Carroll County
Thomson
Thomson calls itself the Melon Capital of the World, and it earns the title every Labor Day weekend at Melon Days, when free watermelon and a parade take over Main Street. The Thomson Depot Museum and the Great River Road along the Mississippi round out a small river town with an outsized personality.
Fuel the day
Eat & Drink
- ThomsonThe Thomson HangoutThe Thomson Hangout offers a warm hometown feel, ice cold drinks, delicious food, & smiling faces so you are sure to have a great time! Follow us on Facebook for weekly specials and more!
- ThomsonRiverview Lodge Bar & GrillThe Riverview Lodge is located between Savanna and Thomson on Riverview Rd and features great food and friendly service. It is not far from the Mississippi River and there is camping nearby.
- ThomsonThom's InnThomson pub and café serving beer, wine, spirits, espresso drinks, soups, burgers, quesadillas, and baked goods, with a beer garden and periodic live music, jams, and karaoke.
Out and about
Things to Do
- ThomsonIngersoll Wetlands Learning CenterEnvironmental education and conservation center in the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. Exhibits, trails, bookstore. Open Mon–Fri 8am–4pm; Sat (May–Sept) 9am–4pm.
- ThomsonFairhaven Fruit FarmFamily apple orchard with 600 trees, 30 varieties. Honey, donuts, cider. Open late August–Oct, Wed–Sat 10–5, Sun 11–5. Four miles east of Thomson.
- ThomsonThomson Depot MuseumHistoric railroad depot, open Memorial Day-Labor Day (Sat/Sun 1-4pm). Tours, music, food, and new displays. Built in late 1800s, restored and moved to current site in 1986. Annex added in 1989. Free admission, donations accepted.
Home base
Stay
- ThomsonSureStay Hotel by Best Western48 rooms, pet-friendly, remodeled, free breakfast/parking, outdoor outlets for boats/RVs, 9-hole golf, Sandtrap Bar & Grill, free shuttle, continental breakfast, mobility accessible rooms.
- ThomsonSandburr Run Golf & ResortSandburr Run Golf & Resort offers a competitive 9-hole golf course open at least 10 months of the year, making it a premier golfing getaway in Thomson, Illinois. Guests can stay at the newly renovated SureStay by Best Western Thomson, located on site. Enjoy cocktails and dinner at the SandTrap Bar & Grill inside the hotel, and take advantage of easy access to the Great River Bike Trail—ideal for golfers, bikers, bicyclists, and travelers.
- ThomsonThomson Causeway Recreation Area131 campsites, 50 amp service, playgrounds, boat ramp, picnic shelters, horseshoe pits, Hidden Slough Trail, access to Great River Bike Trail. Camping May 1–4th Sunday Oct; limited winter access.