Things To Do & Eat Near Starved Rock
Updated guide for guests — Ottawa & North Utica, both ~10 min away
Eat
⭐ Our Favorites
Restaurants
- Valentino's Pasta and Wine — Italian, date-night worthy
- The Beach House — seafood, Tuesday oyster specials
- B.A.S.H. Burger and Sushi House — our burger AND sushi pick
- Starved Rock Lodge Restaurant — rustic lodge dining right in the park
- Bianchi's Pizza Downtown — nostalgic thin-crust, cash only
- Breakfast: Sunfield Restaurant
Bars
- Lodi Tap House — 24 taps, smash burgers, great post-hike stop
Coffee & Treats
- Bruce & Ollie's — ice cream, specialty coffee, deli
- The Ottawa Bakery — scones, turnovers, custom cakes
Wineries
- August Hill Winery — tasting room, Utica
Attractions
- Sainte Genevieve Riverboat — perfect 5.0 rating, sunset cruises
- La Salle County Historical Society — free admission, local history
Breakfast & Brunch
Sunfield Restaurant ★ favorite (breakfast)
Big breakfast/brunch menu, huge portions, a local institution.
HiWay Restaurant Inc
Classic all-day diner, generous portions, family friendly.
Vegan & gluten-free: lists both, and serves breakfast through dinner. Good for uncomplicated family meals.
Full-Service Restaurants
Search "vegan" or "gluten free" to filter this page to places that list those options. Menus change, so please call ahead if a restriction is medical.
Valentino's Pasta and Wine ★ favorite
Upscale Italian, speakeasy upstairs. Reservations recommended weekends.
The Beach House ★ favorite
Seafood in the middle of Illinois — works surprisingly well. Tuesday oyster specials.
B.A.S.H. Burger and Sushi House ★ favorite
Burgers and sushi under one roof, pet-friendly patio.
Vegan & gluten-free: lists both, including bowls and a vegan chocolate cheesecake. The strongest local pick for a nicer dinner with restrictions.
Starved Rock Lodge Restaurant ★ favorite
Right inside the state park lodge, rustic atmosphere, big portions.
Bianchi's Pizza Downtown ★ favorite
Nostalgic downtown pizza spot, a longtime local favorite. Cash only — there’s an ATM nearby if needed.
Habaneros Mexican Restaurant
The closest sit-down dinner to the treehouses, minutes up Route 178. Tablet menus with photos, generous plates, and a hot salsa worth asking for.
Halftime Restaurant Pizza and Cocktails
Family-friendly, recently remodeled, deck seating in summer.
Skoog's Pub & Grill
Known for Thursday rib specials, outdoor dining in season.
Vegan & gluten-free: plant-based burger with a gluten-free vegan bun, which makes it one of the clearer Utica options for guests who need both.
Pizza & Delivery
Every place listed here delivers to the treehouses. Call ahead on weekend evenings.
Sam's Pizza
A one-man shop turning out hand-stretched pies at prices that stop people mid-sentence, and the highest-rated pizza in the area. Delivers to the treehouses. If the phone rings out he is mid-rush, so try again.
Rosati's Pizza and Sports Pub
Chicago-style deep dish and thin crust in a room built around the game. Delivers to the treehouses.
Pizzas by Marchelloni
Family-sized meal deals and a taco pizza with a following. Delivers to the treehouses.
- Pizza Hut (Ottawa) — (815) 433-2311
- Domino's Pizza (Ottawa) — (815) 324-2100
Fast Food
Roosty's Chicken n Shakes
Fried chicken tenders and shakes, quick and kid-friendly.
The Rootbeer Stand
1950s-style drive-in, established 1955 — homemade root beer, drive-up ordering, car-hop spots. Cash only. The Peanut Butter Crush Sundae gets called out repeatedly.
- Arby's
- Burger King
- Culver's
- Dairy Queen Grill & Chill
- Domino's Pizza
- Hardee's
- Jimmy John's
- KFC
- McDonald's
- Mr. J's Hot Dogs & Gyros
- Pizza Hut
- Subway
- Taco Bell
- Wendy's
Treats & Coffee
Bakeries
The Ottawa Bakery ★ favorite
Scones, turnovers, and custom cakes downtown — reviewers specifically call out the cherry almond scone. Also does custom cakes/donut walls for events.
Steve's Bakery
A local institution with generations of regulars, known for its doughnuts, turnovers, and danishes. There's a second shop in Streator.
Ice Cream & Sweets
Bruce & Ollie's Ice Cream, Specialty Coffee & Deli ★ favorite
Ice cream, specialty coffee flights, and a light deli menu (soup, salad, sandwiches) right in downtown Utica — a favorite stop after hiking Starved Rock or Matthiessen.
