Illinois Waterway Visitor Center

Guests visiting the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center are required to wear masks while indoors as long as LaSalle County, Illinois remains in the high COVID-19 Community Levels category. Outside viewing areas remain open with no mask requirement. A relaxing place to watch towboats and barges lock through. From the visitor center outdoor observation area, guests can watch bald eagles and mergansers in the winter and pelicans, great blue heron, cormorants and many other birds in the spring, summer, and fall. This site is the only visitor center devoted to telling the stories of the Illinois Waterway and its importance to transportation. Group on-site programs, outreach programs and boat safety classes available. Free boat inspections also available.