Boaters, explorers, anglers, music lovers, exercise seekers and thrill seekers all have something to enjoy at Heritage Harbor Resort, a popular vacation home community less than 90 minutes from Chicago in the Ottawa’s Starved Rock Country.

Located along the Illinois River and featuring a state-of-the-art 182-berth marina, Heritage Harbor offers several distinct neighborhoods including villas, cottages, low-maintenance single-family homes and luxury custom residences. The community also includes the Red Dog Restaurant, Tiki Bar and Beach as well as numerous neighborhood pavilions and pools.

“While our summer bookings are filling up quickly, there are still opportunities for short and long term vacation rentals on the Harbor,” said Pierre Alexander, Marketing Director of Heritage Harbor Resort. “And for those looking to invest in a vacation home, we have a variety of homes at varying prices for a summer move-in.”

Lock Tender Cottages in the new Navvy Town neighborhood of Heritage Harbor is available this summer and offers 1,150 square feet with two bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms and an open concept kitchen and living room plus an option to finish the full basement with prices starting at $300,900. Ranch-style single-family homes are offered for summer delivery with prices starting at $429,000 and buyers can also choose from custom residences starting at $825,000 in the Pinnacle Pointe neighborhood.

Heritage Harbor owners can choose to be part of Harbor Inn’s property management and marketing program which helps them with all aspects of the vacation rental process. Participating buyers are logged into the management software and can view their property and reservations via their personal login as well as block their own stay dates on the calendar. Requests, repairs, cleaning and other services can also be accessed through the portal.

A boater’s delight, Heritage Harbor offers 32 acres of 8-foot-deep harbor with an opening width of 200 feet and slips of 35 to 60 feet and is a popular stop for boaters continuing along the Great Loop. The 16-mile stretch of waterway between Marseille Lock and Starved Rock Lock includes several islands, access to local waterfront restaurants, and Starved Rock State Park.

“You don’t have to own a boat to enjoy the marina and the river,” Alexander said. “Boat rentals are available through the marina and Quest Express Yacht Club memberships, kayak rentals and other water sports equipment are available through Quest Water Sports.”

In addition to the marina and water sports, the owners enjoy live music from various bands at the Tiki Bar most Saturday nights and the 5K Park Run takes place every Saturday morning at 9:00 am. Live music and special activities are also planned during the 4th of July holiday weekend. . Other summer events in and around Ottawa include:

• Guided Kayaking Weekends at Starved Rock State Park
• June 3-5 – Ottawa Two Rivers Wine Festival
• Music in the Park – Downtown Ottawa – Launches its ticketed concert season on Saturday, June 25 from 6 to 8 p.m.
• June 17 – 24th Annual Cruise Night – Classic and Custom Car Show in Downtown Ottawa
• July 1-4 – Skydive Chicago Hosts Freedom Fest in Ottawa
• 4th of July – Ottawa Independence Day Fireworks Show – Largest in Central Illinois
• August 6 – 38th Annual Ottawa Auto Show
• August 6- Drip- Music Fest in Mendota
• August 6-7 – Art in the Park in Downtown Ottawa
• August 7 – Annual “Touch a Truck” event sponsored by Illinois Valley Building Trades, Illinois Valley Contractors’ Association and Illinois Valley Labor Management Fun in Ottawa
• August 20 – Craft Brew Street fest in Utica

Visitors also enjoy hiking, biking, ziplining, horseback riding, ATV rentals and more just minutes from Heritage Harbor. The nearby Cedar Creek Ranch offers horseback riding, Gator Creek cruises, a petting zoo, and the vaunted Cowboy Experience with horseback riding and dinner wagons. The community is across the street from the 97-mile I&M Canal Bike Trail and 10 minutes from Starved Rock State Park, known for its scenic hiking trails, waterfalls, sandstone canyons, trolley tours and trails. river cruises. Zip Chicago Canopy Tours in Marseille offers daytime and evening zipline tours for adventurers of all ages. Historic Ottawa, site of the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas Debate, offers shops, restaurants, craft breweries and more. Just minutes from Heritage Harbor, visitors also enjoy the August Hill Winery and Illinois Sparkling Co. Tasting Room, Illinois River Winery, LaSalle Canal Boat Tours, and Grand Bear Falls Indoor Water Park. Golfers take advantage of many nearby golf clubs such as Dayton Ridge Golf Club, Pine Hills Golf Club Bar and Restaurant and Bourne Golf Course.

Heritage Harbor is located at 111 Harbor View Drive in Ottawa. Please call (815) 433-5000 ext. 1 to schedule an individual appointment or email [email protected] Enjoy a virtual community drive-in by visiting www.visitheritageharbor.com.