The Rock River Chocolate Trail

We invite you to savor the wonderful flavors of the Rock River Trail on our Chocolate Trail!

The Rock River Trail covers 320 miles in 11 counties in Wisconsin and Illinois and many of the communities along the way offer many ways to satisfy your sweet tooth. Stop in one of our quaint and historic river communities and you’ll find candy shops where chocolatiers are concocting decadent treats using tried and true old-world methods. Or follow your nose and step into one of our aromatic bakeries or popcorn shops.  You can chill out with a scoop of freshly made ice cream or other delicious frozen concoction in many of the shops.

Rock River Turtles

While we think it’s really cool to see real turtles along the Rock River, you might find it just as fun to seek out the delicious turtles treats you can find on the Rock River Trail. Many of our candy shops have signature Turtle candies and treats.  Northleaf Winery in Milton has even created a solid chocolate molded Turtle in delicious flavors in honor of the Rock River Trail!

Chocolate Trail Tips

• A Rock River Chocolate Trail map can be found below. Or click here to see the Google map.
• Please check ahead to ensure the establishment is open when you want to visit.
• Have we missed an important stop on the Rock River Chocolate Trail or have you found a correction that’s needed? Please click to send us an email.
• To expand your chocolate journey, you may also want to jump on the Blackhawk Chocolate Trail of Northern Illinois, this delightful trail features many of our Rock River Trail communities as well.
• Disclaimer: The Rock River Trail does not accept responsibility for any chocolate addictions or weight gain that may occur as a result of following the Rock River Chocolate Trail! 🙂

We invite you to hop on down the Chocolate Trail and enjoy the Rock River Trail in a very delicious way! Be sure to tell them the Rock River Trail folks sent you!

Waupun

Guth’s End of the Trail Candy Shoppe
928 East Main Street, Waupun, WI 53963-1502
920- 324-3331
“If you are seeking the finest in hand-made chocolates with a taste so delicious it almost defies description with mere words, you will not reach the end of your quest, nor will you reach Utopia, until you try Guth’s End of the Trail Candy Shoppe.”

Theresa

Confections by Joel
101 North Milwaukee Street, Theresa, WI 53091
920-488-9269
“Confections For Any Occasion is a chocolate shop, restaurant and more located in downtown Theresa WI. Founded by Joel Bernhard, Confections For Any Occasion makes gourmet, novelty, and holiday themed chocolates fresh daily. Stop in today!”

Watertown

Mullen’s Dairy Bar
212 W. Main Street
Watertown, WI 53092
info@mullensdairybar.com
920-390-4606

Sweet Talkin Treats
108 S. 3rd Street, Watertown, WI 53094
920-342-3969
This bakery has everyone in Watertown talking! Choose from fresh baked muffins, brownies,and  specialty bars such as Oreo Brownie, Key Lime Bars, Seven Layer. You’ll have a hard time making a decision on which cupcake flavor is your favorite when you can choose from flavors such as Boston Cream Pie, Lemon Drop, Raspberry white chocolate, Chocolate Peanut Butter
Cookie Sandwiches.

Visit Their Website

Fort Atkinson

Nomadic Candy and Cuisine
96 S. Main St.
Fort Atkinson, WI 53538
920-397-7505
Nomadic Candy and Cuisine offers a variety of internationally focused food, along with gourmet, handmade confections and baked goods. Visitors will have a hard time choosing from our truffles, cheesecakes, artisan cupcakes and international desserts such as baklava.

Milton

NorthLeaf Winery
232 S Janesville St, Milton, WI 53563
608-580-0575
What’s better than chocolate? We think enjoying your chocolate with wine is a splendid idea! NorthLeaf Winery is located in a beautifully restored 1850 building in Milton, WI. They make their own wine and delicious chocolates, including the Rock River Trail Turtle. They offer wine tastings, or you can choose to have a guided wine and chocolate pairing or wine and cheese pairing. Reservations are recommended and deliciousness guaranteed!

Janesville

Fannie Mae
Janesville Mall- 2500 Milton Avenue, Janesville, WI 53545
608-743-0848
Nothing says “I love you” like a box of Fannie Mae! The first Fannie May retail store was opened by H. Teller Archibald in 1920 Chicago.Throughout the years Fannie May has developed candies that often become the center of many family and holiday traditions. Beginning with only a handful of confections today Fannie May makes over 100 different confections and continues to develop new and innovative flavor profiles for our customers.

Beloit

Northwoods Premium
314 State St, Beloit, WI 53511
608-363-9000
Northwoods Premium is located in a historic building in Beloit’s bustling downtown, and once you’ve stepped inside you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back into time! You’ll ooh and ah over their handcrafted chocolates and many different flavors of popcorn, including the popular sweet and salty “Beloit Mix”. They also offer nostalgia candy from your youth and huge assortment of candy you can scoop yourself.

Flying Pig 
431 E Grand Ave, Beloit, WI 53511
608-312-2554
The Flying Pig is your one-stop shop to satisy any sweet tooth! It’s all about flavors at the Flying Pig…choose from many different flavors of fudge, popcorn, smoothies, shaved ice, bubble teas and more treats. You can pull up a chair and settle in to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and savor your treat.

