Little Guide 815

05/27/2026

Route 2; Byron, Illinois, to Dixon, Illinois: This scenic drive is speckled with multiple sites to explore! Visit the Scenic Overlook (the prettiest and highest view!) at Castle Rock overlook, drive down to Stronghold Castle (sign in at the visitor’s center, or plan ahead for a tour. Stop in Oregon at Fairground Park, then travel down to Dixon for the John Deere boyhood home and the Ronald Reagan boyhood home! What other spots along the way would you recommend?

05/26/2026

05/22/2026

Bessie’s Diner- Janesville, Wisconsin: you can drive in (or fly in!) for breakfast with Dad on Father’s Day weekend. Watch planes land at this amazing and fun-filled airport restaurant in Janesville, Wisconsin. June 20th and 21st, 7 am- 2 pm. Tickets are currently available on their website for the buffet event!

05/22/2026

Fairground Park- Oregon, Illinois: a beautiful park with play stations/ exercise equipment along a path! This park has beautiful landscaping, a basketball court, bathrooms, pavilions, and more! Oregon also boasts the beautiful Scenic Overlook at Castle Rock State Park.

05/19/2026

Farm-to-Table restaurants are hard to find, but delicious to enjoy! Farm-to-table restaurants are known to source from local farmers to create their menus. Pictured is the Farmhouse at Fair Oaks Farm (look at the bacon flight!). Let us know what other Farm-to-Table restaurants you’ve enjoyed in Northern Illinois or Southern Wisconsin!

05/18/2026

Take the kids to Bullwinkle’s in Brodhead, Wisconsin when you visit the Amish Dented Can store & Amish Furniture store! Dirty sodas, ice cream, espresso, and hot dogs are available. Eat under the outdoor silo pavilion, or take it to go!
•106 1st St, Brodhead, WI
Nearby: The Bent & Dent - 363 Atkinson Rd, Albany, WI & D+K Furniture Store - W282 Atkinson Rd, Albany, WI

05/17/2026

Did you know herds of Buffalo are able to be viewed right here in Northern Illinois? It’s another thing we flip out over in Northern Illinois (😉)! Nachusa Grasslands has a viewing area with outdoor educational opportunities & trails! Buffalo are often seen walking near the stream. Make the nearby CheeseKake Ko. A stop along the way!

05/17/2026

Here’s a Little Behind-the-Scenes shot at the Discovery Center in Rockford, Illinois! This Musical Bench needs at least two people to allow the electron flow to play music! Do you notice how the type of touch changes the music notes?