Midwest Hidden Gems: Illinois - Part 1 of 6 - Episode 073

Looking for the best motorcycle roads in Illinois? Episode 073 of Best Motorcycle Roads kicks off our Midwest Hidden Gems series with **seven secret motorcycle routes** you don’t want to miss! Ride along as we explore twisty roads, historic landmarks, Native American sites, and small-town eats across Illinois — perfect for your next motorcycle road trip.

Hidden Gems Covered:

1️⃣ Blackjack Road (Galena to Savanna) - Driftless valleys, ridge views, Desoto House Hotel, Hanover State Park’s unique plant life, and Poopies Pub for comfort food.

2️⃣ Stagecoach Trail (Lena to Galena) - Curvy, hilly roads with historic stops like Wams Grove battlefield, Apple River Canyon State Park, US Grant’s Home, and Galena’s Dowling House.

3️⃣ Rock River Run (Rockford to Dixon) - Scenic Hwy 2 ride, Castle Rock State Park’s sandstone bluffs, Black Hawk statue, Ronald Reagan’s boyhood home, and Basil Tree Italian Restaurant.

4️⃣ Illinois River Road Scenic Byway (Ottawa to Havana) - Starved Rock State Park waterfalls, Underground Railroad sites, Reddick Mansion, Grandview Drive, Rockwell Mound, eats at Red Dog Grill and Babes on Plum.

5️⃣ Great River Road (Alton to Hardin) - Lincoln Legacy Trail, Elijah Lovejoy Monument, Robert Wadlow (world’s tallest man) statue, Marquette State Park’s CCC-built lodges, Brussels Ferry, meals at Illinois River Rock Restaurant & Barefoot Restaurant.

6️⃣ Savanna Scenic Ridge & Mississippi Palisades - Native American mounds, Havencrest Castle, Iron Horse Social Club, Manny’s Pizza, Savanna Marina Cafe.

7️⃣ Lowell Park Road Route (Dixon to Savanna) - Reagan’s lifeguard park, historic clock towers, Mount Morris band shell, and a final loop back into Savanna.

Featured Local Eats:

Fried Green Tomatoes, Woodland Wonderland, Poopies Pub, Basil Tree, Red Dog Grill, Babes on Plum, Illinois River Rock Restaurant, Barefoot Restaurant, Manny’s Pizza, Savanna Marina Cafe.

Toolkit Tips for Riding Illinois:

Use a visor cleaner for bugs - https://amzn.to/4lxBJhN

Keep a cooling neck gaiter for muggy weather - https://amzn.to/4kATsEx

Carry a tire repair kit - https://amzn.to/3GghdDC

Gear up with Bohn Body Armor for protection - https://bohnarmor.com

Affiliate Disclosure: This video may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Subscribe & Stay Connected

Website: https://bestmotorcycleroads.com

Sign up for BMR Rider Alerts: https://bestmotorcycleroads.com/rideralert

Interested in Sponsoring Our Podcast?

We’re always looking for partners who want to reach a passionate community of motorcycle enthusiasts across the U.S. If you’d like to sponsor an episode or collaborate, visit: https://bestmotorcycleroads.com/contact-brm/