the site of the first senatorial debate between these two gentlemen in 1858. Another interesting statue in Ottawa is the Radium Dial Girl, which pays homage to the women who were subjected to dangerous radium-laced, glow-in-the-dark paint while working at the Radium Dial Company that was operated in Ottawa in the early part of the 20th century.

Waterfall at Anderson Japanese Gardens
Waterfall at Anderson Japanese Gardens

4. Anderson Japanese Gardens: These beautiful gardens lie about 50 miles from Amboy and are set among 12 acres that include winding pathways, koi ponds, and waterfalls. Tranquility and peace await at this oasis which highlights the three elements of a true Japanese garden – stone, water and plants. Docent-led tours are offered twice daily but visitors are free to also enjoy the gardens on their own. For information visit andersongardens.org.

5. Amboy Marsh Nature Preserve: A great place to hike, bird-watch and get some great nature shots, the Amboy Marsh Nature Preserve offers plenty of trails, plus wetlands and oak savanna. Shorter loop trails or longer hiking trails are both available here and provide the opportunity to see wildlife including sandhill cranes, turtles, and deer. Prairie flowers, butterflies and dragonflies add to this beautiful mix of nature. For details visit amboymarsh.wixsite.com/amboymarsh.

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Step Back in Time in These 3 Historic Cities

This year, the July 4th holiday marked 248 years of independence. But long before the Founding Fathers put together the Declaration of Independence, the United States was staking its claim as a pretty great new nation. Check out some of America’s oldest cities as you travel this July:

Glamping Cottage at Encore Bulow
Glamping Cottage at Encore Bulow

St. Augustine, Florida: Roughly 55 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, Spanish explorers founded St. Augustine, which is considered the oldest continuously occupied settlement of European and African American origin in the US. That was 1565 and today St. Augustine is a trip back in time with its centuries-old buildings and European feel. Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the US, constructed in 1695. The Colonial Quarter, located on St. George Street gives a feel for what life in St. Augustine was like in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries while Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is a living history museum dedicated to telling the story of the settlers life as it was in the 1500s. A glamping cottage at Encore Bulow is the perfect place to stay when visiting this historic area.

Cabin at Gateway to Cape Cod
Cabin at Gateway to Cape Cod

Plymouth, Massachusetts: Book a glamping cottage at Thousand Trails Gateway to Cape Cod and explore Plymouth, Massachusetts, which was established in 1620 when the Mayflower docked on the shores here. There is plenty of Pilgrim and Native American History to be found here. The Plimouth Patuxet Museums is a living history museum that journeys back 400 years in time to tell the story of how America got its start. There is also a historic replica of the Mayflower, the Pilgrim Hall Museum and the Jabez Howland House, the home of the son of two Mayflower passengers. Brewster Gardens is a lovely 2.9-acre park with great views of the water and a walking path. Don’t miss the bronze statue, Pilgrim Maiden, which pays tribute to the brave English women who made the Mayflower voyage to America.

Albany, New York: While Albany, New York has the distinction of being the New York state capital, it is also one of the oldest cities in America, dating back to 1686. Explorer Henry Hudson laid claim to the area in 1609 and the city was named as the state capital in 1797. The New York State Museum, established in 1836, is the oldest and largest state museum in the country and houses exhibits that reflect New York’s cultural and natural history. The Schuyler Mansion, the 18th century home of Philip J. Schuyler, who served as a general in the Continental Army and was also father of Elizabeth Schuyler, wife of Alexander Hamilton, is open for guided tours daily (parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/schuylermansion/details.aspx). Another must-see in Albany is the New York State Capitol building, an architectural marvel built in the late 19th century. A great place for insight into the history of New York is the Albany Institute of History and Art (albanyinstitute.org) being one of the oldest museums in the country and operating since 1791. A vacation cottage or cabin at Lake George Escape Campground is a great place to stay when exploring Albany.

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Enjoy Nature’s Paradise in These Outdoor Towns

It’s summer and everyone’s Summer Bucket List likely includes a host of activities to do outside. Why not add a visit to one of these “Best Outdoor Towns” to your list this summer to maximize outdoor fun. These towns were included on the list of thediscoverer.com’s “9 Best Outdoor Towns in the U.S.”

Cabins on the River at Yosemite Lakes
Cabins on the River at Yosemite Lakes

Mammoth Lakes, California: From an outdoor standpoint, isn’t most of California the best outdoor space? According to thediscoverer.com, Mammoth Lakes is one of the best thanks to the breathtaking scenery and the mountain and lake activities to enjoy here. From a biking standpoint, there are paved trails for road biking as well as a bit rougher terrain for the mountain biking enthusiast. Take a dip in Horseshoe Lake if you want to swim or try your hand at stand-up paddling here, a favorite spot for those that enjoy this way to take on the water. Other ways to explore this beautiful portion of the Sierra Nevada Range include horseback riding, rock climbing and hiking. Check out visitmammoth.com for specifics as well as trip planner guides and maps. The Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza is set for August 1-4 featuring blues music and craft breweries.

Book a glamping yurt, bunkhouse, cabin or cottage at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes to explore stunning Mammoth Lakes this summer.

Cabin at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver
Cabin at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver

Bend, Oregon: Bend is one of those four-season towns when it comes to the outdoors as there is always something to do outside here from skiing in winter to whitewater rafting in summer. One fun thing to do here in summer is to float the Deschutes River in a colorful innertube, a must for its perfect combination of fun and relaxation. Other fun on the Deschutes can include paddleboarding, kayaking, and the afore-mentioned thrilling whitewater rafting. If you’re looking for something unique, take the drive from Bend to Tamolitch Falls (about an hour) to see the Blue Pool. Once you’re here, it’s about a 2.5-mile easy hike on the Tamolitch Pool Trail to reach the unique turquoise waters. There’s also the Bend Ale Trail (bendaletrail.com) and the Bend Summer Festival, featuring live music, food and artisans, is set for July 13-14, for summer fun outdoors!

Book a cottage, cabin or yurt glamping accommodation at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver to enjoy Bend in summer.

Leavenworth Tiny House Village
Leavenworth Tiny House Village

Leavenworth, Washington: Another four-season town thanks to the mountains and lakes here, a visit to Leavenworth should always include “outdoor time.” The bonus is that the quaint Bavarian-style town will make you feel like you’re having a European vacation! The Wenatchee River is one of the draws here with opportunities to paddleboard, whitewater raft and fish. Hiking options include Icicle Gorge Trail (4 miles) or the Alpine Lakes Wilderness offering 600 miles of trails. For a unique way to see the scenery, consider Leavenworth Ziplines (leavenworthziplines.com). You might also check out Village Art in the Park, a three-day vibrant outdoor art market held every weekend through mid-October.

Book one of the charming tiny houses at Leavenworth Tiny House Village to explore this beautiful mountain town in summer.

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