How Cool is Mother Nature!

It is amazing how many things there are to do right in your own back yard that you were never away of.

Free things which makes them even better!



3 State Parks...

Starved Rock State Park... listed as one of Illinois 7 wonders of the state. Beautiful trails that are open all year to hike, complete with wildlife...and I don't mean your kids...18 Canyons, picturesque waterfalls, and 2,630 acres of lush forests that includes over 200 different wildflowers. How awesome is that.

Matthiessen State Park...
Where you can expect to see beautiful rock formations in addition to unusual and abundant vegetation and wildlife. The Park was originally referred to as “Deer Park,” in reference to the large deer population.

Buffalo Rock State Park...
Located on a bluff which was once an island in the Illinois River. This 298 acre park is the home of two American bison. That is not something you see everyday now is it?

The parks are all free and so is parking. So grab the kids and the picnic basket and make a day of it... don't forget the camera!





You can get great pictures and how cool would it be to spend the day together doing something that doesn't require a cell signal (even though there is one)and or an outlet.

Unplug the kids, turn off the TV ... and go spend sometime doing something different this weekend.

"Life is an Adventure ... Live it Here!"

Time to Celebrate !

Kick off the holiday weekend at Heritage Harbor Ottawa. The marina will be alive with activities starting with good food, drinks, and friends at Crawdad’s Bar & Grill on Friday Night.

Boaters can take advantage of our beautiful Marina which prides itself on our first class customer service including personal concierge services and docks unlike any in the area.

Take the boat out on the beautiful Illinois River Saturday and enjoy Heritage Harbor’s private island, or dock downtown Ottawa and take a stroll through the Farmer’s Market early Saturday morning from 8am - 12:30pm

Saturday is defiantly a day for the family at Heritage Harbor Ottawa. Starting at 2 pm there will be games that encourage family interaction reminiscent of days gone by. Challenge the kids to a water balloon toss and get revenge for all the times they “pretend” they can’t hear you. There will be potato sack races, an egg toss, and sand volleyball.The fun goes all day long; Bag Shot Row will be playing great music from 7:30-11:30 pm.

The Heritage Harbor Pool is now open and memberships are still available for the whole family, so bring the suits and take a swim. Enjoy the benefits of a private pool that include less crowding, poolside food and beverage service from crawdad’s, private shower/changing areas, and a view that takes your breath away.

On Sunday you can spend the day on the water, the Illinois River which has access to both Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River so you are not limited to short range cruising is a great place to spend your holiday weekend with family and friends.
Enjoy the Fireworks display right from the boat on the Illinois River in downtown Ottawa. The show starts at dusk (around 9 pm) and a treat for kids of all ages, even the big ones.

No need to travel to Lake Geneva, New Buffalo, or Galena for a great adventure this weekend, come home to Heritage Harbor Ottawa where the Adventure Lifestyle is our specialty!

Lady Antebellum in Starved Rock Country

Cedar Point Sportsman Club will be host to one of country music’s top recording acts Lady Antebellum Aug 14th for the local “Concerts for a Cause” benefit.

Spend the day enjoying Heritage Harbor Marina, and the Illinois River!
After a great day on the water it’s just a quick drive to see one of country music’s hottest acts Lady Antebellum up close and personal at a local outdoor venue.

Proceeds from this concert will benefit local charities!

This is just one more reason why Starved Rock Country is such a great place to live and play.


Save the date and plan the adventure.
Tickets are still available!!!

Stay tuned to learn more about the Adventure Lifestyle available at Heritage Harbor Ottawa and the surrounding communities.

Cruise Night in Old Town Ottawa

Old Town of Downtown Ottawa was a car enthusiasts dream Friday Night. With over 5 city blocks of great cars & trucks, there was something for everyone.

This family friendly event had a mix of styles and eras. There was everything from a classic Ford Model T to a 2010 Chevy Camaro with a slick custom paint job. There was music, food vendors, and many owners that were happy to share a story or two about what made their car unique.

The LaSalle County Cruiser's Annual Cruise night in Downtown Ottawa was a great way to kick off Father's day weekend.

If you missed Ottawa's cruise night or just love classic cars venture to downtown Oglesby Saturday June 26th from 3-8pm for the Oglesby Custom Car Show.

Stay tuned to learn more about the Adventure Lifestyle available at Heritage Harbor Ottawa and the surrounding communities.