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I-80 and ILLINOIS

• Geneseo
• Sheffield
• Ottawa
• Joliet
• Tri-State Tollway
• Lansing

Geneseo

Geneseo's Chamber of Commerce is located at the corner of State Street and Main (US-6) at 200 N. State. Just follow the IL-82 highway signs, when you exit I-80 at exit 19, and you'll be lead right to the Chamber. Phone 1-309-944-2686.
  Geneseo is more of a flavor than a collection of attractions (though there are some unique attractions in the surrounding county). Geneseo retains its old Victorian flavor right down to the shopping. If you enjoy viewing Victorian houses, just drive around town (it isn't very big - a little under 6,500 people). The best areas for exploring are to the north of US-6; both sides of the Iowa Interstate Railroad track.
  Downtown is really a fun place. Conversations spring to life with just a slight nudge and the merchandise is frequently very different. If you're looking for souvenirs that don't look like stuff from a tourist shop, this is the place to shop.
  Geneseo has some events that you might enjoy. Dates vary so check with the Chamber to see if you'll by in the area while something is underway. Two that you really want to join - if possible - are the Hikemabika Festival and their Halloween Festival.
  There is also a very nice Super 8 at the edge of the downtown shopping district: comfortable with a variety of room types, and convenient to Geneseo's Victorian downtown.

Sheffield

Hennepin Canal - Illinois, particularly Chicago, needed an economical means of transporting large quantities of goods between the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Eventually a canal was created (dug and dredged) and opened for business in 1907. This, the Hennepin Canal, wound up being "a dollar short and a day late' because by the time it was ready - after nearly 80 years of talking about it, the railroads were fully entrenched and were carrying goods for less than the costs by barge. Plus the canal wasn't big enough to accommodate the newer, larger barges being used by then on the Mississippi. Bad news for some, good news for us. This is a prime recreation resource. Now folks come here to glide in up and down the canal in canoes and kayaks, etc., in safe, secure waters.
  Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park has been created on the north bank of the Hennepin Canal just north of Sheffield to accommodate a wide range of recreational activities - from biking and boating to winter sports; yes, it is a four-season facility. If you want a quiet, beautiful spot to stop, take a breather and eat a picnic lunch, take exit 45 of I-80. Turn left at the end of the off-ramp and turn left into the first road north of the westbound ramps. Turn left at the first crossroad (2 miles) and the park (well marked) will be on your left.
  Official address is 16006 875 E. Street (Sheffield); phone 1-815-454-2328. The State has set up an interesting web site about the canal at Hennepin Canal.

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Ottawa

Ottawa Scouting Museum - If you were ever a Girl Scout, Boy Scout - or Camp Fire Girl, etc., you will undoubtedly enjoy a visit to the Ottawa Scouting Museum. Founded to promote and preserve the colorful and proud traditions of Scouting, they have collected a large array of memorabilia - including uniforms, badges, equipment, etc., all on display. For anyone who has been in Scouting - or has kids in Scouting - the place is fascinating and heart warming. What a program!
  Take exit 90 of I-80 and drive south on IL-23 into Ottawa. After you cross US-6 you will cross the railroad tracks. The fifth intersection after you cross the tracks is Washington Street. Turn right and follow Washington to Canal Street (4 blocks). The museum is on the corner. Phone 1-815-431-9353.
  By the way, the museum is supported by the sale of watchband calendars. They're pretty neat.
  
Joliet

Usually we take (what we call) the Chicago Bypass rather than drive through the northern Illinois-Indiana-Ohio area and their toll roads. We just find the traffic a little too much and there is no good time of the day or night. True, it is an extra 100 miles of driving (660 miles vs. 560 miles) but, when we get to the other end we feel much less tired. We will be writing about that route when we finishing deciphering our notes about I-80 :-).
    Chicago has a lot of attractions. Many are hard to find and they are scattered all over the city. If you are interested in 'touring' Chicago, we have a brief write-up at www.What-Where.info. As we note, there, you don't just breeze in, spend an hour or two and resume your trip. At the very minimum, it requires at least a day to see anything worth while.

Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce - The gentleman, there at 63 N. Chicago, said that Joliet has: "...shed its industrial attire and is now tourist oriented." He referenced their web site (see: Joliet Chamber) which we had already reviewed as part of our preparation for this trip. Very pretty but not too informative. Response: "We're working on it." Phone: 815-727-5371.

Heritage Corridor Convention & Visitor Bureau - Just down the street, at 81 N Chicago, is the Heritage Corridor Convention & Visitor Bureau. Their task is to attract visitors - especially groups who can be hosted in the Joliet area for conventions and exhibits. They, too, have a web site (see Heritage Corridor) but it is more oriented to current and near-future events than to places to see and visit. Our interest is in things people can stop to visit without unduly interrupting their trip assuming that Joliet is not their ultimate destination. Phone: 815-727-2323.

Tri-State Tollway

At exit 155 of I-80 you leave the 'free' Interstate and enter the Illinois Tri-State Tollway ('Tri-State' because it runs from Indiana, through Illinois, to Wisconsin). Fortunately, you only have 5 miles of it because, when you are joined by I-94 at exit 160, you are back to freeway again.

Lansing

Lansing, at I-80 exit 161, has an excellent complement of hotels with rates starting around $50 (not bad for the Chicago area). One (Comfort Suites - our favorite) has in-room whirlpools (great after a day of driving), an exercise room and an indoor pool. If you're into gaming, they also offer free transportation to the Riverboat Casino. Their room rates start at about $70 (a little more for a room with a whirlpool). 
  You have good access to Chicago from here via I-94. To check out the other hotels in Lansing, » click here «