Location: Savanna
Top Things to do in Savanna
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Top 9 Things to do in Savanna, United States
Savanna is a city in Carroll County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,945 at the 2010 census, down from 3,542 in 2000. Savanna is located along the Mississippi River at the mouth of the Plum River. Going from north to south, the second automobile bridge between Iowa and Illinois is located just north of Savanna, and is part of U.S. Route 52. The bridge leads to Sabula, Iowa, which is across the river from Savanna. Savanna is also served by two major railroads, the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) Railway Company and the (CP) Canadian Pacific. Savanna also has a small airport, The Tri-Township Airport (KSFY).
Restaurants in Savanna
1. Mississippi Palisades State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 130 reviews
Rich in American Indian history, this 2,500-acre park offers a variety of outdoor activities including boating, fishing, hunting, picnicking and hiking.
Reviewed By Taylor B - Chicago, Illinois
Mississippi Palisades State Park, located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Apple Rivers in northwestern Illinois off Illinois Route 84 near Savanna, is rich in Native American history and scenic beauty. Covering 2,500 acres, Palisades is the word used to describe a line of lofty, steep cliffs seen along a river and Mississippi Palisades, located three miles north of Savanna in Carroll County, lives up to its name. The 13-mile trail system, with five trails in the north and five in the south, allow hikers to trace the footsteps of Native Americans who came this way nearly a thousand years ago. Designated as a National Landmark in 1973, Mississippi Palisades features limestone caves, sink holes and intriguing rock formations, including Indian Head with its aquiline characteristics and Twin Sisters, a pair of humanoid figures on the bluff tops. Explore the deep, wooded ravines whose brilliant hues splash the cliffs with color each autumn. Watch for animal life within the park and the river areas. Waterfowl, shorebirds and wild turkeys are numerous. Look for white-tailed deer, gray squirrel, skunk, muskrat, weasel, gray and red fox, woodchuck, mink and an occasional badger. Striking pileated woodpeckers make their home in the park and eagles feed at the river in January and February. Interested in camping? Electrical hookups are available at 110 sites. Showers and flush toilets are situated in three buildings. There also are launch ramps for boats, beaches for swimming, shelters and playgrounds and areas for picnicking, even a concession stand. And if you plan to stay overnight, there are accommodations in nearby Savanna, Thomson, Shannon and Tonica.
2. Island City Harbor
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
We are a 140 slip marina located on the upper Mississippi River on Iowa's only island city. We can accommodate boats up to 80 ft, with channel depths averaging 6 ft. We have a store and bathhouse facilities, along with gas and free ice with any purchase.We love new visitors so come and check us out!
Reviewed By Shelby A
We just spent the afternoon on the beach. People were fishing, swimming and laying out. The water was very refreshing! It was not crowded at all. Dogs are allowed but must be leashed. We are definitely bringing our dogs next time. They will love it!
3. Iron Horse Social Club
Overall Ratings
4 based on 35 reviews
Is a really cool place lots of funky motorcycle things. Live music on weekends
Reviewed By Review-by-2 - West Des Moines, Iowa
I've been to the Iron Horse several times. The beer is always cold and the staff friendly. The place is a cross between a bar and museum. I've also noticed that they have added a wedding Chapel.
Every time I go there I enjoy looking at the old motorcycles on display. They have a little bit of everything there. They have flat track racers, hill climbers and I noticed a small "Crotch Rocket" (They say it was owned by Dan Haggerty). So if you are in the area and need a cool little place to grab a cold one, it is well worth the stop.
4. Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By Taylor B - Chicago, Illinois
The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge extends nearly 261 miles and contains more than 200,000 acres of fish and wildlife habitat in four states along the Mississippi River from Wabasha, Minnesota, to Rock Island, Illinois. Established in 1924 as a refuge for fish, wildlife and plants and a breeding place for migratory birds, it encompasses one of the largest blocks of floodplain habitat in the lower 48 states. It lays within the Mississippi Flyway, a migration pathway for birds. People migrate to the refuge to fish and hunt in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois. Bordered by steep wooded bluffs that rise 100 to 600 feet above the river valley, the Mississippi River corridor and refuge offer scenic beauty and productive fish and wildlife habitat unmatched in the heart of America. It is the home or nesting area for some 270 species of birds, including seasonal flights of tundra swans, ducks and geese, migrating warblers, vireos, thrushes, sparrows, raptors, herons and resident bald eagles. One of the most popular fishing destinations is in the Savanna District, from Dubuque, Iowa, to Cordova, Illinois. Anglers look for smallmouth bass, bluegill, crappie, catfish and walleye. If you're not into hunting or fishing, there are several viewing stations along the route that offer spectacular panoramas of the Mississippi River.
