Location: Freeport
Top Things to do in Freeport
Top 10 Things to do in Freeport, Illinois (IL)
Freeport is the county seat and largest city of Stephenson County, Illinois. The population was 25,638 at the 2010 census, and the mayor of Freeport is Jodi Miller, elected in 2017. Freeport is known for hosting the second Lincoln-Douglas debate of 1858, and as "Pretzel City, USA", named after the heritage of its Germanic settlers in the 1850s and the Billerbeck Bakery pretzel company that started as a result of their arrival. Freeport High School's mascot is the Pretzel to honor this unique heritage.
Restaurants in Freeport
1. Krape Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 139 reviews
Reviewed By suemar63 - Traverse City, United States
Best park by far. They have extensive trails throughout the park....lots of benches and seating. The duck pond, the dam, the waterfall and the caves are all highlights of this gorgeous park
2. Stephenson County Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
The Stephenson County Visitor Center is situated along Highway 20 just east of Freeport and is the perfect stop for travelers. Providing clean restrooms, free wi-fi and a place to stretch your legs, the venue houses local merchandise, highlights attractions in Stephenson County and is staffed with a knowledgeable host to help you navigate your journey. The space also features monthly local exhibits showcasing attractions, art exhibits and historic moments. Stop often and we are sure you will see something new with every visit.
3. Little Cubs Field
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 60 reviews
Reviewed By tigertowner - Freeport, United States
Kids playing were about 7-8 years old. They looked like they were having a great time. The field looks just like Wrigley and there is even a Harry Carey statue outside. How anyone could call this an "eye sore" is beyond me. It is very well kept up, the grass was beautiful and everything around it was very clean and neat.
4. Lincoln Douglas Debate Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By MNDoodles - Stillwater, United States
It’s great Freeport has preserved the history of a famous Lincoln- Douglas debate which occurred there in 1858. Seversl well-written interpretive signs are placed in the park-like block where the debate happened. An excellent life-size sculpture of both men depicting a moment in the debate brings history to life. I especially liked the interpretive signs where a button can be pushed to hear a re-enactment of key exchanges during the debate. Hearing words exchanged between Lincoln and Douglas reminded me ‘the more things change, the more they stay the same’, especially when it comes to politics. Next to debate square, you can enjoy a great ice cream treat at Union Dairy, a fun, old-timey soda fountain.
5. Winneshiek Playhouse
6. Oscar Taylor Home
7. Jane Addams Recreation Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By KarenZ-midwest - Peoria, United States
My husband and I are always looking for new areas to explore so when I read about this trail we brought our bicycles up on a perfect fall day. We left from the Wes Block Trailhead which had plenty of parking and cleanish pit toilets. We rode on a very well maintained wide and level trail through the most beautiful countryside! Many wetlands and streams on both sides of the trail with solid wooden bridges crossing them, limestone “walls” created by the chiseling out of the railbed with trees on top creating green tunnels, rolling hills in the distance (thankfully the trail was essentially flat!), areas of big bluestem prairies, and even sandhill cranes in the wetland area near Orangeville. We encountered very few people during our 20 mile round trip to Orangeville and back. Because of the numerous wetland and boggy areas I would imagine that mosquitoes could be a problem in the summer. We plan to return in early spring to see the wildflowers. We were happy that we brought a picnic lunch and ate it in a shelter in Orangeville because I did not see any restaurants or delicatessen along the way. We will definitely return and maybe begin in Orangeville to travel north into Wisconsin on the Badger trail.
8. Famous Fossil Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By 534lawrenceh - Rockford, United States
Pam is a great host and the variety of wines has been stellar we pop in frequently and have stumbled in when they were testing different batches and invited patrons to sample, the deck is great we will be going back wife likes the knick-knacks
9. Logan's Bar & Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
10. Freeport Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 12 reviews
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