TO THE SOUTH
Rockome Gardens
125 N. County Rd 425E, Arcola, IL 61910
1-217-268-4106
Acres of rock and floral gardens, attractions, shops, special activities, entertainment. Five miles west of I-57, Exit 203 at Arcola, IL. Open May until mid-October.
Illinois Amish Interpretive Center
111 S. Locust St., Arcola, IL 61910
1-888-45AMISH
The only Illinois exhibit explaining the history and beliefs of the Illinois Amish.
TO THE SOUTHWEST
Illinois Largest Amish Settlement
Arthur, IL 61911
1-800-72AMISH
The village of Arthur is the primary trading center for the Old Order Amish and horse-driven buggies are a common sight.
Lake Shelbyville
Shelbyville, IL 61951
217-728-4223
An 11,000 acre lake offering camping, swimming, boating (rentals available), nature trails, picnic facilities, golfing, fishing, and hunting.
TO THE SOUTHEAST
Walnut Point State Fish and Wildlife Area
Oakland, IL 61942
217-346-2341
A 571 acre nature preserve with two scenic tree-lined drives.
Walnut Point Lake
Oakland, IL 61942
217-346-2341
A 59 acre lake offering picnicking, hiking, fishing, camping, and limited hunting.
Rutherford Home Historical Complex
Oakland, IL 61942
217-346-2341
A completely furnished home, built in 1847 by the city's first physician, Dr. Hiram Rutherford. Also featuring the doctor's office, Old Railroad Depot, Community Meeting house, Mail Pouch Barn and old machinery.
Fox Ridge State Park
Rte 130, 8 miles south of Charleston, IL
217-345-7041
The 752 acre park is interlaced by steep, wooded ridges and broad, rich valleys with recreational areas for boating, fishing, hiking, camping, and hunting.
Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site
Lerna, IL
217-345-7041
The home of Abraham Lincoln's father and stepmother, Thomas and Sarah Bush Lincoln, the site includes the reconstructed Lincoln cabin and surrounding 1840's living history farm and picnic area.
TO THE NORTH
Allerton Park
Monticello, IL 61853
217-762-2721
A 1500 acre extensively landscaped and wooded park with a Georgian mansion and an extensive animal population, former home of Robert Allerton, now owned by the University of Illinois.
Monticello Railway Museum
Monticello, IL
1-800-952-3396
At the museum, tour the display cars and explore many vintage pieces of railroad equipment. Or, climb aboard one of the historic passenger coaches of cabooses for a 50-minute round trip thought the Piatt County countryside.
Lake of the Woods
Mahomet, IL 61853
217-586-3360
900 acres of rolling, lightly wooded hills with nature trails, wildlife, picnic/play areas and a 26 acre lake for swimming, fishing, and boating.
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
500 E. Peabody Dr.
Champaign, IL 61820
217-333-6280
Hosting renowned artists, the center features a vast complex of theaters, concert halls, and support facilities architecturally unified with a marble and teak lobby and spacious terraces outside.
Krannert Art Museum and Kinkead Pavilion
500 E. Peabody Dr.
Champaign, IL 61820
217-333-6280
The second largest art museum in Illinois features a collection of old masters, Oriental works, modern painting, photography and sculpture and houses traveling exhibit from some of the countries' top galleries.
The World Heritage Museum
48 Lincoln Hall
Urbana, IL 61801
217-333-2360
In operation since 1911, the museum highlights man's development from prehistoric times to present with over 25,000 items including collection of Prehistoric, Near Eastern, Ancient Greek and Roman artifacts, among a variety of others.
The Museum of Natural History
1301 W. Green
Urbana, IL 61801
217-333-2517
Opened in the 1870's, the museum houses the entire bird collection from the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, circa 1893, and also features rotating exhibits.
The William M. Staerkel Planetarium
Parkland Community College
Champaign, IL 61820
217-333-2517
The planetarium, the second largest in Illinois, uses a Zeiss Star Projector to project 5,000 visible stars on its 50-foot overhead dome and state of the art audio-visual equipment and special effects to help visitors learn about the stars.