5. Savanna Train Car Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By Jonathan B - Savannah, Georgia, United States
My family and I are from around the Savannah area and we always take full advantage of the "free museum" days. The last one (July 2015) we went to the Train museum. To be completely honest, it was a lot cooler than we expected it to be. There are a lot of different era train cars such as engines, cabooses, sleeper cars, meal cars, etc. Most of them you can walk up into and get a really close look at how it used to be for train travelers. For those who enjoy museums, you will easily be able to see the attractions provided and imagine yourself dressed all 'dapperred' up and enjoying a meal or cross-country view with your young lady (or man). One thing to consider: if you are wheel-chair bound or have someone in your party that is, viewing most of the trains will be difficult/impossible. Most of the cars require you to walk up stairs to get inside (Keep this in mind). Lastly, if your little ones begin to get bored, which they tend to do in most museums eventually, take them over to the children's museum and enjoy some hands on activities, water misters (if running), and an outdoor labyrinth. All in all it was a very neat experience and we will more than likely go back again in a few years. OH! Stick around long enough to partake in the miniature war reenactment they have just outside the train-yard grounds where they use volunteers (mostly kids) to hold flags, 'charge the mound', and take part in a simulated battle! The kids loved that the most and they STILL talk about it. ;)
6. Betty's Bar
Overall Ratings
5 based on 3 reviews
Welcome to Betty's Bar in historic Savanna, Illinois! With three pool tables, darts, spirits, pizza, jukebox and great people, we are the place to hang out in Savanna! Coming soon: Video Gaming!
Reviewed By IllinoisLisa - Illinois
Awesome old building houses a comfortable bar, three pool tables, dart board, video gaming, juke box and excellent service ~
7. A.O Elliot
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Jennifer G - Rockford, Illinois
My husband and I stopped on our way home from IA and had a great time. The Drinks were great, the service was excellent and we they made us feel like we were one of the locals. If nothing else, it’s a great place to try many local wines in one location and take in a historic building. The band was good too!
8. Lost Mound Field Station
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By mmoh - Davis, Illinois
This is reclaimed land from the Savanna Army Depot, where they used to test products from the Rock Island Arsenal. Part of the property is being changed into an industrial park (their brick sign "Savanna Depot Park" on Rte. 84 is easier to see than the little brown sign the state puts up). There are still lots of old rusty buildings and fencing.
So far you can only drive a few miles along the river. At the end is an observation deck that sits on top of a 70-foot tall sand dune, the tallest dune along the upper Mississippi. Back within the industrial park is a 1/2-mile loop, rightly named "Prickly Pear Trail".
We saw ample examples of this rare wild cactus along the trail, along with many wildflowers and butterflies. However, even though the trail is mostly a prairie, we also found a large amount of mosquitoes - so wear insect repellent!
Stewards of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge leads bird-watching tours the third Thursday of each month.
9. Frank Fritz's Finds
Overall Ratings
3 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By Zebra_45678 - Indianapolis, Indiana
If you are not a fan of the show, don't waste your time making a stop here. The antique store is located in the same building that houses a biker bar. You have to go through the bar to get to the antiques. This is really not a store like Mike's in LeClair, but just a dusty, dank, mess of what used to be a large antique mall in the building. From what I learned, the whole building was an antique mall. This place is what is left.
If you do want to buy something, make sure it is priced; otherwise, the staff in the bar cannot sell the item. If you do find something, you have to take it to the bar to pay for it. You pay the price on the sticker, no negotiating here (which is a joke in itself when you hear Frank complain on the show for the prices he is paying!!)
I think most of the items in here are all leftovers from the glory days of the antique mall. Much of the stuff is what you would find in a GoodWill store. Even the women working the bar mused out loud that something had to be done about the "antique store." Like I said, don't waste your time here if you are not a fan of the show. It is worth seeing the contrast between Mikes awesome place and this dump.
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