Roxie's Sweet Confections
Homemade ice cream and truffles in Utica, popular after a hike — reviewers call out unique flavors and puppy chow.
Tone's Cones
Ottawa's classic ice cream stand, drive-thru and walk-up — cherry dip and the peanut brittle crunch topping are called out repeatedly. Expect a line, especially in summer.
La Michoacana Ice Cream & More
Paletas, mangonadas, and house-made flavors you will not find elsewhere nearby. Reviewers call out the churro sundae and the dairy-free sorbets.
Coffee & Cafes
Jeremiah Joe Coffee
Local coffee shop near the river downtown, big open seating area, outdoor seating too. Known for creative seasonal lattes and fresh pastries; there's also a drive-thru location on Canal Ave.
Vegan & gluten-free: varies by day depending on what is in the case, so worth asking rather than counting on.
Drinks
Wineries & Breweries
August Hill Winery ★ favorite
Sleek tasting room in downtown Utica, flights and cheese boards, patio out back. Ancient Method Sparkling and Almond Infusion get called out repeatedly by reviewers.
CatsEye Wine Bar
Cocktails, wine, and craft beer in a vintage-decorated downtown spot — reviewers call out the drinks and atmosphere, live music some nights.
The Lone Buffalo by Tangled Roots Brewing Co.
Trendy brewpub, cheese curds and grilled cheese are frequently called out, plus fresh-tapped house beer. Gets busy — reservations recommended.
Vegan & gluten-free: lists both on a broad menu, so a mixed group does not have to eat around one person.
Pubs & Bars
Lodi Tap House ★ favorite
24 taps of Illinois beer in a historic corner building, smash burgers and cheese curds get called out constantly. A regular post-hike stop for many reviewers.
Vegan & gluten-free: a traditional pub menu, so call ahead to confirm what can be prepared.
Court Street Pub
Sports bar with huge wings and generous portions, outdoor seating, friendly fast service reviewers keep mentioning.
JJ's Pub
Hometown bar and grill in Historic Downtown Ottawa. Cash only — there's an ATM on site with a fee, so bring cash if possible.
The Back Door Lounge
Tucked-away lounge behind the Lodge restaurant — Gorgonzola chicken nachos are the reason reviewers keep coming back, plus a scenic patio after a hike.
Do
State Parks & Hiking
Starved Rock State Park
The main event — 18 canyons, waterfalls, and river overlooks along well-maintained trails. Gets crowded on nice weekends, so arriving early is worth it. Falls run best right after rain or in spring; expect a lot of stairs on the canyon trails.
Matthiessen State Park
Right next to Starved Rock but noticeably less crowded. The Dells canyon is the highlight — a narrow gorge you can hike through, with reconstructed French colonial fort structures along the way. Many locals actually prefer it to Starved Rock itself.
Buffalo Rock State Park
A gentler, flatter alternative — a gravel river-edge trail, good for strollers or an easier walk. Home to a small bison herd and effigy mound sculptures overlooking the Illinois River.
Riverboat Cruise
Sainte Genevieve Riverboat ★ favorite
Cruises on the Illinois River right out of Ottawa — sightseeing, dinner, and sunset cruises, often with live music. Reviewers highlight it as a favorite for birthdays, anniversaries, and wedding welcome parties; a perfect-5.0 rating across 243 reviews is rare for any local business.
Boat & Water Rentals
Starved Rock River Adventures
Pontoon boat, kayak, and guided kayak rentals on the river. Owner Tony is named repeatedly for going out of his way to help first-timers.
Aspire Watersports
JetSurf/wake-surf lessons on the river — small operation, very few reviews yet but both are glowing (dogs welcome, per the owner).
River Bum Rafting
River tubing on the Vermilion River — they bus you and your gear (tube, cooler tube, paddles) out to the drop point, then you float back. A relaxed few hours, popular with groups, and reviewers rave about the friendly staff and easy logistics.
Fishing & Bait Shops
Illinois requires a fishing license for anyone 16 or older. You can buy one online from the Illinois DNR, or ask at either bait shop below, since many tackle shops are licensed vendors.
Lone Point Shelter
Shoreline fishing and a free boat launch on the Illinois River, with picnic shelters and room to park a trailer. Reviewers regularly report eagles, pelicans and egrets from the bank. Also the easiest kayak or canoe put-in nearby.
Starved Rock Boat Ramp & Seawall
The answer when someone asks whether you can fish at Starved Rock itself. A well-kept ramp with seawall frontage to fish from, right below the bluffs. It is a working ramp, so expect boat traffic on summer weekends.
