Eagarville IllinoisATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Eagarville, Illinois.
1. Soulsby Service Station
HISTORIC ROUTE 66 LANDMARK
Soulsby Service Station is a well-preserved vintage gas station along the historic Route 66, offering visitors a glimpse into America's automotive past. Restored to its former glory, this charming station features original pumps, signage, and memorabilia that transport travelers back to the golden age of highway travel. Visitors can explore this nostalgic piece of Americana and learn about the important role these family-run service stations played during Route 66's heyday.
2. Macoupin Art Collective
CREATIVE COMMUNITY HUB
Macoupin Art Collective serves as a vibrant artistic center in Macoupin County, offering workshops, classes, and exhibitions for artists of all ages and skill levels. The collective provides a nurturing environment where creativity flourishes through various mediums including painting, sculpture, pottery, and mixed media. Visitors can appreciate local artwork, participate in hands-on activities, or sign up for instructional sessions led by experienced artists.
3. Henry's Rabbit Ranch
QUIRKY ROUTE 66 STOP
Henry's Rabbit Ranch combines two passions: Volkswagen Rabbits and actual rabbits, creating one of Route 66's most unique attractions. This eclectic roadside stop features vintage VW Rabbits partially buried in the ground (mimicking Cadillac Ranch), alongside a sanctuary for real rabbits that visitors can meet and pet. Inside the ranch's gift shop, travelers can browse Route 66 memorabilia, learn about the Mother Road's history, and enjoy the owner's engaging storytelling.
4. Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center
MOTHER ROAD HERITAGE
The Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center celebrates the rich history of both the iconic highway and the local community through engaging exhibits and artifacts. Visitors can explore displays featuring vintage photographs, road signs, maps, and memorabilia that document the significance of Route 66 in American culture and transportation history. The welcoming staff provides travelers with informative resources about local attractions and helps preserve the nostalgic spirit of the Mother Road.
5. Savoy 16 + IMAX with Laser
PREMIUM CINEMA EXPERIENCE
Savoy 16 + IMAX with Laser offers moviegoers a state-of-the-art cinematic experience with its advanced projection technology and premium seating options. The theater features an impressive IMAX screen that delivers crystal-clear images and immersive sound, making blockbuster films come alive in spectacular fashion. Visitors can enjoy the latest releases while indulging in traditional concessions and comfortable accommodations that elevate the standard movie-watching experience.
6. AMC Champaign 13
MODERN MULTIPLEX THEATER
AMC Champaign 13 provides entertainment enthusiasts with a contemporary movie-watching venue featuring multiple screens and comfortable stadium seating. The theater offers the latest Hollywood releases alongside independent films, creating a diverse cinematic selection for all tastes. Visitors can enhance their experience with an array of concession options, from traditional popcorn and candy to more substantial meal choices and beverage selections.
7. Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch
FAMILY-FRIENDLY APPLE FARM
Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch welcomes families to a delightful agricultural experience where apple picking, pumpkin hunting, and seasonal activities create lasting memories. This charming farm features sprawling orchards with numerous apple varieties, a navigable corn maze, and tractor rides that showcase the beauty of Illinois farmland. Visitors can also enjoy the country store and bakery offering fresh apple donuts, cider, and various homemade treats that capture the essence of autumn.
8. Garden of the Gods
DRAMATIC ROCK FORMATIONS
Garden of the Gods showcases a breathtaking collection of ancient sandstone formations that have been sculpted by wind and water over millions of years. Visitors can explore the 1/4-mile Observation Trail featuring unique rock structures with descriptive names like Camel Rock, Mushroom Rock, and Devil's Smokestack that fire the imagination. The expansive views of the surrounding Shawnee National Forest from these towering bluffs provide unmatched photo opportunities and a profound connection to Illinois' geological history.
9. Pere Marquette State Park
RIVERSIDE NATURAL PARADISE
Pere Marquette State Park, Illinois' largest state park, offers 8,000 acres of natural splendor where the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers converge. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore over 12 miles of hiking trails that wind through wooded ravines, alongside limestone bluffs, and up to scenic overlooks providing spectacular river views. The park features numerous recreational opportunities including horseback riding, fishing, boating, and winter eagle watching, making it a year-round destination for nature lovers.
10. Starved Rock State Park
MAJESTIC CANYONS AND WATERFALLS
Starved Rock State Park enchants visitors with its dramatic landscape of 18 scenic canyons carved into sandstone bluffs along the Illinois River. Hikers can traverse more than 13 miles of well-marked trails that lead to stunning waterfalls, moss-covered walls, and fascinating rock formations that change with the seasons. The park's rich Native American history, diverse wildlife, and seasonal activities like eagle watching and ice climbing have made it Illinois' most popular state park and a must-visit natural wonder.
11. The Morton Arboretum
LIVING TREE MUSEUM
The Morton Arboretum spans 1,700 acres of meticulously curated tree collections, natural woodlands, prairies, and lakes that serve as both a public garden and a scientific research center. Visitors can explore more than 16 miles of hiking trails, nine miles of paved roads for biking, and themed gardens that showcase diverse tree species from around the world in stunning seasonal displays. The arboretum offers educational programs, art installations, and special events throughout the year, including the winter illumination show that transforms the landscape into a magical light experience.
12. Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
ANCIENT NATIVE AMERICAN CITY
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site preserves the remnants of the largest pre-Columbian Native American city north of Mexico, once home to 20,000 people at its peak around 1200 CE. Visitors can climb the massive 100-foot Monks Mound, the largest prehistoric earthwork in the Americas, which served as the central structure of this sophisticated urban center. The interpretive center features exhibits explaining the sophisticated culture, engineering achievements, and daily life of the Mississippian people who created this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
13. Lincoln Home National Historic Site
PRESIDENTIAL HERITAGE EXPERIENCE
Lincoln Home National Historic Site preserves the only home Abraham Lincoln ever owned, a modest two-story house where he lived with his family for 17 years before becoming President. Visitors can take guided tours through the meticulously restored rooms filled with period furnishings, some original to the Lincolns, and gain insight into the everyday life of America's 16th president. The surrounding four-block historic neighborhood features exhibits and restored buildings that recreate the atmosphere of 1860s Springfield, providing context for Lincoln's formative years before the presidency.
14. Anderson Japanese Gardens
TRANQUIL ASIAN-INSPIRED LANDSCAPE
Anderson Japanese Gardens offers a serene 12-acre landscape designed in the authentic Japanese tradition, featuring winding pathways, koi-filled ponds, cascading waterfalls, and meticulously pruned trees. Visitors can experience the changing beauty of each season while exploring traditional elements like tea houses, bridges, stone lanterns, and carefully placed rocks that create a peaceful atmosphere for contemplation. The garden hosts cultural events, educational programs, and therapeutic activities that embrace the Japanese concepts of harmony with nature and mindful appreciation of beauty.
15. Shawnee National Forest
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS WILDERNESS
Shawnee National Forest encompasses 280,000 acres of diverse landscape in southern Illinois, where rolling hills, rugged bluffs, and lush forests create a stunning natural retreat. Outdoor adventurers can explore over 400 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking, alongside unique geological features like the Garden of the Gods, Little Grand Canyon, and Jackson Falls. The forest's numerous recreational areas offer camping, fishing, hunting, and water activities across multiple lakes and rivers, making it a year-round destination for nature enthusiasts seeking to experience Illinois' most extensive wilderness.