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Itinerary · 3 stops · Half Day

A Hole in One for NW Illinois Family Fun

It's easy to fill a full day in Carroll Co Illinois when you combine the County Fair, mini golf and a nature walk. Make sure you have time in your schedule for the midway rides and delicious fair food and see what the local community comes together with in their fair exhibits and events. Appreciate the Mississippi River basin's contribution to the larger ecosystem on your nature walk and make a pit stop for some mini-golf at Trailside to start or end your day!

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Give the family a full day of simple summer fun: tee off on a hillside mini-golf course, wander the wetlands, then follow the midway lights and fair-food aromas to the Carroll County Fair.

  1. TRAILSIDE INC

    Lanark

    Mini golf is a family favorite and a great activity to add to any regional roadtrip or day out together! Trailside Inc has a good little course at a reasonable price when you're in the area. They also have rooms to stay, a convenience store with snacks, food, bait and tackle and fuel. They also have a nice patio and free wifi if you need to make any work calls between stops. Pro tip: The course is fairly sloped which made it slightly harder for younger players Address: 78 Lake Carroll Blvd #21, Lanark, IL

  2. Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge

    Thomson

    We love to get outside when we travel, it might just be a nature walk or a full blown half day hike with meals packed. The Wildlife Refuge in the area is massive and has so many great trails and overlooks to check out. The Learning Center, when open, is a fantastic educational resource and great for kids and hands on learning. Pro tip: Check hours for the learning center, and call before driving over Address: 7071 Riverview Rd, Thomson, IL

  3. Carroll County Fairgrounds

    Milledgeville

    County fairs are a midwestern staple in the summertime. Carroll County Fair has great participation in projects from youth and adults, and we especially loved their cake decorating contest and the community that brought together. The midway rides and fair food are not to be missed! We recommend the cheese curds they drive in from Monticello WI. Pro tip: Make sure you bring cash for concessions & younger kids get into the fair free Address: 28374 Milledgeville Rd, Milledgeville, IL

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