Allen Park
The easiest family option: parking, docks, boat ramps and clear public access where the Fox meets the Illinois, plus a playground and restrooms so the non-fishing half of the group has something to do.
B & B Live Bait
A classic bait and tackle counter, and the best answer to "what is biting and where should I go today." Reviewers consistently mention staff rigging lines and pointing people to the right stretch of river.
Starved Rock River and Trail Supply
Bait and tackle on the Utica side, minutes from the park entrance. Handy if you realise you need line or a fresh scoop of nightcrawlers on the way out.
Attractions
Awesome Ottawa Tours & Shuttle
Local history walking tours led by Tom, a local historian — the Radium Girls tour and Underground Railroad tour are guest favorites. Reviewers consistently call out Tom's storytelling and depth of knowledge; also offers shuttle service.
Skydive Chicago
Tandem skydiving just outside Ottawa, with 2,500+ reviews at a perfect 5.0 — remarkably consistent for that volume. First-timers are the most common reviewers, and instructors are repeatedly praised for making it feel safe and calm. On-site campground too, a Harvest Host location.
I&M Canal Boat
Mule-drawn replica canal boat tour with a costumed crew — reviewers of all ages call it out as a highlight, and "Larry the Mule" gets mentioned by name repeatedly.
La Salle County Historical Society ★ favorite
Two-building local history museum — radium girls, canal history, and Native/French/pioneer exhibits. Free admission, donations welcome; reviewers say to allow 2+ hours.
VIP Roxy Cinemas
Downtown movie theater — a rainy-day backup plan. Reviews are mixed on upkeep, so worth checking showtimes ahead.
Zip Chicago
Guided zipline tours, 4-8 lines depending on package. Guides are repeatedly praised by name in reviews for making it feel safe for first-timers and kids.
The Cliffs Insane Terrain Off-Road Park
Off-roading/mud park with rentals, hills and ravines. Family-owned, reviewers note it's easy to get turned around on the trails so ask staff for the map.
Adventur-E-Bike Rental LLC
E-bike rentals right at Illini State Park, set up by the snack shop. Small operation — owner is described as friendly and helpful, even fixing a tire for free.
Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock
Indoor water park, arcade, and mini golf — a good rainy-day or kids' activity option nearby. Reviews on the lodging side are mixed, but the water park itself gets consistent praise.
Starved Rock Trolley Tours
The 90-minute Historic Trolley Tour stops at the Starved Rock Visitor Center, the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center and downtown Utica. Seasonal versions cover fall color, spring waterfalls and winter bald eagles. Reservations required. The best way to see the area without a long hike, and a good answer for older guests, bad knees or a grey afternoon.
Illinois Waterway Visitors Center
Free, and one of the better non-hiking hours in the area. Watch towboats and barges lock through from an indoor and outdoor viewing deck, climb into a real pilot house, and in winter this is a prime bald eagle spot.
Reddick Mansion
A restored 22-room Italianate mansion from the 1850s, across from Washington Square in downtown Ottawa. Guided by docents who clearly love it, and reviewers single out the marble fireplaces and plaster ceilings. Pairs well with a downtown Ottawa afternoon.
Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum
A small, genuinely charming local museum covering Ottawa history and the Scouting movement. Free admission with donations welcome, and the staff are known for giving visitors far more time than they expect. A good rainy-day hour with kids.
Golf
Pine Hills Golf Club
9-hole course with a restaurant/bar on site and Tuesday pricing deals; also a popular wedding venue.
Dayton Ridge Golf Club
18-hole course, budget-friendly, known for Thursday wing nights. Reviews note it's a no-frills, low-cost round rather than a manicured course.
Deer Park Golf Club
18 holes right next to state park land, very scenic; reviewers call it a hidden gem with well-kept greens.
Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club
18-hole championship-style layout with elevation changes and tricky greens; clubhouse restaurant on site.
Shop
Groceries & Stores
Kroger
The closest full grocery store to the treehouses, with a large deli and produce section if you're cooking for a full house.
Walmart Supercenter
Groceries plus everything else — snacks for a fire pit night, forgotten chargers, rain jackets. Opens earliest and closes latest.
Kroger
Smaller second Kroger on the south side of Ottawa — handy if you're already downtown or heading that direction.
Handy Foods ★ favorite
Family-owned local grocer downtown, best known for its butcher counter, bakery, and deli. Worth the stop if you're grilling.
Hike + Camp
Trail gear, camping supplies, apparel, and curated outdoor-inspired gifts and provisions — good for anything guests forgot before a hike, or a gift on the way out.
Blain's Farm & Fleet
Not a grocery store, but the place for outdoor gear, boots, bug spray, and anything you forgot for the trail.
Full Interactive Map
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