Attractions

Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, or avid sportsman there’s something for everyone in Scenic Havana.

Riverfront Park Riverwalk

Riverfront Park Riverwalk begins by the red brick building, the Riverside Club, a former USO building, where the footbridge crosses over Main Street.  There is also a stage with seating overlooking the Illinois River and park. Throughout Riverfront Park you will find four park pavilions, boat docks, ramps, walking paths, and playgrounds. Call to reserve your next event (309-543-6240).

Havana Nature Center

(416 N. Schrader) – The Havana Nature Center is next to the Riverfront Campground, with a beautiful view of the Illinois River. Floating docks, a walk bridge and changing exhibits will educate and delight everyone who loves nature. Enjoy a cold drink, ice cream, sandwiches, and other treats while you fish, boat, or just sit and enjoy the view. Bait dishing is available for purchase and kids fishing poles are available to use for free. Seating for 40 inside and 20 outside on the deck. One dock in handicap-accessible.

Historic Havana Water Tower

The Historic Havana Water Tower, located at the corner of Main Street and Pearl Street, was built the same year as the Eiffel Tower (1889), and is the fourth oldest water tower in Illinois.

Havana Public Library

The Havana Public Library is the oldest continuously-used Carnegie library in the state of Illinois.

Rockwell Mound

This Indian Mound at the intersection of Orange and Franklin Streets was built around 150 A.D. and is thought to be the largest prehistoric earthwork in the Illinois River Valley. It is the largest known mound of the Indians of the Western Hopewell of Havana culture. It was verified scientifically in 1986.

Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge

Chautauqua Nation Wildlife Refuge is ten minutes north of Havana on the Manito Blacktop. This refuge is a great place to see eagles from October through March and is a bird-watcher’s paradise. Hike the wheelchair accessible nature trail, watch waterfowl, pick mushrooms and berries, and fish in Lake Chautauqua.

Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery

The Jake Wolf Memoria Fish Hatchery is twenty minutes north of Havana near Manito. The hatchery includes 160 acres within the 7,280 acres of Sand Ridge State Forest. The fishery has an impressive indoor observation area and many excellent displays, making it a must see for the entire family. Walk ins are always welcome or schedule a tour.

SandRidge State Forest

Sandridge State Forest is just twenty minutes north of Havana near Manito.  With 7,200 acres of forest, the park is the largest of Illinois’ State Forests.  If you are interested in archery, camping, cross country skiing, hiking, geocaching, bike riding or picnicking, Sand Ridge Forest offers this truly unique environment.

Dickson Mounds Museum

Dickson Mounds Museum is just ten minutes northwest of Havana.  Just take Highways 78 and 97 over the bridge then keep right at the fork. A branch of the Illinois State museum, it is one of the major on-site archaeological museums in the country.

Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge

10 minutes northwest of Havana on Highways 78 and 97. This still-developing refuge system features the Frank Bellrose Nature Trail along the Spoon River.

The Nature Conservancy’s Emiquon Preserve

The Nature Conservancy is adjacent to the National Wildlife Refuge and Dickson Mounds Museum. At 6,700 acres, this model project is one of the largest natural floodplain restorations in the country and an anchor project for conserving the biological diversity of the Illinois River.

Lincoln’s New Salem

  Lincoln’s New Salem is located thirty minutes south of Havana on Route 97.   New Salem Park is a reconstruction of the village where Abraham Lincoln spent his early adulthood. Call to find out about scheduled special events (217-632-4000).