Things to Do
Carroll County has activities for all ages, at Lake Carroll and the Mississippi Palisades State Park. All Lake Carroll association amenities are private except for the restaurant/bar and golf course.
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Outdoor Activities
- Horseback Riding
- Bike the Great River Trail
- Bike Rentals at Savanna Marketplace
- Stargaze
- Tennis
- Bird Watching
- Mississippi River Winter Eagle Watch
- Stewards of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge
- Many others in the area
- Take Aim at Sporting Clays
- Motorcycle Road Trips/Groups
- Golfing
- Lake Carroll (Closest)
- Park Hills Golf Course
- Black Hawk Run Golf Club
- Woodbine Bend Championship Golf Course
- Eagle Ridge
- Miniature Golf
- State Parks - Hiking, Fishing, and More!
- Local Parks
- Krape Park - An assortment of fun things at the local Freeport park, including fishing, carousel, trails, and more
- Friends Forever 10-Acre Dog Park
- Hunting & Fishing
- Outdoor Pools and Water Parks
- Lena's SplashLand Family Water Park (about 20 minutes/15 mi away)
- Freeport's Read Park (25 minutes/17 mi away)
- Magic Waters (about an hour away in Rockford)
- There are also beaches at some of the state parks
On the Water
- Fish the Mississippi River, a Stream, or Lake (Note: There is no fishing on the premises)
- Launch a Boat
- Water Ski
- Canoe/Kayak Rental with Fever River Outfitters in Galena (Video)
Winter Activities
- Snowmobiling in Region 6 of Illinois snowmobile trails (sorry, nowhere in Illinois can you legally rent a snowmobile)
- Alpine Slide
- Downhill Skiing
- Cross Country Skiing
- Raven's Grin Inn Haunted Tour
- Trail-of-Terror
- Refuge Golf Cart Tours - May through October (815) 273-2732 or email info@sumriver.org
- On The Fly, Inc. - Hot Air Ballooning Tours (Galena)
- Site Seeing
- See a Monument Listed in "Ripley's Believe It or Not"
- Plan a Scenic Drive on Roads Less Traveled
- Visit a Train Museum
- Steam Into a Restored Depot
- Visit the new "Little Cub's Field" replica of Wrigley Field in Freeport, Illinois (17.43 mi) (Video 1, Video 2)
- Take a look at more things to do in Northwest Illinois at VisitNorthwestIllinois.com
- Search for Great Buys on Antiques & Crafts
- Shop a Roadside Stand or Farmers' Market
- Special Touch for shopping and floral delivery - 504 West Illinois Rt 64, Lanark, IL 815-493-6366
- All Out Country - 902 South Jackson, Mt. Carroll, IL 815-244-2242
- Galena
- Treat your dog to some goodies or training
- Board your dog at Four Paws Inn
- Casinos
- Wild Rose (40-50 min. away)
- Diamond Jo (70-80 min. away)
- Mystique (70-80 min. away)
- Fine Arts
- Attend a leading play at our midwest summer stock theater, Timberlake Playhouse
- See a movie at Lindo Classic Cinemas in Freeport (19.26 mi), or a Savanna Times Theater (22.6 mi)
- Carroll County Artisans
- Treat Yourself to a Day Spa at Down-Home Prices
- Go Bowling at the Mt. Carroll Bowling
- Wild Clover Day Spa
- Wineries
- Beer/Breweries
- Generations Brewery
- Lena Brewery
- New Glarus Brewing Co.
- Riverside Brewery (about an hour away)
- Wishful Acres Brewery
- Distilleries
- Blaum Bros (Galena)
- Mississippi River Distillery (Quad Cities)
- The closest is the Lake Carroll Clubhouse and is very good
- The highest rated in the area by our customer feedback is Molly's Kitchen & Bar
- Two favorites are Rafter's and Beach's Supper Club
- For fun atmosphere and crazy named food, Poopy's
- If you like motorcycles, you'll enjoy this even more plus you may be interested in the National Motorcycle Museum in Iowa
- Noted for their steaks but not much on atmosphere, Sievert's
- Some of the local's favorites
- Brew & Chew - 201 South Main Street Pearl City, IL 815-443-3222
- Crooked Roof - 109 East Carroll Street, Lanark 815-493-6838
- Shannon Cafe, Shannon, IL (815) 309-2233
- Brother's
- Take out or delivery
- Bella Pizza at 119 North Broad Street, Lanark, 815-493-8003
- Check out other restaurants in Freeport out on Facebook
- Local beef/pork available at Carroll County Locker to grill your own meat
If you'd rather eat in your own cabin, there are local grocery stores, convenience stores as part of the local gas stations, or a twenty minute ride to Freeport for Cub Foods, Aldi's, Sullivan's or a Super Wal-Mart. We also have caterers that we can recommend.