Illinois Waterway Visitors Center - Ottawa, IL

Illinois Waterway Visitors Center: An Overview

The Illinois Waterway Visitors Center, located at 950 N 27th Rd (Dee Bennett Road), Ottawa, IL 61350, is a federal government office that serves as both a museum and a tourist attraction. This center is dedicated to providing information and showcasing the history of the Illinois Waterway, a crucial shipping corridor in the United States.

Specialties and Features

• Federal government office - The center offers essential information and services to visitors.
• Bird watching area - Bird enthusiasts will appreciate the variety of species found in the area.
• Museum - The Illinois Waterway Visitors Center is home to exhibits that detail the history of the waterway and its significance.
• Tourist attraction - The center welcomes visitors from all over the world, offering a unique opportunity to learn about and experience the Illinois Waterway.

Other Points of Interest

• Onsite services - The center provides essential facilities for visitors, including flush toilet bathrooms and trash cans.
• Wheelchair accessible entrance - The Illinois Waterway Visitors Center is designed to accommodate all visitors, ensuring easy access to its exhibits and facilities.
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot - Visitors requiring wheelchair access can easily park their vehicles near the center.

Opinions and Reviews

The Illinois Waterway Visitors Center has garnered a strong reputation, with 112 reviews on Google My Business and an impressive average rating of 4.6/5. Many visitors commend the center's cleanliness, well-maintained grounds, and comprehensive exhibits. One reviewer noted that the visitor center is "another very clean and well-maintained USACE property," while another praised the "flush toilet bathrooms at the visitor center" and "parking for any size rig or RV." The center's exterior grounds are also appreciated by visitors, with one reviewer mentioning that they "had 3 bars of Verizon 4G LTE Roaming" while at the site.

With its prime location, exceptional facilities, and highly-rated reviews, the Illinois Waterway Visitors Center is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the history and significance of the Illinois Waterway.

Recommended Information for Visitors

• Check the center's website (mvr.usace.army.mil) for current hours of operation and any special events.
• Plan to spend at least an hour or two exploring the exhibits and grounds.
• Don't forget to bring binoculars for bird watching in the designated areas.
• Take advantage of the onsite facilities, such as picnic tables and grills, for a pleasant outdoor experience.

Final Recommendation

To learn about the Illinois Waterway's fascinating history and enjoy a day filled with natural beauty and educational exhibits, visit the Illinois Waterway Visitors Center. With its prime location, exceptional facilities, and strong reputation, this center is an excellent destination for individuals, families, and bird enthusiasts alike. For more information or to plan your visit, contact the center via their website or phone number: 56674054.

👍 Reviews of Illinois Waterway Visitors Center

Will H.

5/5

Another very clean and well maintained USACE property. Visitor center is loaded with history on this amazing waterway and shipping corridor. Parking for any size rig or RV. Flush toilet bathrooms at the visitor center. Trash cans, picnic tables and grills. Leashed dogs are welcome on exterior grounds. I had 3 bars of Verizon 4G LTE Roaming.

John M.

5/5

Located at the Starved Rock Lock & Dam,the Visitors Center is operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

The small museum explains how Illinois Waterways are part of our National water system.

From the visitors center you can go upstairs to the outdoor viewing area and watch the operation of the lock and dam. Unfortunately the day we visited there were no boats passing thru.

You might get lucky tho and see an eagle or merganser flying overhead.

Open 7 days a week from 9-5. Plenty of parking is available.

Free admission.

John A. C. L.

4/5

Driving the bottom road back from Utica we stopped on a whim and were glad we did. My first time being back in the area after many years and this stop was awesome. We were lucky enough to see a barge coming up river. We thought there was no way it would fit but it did. Really neat to see. There is a small exhibit hall with bathrooms that we used. We were thankful for them. We didn’t interact with anyone and the place was very dusty inside. Outside was were the real beauty was. Definitely worth a visit.

Brandy B.

5/5

This was a wonderful stop! They have a stamp here if you have a stamp passport. We got to see a boat from Florida going through the lock from Ft Lauderdale, Florida! There is loads of information if you are interested in what the Army Corp of Engeniers are doing here and what it is they do! There's also free observation viewers that you can look at the eagles in the blue herrin nests! This us a must see!

David M.

5/5

Nice stop if you make it out to Utica or Ottawa, Illinois. Always fun to watch a barge lock through. There is a nice visitor center and several good spots to observe. Clean restrooms. Great view of Starved Rock from this location. Picnic area onsite.

Frank T.

5/5

Awesome place to come and see! Amazing views of the lock, damn, and starved rock. You can also see many bald eagles flying all over the place. Great place for the kids too! Plenty for them to do inside and it's all free!

A B.

5/5

Super people, very knowledgeable! The view of the dam and starved rock are excellent, and there's always plenty of pelicans, eagles, and other birds.

Jagan G.

4/5

A fine place to calm your mind and relax. It is a small visitor center but the watching the locks operate is quite interesting and by the time one barge gets by, an hour and a half is up. At February you can watch eagles fishing over the dam. People interested in nature, engineering and ornithology would like it here.