The western region
This Western region is located along the west border of the state. The Mississippi and Illinois rivers run through this region creating rolling hills. Here you can find towns that began when the state was first settled, the cities of Rock Island and Peoria, see old forts, and sites that remember the Native Americans that lived here.
Read the sites descriptions below and choose one that is Historic, or Nature, or Other, and then read the website and take notes focusing on information that a person visiting would want to know - where it is, what you see or do there and what makes it special
Nature
- Hennepin Canal Parkway - Annawan, Illinois. 100 mile park that goes from Rock Falls on the Illinois River to the Mississippi River with locks along the way, canoeing, hiking and bicycle trails.
- Wildlife Prairie State Park - Peoria, Illinois. Unique park is home to the animals that used to roam Illinois such as wolves, bison, black bear, elk, cougar, bobcat and otter, and a Pioneer farm, and one-room school house.
- Mississippi River Visitors Center Eagle Watching - Rock Island, Illinois. Great location to view bald eagles that winter along the Mississippi Rivers locks and dams.
History
- Rock Island Arsenal Museum - Rock Island, Illinois. The second oldest US Army Museum in the country, it displays a history of small military arms and equipment made here and the history of Arsenal Island, a Confederate prison camp.
- Fryxell Geology Museum - Rock Island, Illinois. One of the largest collections of rocks, minerals and fossils of the Midwest, skulls of many dinosaurs and a complete skeleton of a Tylosaurus.
- John Deere Tractor and Engine Museum - Moline, Illinois. See how the John Deere plow and tractors that could cut through midwest plains mud helped farm the land. View antique and modern farm equipment and site of his first store.
- Woodlawn Farm Underground Railroad - Jacksonville, Illinois. Visit several houses and farms that were stations on the underground railroad in an area that was a center for hundreds of slaves escaping to the north.
Fun
- Spirit of Peoria Paddleboat cruise - Peoria, Illinois. Cruise along the Illinois River on Illinois' only authentic paddle-wheeler ship.
- Galesburg Railroad Museum - Galesburg, Illinois. Take a tour of a restored passenger engine, Railway Mail Service car, Pullman Parlor car and caboose.
- Celebration River Cruises - Moline, Illinois. Cruise the Mississippi River and learn some of its rich history while viewing the Quad City area from the River.