Paw Paw IllinoisATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Paw Paw, Illinois.
1. Shabbona Lake State Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION PARADISE
Shabbona Lake State Park offers visitors a beautiful 1,550-acre park featuring a 318-acre fishing lake stocked with multiple species. Visitors can enjoy camping, hiking, picnicking, boating, and wildlife observation throughout its diverse natural areas. The park provides year-round recreational opportunities with seasonal activities including ice fishing in winter and vibrant foliage viewing in autumn.
2. Route 34 Drive-in
NOSTALGIC MOVIE EXPERIENCE
Route 34 Drive-in offers a classic American entertainment experience where visitors can watch movies under the stars from the comfort of their vehicles. The drive-in theater maintains the nostalgic charm of mid-century entertainment while featuring current films on its large outdoor screen. Visitors can enjoy reasonably priced concessions and double features during the summer months.
3. Indian Oaks Country Club
SCENIC GOLFING DESTINATION
Indian Oaks Country Club provides golf enthusiasts with a well-maintained course surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes. The club offers a challenging yet enjoyable experience for players of various skill levels with its strategically designed fairways and greens. Visitors can also enjoy the clubhouse amenities including dining options after completing their round.
4. Paw Paw Public Library
HISTORIC COMMUNITY RESOURCE
Paw Paw Public Library serves as both a literary resource and community gathering space for village residents. The library offers books, digital media, and internet access along with various community programs throughout the year. Its historic building adds charm to the downtown area while providing modern services to patrons of all ages.
5. Paw Paw Historical Society Museum
LOCAL HERITAGE SHOWCASE
The Paw Paw Historical Society Museum preserves and displays artifacts and documents that tell the story of this small Illinois village since its mid-19th century settlement. Visitors can explore exhibits featuring photographs, tools, clothing, and other items showcasing daily life throughout different eras of the town's history. The museum provides valuable insights into local agricultural practices, education, and community development over the decades.
6. Mendota Hills Wind Farm
RENEWABLE ENERGY LANDMARK
Mendota Hills Wind Farm stands as Illinois' first commercial wind farm with dozens of towering turbines dotting the rural landscape. The impressive installation generates clean electricity while creating a striking visual contrast against the surrounding farmland. Visitors can view these modern giants from several vantage points in the area, especially impressive at sunrise or sunset.
7. Woodlawn Arts Academy
CREATIVE ARTS CENTER
Woodlawn Arts Academy offers a comprehensive range of visual and performing arts education programs for people of all ages in the region. The academy hosts classes, workshops, exhibitions, and performances throughout the year in its well-equipped facilities. Visitors can enjoy gallery exhibitions, attend live performances, or participate in various creative workshops depending on the season.
8. Franklin Creek State Natural Area
PRISTINE NATURAL HABITAT
Franklin Creek State Natural Area encompasses nearly 900 acres of diverse ecological zones including woodlands, prairie, and wetlands centered around the scenic Franklin Creek. Visitors can explore miles of hiking trails that wind through lush forests and open meadows while observing native plants and wildlife. The park features a reconstructed grist mill, picnic areas, and excellent bird watching opportunities throughout the changing seasons.
9. Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor
HISTORIC AMERICAN ROADWAY
The Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor preserves and celebrates America's first transcontinental highway which passes through Lee County near Paw Paw. Travelers can follow the historic route marked with distinctive red, white, and blue signs while discovering vintage roadside architecture, interpretive displays, and charming small towns. The corridor offers a nostalgic journey through American transportation history with numerous photo opportunities and local businesses catering to heritage tourists.
10. Lee County 4-H Center and Fairgrounds
AGRICULTURAL EXHIBITION GROUNDS
The Lee County 4-H Center and Fairgrounds hosts the annual county fair along with numerous agricultural and community events throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy livestock shows, carnival rides, live entertainment, and traditional fair food during the main summer exhibition. The spacious grounds also feature exhibition buildings, arenas, and gathering spaces that showcase the region's strong agricultural heritage.
11. Green River Ordnance Plant Historical Site
WWII INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE
The Green River Ordnance Plant Historical Site preserves the memory of one of America's largest WWII ammunition manufacturing facilities that once employed over 8,000 people. Visitors can learn about the plant's crucial role in the war effort through interpretive displays and remaining structural elements on the sprawling property. The site offers a fascinating glimpse into industrial mobilization, worker experiences, and the transformation of rural communities during wartime.
12. Rochelle Railroad Park
TRAIN WATCHERS PARADISE
Rochelle Railroad Park provides an exceptional venue for train enthusiasts to observe major rail lines where BNSF and Union Pacific tracks intersect. Visitors can watch dozens of freight and passenger trains daily from a dedicated pavilion equipped with scanners broadcasting railroad communications. The park features informative displays about railroad history, picnic facilities, and a gift shop offering railroad memorabilia.
13. White Pines State Park
FORESTED RECREATION AREA
White Pines State Park preserves a beautiful stand of native white pines along with limestone bluffs, clear streams, and diverse wildlife habitats across its 385 acres. Visitors can enjoy hiking on scenic trails, fishing in Pine Creek, picnicking in well-maintained areas, and overnight stays in rustic cabins built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The park's lodge restaurant offers delicious home-style meals in a charming log building that perfectly complements the natural surroundings.
14. Ronald Reagan Birthplace
PRESIDENTIAL HISTORICAL SITE
The Ronald Reagan Birthplace preserves the apartment above a former bank where the 40th President of the United States was born in 1911. Visitors can tour the carefully restored rooms furnished with period-appropriate items including some original Reagan family possessions. The site provides fascinating insights into small-town Midwestern life during the early 20th century and the humble beginnings of a future world leader.
15. Lowden State Park
SCENIC RIVER OVERLOOK
Lowden State Park features the iconic 50-foot tall Black Hawk Statue overlooking the Rock River from a 125-foot bluff. Visitors can enjoy spectacular views, hiking trails through wooded hillsides, picnic areas, and camping facilities throughout the 273-acre park. The site offers excellent bird watching opportunities, spring wildflower displays, and vibrant fall foliage viewing against the backdrop of the winding river valley.