Midwest Hidden Gems: Illinois - Part 1 of 6 - Episode 073

01/07/2025 25 min
Midwest Hidden Gems: Illinois - Part 1 of 6 - Episode 073

Listen "Midwest Hidden Gems: Illinois - Part 1 of 6 - Episode 073"

Episode Synopsis

Looking for the best motorcycle roads in Illinois? Episode 073 of Best Motorcycle Roads kicks off our Midwest Hidden Gems series with **seven secret motorcycle routes** you don’t want to miss! Ride along as we explore twisty roads, historic landmarks, Native American sites, and small-town eats across Illinois — perfect for your next motorcycle road trip.Hidden Gems Covered:1️⃣ Blackjack Road (Galena to Savanna) - Driftless valleys, ridge views, Desoto House Hotel, Hanover State Park’s unique plant life, and Poopies Pub for comfort food.2️⃣ Stagecoach Trail (Lena to Galena) - Curvy, hilly roads with historic stops like Wams Grove battlefield, Apple River Canyon State Park, US Grant’s Home, and Galena’s Dowling House.3️⃣ Rock River Run (Rockford to Dixon) - Scenic Hwy 2 ride, Castle Rock State Park’s sandstone bluffs, Black Hawk statue, Ronald Reagan’s boyhood home, and Basil Tree Italian Restaurant.4️⃣ Illinois River Road Scenic Byway (Ottawa to Havana) - Starved Rock State Park waterfalls, Underground Railroad sites, Reddick Mansion, Grandview Drive, Rockwell Mound, eats at Red Dog Grill and Babes on Plum.5️⃣ Great River Road (Alton to Hardin) - Lincoln Legacy Trail, Elijah Lovejoy Monument, Robert Wadlow (world’s tallest man) statue, Marquette State Park’s CCC-built lodges, Brussels Ferry, meals at Illinois River Rock Restaurant & Barefoot Restaurant.6️⃣ Savanna Scenic Ridge & Mississippi Palisades - Native American mounds, Havencrest Castle, Iron Horse Social Club, Manny’s Pizza, Savanna Marina Cafe.7️⃣ Lowell Park Road Route (Dixon to Savanna) - Reagan’s lifeguard park, historic clock towers, Mount Morris band shell, and a final loop back into Savanna.Featured Local Eats:Fried Green Tomatoes, Woodland Wonderland, Poopies Pub, Basil Tree, Red Dog Grill, Babes on Plum, Illinois River Rock Restaurant, Barefoot Restaurant, Manny’s Pizza, Savanna Marina Cafe.Toolkit Tips for Riding Illinois:Use a visor cleaner for bugs - https://amzn.to/4lxBJhNKeep a cooling neck gaiter for muggy weather - https://amzn.to/4kATsExCarry a tire repair kit - https://amzn.to/3GghdDCGear up with Bohn Body Armor for protection - https://bohnarmor.comAffiliate Disclosure: This video may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.Subscribe & Stay ConnectedWebsite: https://bestmotorcycleroads.comSign up for BMR Rider Alerts: https://bestmotorcycleroads.com/rideralertInterested in Sponsoring Our Podcast?We’re always looking for partners who want to reach a passionate community of motorcycle enthusiasts across the U.S. If you’d like to sponsor an episode or collaborate, visit: https://bestmotorcycleroads.com/contact-brm/

More episodes of the podcast Best Motorcycle Roads