A Cottage Getaway at Heritage Harbor on the Illinois River
Last weekend hubby and I took a mini vacation to a cottage getaway on the Illinois River. There’s a small resort by the name of Heritage Harbor that has plenty of charm, activities, and beautiful homes. It’s only an hour away from our house which makes it perfect for a quick trip. We stayed in a quaint cottage called Captain’s Quarters and I hope you’ll enjoy touring it with me today.
Heritage Harbor has several vacation cottages for rent at anytime of the year. The homes are close together, much like the city of Chicago. The vibe is casual, relaxed, peaceful, and quiet. Our little cottage was perfect for the two of us. A charming screened-in porch greeted us when we arrived.
We enjoyed spending a little time out here chatting and listening to the birds sing.
You can see our view of the river from the porch. The 273-mile-long Illinois River is a principal tributary to the Mississippi River. It’s very scenic and boats head down the river from the Chicago suburbs to Heritage Harbor in Ottawa.
In the morning, we brought our coffee down to the river, sat on the dock, and watched boats go by.
Jeremiah Joe Coffee has some of the best coffee in Illinois. If you’re ever in Ottawa, be sure to stop by and get a brew or two.
I can’t think of a better way to start the day. Although sitting on the river enjoying coffee reminded me of having my morning coffee by my pond. There’s just something about being by scenic water that gets your day off to a good start.
Back to our cottage getaway – step inside Captain’s Quarters to enjoy its pretty interior spaces, decorated in a coastal theme. On the left side of the main living space is a small sectional with a fireplace and television.
You’ll also find this small table in the corner, with the patio through the sliding doors.
You’ll find the kitchen on the right side of the main living area. The kitchen is equipped with dishes and cooking items.
Here’s another view of the main living space. A narrow ladder leads to a sleeping loft with a porthole window. Look carefully and you’ll see my hubby out on the screened porch.
In addition to the sleeping loft is a bedroom with a queen sized bed.
The bathroom is small but all we needed for a weekend cottage getaway.
Captain’s Quarters can sleep four people. It was perfect for our weekend escape. I think it’s important to spend time reconnecting and for us, getting away from home is a great way to do that.
Although the cottage getaway had a full kitchen, we didn’t spend anytime cooking. Heritage Harbor has its own restaurant, the Red Dog Grill, which was just a short walk away.
Look how cute the inside of the restaurant is!
Lucky for me, they had Sangria and yummy ceviche.
Outside is a cute little tiki bar.
Next to the Red Dog Grill is the harbor where boats can dock. I imagine some of the suburbanites drive their boats down the Illinois River to Heritage Harbor and spend the weekend. There are several vacation rentals but some of the houses are privately owned.
Also on site is a the marina office with a small convenience store and a place to rent pontoon boats, fishing boats, and jet skis. Heritage Harbor also has a pool for your use. The smaller Quackerdeck is for the local ducks!
We’re already planning another trip to Heritage Harbor with the rest of the family. We’ll rent a few of the cottages to accommodate everyone. It’s a great place to visit.
See More Vacation Ideas:
New Wisconsin Farmhouse Tour – Vacation Rental
Summer Vacation in Saugatuck, Michigan
Visiting Historic Ferndale, California
Colorful Airstream Camper Makeover
Just far enough for a get-away and so cute a cabin. Looks like a fun place to stay.