Dixon, Illinois - hometown of President Ronald Reagan

Dixon, Illinois, a small town in Northwest Illinois, is most well known for being the hometown of President Ronald Reagan. In addition to the Reagan house, there are plenty of other historical attractions in town, including: the Memorial Arch, the Lincoln Memorial, and Veterans Memorial Park.

Scenic views of the Rock River at sunset in Dixon, IL

The scenic Rock River backdrop leads to plenty of recreation opportunities, including boating, fishing, and scenic walks. Check out beautiful Lowell Park while you are in town.

Lowell Park

There is a nice shaded, 3 mile biking/walking path which leads you down to the park. Make sure to stop at the scenic overlook for panoramic views. Boating, fishing, and scenic river views await you at the park.

Lowell Park bikeway in Dixon, IL
Trees at Lowell Park in Dixon, IL
Scenic overlook at Lowell Park in Dixon, IL
Lowell Park river views in Dixon, IL
Views of the Rock River from Lowell Park in Dixon, IL

Dixon Historical attractions

Lincoln Statue

This bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln acknowledges his service in the Black Hawk war. It is the only statue in existence where Lincoln is dressed in a military outfit.

Lincoln statue in Dixon, IL

Ronald Reagan’s Boyhood Home

Ronald Reagan house in Dixon, IL

Make sure to plan room for a tour of 40th President Ronald Reagan’s boyhood home. Even though he only lived in Dixon for 3 years, he came back to visit frequently over the years. The tour guide will take you through each room of the house and provide a brief history of the family along with some interesting stories. To read my full experience and see more pictures, take a look at my full post.

Ronald Reagan statue in Dixon, IL

Ronald Reagan Trail

Reagan horse statue on the Rock River in Dixon, IL

“Begins the Trail,” an impressive sculpture of President Reagan on a horse lies at Heritage Crossing, a walkway which runs along the scenic Rock River.

Recommended Local Restaurants

There are plenty of great local dining options, both casual and fine dining. I have listed a few of my favorites below:

Arthur’s Deli – A popular soup and sandwich shop, also featuring baked potato bowls, delicious Eli’s Cheesecake, and tasty deli sides. Read my full review for a more detailed description.

Arthur's deli in Dixon, IL

Basil Tree Ristorante – An Italian fine dining restaurant offering authentic Italian cuisine in a beautiful dining space. Read my full review for a more detailed description.

Basil Tree Ristorante - Dixon, IL

Mama Cimino’s – A popular local pizza restaurant, famously known for their 24 inch “Hurricane pizza.” Read my full review for more pictures.

Mama Cimino's in Dixon, IL

Recommended day trips

There are 3 state parks located within a half hour drive of Dixon. All 3 of these parks are a beautiful natural oasis away from the city. My 2 favorites are Castle Rock and Lowden.

Castle Rock State Park – Located in Oregon, IL, this beautiful state park features hiking trails, boating, and a scenic overlook of the Rock River. Read my full post for more pictures and details of the different hikes available.

Castle Rock State Park staircase  climb in Oregon, IL
Views of the Rock river from Castle Rock State Park in Oregon, IL
Scenic overlook from a hiking trail at Castle Rock State Park in Oregon, IL

Lowden State Park – Home to the impressive 50 foot tall Blackhawk statue. The Rock River walkway is a fantastic place for photography. Hiking, camping, and picnicking within the park are also popular. Read my full post for more pictures from the park.

Blackhawk Statue at Lowden State Park in Oregon, IL
Beautiful Rock River views at Lowden State Park in Oregon, IL
Scenic overlook views from Lowden State Park in Oregon, IL