Rockton

Sugar Britches
115 W. Main St. Rockton, IL 61072
815-957-0515
Located in the quaint, historic town of Rockton, Illinois, Sugar Briches will make you feel like a kid again! “Deep down, inside all of us, is a unquenchable yearning for candy. In years past, we had the benefit of the small town candy shop with the eccentric and entertaining shop owner that all the kids loved. Well…those days have returned. We are here to satisfy the kid in all of us with hand-made gourmet truffles, chocolates, caramels, and other goodies. We even have all your favorite packed candy. Want some jarred candy by the pound? No problem – come down and fill that bag to your hearts desire.”

The Dairy Haus
113 W. Main St. Rockton, IL 61072
815-624-6100
We offer a wide selection of tasty treats. Whether your palate yearns for our one-of-a-kind homemade ice cream in over sixty flavors, or a soft serve cone or flurry, we aim to satisfy your sweet tooth!
Located in historic downtown Rockton, the Dairyhäus was founded in 1983. Our “Greek Revival” style limestone building was built in 1846 and is one of Rockton’s oldest buildings. Come in and say hi to Annie, her son Brent, and the rest of the D-Häus crew! We’ll serve you up something tasty!

Rockford

Little Chocolatier
1262 S. Alpine Rd,Rockford, IL
815-395-1114
Also located in Sterling, IL
There’s just no substitute for the small batch, homemade tradition that creates unforgettable, mouthwatering deliciousness. An irresisrible combination of butter rich English caramel, fresh pecans, smothed in smooth creamy chocolate creates The Little Chocolatier’s Chocolate Pecan Dumplings. The Little Chocolatier is a favorite for those with discriminating tastes.

Fannie Mae
Two Locations:
Rockford Plaza Shopping Center, 2432 Charles St, Rockford, IL 61108
815-394-1871
and
Cherrvale Mall, 7200 Harrison Avenue, Rockford, IL 61112
815-332-9401

Nothing says “I love you” like a box of Fannie Mae! Fannie Mae has a long history in Illinois, with the first Fannie May retail store opened by H. Teller Archibald in 1920 in Chicago.Throughout the years Fannie May has developed candies that often become the center of many family and holiday traditions. Beginning with only a handful of confections today Fannie May makes over 100 different confections and continues to develop new and innovative flavor profiles for our customers.

Chocolat by Daniel
211 East State Street, Rockford, IL 61104
815-969-7990 located in Sterling, IL
Chocolat by Daniel is handcrafted for the pure pleasure of indulging in the world’s finest chocolate. All of our European-style truffles, gourmet chocolates, specialty chocolates and desserts are made fresh to order from the highest quality raw Belgian, French, Swiss and Venezuelan chocolate. Chocolat by Daniel contains no wax, preservatives, artificial flavors, corn syrup or added sugar and doesn’t have an “assembly line” appearance. It is elegantly boxed and delivered right to your doorstep.
Daniel Nelson is a certified graduate of the prestigious Ecole Chocolat Professional School of Chocolate Arts in Vancouver, British Columbia and Valrhona’s famous L’Ecole Du Grand Chocolat in France. Daniel’s chocolates are made by hand from the world’s finest ingredients. They have been enjoyed in the United States, Canada, Mexico, mainland China, Japan, Great Britain, Germany, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand.

Oregon

The Village Bakery
101 North 3rd Street, Oregon, IL 61061
815-732-3830

At the Village Bakery we create products that people love while “baking a difference” in the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities. Located in downtown Oregon, IL, we offer fresh baked goods coffee, frozen drinks and ice cream. At the Village Bakery adults with disabilities will work shoulder to shoulder with a professional staff, learning skills needed for employment. The goal is to gain a resume and a reference; giving potential future employers the assurance they need to hire with confidence. People with disabilities can have an active and meaningful role in today’s world of work – they just need a better way.

Sterling

Little Chocolatier
317 1st Ave, Sterling, IL 61081
815-626-2752

Also located in Rockford, IL
There’s just no substitute for the small batch, homemade tradition that creates unforgettable, mouthwatering delectability. An irresisrible combination of butter rich English caramel, fresh pecans, smothed in smooth creamy chocolate creates The Little Chocolatier’s Chocolate Pecan Dumplings. The Little Chocolatier is a favorite for those with discriminating tastes.

Aurelio’s Bake Shop & Coffee House
517 Locust St, Sterling, IL 61081
815-626-2253
A stop to Aurelio’s will certainly satisfy your sweet tooth! Aurelio Gallardo, the owner and resident cake artist, creates cakes and desserts that are so beautiful you’ll hesitate to eat them! But, we urge you to hesitate for just a moment to appreciate the artistry, then take a bite to truly appreciate all the deliciousness that a treat from Aurelio’s offers! Enjoy your dessert with a cup of coffee or tea in the coffe house.

