Curran IllinoisATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Curran, Illinois.
1. Edwards Place Historic Home
HISTORIC PRESERVATION SITE
Edwards Place Historic Home offers visitors a glimpse into 19th century upper-class living in Springfield. The beautifully preserved Italianate mansion features original furnishings and artifacts that once belonged to Abraham Lincoln's contemporaries. Visitors can explore the home through guided tours that highlight the architectural details and historical significance of this cultural landmark.
2. Railsplitter State Park
NATURAL RECREATION AREA
Railsplitter State Park provides a serene natural escape with scenic hiking trails and picnic areas along Salt Creek. The park offers various recreational activities including fishing, boating, and camping facilities for outdoor enthusiasts. Nature lovers can enjoy observing local wildlife and seasonal flora throughout the park's diverse ecosystem.
3. Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park
HISTORICAL MEMORIAL SITE
Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park marks the site of Abraham Lincoln's first Illinois home. The memorial park features interpretive displays that chronicle the Lincoln family's life along the Sangamon River in 1830. Visitors can enjoy both the historical significance and natural beauty of this peaceful riverside setting that influenced young Lincoln's early years.
4. Art Institute of Chicago
WORLD-CLASS ART MUSEUM
The Art Institute of Chicago houses a vast collection spanning centuries, including an extensive Monet gallery and renowned Van Gogh works. Visitors can marvel at the meticulously crafted Thorne Miniature Rooms that showcase interior design across different periods and regions. The museum's modern wing and serene gardens complement the classical collections, creating a comprehensive art experience in the heart of Chicago.
5. Millennium Park
URBAN CULTURAL OASIS
Millennium Park serves as Chicago's premier public space featuring the iconic Cloud Gate sculpture (known as 'The Bean') that reflects the city's skyline. The park's Crown Fountain and Lurie Garden provide interactive water features and lush landscapes for visitors to enjoy throughout the year. During winter, the park transforms with a seasonal ice skating rink while summer brings free concerts and cultural events to its Jay Pritzker Pavilion.
6. Museum of Science and Industry
INTERACTIVE SCIENCE EXHIBITS
The Museum of Science and Industry engages visitors with hands-on exhibits including a renowned German U-Boat tour and comprehensive displays on the human body. Climate change education and the immersive Dark Universe movie provide scientific insights on pressing contemporary issues. This family-friendly destination offers engaging activities for all ages through its innovative approach to scientific discovery and technological advancement.
7. Willis Tower Skydeck
BREATHTAKING CITY VIEWS
Willis Tower Skydeck offers visitors a thrilling experience 103 floors above Chicago with its glass-floored ledges extending four feet outside the building. The observation deck provides panoramic views reaching across four states on clear days, making it one of the city's most popular attractions. Interactive displays and historical exhibits detail the architectural significance of this iconic skyscraper formerly known as Sears Tower.
8. Wrigley Field
ICONIC BASEBALL STADIUM
Wrigley Field stands as one of America's most beloved ballparks, blending classic architecture with modern amenities while preserving its intimate atmosphere and rich baseball heritage. The historic stadium, home to the Chicago Cubs since 1916, features the famous ivy-covered outfield walls and manually operated scoreboard that transport visitors to baseball's golden era. Behind-the-scenes tours allow fans to access areas typically reserved for players and press, including the dugout and press box.
9. 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck
THRILLING SKYSCRAPER EXPERIENCE
360 CHICAGO Observation Deck provides breathtaking 360-degree views of Chicago's skyline, Lake Michigan, and beyond from the 94th floor of the historic John Hancock Building. The attraction's TILT experience offers daring visitors a unique thrill as they're tilted outward in enclosed glass boxes 1,000 feet above the Magnificent Mile. Visitors can also enjoy unique yoga sessions with a view or capture perfect skyline photos at the dedicated photo station.
10. Cloud Gate
ICONIC REFLECTIVE SCULPTURE
Cloud Gate, affectionately known as 'The Bean,' is Millennium Park's centerpiece sculpture that has become one of Chicago's most photographed attractions. The massive stainless steel structure, designed by artist Anish Kapoor, creates fascinating reflections of visitors and the surrounding skyline through its seamless mirrored surface. Tourists and locals alike enjoy interacting with the sculpture by walking underneath its 12-foot arch and capturing unique perspectives of themselves merged with the city landscape.
11. Field Museum
PREHISTORIC NATURAL WONDERS
The Field Museum houses one of the world's most impressive dinosaur collections, anchored by SUE, the most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton ever discovered. Interactive educational exhibits transport visitors through time with displays on ancient cultures from Egypt to the Americas and extinct species that once roamed the Earth. The museum's scientific research facilities continue to make new discoveries while its public exhibitions make complex natural history accessible to visitors of all ages.
12. Lincoln Park Zoo
URBAN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Lincoln Park Zoo offers free admission to visitors who can observe a diverse collection of animals including majestic big cats and polar bears in naturalistic habitats. The zoological garden transforms during winter into a magical holiday destination with its annual ZooLights tradition featuring millions of colorful lights and seasonal displays. Beautiful gardens, a scenic boardwalk, and educational programs enhance the experience at this historic institution established in 1868.
13. Chicago Riverwalk
SCENIC URBAN WATERFRONT
Chicago Riverwalk offers a pedestrian-friendly path along the Chicago River with stunning views of the city's architectural wonders and lush riverside landscaping. Visitors can enjoy waterfront dining options, public art installations, and retail spaces while strolling along this urban oasis. Adventure seekers can experience the city from a different perspective by taking architectural boat tours or renting kayaks to paddle through the heart of downtown Chicago.
14. Abe Lincoln Rail Splitter Statue
HISTORIC PRESIDENTIAL MONUMENT
The Abe Lincoln Rail Splitter Statue depicts the 16th president in his younger years, showcasing his humble beginnings as a rail splitter before his political career. This bronze monument captures Lincoln's physical strength and determined spirit that would later define his presidency during America's most challenging period. Visitors to Springfield often make this statue a key stop on their tour of Lincoln-related historic sites throughout the city.
15. 1908 Race Riot Walking Tour
CIVIL RIGHTS HISTORICAL TOUR
The 1908 Race Riot Walking Tour guides visitors through the sites of the tragic 1908 Springfield Race Riot that became a catalyst for the formation of the NAACP. The self-guided tour includes informational markers at significant locations throughout downtown Springfield where the violent events unfolded. This educational experience provides important historical context about racial tensions in Abraham Lincoln's hometown and the ongoing struggle for civil rights in America.