Travel Destinations Illinois Top Things to Do in Northwest Illinois With its rolling terrain, state parks and preserves traversed by the mighty Rock and Mississippi rivers, and biking and hiking trails crisscrossing the area, the Blackhawk Waterways region of northwest Illinois promises outdoor recreation bliss. The region also helped shape the childhood of our 40th president, whose boyhood home opens its doors to visitors. By Midwest Living editors Midwest Living editors Midwest Living's experienced editors create best-in-class travel, lifestyle, food, home and garden content you won't find anywhere else. We're loudly, proudly Midwestern, and we're passionate about helping our audience explore and create through award-winning storytelling. Midwest Living's Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 24, 2022 Pride of Oregon . Photo: Jason Donnelly Do White Pines Forest State Park Hiking, fishing and camping draw visitors to the serene, 385-acre White Pines Forest State Park. Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home Tour the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home in Dixon. You'll be transported to the 1920s, when the country's 40th president and his family called this stately Queen Anne home. Dixon Petunia Festival Thousands of petunias line the town's main streets during June's The Dixon Petunia Festival. Enjoy arts and crafts demos, wacky competitions, a parade, a carnival, live music, and more along the downtown riverfront. Courtesy of the Dixon Petunia Festival Conover Square Merchant Mall Once a piano factory, Conover Square Merchant Mall in Oregon now houses an indoor mall with a variety of merchants, including Slip and Slurry Pottery. Maxon's Riverboat and Riverside Restaurant Cruise the Rock River aboard The Pride of Oregon. The boat docks at Maxson's Riverboat and Riverside Restaurant in Oregon. Barnacopia Mingle with the vintage cars and tractors that reside at Barnacopia, a three-story museum with an in-house ice cream parlor, in Polo. Courtesy of Barnacopia Timber Lake Playhouse The Mount Carroll resident stock theater company at the historic Timber Lake Playhouse stage shows, including Shakespeare and Broadway musicals. John Deere Historic Site Tour the 1830s family home and observe blacksmith demos at the John Deere Historic Site in Grand Detour. Eat and Drink Crystal Cork Wine Shoppe Take your pick from more than 130 wines and 100 different martinis at Dixon's spirited and stone-walled Crystal Cork Wine Shoppe. Aero Ale House Come for the craft beer, stay for the wings-served baked, fried, or grilled, and then sauced-at Aero Ale House in Byron. Stay Jason Donnelly White Pines Lodge White Pines Lodge Reopened under new ownershipm the complex (formerly White Pines Resort) includes a restaurant in a 1930s log lodge, a dinner theater and cabins. whitepinesinn.com For more information: visitnorthwestillinois.com Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit