Trip One: Dixon Illinois
Your day can begin with a tour of the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home which has been restored to the 1920’s era when Ronald Reagan and his family lived there. Through the guided tour you will learn about his boyhood and teen years spent in Dixon. There is a gift shop and visitor’s center on site.
Your next stop is The Northwest Territory Historic Center, a Smithsonian-affiliated history, research, and learning center housed in Ronald Reagan’s boyhood South Central School. Here you will find interactive exhibits on Native American & Black Hawk wars and early American farming; "Dutch" Reagan's restored classroom, Reagan history room, Walgreen history room, original Reagan movie posters, original Reagan diplomas, historical paintings on every floor, changing historical exhibits, and the museum store.
A stop in downtown Dixon will include The Crystal Cork Wine Shoppe which offers hand-poured Bavarian chocolates, chocolate port, and chocolate Martinis. Not sure how to pair wine with chocolate? Allow their knowledgeable staff to assist you.
Trip Two: Tampico & Sterling/Rock Falls, Illinois
Travel to Tampico to visit the birthplace of President Ronald Reagan. The apartment where he was born has been restored and authentically decorated, and your visit will include a stop at the museum and gift shop.
You can then proceed to the Sterling/Rock Falls area for stops at the Dillon Home Museum and the Sterling/Rock Falls Historical Society Museum. The Dillon Home Museum features the history of the founders of Northwestern Steel and Wire and features fine antiques belonging to the Dillon family. The Sterling/Rock Falls Historical Museum is located in the Carriage House on the grounds of the Dillon Home Museum.
Be sure to stop at The Little Chocolatier while in Sterling, where you’ll have a chance to check out this chocolate specialty shop features hand-dipped chocolates, caramel and cheese popcorn, novelty and holiday candies, gourmet coffees, espresso bar drinks, and gift items.
Your next stop is the Rock Falls Art in the Park Sculpture Walk. Enjoy the beautiful art sculptures and the beautiful view of the riverfront—a perfect photo op moment. Stretch your legs and take in the fresh air. If you're starting to get peckish, Sterling and Rock Falls have several wonderful chocolate businesses. Be sure to scroll through the "Sweet Stops" area of this website.
Trip Three: Fulton, Illinois
Head west while traveling the historic Lincoln Highway to Fulton, which is the Lincoln Highway’s gateway to the west, where it crosses the mighty Mississippi River. Fulton’s strong Dutch heritage offers travelers many interesting sites. Dutch craftsmen built "De Immigrant," an authentic Dutch windmill, in Fulton on the banks of the Mississippi River using prefabricated parts from the Netherlands. The Windmill Museum & Cultural Center and gift shop across the street feature exhibits and many large-scale models of European windmills that will broaden your understanding of the important roll windmills played in early Europe and have souvenirs and other memorabilia.
Whether you need to have lunch or just a snack, a must-see stop is Fulton's Krumpets Bakery & Cafe. It creates one-of-a-kind decadent pastries, bars, cookies, pies, cakes, and daily treat specials. The favorite of these consists of chocolate. Be sure to visit Heritage Canyon, located on the Mississippi River in an old 12-acre quarry restored and furnished to replicate a mid-1800’s settlement. Paths through the wooded hillside lead from home sites to a doctor’s office, one-room school, church, covered bridge, swinging bridge, and much more.