Historic Trolley Ride

Starved Rock Lodge & Convention Center 2680 E. 875th Rd., Oglesby, United States

Relax and enjoy one of our various trolley tours! Trolley transportation is included with every tour. It’s the perfect way to learn about the rich history of the Starved Rock area. Reservations are required. Book online or call our Activities Office at (815) 220-7386. *Online bookings subject

Halloween Welcome Mat Workshop

Open Space Art Gallery & Studios 223 W. Madison St., Ottawa, United States

Get ready for a frightfully fun evening of creativity and cocktails! Join us for our Halloween Coir Run Painting Party, where the spirit of the season meets artistic flair. This event is perfect for adults who enjoy a good sip while unleashing their inner artist. We'll provide

Fall Colors Hike

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

Fall in the forest is an experience of the senses. The air feels cool and crisp with hints of earthy smells. The trees are a collage of oranges, yellows and reds until their leaves turn brown, fall and become crunchy under your feet. Embrace these natural wonders

Lemont Fire District Open House

Lemont Fire Station 1 15900 New Ave., Lemont, United States

Ladder Trucks, Fire Engines & Ambulances! Firefighter Paramedic Demonstrations and Displays! Together with community partners we invite you to a day of safety kicking off Fire Prevention Week. This year's Fire Prevention WeekTM (FPWTM) campaign, Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!, strives to educate everyone about

An Afternoon with Friends of Thorn Creek Woods

Park Forest Village Hall 350 Victory Drive, Park Forest, IL, United States

Join us for our annual meeting as we look back at the storied 55-year history of Friends of Thorn Creek Woods. Naturalist April Richards will narrate a slide show identifying the movers and the shakers, the Herculean efforts and the milestones of this preservation work. President Penny

Harvest Fest

Centenniel Park - Lemont 16028 W, 127th St., Lemont, IL, United States

Join the Lemont Park District for this fun, fall event! Food vendors, beer tent, hayrides, pony rides and petting zoo, kid's zone and activities, pie eating contest, band and more!  

BYOB Nature Stories Around the Campfire

Four Rivers Environmental Education Center 25055 S Walnut Ln., Channahon, IL, United States

Do you have memorable, magical moments in nature that have inspired, amazed or surprised you? Come celebrate National Storytelling Day with an evening campfire and the camaraderie of fellow nature lovers. Bring a camping chair, beverages (beer and wine only for alcoholic drinks) and a story to

Stone & Steel Spooky 5K

Joliet City Center 302 N. Chicago St., Joliet, IL, United States

The Joliet City Center Partnership (CCP) is excited to host the 3rd annual Stone & Steel Spooky 5K on Sunday, October 6th, 2024 at 8 a.m. This chip-timed race starts in Downtown Joliet and runs through the Joliet Iron Works Historic Site. Walkers and runners are welcome

Junior Archeologists

Isle a la Cache Museum 501 E Romeo Road, Romeoville, IL, United States

Celebrate International Archaeology Day with a naturalist as we dig deeper into the role of an archaeologist. What do they do? Where do they go? What do they find? Participants will have the chance to be archaeologists themselves as we piece together clues about history and humankind.

Sensory Sunday

Four Rivers Environmental Education Center 25055 S Walnut Ln., Channahon, IL, United States

Experience the exhibits and trails of Four Rivers on your own terms. This independent program is for guests with sensory-processing needs, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and those who would benefit from a small-group experience. Buddy bags with sensory gadgets and a limited supply of noise-canceling headphones

Meet a Beekeeper

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

Meet local beekeeper Mike Rusnak to discuss the art of beekeeping. Ask questions, chat and troubleshoot. Rusnak has more than 18 years of beekeeping experience. Pick up specific beekeeping tips or simply learn more about the world of bees. Fee: Free! Age: All ages. No registration required.

Waterfowl Cruise

Starved Rock Lodge & Convention Center 2680 E. 875th Rd., Oglesby, United States

Board a trolley outside of the Great Hall of the Lodge. The Trolley takes you to the Eagle 1 to enjoy an hour long boat ride where you will get to spy the Waterfowl of the Illinois River. The trolley will return you to the Lodge. Reservations

Autumn on the River

Starved Rock Lodge & Convention Center 2680 E. 875th Rd., Oglesby, United States

Tour begins with lunch at 11am in the historic dining room at the Lodge, followed by a narrated trolley tour with history and legends of the area. The trolley will then take you to the new river boat, The Eagle I where you will see the beautiful

Nature Play Day After Hours: Mushrooms and More

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

Join us for this monthly nature-themed program for 3- to 5-year-olds. The flowers may be fading, but something else is popping up on the forest floor – mushrooms! Let's look for fungi in all different shapes and sizes while finding out the important jobs they do. Fee:

Needle Felting Workshop

Open Space Art Gallery & Studios 223 W. Madison St., Ottawa, United States

Fiber Artist- Jacqueline JoAnn will be showing you how fun and interesting needle felting is. Needle felting is the process of taking raw fibers with a special barbed needle to sculpt into any desired form. Flat or 3 dimensional. In this class we will be making needle

Nature Play Day: Mushrooms & More

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

Join us for this monthly nature-themed program for 3- to 5-year-olds and their caregivers to enjoy together! The flowers may be fading, but something else is popping up on the forest floor – mushrooms! Let's look for fungi in all different shapes and sizes while finding out

Event Series Autumn on the River

Autumn on the River

Starved Rock Lodge & Convention Center 2680 E. 875th Rd., Oglesby, United States

Tour begins with lunch at 11am in the historic dining room at the Lodge, followed by a narrated trolley tour with history and legends of the area. The trolley will then take you to the new river boat, The Eagle I where you will see the beautiful

Graveyard Garden Workshop

Open Space Art Gallery & Studios 223 W. Madison St., Ottawa, United States

Like a fairy garden but spookier! Get ready to blend whimsy with a touch of Halloween magic in our Graveyard Garden Workshop! This enchanting class is perfect for those who adore the charm of fairy gardens and the thrill of Halloween. Join us as we guide you

Think & Drink – “Okterberfest: A History (with Beer)!”

Gaylord Building, Lockport 200 W. 8th Street, Lockport, IL, United States

Tickets are almost sold out for this fun history presentation that pairs the story of Oktoberfest with samples of delicious, seasonal beers. Host Michael Pezan explores the history behind the German festival and the many refreshing and robust beers this annual event provides. Michael is a professionally certified

Indige-Facts

Isle a la Cache Museum 501 E Romeo Road, Romeoville, IL, United States

This ongoing program runs from Saturday, Sept. 21, to Sunday, Dec. 8. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Are Native Americans U.S. citizens? How many Indigenous people live in this country? Do all American Indians live

Autumn on the River

Starved Rock Lodge & Convention Center 2680 E. 875th Rd., Oglesby, United States

Tour begins with lunch at 11am in the historic dining room at the Lodge, followed by a narrated trolley tour with history and legends of the area. The trolley will then take you to the new river boat, The Eagle I where you will see the beautiful