Whiteside County

Sterling, Rock Falls, Morrison, Fulton & beyond: where small towns and two rivers lead you all the way to the Mississippi.

Roll the Windows Down

Whiteside County is made for the unhurried road trip. Follow the Rock River through the twin cities of Sterling and Rock Falls, where Centennial Park offers a lake, paddle boats, and access to the Hennepin Canal trail. Step back in time at the Dillon Home Museum in Sterling, an 1858 home that retains all its original furnishings, or catch a movie under the stars at the retro Midway Drive-In Theater.

In Fulton, the Dutch heritage is alive and turning: the De Immigrant Windmill, an authentic, fully functioning Dutch windmill nearly 100 feet tall, grinds grain above the Mississippi, with the Windmill Cultural Center nearby. Wander Wierenga's Heritage Canyon, a recreated 19th-century village tucked into an old limestone quarry, then refuel with pastries at Krumpets Restaurant & Bakery.

Prefer the quiet? Morrison Rockwood State Park serves up fishing on Lake Carlton, hiking, birding, and camping in a picture-perfect setting.