Northwest Illinois Directory
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Every supper club, trailhead, main-street shop, and stay across all four counties: searchable in one place.
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FeaturedAmboy Depot MuseumThe Amboy Depot Museum is located in a former depot and division headquarters of the Illinois Central Railroad located in Amboy, Illinois. The building is an architecturally unique two-story building built of brick and cut Joliet limestone and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has been completely restored both inside and out, and includes the original brick tarmac surrounding the depot and the grounds of the former rail-yard, now preserved as a city park. Also reconstructed were the distinctive chimney caps on the building's eight chimneys, fully restoring the building to its original exterior configuration. Within the museum are artifacts of both the history of Amboy and the Illinois Central Railroad.
The museum complex also contains a freight house with additional artifacts, a fully restored one-room country schoolhouse, a retired steam engine and a caboose. So, come in to see what's to be seen at one of the best small-town depot museums to be found anywhere!
FeaturedGreen River Oaks Camping ResortGreen River Oaks Camping Resort in Amboy offers a relaxed camping experience surrounded by the quiet countryside of Lee County. Open seasonally beginning in May, the resort provides a welcoming destination for RV travelers, tent campers, and visitors looking for a peaceful outdoor getaway.
Guests can choose from spacious RV sites, tent camping areas, and comfortable cabin rentals. The property’s tree-lined setting creates a calm atmosphere for enjoying campfires, outdoor games, and time with family and friends. Whether visitors stay for a weekend or an extended trip, the campground provides a comfortable base for enjoying Northwest Illinois.
Green River Oaks also features amenities designed to make camping easy and enjoyable. Visitors can take advantage of recreational areas, a swimming pool, and open green spaces throughout the resort. The nearby Green River adds to the area’s outdoor appeal, with opportunities for fishing, paddling, and exploring the surrounding landscape.
Located just outside Amboy, the campground offers a convenient starting point for discovering Lee County’s small towns, scenic countryside, and outdoor recreation areas. With a mix of natural surroundings and family-friendly amenities, Green River Oaks Camping Resort is a popular seasonal destination for campers visiting Northwest Illinois.
Amboy City Park Wood CarvingsMore than 30 tree trunk wood carvings, including three U.S. Presidents from Illinois (Reagan, Lincoln, Grant) and scenes of Amboy life. More carvings planned.
Amboy Family Restaurant & Pizza JunctionOpen 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Homemade soups and pizza. Open 24 hours on Friday and Saturday.
Amboy Farmer’s MarketLocated at the corner of Main Street and East Avenue in the Amboy Depot Museum parking lot, the Amboy Farmers Market brings the community together with fresh, locally-sourced products. Visit us to find locally grown produce, homemade baked goods, handcrafted items, farm-fresh eggs, and quality poultry—all raised, grown, or produced by local vendors. The market provides a vibrant gathering place for residents and visitors to support local agriculture and artisans while enjoying the charm of historic downtown Amboy.
Amboy Marsh Nature PreserveThe Amboy Marsh Nature Preserve is a 302-acre Illinois Audubon Society sanctuary featuring diverse ecosystems including marshes, oak savannas, meadows, and prairies. This exceptional preserve is home to rare and endangered flora and fauna, making it a vital conservation area in northwest Illinois. The preserve offers outstanding seasonal birding opportunities, with trails open from sunrise to sunset year-round. Visitors can explore the natural habitats while observing wildlife in their native environment. Please note that pets are not permitted to protect the sensitive ecosystems and wildlife. This preserve plays a crucial role in conservation education and protecting Illinois' natural heritage.
Amboy Sporting GoodsLocally owned since 1997. Hunting, fishing, archery, muzzleloading, trapping, guns, ammo, live bait, licenses, archery pro shop.
Busy Bee BakeryBusy Bee Bakery is a locally owned bakery located at 205 N. Main St. in downtown Amboy, Illinois. Opened by Michelle Wiemken, the shop brings a wide selection of fresh, made from scratch, homemade baked goods to the community, filling a long-standing need for made-from-scratch treats in town.
Customers can find a rotating variety of items, including breads (such as sourdough), cookies, pies, cinnamon rolls, and coffee cakes, along with savory options like quiches, meat pies, soups, and chicken salad sandwiches. The bakery also offers breakfast favorites like biscuits and gravy and egg casserole, along with made-to-order items including cookies, cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, and coffee cakes.
Busy Bee Bakery is currently open Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 7 a.m. to noon, making it a convenient stop for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet treat.
Operating Hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Friday: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Sunday: 7:00am - 12:00pm
First Carson Pirie Scott Store PlaqueThis historic plaque marks the Amboy storefront where Samuel Carson and John T. Pirie established the dry-goods business in 1854 that became Carson Pirie Scott & Co. The marker is mounted at the original brick building, now home to the Long Branch Saloon.
Gremel Wildlife Sanctuary395-acre Illinois Audubon Society sanctuary (former Green Wing Lab, Lee Co). Expanding habitat near Amboy Marsh. Public access after parking area completion.
Inspired Home Decor & GiftsInspired Home Decor & Gifts is an independent Amboy shop filled with home accents, office decor, gifts, kitchenware, candles, teas, and seasonal finds. Browse curated items at the shop's current location on North Jefferson Avenue, and check Facebook or Instagram for current hours, new arrivals, and seasonal displays.
Long Branch SaloonLong Branch Saloon is a longtime Amboy dinner spot serving fried chicken, steaks, ribs, seafood, burgers, sandwiches, cocktails, and desserts in a casual historic setting. The building stands on the 1855 site of Samuel Carson and John Pirie’s first dry-goods store, a predecessor of Carson Pirie Scott. Guests can dine in or order takeout; the restaurant offers accessible seating, a kids’ menu, high chairs, and reservations.
Mendota Hills Campground130-acre campground with fishing, boating, hayrack rides, swimming beach, hiking, camp store, church services, and campfires. Rental campers, golf cart rentals, RV sites (seasonal, monthly, weekly, overnight), and tent camping. Themed weekends and frog jumping contest every Sunday.
Mormon CemeteryCemetery of the Church of Latter Day Saints containing the grave of one of Brigham Young’s wives.
Mormons in Amboy Historical MarkerThis downtown Amboy historical marker identifies the site of Goldman’s Hall, where Joseph Smith III was ordained president-prophet of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on April 6, 1860. The event formalized the church’s reorganization, now known as Community of Christ. The marker also recalls Amboy’s early Mormon congregation and was erected in 1974 by the Lee County and Illinois State Historical Societies.
Pineview CampgroundFamily-style camping with two lakes for swimming and fishing, electric, water, and sewer hookups, showers, and flush toilets on wooded sites. Open May 1 through October. See website for details.- Sunset Inn RestaurantFamily-owned roadside diner serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with scratch-made American comfort food, soups, sandwiches, fried chicken, burgers, pies, and kid-friendly choices.
The Warehouse BoutiqueAmboy women's boutique and salon offering clothing, jewelry, accessories, gifts, home décor, and beauty services in the restored warehouse at 204 N. Jefferson Avenue.
