A mid-1800’s architectural wonder helped make Chicago the city it is today. The 96-mile Illinois & Michigan Canal (I&M Canal) connected the Great Lakes in Bridgeport, Chicago to the Illinois River at LaSalle-Peru, and amazingly unique towns sprung up that maintain their authentic charm to this date.
Freedom. The Open Road. The American Dream. All are still alive on The Mother Road. The nostalgia of diners, museums, tourist stops and neon lights are there for you to visit as you make the drive from Chicago to Santa Monica, CA. You can still get your Kicks on Route 66!
A visit to Starved Rock State Park consists of many sights to behold, including breathtaking views of its many canyons and awe-inspiring scenes of eagles flying during the winter month.
Are you looking for a specific type of place to visit in the I&M Canal Heritage Corridor? If you're a craft beer fan, you will love the Heritage Corridor Ale Trail? Seeing a thrilling journey or just an escape, check out Adventure Outside Chicago. We've got all the info to unlock your next trip right here.
Plan Your Season of Road Trips by Getting the Free Travel I&M Canal Towns Guide
Destinations are typically between 45 minutes to 90 minutes away from Downtown Chicago
JOLIET – The Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) has released its inaugural edition of “Travel: I&M Canal Towns.” This new 80-page guide is perfect for the road tripper, promoting destinations, hidden gems, and open-air adventure in the towns of the Illinois & Michigan Canal. Highlighted in the guide is The Forge: Lemont Quarries, which was recently voted as one of the top three new attractions in the country by USA Today’s 10best. Interested readers can have a guide mailed to them for free by visiting hcdestinations.com.
"We’re excited to be part of the rich history and ongoing story of the I&M Canal. We, along with the rest of the businesses and attractions that are part of The Heritage Corridor, look forward to welcoming travelers from all over the region in 2021,” stated Jeremie Bacon, co-founder and CEO of The Forge: Lemont Quarries. “Come out and experience adventure with us!"
The guide contains attractions, accommodations, food, drink, and retail locations in Lemont, Lockport, Joliet, Channahon, Morris, Ottawa and Utica. Top attractions in the area include The Forge: Lemont Quarries, Starved Rock State Park, Old Joliet Prison, and Matthiessen State Park.
Special articles in the guide take a deeper dive into the City of Joliet, Ottawa’s original I&M Canal Tollhouse, renting a bike along the I&M Canal trail, adventure at The Forge: Lemont Quarries, road trip itineraries, experiencing the Starved Rock Lodge, destination shopping at True North, and dining and drinking at Lock and Mule by Tangled Roots Brewing Company.
“There is a lot of great experiences, exceptional dining, and retail treasures to be found in the towns of the Illinois & Michigan Canal,” stated Robert Navarro, President of the Heritage Corridor Destinations. “From the well-known attractions to the hidden gems, the new Travel: I&M Canal Towns Guide is must-have for planning your road trips this summer.”
The guide is available at various different locations among the towns of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, including the Heritage Corridor Destinations offices at 2701 Black Road, Joliet, IL 60435. Guides can be mailed to homes for free by visiting hcdestinations.com or by calling 815-216-9960. You can also click the buttons below to either request a guide or view / download the digital version.
ABOUT THE HERITAGE CORRIDOR CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU
The Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) ignites, influences, and impacts the visitor experience through tourism partnership within the communities and counties along the historic I&M Canal National Heritage Corridor. Starting just a few miles southwest of Chicago and extending southwest through Starved Rock State Park Country. Visit their web site at hcdestinations.com for more information.
FREE VISITORS GUIDE
FREE VISITORS GUIDE