Beans Coffee House and Music Cafe
121 E. 3rd St. Sterling, IL 61081
815-590-2752
Beans Coffee House in charming downtown Sterling, IL offer delicious dessert choices that are all fresh baked from scratch. Their delectable delights range from carrot cake to warm caramel apple pie. They also offer decadent cheesecakes like Caramel Pecan and ‘chocolate-gods’ Irish Cream brownies for your late night craving. They roast their own coffee beans, and roasting of fresh coffee beans fills the air each week to assure the best quality and freshness in their espresso blends and house coffees. They also offer teas, iced coffee drinks and smoothies. A delicious stop on the Rock River Chocolate Trail.

Candy Bouquet
2522 E Lincolnway, Ste E. Sterling, IL 61081
815-632-3577
The Candy Bouquet, located in the Northland Mall in Sterling, is a great place to pick up a delicious souvenir or gift from the Rock River Trail! They create beautiful baskets full of chocolate, fudge, hard candy and taffy.

Rock Falls

Folsom Bakery
319 1st Ave. Rock Falls, IL 61071
815-622-7870
Step into Folsoms and the unmistakable aroma of fresh baked goods will tell you that you’re in a place that know how to make delicious baked goods. Family owned & operated since 1942, their devotion to making the best baked goods in the area has launched them into the #1 spot in the Sterling-Rock Falls area!

Twin City Popcorn
204 2nd Avenue, Rock Falls, IL
815-535-0540
Pop in for a visit to Twin City Popcorn in downtown Rock Falls!  With 42 made fresh daily popcorn flavors, you’re sure to find a popcorn for you! Grab a treat, then head down the block to enjoy it along the Rock River front. Free samples offered!

Dixon

Baker Street
111 West First St. Dixon, IL 61021
815-285-2253
Baker Street is a cafe, coffee roaster and bakery located in historic downtown Dixon, IL. Their chocolate offerings include three signature specialties; 14 Layer Cinnamon Torte – 14 layers of delectable cinnamon with an exquisite chocolate filling piled with chocolate curls on top; Bavarian Cake – a chocolate cake made with a Bavarian fruit filling and finished with a chocolate drizzle; Chocolate Ganache filled and topped in rich chocolate. Enjoy your dessert with a cup of  their in-house roasted coffee and espressos or enjoy café mocha, hot chocolate or chocolate chia tea along with chocolate scones, muffins and tri-level brownies. Did someone say chocolate? Oh, my – you mustn’t miss this stop on the Rock River Chocolate Trail!

The Crystal Cork Wine Shop
219 West 1st Street, Dixon, IL 61021, USA
844-843-2675
The Crystal Cork has all the ingredients to send a chocolaholic into chocolate heaven! They are wine shop and bar that features over 130 wines, 45 different martinis (including Chocolate Martinis!) and hand-crafted Belgian Chocolate.
Their hand crafted candies are made from chocolate sourced from a Belgian chocolate maker that still selects, roasts and grinds its own cocoa beans. Their beans are roasted in their entire shell, yeilding a more intense, more complex and deeper cocoa flavor. Come visit the Crystal Cork to experience their exquisite chocolates and learn about how to pair their chocolates with wine.

Poppin’ On The Rock
78 S Hennepin Ave, Dixon, IL
815-288-1325
Looking for Alligators on the Rock River? Look no further than Dixon’s Poppin’ On The Rock – their signature treat is their Alligator Ice Slushes! Poppin’ on the Rock also makes fresh homemade caramel, cheese and classic popcorn daily in their specialty gourmet popcorn shop.  . Customers can enjoy their treats immediately, take some home to share, purchase gift tins or relax and enjoy their treat at Dixon’s new Riverfront Plaza located across the street along the Rock River.

Oregon

Conover Coffees & Chocolates Cafe
Conover Square Mall, 201 N 3rd Street, Ste 123, Oregon, IL 61061
815-732-7017
Conover Coffees & Chocolates claims “We’re here to satisfy your every chocolate fantasy!”. And, indeed they do, with over 70 different kinds of chocolate indulgences! They also also offer popcorn treats, and gourmet blends of coffees, teas & smoothies that you can enjoy with one of their tempting desserts. They also a full menu. They are located just steps from the Rock River, so be sure to enjoy the view!

Hoppers Poppers
108 N. 4th Street, Oregon, IL 61061
815-881-8335
You’ll find Hoppers Poppers in the heart of the quaint river town of Oregon, IL. They offer delicious fresh fudge, unique popcorn flavors and fun bulk candies. You’ll feel like a kid again in this quaint candy store!

Moline

Lagomarcino’s
1422 5th Ave, Moline, IL 61265
309-764-1814

2132 East 11th Street, Davenport, IA 52803
563-324-6137

The biggest challange about visiting Lagomarcino’s is undertaking the near impossible task of choosing from their wide selection of candies! Lagomarcino’s is not only known for fine homemade chocolates, they have also been called “The best old-fashioned ice cream parlor in the world.” They feature malts, ice cream sodas, egg cremes and ice cream sundaes. Try their famous hot fudge sundae, a bitter sweet fudge sauce served over home made ice cream. Enjoy all of this seated in one of our mahogany booths or seated at their authentic soda fountain, where you can watch your treats being prepared.

The Rock River Chocolate Trail Map