Starved Rock Country's Only Guided History Tours

Awesome Ottawa Tours

Starved Rock Country’s Only Guided history Tours

Tours offered seasonally 7 days a week from 10am-6pm

For more information call or text 815-343-4940

 

5 star rated guided tours!

2024 tripadvisor travelers choice award winner!

 
 

Discover the vibrant history and unique charm of Ottawa, Illinois with Awesome Ottawa Tours! Whether you're intrigued by the city's past as a canal town, captivated by the story of The Radium Girls, or curious about Ottawa’s Underground Railroad, we've got a tour for you. Explore local flavor with our Tangled Roots Brewery Tour or embark on a spirited adventure with the Wine Through Time Prohibition Pub Crawl. Don't miss our seasonal haunted tour and so much more!

At Awesome Ottawa Tours, there's something for everyone—history buffs, thrill-seekers, hikers, bikers, walkers, and riders alike. Our knowledgeable and friendly guide is here to make sure your experience is not only memorable but also full of fun and excitement. Ready to explore? Check us out, click some links, or give us a call or text today!

Unlike other tour companies, we work around your schedule. Rather than offering fixed tour times, we let you decide when you're ready to explore.

 
 

popular tours

IMG_5875.jpeg

Radium Girls of Ottawa, Illinois

During the early 1900's Radium Dial Corp. chose Ottawa, Illinois, in the heart of Starved Rock Country as the site of its largest luminous watch dial plant. The product used to make these dials glow, pure poison, radium! The result was prolonged gruesome death, contamination, and unthinkable cover-up. The Radium Girls of Ottawa, Illinois, puts you in the footsteps of these brave women.

Radium Girl Statue.jpeg

Graveyard stories: Heroes, Hobos & Murderers, unearthed

Embark on a chilling expedition through the annals of history with our "Graveyard Stories: Heroes, Hobos, and Murderers, Unearthed" tour. Ottawa, Illinois, the county seat of LaSalle County, serves as the backdrop for a journey into the dark and intriguing past of its inhabitants.

This drive/hike tour is perfect for history buffs who want to learn about the often-overlooked stories of the people who helped build and shape Starved Rock Country. Please note that some of the graveyards in remote locations and require short walks on uneven ground.

ottawa’s underground railroad, uncovered

Embark on a captivating journey through Ottawa's profound Underground Railroad history. Discover Ottawa's pivotal role in aiding potentially thousands of enslaved people in their quest for freedom in Canada, navigating a clandestine network of routes and safe havens.

IMG_1878.JPG