Area Attractions & Seasonal Events
At Woodhaven, we pride ourselves in the multitude of events, activities and facilities that we offer year-round to our property and guests of all ages. While visiting Woodhaven, we would love for you to stay on property and enjoy all we have to offer. From live entertainment, Children's Day Camp to swiming and hiking, it really isn't necessary to leave the front gate until you're on your way home!
The problem is--Woodhaven sits in such a unique location with so many wonderful surrounding communities that also offer great scenery, parks, attractions, history and seasonal fairs and events, that it would be a shame for our property owners and guests to miss out on some of these great local gems. We'd love to keep you all to ourselves, but get out and enjoy the local area communities and all they have to offer!
Select a category to the right to view.
Amboy City Park & Chainsaw Carvings
City: Amboy
County: Lee
Link: http://www.chrisdunmire.com/illinois/amboy/city-park-tree-sculptures.shtml
Check out 31 unique and inspiring chain saw tree carvings located throughout the park created after a violent storm destroyed several dozen mature oak trees.
Click the link above to view photos, read about the carvings and print a map of the park with locations and indentification of the carvings. The site was created by Chris Dunmire a Woodhaven property owner.
Amboy Depot Museum
City: Amboy
County: Lee
Link: http://www.amboydepotmuseum.org/
The Amboy Depot Museum is located in a former depot and division headquarters of the Illinois Central Railroad located in Amboy, Illinois. The building is an architecturally unique two-story building built of brick and cut Joliet limestone and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has been completely restored both inside and out, and includes the original brick tarmac surrounding the depot and the grounds of the former rail-yard, now preserved as a city park. Also reconstructed were the distinctive chimney caps on the building's eight chimneys, fully restoring the building to its original exterior configuration. Within the museum are artifacts of both the history of Amboy and the Illinois Central Railroad.
The museum complex also contains a freight house with additional artifacts, a fully restored one-room country schoolhouse, a retired steam engine and a caboose. So, come in to see what's to be seen at one of the best small-town depot museums to be found anywhere!
Open year around. Closed on holidays, except for Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day.
LOCATION
Amboy is located on US 52, 2 miles south of US 30. The museum can be found downtown on Main Street, two blocks west of US 52 (turn at Casey's General Store).
MUSEUM HOURS
Sunday and Thursday 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Friday and Saturday 10:00 to 4:00 pm
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday CLOSED
WINTER HOURS: During January and February, open on Saturdays ONLY
NOTE: Museum doors close 30 minutes before closing time.
ADMISSION CHARGE
Donations only; no fixed fee
CONTACT INFORMATION
Amboy Depot Museum
P. O. Box 108
Amboy, IL 61310
Telephone: 815.857.4700
information@amboydepotmuseum.org
Anderson's Pumpkin Patch
City: Sublette
Closed for the season
Located on Route 52 between Sublette and Amboy - adjacent to the LaMoille Road turn for Woodhaven
Cedar Creek Ranch
City: Cedar Point
County: LaSalle
Monday - Friday: Call for an Appointment
Saturday - Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Enjoy trail rides of more than 5 miles through natural fields, timber, and creek crossings.
Rides last approximately 1 hour.
Cost is $30 per person.
Deer Creek Golf Course
City: Deer Valley
County: Whiteside
Link: http://www.dvforegolf.com/
This 18-hole, Par 72 course at the Deer Valley features 6,415 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71 . The course rating is 70.7 and it has a slope rating of 124 on Blue grass. Designed by Dave Johnson, the Deer Valley golf course opened in 2001. Multiple courses available.
Pro Shop, driving range, practice green and full resturant and bar on site. Lung Card accepted.
3298 Hoover Rd.
Deer Valley, IL 61243
(815) 438-4653
Emerald Hill Golf Course
City: Sterling
County: Lee
Link: http://www.emeraldhillgolf.com/
Emerald Hill Golf Course opened in 1923. The course was purchased and renovated by the Sterling Park District in 1994. The Emerald Hill golf course features 18-holes, a driving range, four practice greens, and a practice chipping area. The course is primarily bentgrass greens with kentucky bluegrass tees, fairways and rough and plays 6,318 yards from the back tees. Course rating is 70.3 with a slope of 121.
