Ivesdale IllinoisATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Ivesdale, Illinois.
1. Bryant Cottage State Historic Site
HISTORIC POLITICAL MEETING PLACE
Bryant Cottage State Historic Site is a preserved 1856 home where Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas allegedly planned their famous debates. Visitors can tour the four-room cottage furnished with period items that create an authentic 19th-century atmosphere. The site offers a fascinating glimpse into Illinois political history and the everyday life of a frontier family.
2. Prairie Fire Glass
ARTISAN GLASSBLOWING STUDIO
Prairie Fire Glass is a working glass studio where visitors can watch skilled artisans create stunning blown glass pieces. The attached gallery showcases and sells a variety of colorful handcrafted items including vases, ornaments, and jewelry. Visitors often describe the mesmerizing experience of watching molten glass transform into beautiful works of art.
3. Sundrop Alpacas
FAMILY-FRIENDLY ALPACA FARM
Sundrop Alpacas offers visitors a chance to meet and learn about these gentle, curious animals in a farm setting. The farm provides educational tours where guests can feed and interact with alpacas while learning about fiber production. Visitors can also browse a selection of alpaca products including soft, hypoallergenic items made from the farm's own alpaca fiber.
4. Monticello Family Bowl
CLASSIC BOWLING ENTERTAINMENT
Monticello Family Bowl provides classic bowling entertainment for visitors of all ages in a welcoming atmosphere. The facility features well-maintained lanes, automatic scoring, and rental shoes to accommodate both casual bowlers and serious players. Families particularly enjoy the affordable prices and friendly staff that make for a fun outing regardless of bowling skill level.
5. Monticello Railway Museum
HISTORIC TRAIN EXPERIENCE
Monticello Railway Museum preserves and celebrates America's railroad heritage through displays of historic equipment and actual train rides. Visitors can board vintage passenger cars pulled by diesel locomotives for a scenic journey through the countryside on selected operating days. The museum's extensive collection includes steam and diesel locomotives, passenger cars, cabooses, and various railroad artifacts that tell the story of rail transportation's impact on American life.
6. Allerton Park & Retreat Center
SCENIC GARDENS AND ART
Allerton Park & Retreat Center offers 1,500 acres of formal gardens, woodlands, and prairies dotted with impressive outdoor sculpture and architectural elements. The former estate features miles of hiking trails, a Georgian-style mansion, and themed gardens including the famous Fu Dog Garden and Sunken Garden. Visitors can explore this unique blend of art and nature throughout the year as the landscape transforms with the seasons.
7. Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve
OUTDOOR RECREATION HUB
Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve encompasses a scenic 900-acre park featuring a lake, botanical garden, golf course, and numerous recreational facilities. Visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, hiking, cross-country skiing, and picnicking amid beautiful natural surroundings. The preserve also houses the Museum of the Grand Prairie and the early American Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden, making it a comprehensive destination for nature and history enthusiasts.
8. Museum of the Grand Prairie
REGIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM
Museum of the Grand Prairie showcases the cultural and natural history of east-central Illinois through engaging exhibits and educational programs. Visitors can explore recreated historical settings, artifact collections, and interactive displays that bring the region's past to life. The museum's programming includes special events, workshops, and seasonal activities that connect visitors with the area's prairie heritage and pioneer experience.
9. Riggs Beer Company
FAMILY-OWNED CRAFT BREWERY
Riggs Beer Company is a family-owned brewery producing German and American-style craft beers using locally grown grains. Visitors can enjoy the spacious taproom and beer garden while sampling a rotating selection of house-brewed beers. The brewery offers tours that explain their grain-to-glass approach and sustainable practices, including their use of solar power and farm-grown ingredients.
10. Hardy's Reindeer Ranch
SEASONAL FESTIVE ATTRACTION
Hardy's Reindeer Ranch offers visitors the unique opportunity to see and learn about a herd of authentic Alaskan reindeer in central Illinois. The ranch features seasonal attractions including a corn maze, Christmas tree farm, and special holiday events centered around the reindeer herd. Families particularly enjoy the Fall Festival activities and the chance to take photos with Santa and his reindeer during the Christmas season.
11. Krannert Art Museum
FINE ART COLLECTION
Krannert Art Museum houses the University of Illinois's diverse collection of fine art spanning ancient to contemporary works from various cultures. The museum's galleries showcase changing exhibitions alongside permanent collections that include European paintings, Asian art, ancient Mediterranean artifacts, and modern American art. Visitors appreciate the thoughtfully curated displays, educational programs, and the opportunity to experience world-class art in a central Illinois setting.
12. Japan House
TRADITIONAL JAPANESE CULTURE
Japan House offers visitors an authentic experience of traditional Japanese culture through its tea rooms, gardens, and cultural programming. The facility hosts traditional tea ceremonies, ikebana (flower arranging) demonstrations, and cultural workshops in a serene setting. Visitors can stroll through the beautiful Japanese gardens designed with elements that represent balance and harmony with nature.
13. Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch
APPLE PICKING FAMILY FUN
Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch is a family-friendly farm offering seasonal apple picking, pumpkin patches, and various agritourism activities. Visitors can enjoy the country store and bakery featuring fresh apple donuts, cider, and numerous apple products made on-site. The farm's additional attractions include a corn maze, petting zoo, playground, and wagon rides that make it a popular destination for families, especially during the fall harvest season.
14. Champaign County Historical Museum
LOCAL HERITAGE COLLECTION
Champaign County Historical Museum preserves and shares the rich heritage of the region through exhibits housed in the historic Cattle Bank building. Visitors can explore artifacts, photographs, and documents that tell the story of the area's development from settlement to modern times. The museum's collection highlights local innovations, notable residents, and the evolution of daily life in central Illinois communities.
15. Homer Lake Forest Preserve
NATURAL RECREATION AREA
Homer Lake Forest Preserve features a 80-acre lake surrounded by woodlands, prairies, and wetlands that provide habitat for diverse wildlife. Visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, hiking on well-maintained trails, and bird watching in this tranquil natural setting. The preserve's Interpretive Center offers educational exhibits about local ecosystems and hosts nature programs for all ages throughout the year.