Dixon, Illinois: Hometown of President Reagan

Dixon, a small town in Northwest Illinois, is most well known for being the hometown of President Ronald Reagan. In addition to touring his famous childhood home, there are plenty of other historical attractions to justify a visit including, including: the Memorial Arch, the Lincoln Memorial, Old Settler’s Log Cabin, and Veterans Memorial Park. I would say it is a great daytrip for any history buffs and anyone else who loves old time small towns.

Dixon is an easy 2 hour daytrip from Chicago and just 1 hour from Rockford. The historical value alone makes it worth visiting. Mike and I visit often as we have family members in the area. History aside, there is a small downtown with local restaurants, several lovely parks, and a beautiful riverfront. There are also a few great state parks located within a half hour which both offer great hiking and picnicking opportunities.

Most notably, the town hosts a big annual multi day festival called the Petunia Fest. It draws locals around the entire region. The full lineup of events includes: live music, a 5k race, a carnival, and a fireworks spectacular over the Rock River.

The beautiful Rock River

The scenic Rock River creates a pretty backdrop for any type of recreation, including boating, fishing, and scenic walks. At Heritage Crossing, you can see a statue of Reagan on horseback titled “Begins the Trail.” This bronze statue of Reagan riding a Palomino horse is a tribute to his participation in the “Injun Summer Days” festival held 60 years ago. The Crossing is a popular spot for annual events. In addition to an amphitheater, there are some picnicking spots and walking trails. Also, it’s a great place to watch a sunset over the river!

Lowell Park

This quiet park is my favorite place to enjoy scenic views of the Rock River. There is a nice shaded 3 mile long biking/walking path which connects to the park. I often jog here while in town. Make sure to stop at the scenic overlook for panoramic views.

If you don’t feel like getting in a workout in there are plenty of other relaxing things to do. Pickcking, fishing, and boating are all popular. There is a 9 hole disc golf course and a playground. You will also get to see the historic Reagan bathhouse. I learned on my tour of the house that President Reagan was a lifeguard here during the summer months. According to the city, he saved 77 lives during his time working at Lowell.

Historical attractions

There are a lot of historical sites packed into this small town. Here are a few to add to your bucket list.

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.

Ronald Reagan’s Boyhood Home

The main thing you will want to do while in town is to to take a tour of 40th President Ronald Reagan’s childhood home. While Mike has toured the home many times, being that his childhood home is just blocks away, I was excited to take in some history. We toured the house together one summer while they were offering free admission as part of their Petunia festival. Admission is only a few bucks any other time of the year, so not a bad deal.

Even though he only lived in the city for 3 years, he came back to visit frequently over the years. During his junior high years, Mike actually got to see him make a speech while he was in town for a house anniversary celebration. He said his entire junior high class walked a few blocks to this special event.

Your tour guide will take you through each room of the house and provide a brief history of the family along with some interesting stories. I really enjoyed the history lesson and I learned so many new and interesting facts about the family and Reagan’s time living in the city.

The Reagan statue is located right next to the house.

Dixon Veterans Memorial Arch

This beautiful historic landmark dates back to 1919. As the name implies, it honors war veterans. It’s located on Galena Ave near the downtown, so you will get to drive through it many times during your visit. It’s hard to capture a good pic due to the traffic, but it looks pretty cool at night lit up.

Recommended local dining

There are plenty of great local dining options, both casual and fine dining. I recommend skipping the chains and supporting local businesses. I always try to support local no matter where I travel.

Arthur’s Deli – This soup and sandwich shop is the place all the locals go. I became quite a fan as well after multiple trips. They serve the most delicious baked potato bowls (available in a number of combos), sandwiches (there are over a dozen options), and the best potato and pasta salad. We alway treat ourselves to a delicious Eli’s Cheesecake as well.

Basil Tree Ristorante – An Italian fine dining restaurant offering authentic cuisine in a beautiful dining space. The setting is really nice and upscale here for a date. I loved the ambiance and presentation – it reminds me of some of the nicer restaurants I dined at in Chicago. The ravioli is so delicious and if they have the stuffed mashed potato app, definitely order a round!

Fresco on First – This is a nice casual stop downtown for lunch. It’s one of the best places in town to enjoy a healthy lunch or breakfast. They offer a lot of fresh sandwiches and salads, plus a large tea menu. I like that they offer a nice variety of healthy veggie sandwiches which is a bit rare for a small town. Recently, I tried this delicious veggie and mozzarella panini. Their breakfast skillets are pretty decent (pictured here is a garden veggie with wheat toast).

Recommended day trips

There are 3 state parks located within a half hour drive of the city. All of these parks are a beautiful natural oasis away from the city, whether you prefer hiking or boating. If you are looking to take a nature walk, enjoy a beautiful picnic, or take your boat out on the water, I definitely recommend planning a visit to one of these state parks. My 2 favorites are Castle Rock and Lowden.

I feel like I can really get back to nature at these parks. There are not a lot of people around, so I can leave the phone at home and enjoy a morning of birdwatching and hiking.

Castle Rock State Park – This beautiful park is located in Oregon. Activities include hiking, boating, and enjoying scenic overlooks of the Rock River. There is a steep, but short stair climb to a scenic overlook of the river. It’s worth it if you are up for a mini challenge. Read about my experience at Castle Rock.

Lowden State Park – This park is most well known for their impressive 50 foot tall Blackhawk statue. The Rock River walkway is a fantastic place for photography. You can also enjoy hiking, camping, and picnicking. Not as much hiking as Castle, but a gorgeous place to soak in some much needed nature. Read about my experience visiting Lowden.