Find your Real Getaway in Northwest Illinois
Map of NW Illinois
Welcome to NW Illinois

100 miles due west of Chicago lie the rolling hills, old growth forests and the pristine rivers of the Blackhawk Waterways in Northwest Illinois. With its quaint cabins and darling bed & breakfasts, it's the perfect weekend getaway in Illinois. Every mile is steeped in history, surrounded by outdoor beauty and dotted with charming villages. The Blackhawk Waterways is what your vacation getaway looks like...
In Real Life.

John Deere

Historic Site

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photo: Jack Hughes

Mississippi Palisades

State Park

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photo: Jack Hughes

Nachusa Grasslands

Bison Herd

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De Immigrant Windmill

working windmill

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Byron Rocks Annual 5k & 10k Race

Saturday, May. 01, 2021 10:00 am until Saturday, May. 01, 2021 2:00 pm
Byron Rocks Annual 5k & 10k Race

Sat, May 1st  the Byron Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Power Combat Fitness to bring to the Byron area the annual Byron Rocks 5k/10k Race. Sign up runs through April 30th but you have to be signed up by April 16h to be guaranteed a t-shirt & goodie bag.

Get a team together and have some fun! Teams will receive a $5 discount. Teams must be four to ten people. The $5 discount is applied when the fourth person registers and a refund will be issued to the first three. More importantly, the “Best Dressed” 80s themed team will win a prize! 

Awards will be issued to 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each age category for male and female, overall male and overall female, Best Dressed 80s themed Individual and Best Dressed 80s themed Team. Age categories will be 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70 and over.

5K and 10k will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m.

***Disclaimer - This event may have to transition to a virtual event or have additional guidelines in place to ensure the safety of all involved.  This is dependent on the regulations in place due to COVID-19 at the time of the event.


NW Illinois Travel Blog

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  • Winter Fun in the Blackhawk Waterways

    November 28, 2022
    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…
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