Midwest Travel: 36 Hours in the Illinois Valley

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We rolled into Peru, Illinois, with one goal: to make the most of 24 hours. But it wasn’t just Peru that brought us here. The surrounding towns of LaSalle, Utica, and Oglesby added even more to our adventure. Tucked inside the heart of the Illinois Valley, this little corner surprised me with how much it offered. Nature, good food, and small-town warmth wrapped into a perfect day.

Table of Contents

• Morning: Exploring Canal History and Hiking at Starved Rock
• Midday: Farm-to-Table Flavors in the Illinois Valley
• Afternoon: Wine Flights and Ice Cream Delights
• Evening: Resting Up After a Full Day

Morning: Exploring Canal History and Hiking at Starved Rock

Our first stop took us to Canal Lock 14 at Canal Park in LaSalle. The I&M Canal once connected Chicago to the Illinois River, changing the future of the Midwest. Today, the lock feels less than relative. The old stone walls, the quiet, algae-topped water, and the historic towpath create a peaceful backdrop where people fish from. We wandered, reading the signs that told the story of a time when mules pulled boats through these waters. We thought the tour was in process, but it wasn’t, we’ll have to come back at a later time.

Canal Lock 14 at Canal Park
740 First St, LaSalle, IL 61301
Google Maps Link

From there, we headed to Starved Rock State Park, just ten minutes away. I have wanted to hike here for years, and it did not disappoint. We climbed the stairs to Starved Rock itself and soaked in the sweeping views of the Illinois River below. The morning was crisp, and the air smelled like fresh rain and pine– it reminded me of my hikes in South Korea.

Next, we made our way toward French Canyon, one of the park’s most photographed spots. We had to straddle a narrow creek to reach the canyon, stepping carefully across slick rocks. It felt adventurous but never dangerous. Once inside, the walls of the canyon wrapped around us. Water trickled down the sides, making everything glisten in the sunlight. I could have stayed there for hours.

Starved Rock State Park
2678 E 875th Rd, Oglesby, IL 61348
Google Maps Link

Midday: Farm-to-Table Flavors in the Illinois Valley

By lunchtime, we had worked up an appetite. We drove back into Peru and had a beautiful meal at Thyme Craft Kitchen. The restaurant felt lively and welcoming, filled with natural light and the smell of fresh herbs. I ordered the lobster pasta, but I didn’t like it. I should have asked more questions. So I ended up enjoying the birria tacos instead. We ended up deep in conversation with a couple at the next table, swapping travel stories and restaurant tips as if we had known each other for years. This is what I love about the Illinois Valley—its ability to turn strangers into familiar faces.

Thyme Craft Kitchen
405 5th St, Peru, IL 61354
Google Maps Link

Afternoon: Wine Flights and Ice Cream Delights

After lunch, we drove to August Hill Winery in downtown Utica. The tasting room was bright and inviting, lined with local art and gifts. We ordered two flights—six wines for $30—and spent the afternoon tasting everything from dry reds to sweet sparkling wines. Live music played on the patio, adding a soft rhythm to the sunny afternoon. I sipped a semi-sweet red that tasted like ripe berries warmed by the sun. Their outdoor patio was the perfect spot to sit, chat, and let time slow down for a bit.

August Hill Winery Tasting Room
106 Mill St, Utica, IL 61373
Google Maps Link

We finished the afternoon at Bruce & Ollie’s, where I tried their version of an affogato. It came with a shot of espresso, a few chunks of dark chocolate, and an optional drizzle of honey that I decided to skip. It was a little different than I expected but still delicious. They also offer an ice cream flight, letting you sample four flavors at once. It looked adorable but felt like a little too much ice cream for me after such a full day.

Bruce & Ollie’s
166 Mill St, North Utica, IL 61373
Google Maps Link

Evening: Resting Up After a Full Day

That night, we stayed at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Peru. The hotel sat just minutes off the highway, clean, quiet, but showing its age. The hotel included a limited hot breakfast but we opted out and went to breakfast at Nonie’s Bakery & Cafe. We both ordered the fluffy croissant with scrambled egg, cold-smoked Norwegian salmon, avocado, pickled red onion, and dill cream cheese with tater tots. They were delicious.

When I come back, I would love to try something completely different and stay at the Bunkies in Ottawa. I think the two-story Commissioner is adorable.

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Peru
4385 Venture Dr, Peru, IL 61354
Google Maps Link

Nonie’s Bakery & Cafe
522 S Clark St, North Utica, IL 61373
Google Maps Link

We will be back. I would love to hike the longer trails, take the riverboat cruise, and finally ride the mule-pulled I&M Canal Boat at Canal Lock 14—something we missed because the season had not started yet. I also want to visit August Hill Winery’s vineyard on the hill, which sounds like the perfect afternoon. One day barely scratched the surface here. The Illinois Valley offers a refreshing mix of natural beauty, local flavor, and friendly faces. We left feeling full—in every sense of the word.

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