Lasalle: Discover Nature, Canals and History

Lasalle combines impressive landscapes with the history of the Illinois & Michigan Canal. Those planning a trip featuring nature experiences, regional culture and a variety of excursions will find many different points of interest here. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can therefore consider whether your days should be shaped primarily by hiking trails, historic sites, museums or activities on the water.

Canyons, Rivers and Trails in Nature

Starved Rock State Park, with its 18 sandstone canyons, offers a striking natural experience. These canyons were formed by glacial meltwater and give the landscape a distinctive character. Matthiessen State Park complements this setting with five miles of well-marked, paved hiking trails. It also has six miles of cross-country skiing trails. The two figures represent different ways of experiencing the landscape and adapting your daily plans to your preferred activity.

Buffalo Rock State Park is also one of the region's notable landscapes. The 298-acre park is situated on a bluff along the north bank of the Illinois River. This bluff was once an island. Those wishing to focus on water and fishing will find another destination at the man-made LaSalle Lake. The lake covers 2,058 acres and is popular with anglers. Shore fishing is possible there without a boat; Ivy Point also has a fishing pier for people with disabilities.

The I&M Canal as a Common Thread

The Illinois and Michigan Canal is 96 miles long, was dug by hand and opened in 1848. The Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Area continues to serve as a transportation and recreation route. The I&M Canal State Trail is part of the Grand Illinois Trail and runs for 61.5 miles through the Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Area from Rockdale to LaSalle. This means that the canal's history can be viewed not only as a historical topic but also as a guide for active days on holiday.

For planning purposes, the I&M Canal Visitor Center in LaSalle offers exhibitions on canal history and a map table for preparing visits. The Museum Campus of the LaSalle County Historical Society is located at the historic I&M Canal in the Village of North Utica, Illinois. The society's Museum Complex is open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 12 to 4 p.m.

Historic Houses and Regional Memories

The cultural attractions range from distinguished architecture to industrial history. Reddick Mansion is an Italianate mansion built in 1855 with 22 rooms and restored interiors. Hegeler Carus Mansion is considered a masterpiece of the Second Empire style from 1876 and is a National Landmark. In Peru, the Westclox Museum is located in part of the historic Westclox building. Its collections include Westclox products, documents, photographs, antiques and materials relating to the company's history.

In Ottawa, the Ottawa Historical & Scouting Heritage Museum presents the traditions of Boy Scouting, Girl Scouting and Camp Fire. In Mendota, “Mendota's Past Around Every Corner” leads to historic buildings and areas. Streator adds Weber House & Garden to the selection, where storybook or Tudor architecture and English-style gardens are showcased.

Travel Planning Based on Your Interests

The events organized by the LaSalle County Historical Society add further highlights: It hosts an annual Burgoo Festival as well as Wild Bill Hickok Days. These dates may be relevant when planning the timing of a trip, while nature parks, museums and historic buildings also allow for different daily rhythms. A holiday apartment in Lasalle is especially suitable for your plans if you do not want to limit your stay to a single experience, but instead want to choose between landscapes, history and regional events.

More Places to Consider

If you would like to extend your travel planning to additional places, you can also compare the offerings in Streator, Oglesby, Ottawa, Mendota, Peru, Utica, LaSalle and Grand Ridge. This allows you to choose the location of your accommodation based on the themes that should define your trip: nature and water, canal history, museums or historic architecture.

For the main travel overview: Illinois.