16802 Prairieville Road
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 622-6204
Eternal Indian Statue
City: Oregon
County: Ogle
Link: http://www.oregonil.com/
The Eternal Indian, or Black Hawk Statue, is a 48 ft. concrete monolithic statue that stands 125 feet above the Rock River in Lowden State Park near Oregon, IL. It is said to be the second largest concrete monolithic statue in the world.
The statue was created by Loredo Taft beginning in 1908. Reinforced with iron rods, the hollow statue is eight inches to three feet thick. The interior is accessible through a door at the base, although visitors are currently not allowed inside the statue. At the dedication ceremony in 1911, Taft stated the statue was inspired by the Sac leader Black Hawk, although it is not a likeness of the chief.
On November 5, 2009, the Black Hawk Statue was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
Immanuel Lutheran Church ELCA
City: Amboy
960 US Rt 52, Amboy
Sunday - 9 a.m.
John Deere Historic Site
City: Grand Detour
County: Lee
Link: http://bit.ly/JDHS12
In 1836, John Deere, a blacksmith from Vermont, set up shop in the small Rock River town of Grand Detour, Illinois. Deere was an enterprising and innovative man. After meeting many farmers who were discouraged by their efforts to cultivate the sticky Midwestern soil, he was sure he had the answer: a self-scouring plow, highly polished and properly shaped. In 1837, using a discarded saw blade, he forged that plow. His "self-polishing" plow grew in popularity, and as it did, so did the company that bears his name.
Here, at these very grounds, is where it all began.
Experience the history of farming on the prairie. Take a trip back in time to the days when John Deere worked in his blacksmith shop in Grand Detour, Illinois. Stroll through his restored home and the grounds. See the sparks fly in a working replica of his shop.
8334 S. Clinton St.
Grand Detour
Dixon, IL 61021
(815)652-4551
Open May - October
Wednesdays - Sundays 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
Special group tours can be arranged during the winter months.
Admission is $5 USD for visitors age 12 and older.
Lost Nation Golf Club
City: Dixon
County: Ogle
Link: http://www.lostnationgolf.com/
Mother Nature created a very diverse and unique environment in Ogle County, about 15 minutes from the historic village of Oregon. Rolling hills. Rich stands of undisturbed hardwood and conifer forests. Dry prairie. Bur Oak savanna. Sand savanna. And streamside marsh. Carefully sculpted from this mosaic about 30 years ago was Lost Nation Golf Club.
Eighteen spectacular holes that will test your skills, and treat your senses, unlike any other golf course in Illinois. The course plays 6,222 yards from the regular tees with a rating of 69.5 and slope of 114.
6931 S. Lost Nation Rd.
Dixon, IL 61021
(815) 652-4212
Mendota Golf Club
City: Mendota
County: LaSalle
Mendota Golf Club is an 18-hole, Par 70 regulation length golf course in Mendota, Illinois. This short layout has 3 sets of teeboxes for a fun, but challenging golfing experience. The course is 6,176 yards with a 69.5 rating and a slope of 117.
35666 Route 34 West
Mendota, IL 61342
(815) 538-7241
Midway Drive-In Theater and Diner
City: Sterling
County: Whiteside
Link: http://www.themidwaydrivein.net/
The Midway Drive-In opened in 1950 in Sterling, Illinois and has been in continuous operation ever since. The Midway Drive-In is a genuine historical landmark as it is home to the oldest standing Drive-In screen in Illinois. We are dedicated to preserving this Dixon and Sterling historical landmark and paying tribute to the American tradition of the Drive-In Theatre.
The Midway is a beautiful Drive-In. From the classic retro “spaceship” ticket booth, to the Playground for the kiddies in front of the screen, to the full service concession stand, a trip to the Midway is like entering a time capsule to the 1950’s.
Admission Prices
Adults 12 years and older: $7.50
Chldren 11 years and younger: $4.00
2 years and youger: FREE
Phone Numbers:
Main Office - (847) 647-3124
Recording for Show Times, etc. - (815) 288-8700
Theatre (during operating hours) - (815) 622-2900
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church
City: Sublette
201 Locust St., Sublette, IL
Saturday - 4:15 p.m.
Sunday - 8 a.m.
Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home
City: Dixon
County: Lee
Link: http://reaganhome.org/
Open Daily between April 1 and November 12
Monday – Saturday: 10 AM to 4 PM
Sunday: 1 PM to 4 PM
Admission: $5
Admission includes a special video presentation, a guided tour of the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home, and access to the Visitors Center and Gift Shop.
816 S. Hennepin Avenue
P. O. Box 816
Dixon, Illinois 61021
Phone: 815-288-5176
Fax: 815-288-3642
Route 34 Drive-In Theater
City: Earlville
County: LaSalle
Showing movies since 1954 with fresh cooked food, real buttered popcorn and friendly service!
Open April - October
Admission Prices
Adults 13 and older: $8
Seniors 62 and older: $7
Children 12 and under: $6
Credit or debit cards not accepted.
Phone Number:
(815) 246-9700
Shady Oaks Golf Course
City: Amboy
County: Lee
Link: http://www.shadyoakscc.com/
Shady Oaks Country Club offers a unique and challenging 18-hole layout where accuracy off the tee and accurate approach shots are rewarded. At 6,212 yards from the tips, Shady Oaks doesn't "appear" to be difficult, but don't let the yardage fool you. The tight tree lined fairways and small sloped greens can take a toll on even the most patient golfers and make scoring very difficult.
Shady Oaks is open to the public and has 4 sets of tees for varying skill levels. There is a pro shop and bar serving sandwiches, snacks and beverages. Shady Oaks provides both men's and women's leagues. Outings are also welcomed.
577 US HWY 52
Sublette, IL 61367
(815) 849-5424
St. Mary's Parish
City: West Brooklyn
2520 Johnson St., West Brooklyn, IL
Sunday - 9:30 a.m
Starved Rock State Park
City: Utica
County: LaSalle
Link: http://www.starvedrockstatepark.org/
Starved Rock State Park, located just near I-80 and I-39 in Utica, IL, is the major tourist attraction in north central Illinois. The Park is free to all visitors and parking is free also. The park attendance for 2011 broke an all-time record with 2.18 million visitors!!
Surround yourself with nature at Starved Rock State Park. The waterfalls and canyons are unexpected wonders, nestled within 2,630 acres of lush forests. Whether you choose the river trail or the bluff trail, you will enjoy spectacular views along the Illinois River. From picnicking to fishing to boating, from horseback riding to camping to enjoying winter sports, there's so much to do that you'll come back again and again.
Timber Creek Golf Course
City: Dixon
County: Lee
Link: http://www.timbercreekdixon.com/
Established in 1915, Timber Creek is not the ‘run of the mill’ golf course. With gentle rolling fairways, it was designed to give the golfer ample room off the tee while giving the player a challenge of a lie that may be slightly uphill or downhill.
The closer you get to our bent grass greens, you will find sand traps placed by the architect in places that add to the overall character of the course. With new sand, you will find it as accommodating as one could. Our greens at Timber Creek were designed for game improvement and the scratch golfer alike.
Timber Creek also has a 250 yard driving range. With limited flight golf balls it is available for any club in your bag. We do have two practice greens also available. Both are luxurious in size giving the golfer looking for solitude that very dream.
We are very proud of the history of our course. From having such players as Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus and Johnny Bulla walk down these hallowed fairways, to having Past U.S. President Ronald Reagan work as a caddie. Later President Reagan brought out such distinguished guests as Bob Hope and Jackie Finney.
Very few know that the golf professional who hit the first shot at the very first Masters was Ralph Stonehouse. He was later the Club Professional here in the early 1940’s. It is invigorating to be able to follow in his footsteps and it speaks volumes for the quality and excellence this facility stands for.
729 Timber Creek Road
Dixon, IL 61021
(815) 288-5110
White Pines
City: Mt. Morris
County: Ogle
Located in the heart of the Rock River valley, this charming 385-acre park is the south boundary of the old Chicago-Iowa Trail. History tells us that this was for years the principal route east and west across the northern part of the state.
Today the park provides the perfect recipe for family getaways. There are plenty of outdoor recreation activities, such as hiking, fishing, camping and picnicking. With lots of serene, picturesque beauty, and modern lodge facilities amidst a beautiful forest, there is no better way to retreat from the everyday routine than to re-discover yourself and your family among the open spaces at White Pines.
6712 West Pines Road
Mt. Morris, IL 61054
815.946.3717
