Awesome Ottawa Tours

Starved Rock Country’s Only Guided history Tours

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

For information browse here or call/text 815-343-4940

5 star rated guided tours!

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Discover the vibrant history and unique charm of Ottawa, Illinois with Awesome Ottawa Tours!

Whether you're intrigued by our roots as a canal town, fascinated by the haunting legacy of The Radium Girls, or curious about Ottawa’s role in the Underground Railroad, we've got a tour tailored just for you.

Bring the whole family along for the ride with our Ottawa Obscura Driving Tour—a quirky and mysterious journey through the lesser-known side of town that's perfect for kids and adults alike! And the best part? Kids 9 and younger ride free!

Craving some local flavor? Dive into our Tangled Roots Brewery Tour, or sip your way through scandal on our Wine Through Time Prohibition Pub Crawl. For those drawn to the eerie and unexplained, our Graveyard Stories Tour explores Ottawa’s darker past in spine-tingling detail.

At Awesome Ottawa Tours, there’s truly something for everyone—history buffs, thrill-seekers, hikers, bikers, walkers, riders, and curious kids. Our knowledgeable and friendly guide is here to make your adventure unforgettable, educational, and a whole lot of fun.

Ready to explore? Check us out, click some links, or give us a call or text today!

815-343-4940

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.

Children 9 and under are FREE!

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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.

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.