I&M Canal Visitor Center & Lock 16 Gift Shop

Melanie Holmes

2023-08

This gift shop and cafe is one of the best. Whether or not you take the boat ride, the visitor center has history and one of the best shops, filled with a well-curated, unique collection. My quiche was scrumptious, my husband's veggie wrap yummy. LaSalle itself is a gem of a town with eclectic shops and...history!!

Pamela Decker-Wright

2023-08

This is the cutest visitor’s center I’ve ever seen! I went in for a quick coffee, but ended up staying for over a hour. This place is a clever mix of a coffee shop, a historical information center, and a gift shop- for both boutique gifts and canal related memorabilia. It was another plus that the center opened earlier than all the other shops in the downtown area.Everyone who worked there was friendly and ready to answer questions. We’d like to go back when the boat tours are open and try those out.

Alexis Hensleigh

2019-05

Comfortably warm friendly local atmosphere with good coffee, reasonable prices, and fresh healthy options. The Lorraine quiche I had was extremely tasty and made my morning!!!

Lisa Westerman

2023-09

Very friendly staff, sat outside with a mountain berry muffin and a mocha latte that was to die for!!

Cyndy Rebholz

2018-05

My husband and I chose Lock 16 for our vintage wedding theme. This venue worked perfectly for many reasons.*We both wanted the wedding and reception held at one location; we had many guests share how they felt at ease and could enjoy themselves with being able to eliminate any additional travel (for various reasons).*We were able to comfortably seat 70 guests at circular tables, which were actually set up and used during our ceremony and afterward for the reception.*Guests could easily walk around to mingle, frequent our dessert bar/ candy buffet and gift area near the back, grab a signature coffee drink at the coffee bar near the front of the cafe, as well as utilize a full-sized photo booth in the same area of cafe. *We loved the idea that the vintage room was so versatile that it could be used for our ceremony with use of the brick wall as a unique staple for our decor with a vintage-rustic type of backdrop and then easily turn into a dance floor for the rest of the night.*There was plenty of space for dancing, while the opportunity was also there to sit and enjoy watching those on the dance floor, walk around, and/or converse with others.*The hospitality of the Lock 16 staff was so appreciated by all; our guests had their plates cleared out when they were finished eating in a timely manner; our guests' tables had water pitchers refilled, etc. and they were around to help with anything that evening.The challenges we experienced and would encourage any couple to keep in mind:*There is no option as far as getting ready at this place, as they clearly have business hours before the wedding starts; (we ended up arranging for the bridal party to both get ready and have photos taken elsewhere).I would really encourage any couple to consider this component and the actual feasibility of getting the bridal party together in one location/locations that is/are well-suited for getting ready and doing any wedding photos. (We were just truly fortunate to have family within close proximity to venue/each other and have a yard with landscaping that we both liked for our wedding photos.*The time constraint between: (every person in the Bridal Party and every guest/family member attending the wedding) getting ready; trying to complete wedding photos beforehand; and then making it to the actual ceremony start time was the most stressful part. The reasons for the rush were, again, due to the nature of the business hours, (which makes sense). With business hours until 3pm, it meant having to thoroughly plan out and calculate the time that could be used for setting up everything within the 45 min timeframe (ceremony was set for 4pm).A helpful solution was when we were allowed to utilize the vintage room (that can be closed off to public during business hours) the day before the wedding - we were able to put together 11 sets of table decor/centerpieces and hang our backdrop decor for the big brick wall.We did end up hiring two Day-of Coordinators to ensure all 11 sets/centerpieces for tables we "prepped" and stored in vintage room (the day before wedding) could be put out quickly in the 45 minute window between business hours ending and guests arriving for the ceremony that we had starting at 4pm.The hope is that relaying and keeping this in mind will alleviate an oversight like this, since planning a wedding is hectic. I would still highly recommend this location and really encourage consideration of the very positive feedback from both of us and from our guests. It is an absolutely adorable place and our friends from out-of-state or from the bigger cities thoroughly expressed just how quaint and beautiful everything was all evening. Our wedding night was so perfect and we are beyond appreciative of the staff at Lock 16 for doing whatever they could do within reason to make it a memorable celebration for everyone, especially for us. And I think they, too, were dancing -- we loved it :)PC: mollydoloresphotography

Ryan Hake

2020-05

A great historical and scenic experience! I definitely recommend. The staff are very interactive and welcome questions. I sincerely enjoyed it.

Donna Hammerich

2023-10

Lock 16 Cafe & Visitor Center.A lovely cafe with tables inside and outside. Gift shop with unique historical items. Rent a bike, take a ride on the I & M canal, in a boat pulled by mule. Visit the shops in historic downtown LaSalle.

Barbara Coronado

2023-09

Very cozy . Everyone is kind and friendlyLove the ginger peach iced tea. Great place to take someone visiting from out of town. All my friends really like it!

Harrison Meece

2018-05

I'm from out of town and didn't hold out much for a small town shops food and coffee, but I was pleasantly surprised at the quiche and the quality of my Americano.

David Epstein

2022-05

An interesting combination of light treats, historic canal information and souvenirs. Bought a canal boat ride from the service desk.

Judy Liesch

2023-05

We stopped here for lunch as part of a tour group. The food was excellent and the little shop had great stuff. I looked at the regular menu and would like to go back on my own to try. They are open for breakfast and lunch and have a small coffee bar. After lunch we went on the canal barge boat ride which was quite charming.

