In this 60-acre family fun park, let the kids loose in the sprayground or dare to try the Royal Flush waterslide. Also test your skills on the 30-tee driving range or two miniature golf courses. The water park is open Memorial Day–Labor Day; the dry park is open Mar.–Oct. X $
Red Hills State Park, Sumner
I-55, exit 88, (217) 483-3625, lakespringfieldmarina.com Full-service marina with slip rental by day, week, month and season with certified mechanics on duty. Cruise or fish on beautiful Lake Springfield on your rental pontoon boat, personal watercraft or canoe, kayak or paddleboat. Have a family or company outing on the 35-ft. Party Barge. X $
1505 N. Broadway, (217) 384-4062, urbanaparks.org Uncover the natural history of Illinois, its landscape, native animals, plants and ecosystems. Interactive displays, including a working F ree beehive and live animals, showcase the diversity of the area. X
Lake Springfield Marina, Springfield
Lincoln Memorial Garden and Nature Center, Springfield
2301 E. Lake Dr., (217) 529-1111, lmgnc.org Stroll the shores of Lake Springfield, where this living memorial to Abraham Lincoln grows plants native to Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky. Landscape architect Jens Jensen designed it in the 1930s in the Prairie School style. F ree
Southwind Park, Springfield
2500 S. 11th St., (217) 544-1751, southwindpark.org With special attention to individuals with cognitive and physical needs, this state-of-the-art park is both peaceful and accessible. Check out the treeless treehouse for a towering view of the park. F ree
Washington Park Botanical Garden, Springfield
Washington Park, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., (217) 753-6228, springfieldparks.org A domed conservatory filled with lush tropical foliage is complemented each season by floral displays from orchids to poinsettias. Walk through the formal rose gardens, as well as Donation perennial, shade and butterfly gardens in season. X
Hidden Springs State Forest, Strasburg
RR 1, (217) 644-3091, dnr.illinois.gov Discover the hidden springs at this state forest, which also has 1,200 acres of hiking trails, picnic areas and fishing. Free
Beer Nuts®, Inc., Bloomington
3571 Ranger Lane, (618) 936-2469, dnr.illinois.gov This 950-acre state park offers hiking and biking trails, fishing, horseback riding, boating and a restaurant. F ree
Anita Purves Nature Center, Urbana
The Arboretum at the University of Illinois, Urbana
Lincoln and Florida avenues, (217) 333-7579, arboretum.illinois.edu The three-acre sunken Miles C. Hartley Selections Garden showcases perennial and annual plants. Other highlights include the welcome garden, the idea garden, and the Japanese tea and dry gardens. X F ree
Wolf Creek State Park, Windsor
Bunyon’s Statue, Atlanta
Rte. 66, atlantaillinois.org Get your picture taken with the well-known Route 66 icon that oversees the historic highway and its passengers. Bunyon has been relocated to downtown Atlanta, next to the Route 66 Park. F ree
Route 66 Murals, Atlanta
Rte. 66, atlantaillinois.org Don’t miss out on these great photo opportunities depicting scenes from historic Route 66. F ree
Effingham
Convergence of Purpose, Bloomington
600 N. East St., (309) 827-0428, mchistory.org This life-size statuary group features Lincoln and his close friends and advisors, Jesse Fell and Judge David Davis. The work was commissioned as part of the county’s observance of the 200th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth. X Free
Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington
RR 1, (217) 459-2831, dnr.illinois.gov This 2,000-acre park offers fishing, swimming, picnicking and trails for hiking and horseback riding. The park sits on Lake Shelbyville and has a cabin for rent. X Free
Sightseeing/ Entertainment
103 N. Robinson St. and Eastland Mall, 1615 E. Empire St., (800) BEERNUTS, (309) 827-8585, (309) 662-1919, beernuts.com Welcome to the world home of Beer Nuts®, which originated in the 1930s as Virginia Redskins peanuts. Watch a video to see how they are made. F ree
1312 Park St., (309) 556-1000, iwu.edu One of the top liberal arts colleges in the nation. Stop by Stevenson Free Hall, built in 1910, for a taste of the campus’ rich history. X
U.S. Cellular Coliseum, Bloomington
101 S. Madison St., (309) 434-2843, uscellularcoliseum.com Here’s a great way for the entire family to enjoy a fun night out. Events include concerts, family shows, staged theatrical productions, Bloomington Extreme indoor football games, Bloomington Prairie Thunder hockey matches and much more. X $
Standard Additions (Sears Homes), Carlinville
112 N. Side Sq., (217) 854-2141, carlinvillechamber.com Visit the largest collection of Sears mail-order homes in the U.S. This neighborhood of 152 homes, built in 1918, attracts architects from all over the world. F ree
Assembly Hall, Champaign
1800 S. 1st St., (217) 333-5000, uofiassemblyhall.com Opened in 1963, this is one of the two largest edge-supported domes in the world. The 16,500-seat hall offers Broadway musicals, concerts, Fighting Illini men’s and women’s basketball, and Illinois High School Association wrestling championships. X $
Right off the beaten path
Get in from the cold and warm up in Effingham. Whether it is a romantic dinner for two at the Firefly Grill, an up-close look at America’s sports car at the Corvette Museum or a show at the Effingham Performance Center, Effingham has something for everyone. Visit us at www.VisitEffinghamIL.com.
enjoyillinois.com
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Cross at the Crossroads stands 19 stories tall, welcoming approaching travelers.
illinois. mile after magnificent mile. 119
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