Little Guide 815

05/31/2026

Highland Park, Rockford, Illinois: hidden away in Rockford is Highland Park! A fun park with toddler & big kid play structures. Soft, cushioned turf and picnic tables below shade make this an easy park to visit with the whole group! Street parking, soccer field, and tennis courts also available.

05/30/2026

The Rootbeer Stand- Oglesby, IL- a vintage diner that seems untouched, but stays consistently busy! You will NEEd to get the flavored soft serve and homemade Rootbeer. Dine in, or order from your car. The best vibes in town! Just down the road from the Starved Rock State Park canyons.

05/29/2026

Little Guide 815 & The Grand Bear Resort have a Giveaway, and it’s super easy to enter! First, we want to let you know that the Grand Bear Resort is located in the middle of the best canyons in the Midwest, AND it’s in Northern Illinois (not too far away). A $200 gift card will be sent to the random selection who: 1). Follows LittleGuide815, 2.) follows and 3.) leaves a comment on this post.
The Giveaway will conclude on Sunday, May 31, at midnight, and winner will be notified ONLY through our account, LittleGuide815. Winner will be mailed a gift card for $200 to the Grand Bear to be used at their resort (note: overnight stays require a 2-night stay). We recommend using the gift card to swim after exploring the canyons this summer!

05/27/2026

Route 2; Byron, Illinois, to Dixon, Illinois: This scenic drive is speckled with multiple sites to explore! Visit the Scenic Overlook (the prettiest and highest view!) at Castle Rock overlook, drive down to Stronghold Castle (sign in at the visitor’s center, or plan ahead for a tour. Stop in Oregon at Fairground Park, then travel down to Dixon for the John Deere boyhood home and the Ronald Reagan boyhood home! What other spots along the way would you recommend?

05/26/2026