New Marina Office and Boat Slips Add to Waterfront Fun at Heritage Harbor in Ottawa

Boater and non-boaters appreciate the state-of-art-marina and breathtaking water views at Heritage Harbor Resort in Ottawa, where a new floating marina office and fun water activities add to its appeal. Situated along the Illinois River, Heritage Harbor Resort is a premier vacation destination, offering second-to-none amenities and a variety of homes, including condominiums, villas, townhomes, single-family homes and custom residences, for purchase or rent, all centered around the state-of-the-art 152 slip marina.

“The new marina office with ship store, snacks and tables overlooking the harbor, is a benefit to our residents and visiting boaters,” said Pierre Alexander, Heritage Harbor Resort Marketing Manager. “The new office is situated next to the kayak launch on A dock. Quest Water Sports offers kayak demos and rentals, as well as Quest Express boat memberships where you gain access to a fleet of boats for the season. Due to the increase in homeowners purchasing their own boats and wanting a boat slip, we are adding 20 additional slips. Last year boat rentals were booked months in advance, so we encourage anyone wanting to experience life on the water to book their boat rental now.”

The 16-mile stretch of waterway between the Marseilles Lock and Starved Rock Lock provides and abundance of oaring and watersport options. The marina, with slips of 35 to 60-feet, accommodates boats of all sizes and, rental boats including pontoon boats, jet-skis, Go-Float electric boats, are available at a 20% discount for Harbor Inn guests. In collaboration with Quest Water Sports, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards are also available for rent.

Offering 32-acres of 8-foot -deep harbor and an opening width of 200 feet, the Heritage Harbor marina is a popular stop for boaters continuing along the Great Loop. Single-load floating and private dock boxes are offered for each slip. The marina received multiple Boater’s Choice awards and the Elite Fleet Award in 2019 on a national basis.

“Unlike the Great Lakes, boating here is not nearly as congested and, therefore, tends to be safer,” Alexander said. “Residents also have the flexibility of owning a smaller boat for use on the river and other area waterways that take them secluded beaches and riverside parks. Boaters enjoy waterskiing, tubing, wakeboarding and abundant fishing. Large and small mouth bass, crappie, catfish, walleye and sauger are abundant, in fact, ESPN named the area ‘The Sauger Capital of the World’.”

Less than 90 minutes west of Chicago in Ottawa’s Starved Rock Country, Heritage Harbor features the Red Dog Restaurant, Tiki Bar and beach as well numerous neighborhood clubhouses and swimming pools. The Heritage Harbor activity director plans year-round events for residents and guests, including live music on weekends, crafts, cooking classes, tours, and the weekly, Saturday 5K walk and run.

Several new neighborhoods recently opened, including low-maintenance homes, priced from $309,000 to $395,000, in the Boat House neighborhood. Homes range from 975 to 1,700 square feet in size with the option to add a finished walkout lower level that adds 975 square feet to the ranch plan and 850 square feet to the two-story.

Heritage Harbor has also recently introduced Port Place, an enclave of 12 Low maintenance homes. Centered around a common gathering area, which will include a fire pit, benches and strands of overhead lights, Port Place offers ranch and two-story homes, with main level master bedroom suites, ranging from 1,196 to over 2,287 square feet, with prices starting in the $270s.

Navvy Town, another new neighborhood, is coming soon and offers two-story, multi-family quad buildings, called the Canal Quarter, will include one and two-bedroom condominiums, priced from the $180s, ideal for investors and renters while the open-concept, two-story cottages with two bedrooms and 1 ½ baths are perfect for second-home owners who want to maximize their time on the river enjoying the harbor life.

“Boaters and non-boaters alike enjoy endless recreational opportunities at Heritage Harbor,” Alexander said. “The community is across from the 97-mile I & M Canal Biking trail, is just three miles to charming downtown Ottawa and is only 15 minutes from Starved Rock State Park.”

The 2,630-acre Starved Rock State Park, known for its steep sandstone canyons and waterfalls, attracts hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Historic Ottawa, site of the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas Debate, offers shops, restaurants, craft breweries and more. Minutes from Heritage Harbor, visitors also enjoy the August Hill Winery and Illinois Sparkling Co. Tasting Room, Illinois River Winery, Utica Electric Bike Rental, LaSalle Canal Boat tours and the Grand Bear Falls Indoor Water Park. Golfers enjoy a host of nearby golf clubs such as Dayton Ridge Golf Club, Pine Hills Golf Club Bar and Restaurant and Bourne golf course. The Concept Haulers Motor Speedway offers go karting and the nearby Grundy County Speedway offers stock car racing.

Those in search of a rental property investment appreciate onsite property management and rental management program by the Harbor Inn. Prospective buyers can currently enjoy a ‘Live Like a Homeowner’ Discovery Package that includes a two-night stay for two adults and two children under 21 in a cottage, a $50 gift card for the Red Dog Grill, a private tour and a customized Starved Rock experience for $249.

Heritage Harbor is located at 111 Harbor View Drive in Ottawa. Please call (815) 433-5000 to preschedule a one-on-one appointment or email tammyb@heritageharborottawa.com . Enjoy a virtual drive-through of the community by visiting www.visitheritageharbor.com.

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