Ashleigh Smith

2023-05

Poorly ran. Owner doesn’t know how to run this without harassing and gossiping about employees and guests. Guilt trips about things and makes poor experience from the time you hit the door when she explains her life situation. Gives a rocky and sad vibe. Ignores her employees you can just feel the tension and see their feelings when she’s around. Employees were slammed and she sat at a table eating instead of helping her slammed employees. Would not recommend working here from what we have seen. Food isn’t consistent.

Nate Gonzo

2019-05

We had a very good breakfast on a Sunday morning, the weekend Quiche was very good and the Frenchtoast was awesome! They also make some really great custom coffee drinks that blow a place like Starbucks out of the water! Would highly recommend this place to anyone passing through or visiting the area, as I assume all locals know of this treasure!

Rebecca Bingley

2020-05

What a great find. Great food in a quaint setting. I can recommend the breakfast tacos! We had fantastic service. The young woman that took care of us was very attentive and eager to please. I look forward to going back.

Katrina Keogh

2016-05

The staff was really friendly and the cafe had a wonderfully calming vibe. We only ordered coffee and a cookie, but the lunch menu looked amazing.Special shoutout for the extra clean bathroom, and patience with my two children (2 and 10 weeks). It was a perfect road trip stop!

Rose Bailey

2020-05

When my boyfriend and I initially walked through the cafe, it seemed clean, but once we had committed to eating there, we discovered that the utensils and dishes weren't. They were shorthanded due to a no-call/no-show waitress, but our waitress was also forgetful. We didn't get our coffee until after our food, and then only after asking the other waitress. My coffee arrived in a cup that had leftover lipstick on both sides. Eew.We ordered our bacon super-extra crispy, even saying, "almost burnt." It arrived rubbery. When we brought it to the attention of the other waitress, who brought our food, she just stared at us until he asked if she could bring some that was actually crispy, and then she kind of huffed. When we were finished eating, he had to ask again about the bacon, which we finally got after that.The coffee was tasty, but we only got one cup because the waitress didn't come back to the table.The food was overpriced for the lack of quality and portion size.

Carl Johnson

2020-05

Really nice cafe, food was great. Stopped in to get info on the I&M canal National Heritage Area, and to get a stamp for my passport. Nice map of the canal area and small gift shop. Everyone was really friendly.

Jamie Kawolsky

2016-05

It looked like a cute shop but pricey. I ordered a caramel macchiatto. I basically paid $5 for some milk. I couldn't taste the coffee at all. It seemed popular so maybe the food is better than my experience.

Jake Gerdes

2023-05

My wife absolutely loves the wraps here! She says they are the best in the area and everytime we are near Lasalle-peru we stop in! Such friendly staff and great atmosphere!

Emily

2019-05

The Milky Way latte special was delicious! The chai and wrap on another visit was also tasty. The view of the street and neat locally supported items are great for the area. The baristas and waitresses were friendly too!

Theodora Walschots Go360MI Virtual Tours

2019-05

Absolutely delicious coffee, got a vanilla latte I wished would never end. The Quiche Lorraine was perfection, fluffy flavorful, not over or under cooked. A real treat here in Peru.

Eric J Tyszko

2023-05

Clean and healthy we had a English muffin good breakfast large drink menu simple menu full of information about town and local.

Isaac Hernandez

2021-05

This place was excellent. The workers greeted us as if we were family the atmosphere was amazing. The coffee itself was excellent and the pastries were amazing.

Melissa Clark

2020-05

Very nice atmosphere! Just beautiful. The entire staff there was helpful and friendly. Cute gifts for all ages! Lots if melissa and Doug toys.

Rudi Miller

2022-05

Great place! In town from Colo for a extended family gathering for my wife's 80th birthday. Fascinating history of the canal and its impact not only on LaSalle but for Illinois as a state too. A "Must See" when in the area.

Penny Miller

2018-05

Lock 16 has been my favorite place to eat in Lasalle for the last few years they had the best black bean burger and yam fries until today! The burger was over done and the fries were soggy and the service was very poor. Very disappointed 😞

Tom Byrom

2020-05

This place is a real find in a town not far from I-80 about 100 miles west of Chicago. There is a visitors center with lots of interesting info about the area, especially the Michigan and Illinois Canal. This canal opened in 1850 and made it much easier for goods and people to be transported between Chicago and the new a nb d growing narkets to the west.There is also a restaurant that serves good hometown food in a pleasant setting. We had an excellent server named Tessa who went overboard to cater to our every whim.We will definitely return to the Lock 16, eat a good meal, and explore the area.

T.M. McKee

2019-05

The observation deck is right next to where the barges go through. 4 barges full of styrene were in the lock waiting for the water level to lower. What a smell! Strong toxic odor. There was a family with kids right there and the parents didn't do anything. Those barges were not properly sealed. Saw 2 white Pelicans.

Connie Lee

2018-05

Always pleasant service. Unique menu, luscious desserts, flavored coffees. Tea-room atmosphere. Nice selection & variety of mdse.

Jeremy Riel

2018-05

This coffee shop and breakfast/lunch place is run by a nonprofit organization seeking to promote the historic value of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, which is a recognized national historic cooridor. Take a stop in here and get an excellent latte while checking out some of the history of the area. Also located on LaSalle first street, which has a lot of renewal happening.