Fairmount IllinoisATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Fairmount, Illinois.
1. Sleepy Creek Vineyards
LOCAL WINE TASTING EXPERIENCE
Sleepy Creek Vineyards is one of the top attractions in Fairmount, offering visitors a chance to sample locally produced wines in a charming rural setting. Visitors can enjoy wine tastings, explore the vineyard grounds, and participate in various events hosted throughout the year. The vineyard provides a relaxing atmosphere for both wine enthusiasts and casual visitors looking to experience local Illinois flavors.
2. Long Lane Honey Bee Farms
EDUCATIONAL BEEKEEPING EXPERIENCE
Long Lane Honey Bee Farms is a unique attraction in Fairmount where visitors can learn about beekeeping and honey production. The farm offers educational tours that demonstrate the importance of bees to agriculture and the environment. Visitors can purchase locally produced honey and bee-related products while gaining insight into the fascinating world of apiculture.
3. Ludwig Farmstead Creamery
ARTISANAL CHEESE PRODUCTION
Ludwig Farmstead Creamery is a short drive from Fairmount, offering visitors a glimpse into artisanal cheese production in east-central Illinois. The creamery produces handcrafted, small-batch cheeses using milk from their own dairy herd, ensuring quality and freshness. Visitors can tour the facilities, learn about the cheese-making process, and sample various cheese varieties produced on site.
4. Gateway Arch
ICONIC NATIONAL MONUMENT
The Gateway Arch stands as the tallest national monument in the United States at 192 meters high, serving as the iconic symbol of St. Louis. Visitors can take a tram ride to the top for spectacular views of the city and the Mississippi River. The surrounding Jefferson National Expansion Memorial includes a museum that details the history of westward expansion in America.
5. Old Courthouse St. Louis
HISTORIC LEGAL LANDMARK
The Old Courthouse is a representative building constructed in Greek Revival style between 1816 and 1864, originally serving as a federal and regional court. This historic landmark was the site of the famous Dred Scott case, one of the most pivotal legal proceedings in American history. The beautifully restored interior features museum exhibits that chronicle the building's significant role in American jurisprudence and civil rights history.
6. Forest Park
PREMIER URBAN GREEN SPACE
Forest Park encompasses 1,326 acres and is considered one of the premier urban public parks in the United States. The park features beautiful landscapes with forests, ecosystems, nature reserves, and lakes that provide a natural retreat within the city. Visitors can enjoy numerous recreational activities, cultural institutions like the Saint Louis Art Museum and Zoo, and scenic walking paths throughout this verdant oasis.
7. Eads Bridge
HISTORIC MISSISSIPPI CROSSING
The Eads Bridge is a combined railway and road bridge that connects St. Louis in Missouri with East St. Louis in Illinois across the mighty Mississippi River. When completed in 1874, it was the longest arch bridge in the world and represented a significant engineering achievement for its time. The bridge's distinctive steel arches and historic significance make it a popular attraction for architecture enthusiasts and photographers.
8. Cloud Gate (The Bean)
ICONIC REFLECTIVE SCULPTURE
Cloud Gate, commonly known as 'The Bean,' is a public sculpture by Indian-born British artist Anish Kapoor that serves as the centerpiece of Grainger Plaza at Millennium Park in Chicago. The massive, mirror-like stainless steel structure reflects the city skyline and visitors, creating a unique interactive experience that has become one of Chicago's most photographed attractions. Constructed between 2004 and 2006, this iconic sculpture draws millions of visitors annually who come to marvel at its distorted reflections and take the perfect Chicago selfie.
9. Toro Restaurant
VIBRANT LATIN CUISINE
Toro is a vibrant Latin restaurant from critically acclaimed Chef Richard Sandoval, known for seamlessly blending bold South American flavors with innovative culinary techniques. Located near the Fairmont Chicago, this dining establishment offers a sophisticated menu that celebrates the diverse culinary traditions of Latin America. Visitors can experience a feast for the senses with Toro's creative dishes, craft cocktails, and lively atmosphere.
10. Field Museum
WORLD-CLASS NATURAL HISTORY
The Field Museum, founded in 1893 for the World's Fair, offers over 300,000 square feet of exhibition space dedicated to natural history and anthropology. Visitors can marvel at Sue, the world's most complete T-Rex skeleton, explore ancient Egyptian tombs, and discover artifacts from cultures around the globe. The museum's extensive research collections and interactive exhibits provide educational experiences for visitors of all ages throughout the year.
11. Macy's on State Street
HISTORIC DEPARTMENT STORE
Macy's on State Street, the third largest department store in the world, is housed in a spectacular building on the National Historic Register. The store's most famous feature is its breathtaking Tiffany ceiling, a massive mosaic of iridescent glass that dazzles shoppers looking upward. Visitors can enjoy shopping across multiple floors while appreciating the architectural details that harken back to the golden age of retail when the building operated as the flagship Marshall Field's store.
12. Oak Street Beach
DOWNTOWN URBAN BEACH
Oak Street Beach is a top spot for sunbathing, swimming, and volleyball, conveniently located right in downtown Chicago. The beach offers stunning views of the city skyline, creating a unique juxtaposition of natural lakefront and urban architecture. Visitors can relax on the sandy shores of Lake Michigan, enjoy water activities during summer months, or stroll along the adjacent lakefront trail that connects to other Chicago beaches.
13. North Avenue Beach
POPULAR RECREATIONAL SHORELINE
North Avenue Beach is an iconic Chicago beach that's great for cycling, city views, and water sports along Lake Michigan. The beach features a unique ship-shaped beach house that contains concessions, restrooms, and equipment rentals for visitors to enhance their lakefront experience. During summer months, this popular beach buzzes with activity as locals and tourists alike gather to enjoy the sun, sand, and spectacular views of Chicago's skyline.
14. Buckingham Fountain
MAGNIFICENT WATER DISPLAY
Buckingham Fountain is one of Chicago's most iconic park landmarks, featuring an impressive display of water jets that shoot up to 150 feet into the air. Located in Grant Park, this monumental fountain was inspired by the Latona Fountain at the Palace of Versailles and operates from April to October with special light and music shows in the evening. Visitors gather around the fountain to take photos, enjoy the cooling mist on hot summer days, and witness one of the largest fountains in the world in action.
15. Goodman Theatre
PREMIER CHICAGO THEATER
The Goodman Theatre is Chicago's largest and oldest non-profit theater, featuring some of the city's best-known actors in a variety of productions year-round. Founded in 1925, this cultural institution has earned international recognition for its diverse programming that includes classic plays, world premieres, and innovative interpretations of contemporary works. Theatergoers can enjoy performances in either the 856-seat Albert Theatre or the more intimate 400-seat Owen Theatre, both offering excellent acoustics and sightlines for a memorable theatrical experience.