Lee County
Amboy
Amboy grew up around the railroad, and the 1876 Amboy Depot Museum, once the Illinois Central’s division headquarters, still tells that story across nineteen rooms of artifacts, a retired steam engine, and a caboose. The Green River Trail runs nearby for an easy walk or ride.
Fuel the day
Eat & Drink
- AmboyAmboy Family Restaurant & Pizza JunctionOpen 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Homemade soups and pizza. Open 24 hours on Friday and Saturday.
- AmboySunset 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.
- AmboyBusy 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
Out and about
Things to Do
- AmboyAmboy 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!
- AmboyGremel Wildlife Sanctuary395-acre Illinois Audubon Society sanctuary (former Green Wing Lab, Lee Co). Expanding habitat near Amboy Marsh. Public access after parking area completion.
- AmboyAmboy 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.
Home base
Stay
- AmboyGreen 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.
- AmboyPineview 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.
- AmboyMendota 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.