Jerome IllinoisATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Jerome, Illinois.
1. Jerome Memorial Park
LOCAL COMMUNITY RECREATION SPACE
Jerome Memorial Park offers residents and visitors a peaceful green space in the heart of Jerome. Visitors can enjoy various recreational facilities, including walking paths, playground equipment, and picnic areas. The park serves as a community gathering spot for local events and outdoor activities throughout the year.
2. Impulse Vape & Glass Shop
SPECIALTY RETAIL STORE
Impulse Vape & Glass Shop is a specialty retail store located in Jerome offering a variety of vaping products and glass accessories. The shop provides customers with a selection of products in a convenient location within the community. It has become a popular stop for enthusiasts looking for specialty items in the Jerome area.
3. Lauterbach Giant
ICONIC ROADSIDE ATTRACTION
The Lauterbach Giant is a towering roadside attraction near Jerome that has become a beloved local landmark. Standing tall along historic Route 66, this massive statue draws visitors looking to capture a unique photo opportunity. The giant represents the classic Americana roadside culture that once dominated the Mother Road.
4. Amazing Xscapes
INTERACTIVE ESCAPE ROOMS
Amazing Xscapes offers thrilling escape room experiences near Jerome where teams work together to solve puzzles and mysteries. Visitors can choose from various themed rooms, each presenting unique challenges and storylines to unravel within a time limit. This interactive entertainment venue provides a perfect activity for friends, families, and corporate groups looking for a memorable outing.
5. It's All About Wine
LOCAL WINE TASTING
It's All About Wine is a charming wine shop and tasting room located near Jerome offering a diverse selection of wines from around the world. Visitors can enjoy wine tastings, attend educational events, and purchase bottles from their extensive collection. The shop creates a welcoming atmosphere for both wine connoisseurs and newcomers looking to expand their palate.
6. Bill Shea's Gas Station Museum
ROUTE 66 HISTORIC SITE
Bill Shea's Gas Station Museum showcases a converted Texaco and Marathon station that has been transformed into a fascinating museum preserving Route 66 history. Visitors can explore vintage gas pumps, automotive memorabilia, and artifacts that tell the story of America's most famous highway. The museum offers a nostalgic glimpse into the golden age of road travel and has become an important stop for Route 66 enthusiasts.
7. Old State Capitol
HISTORIC GOVERNMENT BUILDING
The Old State Capitol is Illinois' fifth state capitol building, now preserved as a museum and historic site near Jerome. Erected between 1837-1840, this Greek Revival structure served as the state legislature during Abraham Lincoln's influential political career in Springfield. Visitors can tour the restored rooms where Lincoln delivered his famous 'House Divided' speech and where he lay in state following his assassination.
8. Illinois State Capitol
MAJESTIC GOVERNMENT BUILDING
The Illinois State Capitol is an impressive 81.70-meter-wide structure built between 1868 and 1888 at a cost of $4,500,000. Its distinctive cruciform floor plan and magnificent dome make it one of the most architecturally significant state capitols in America. Visitors can tour the building to admire its ornate interior, view the legislative chambers, and learn about Illinois government and history.
9. Lake Springfield Pedestrian Bridge
SCENIC WALKING BRIDGE
The Lake Springfield Pedestrian Bridge offers a peaceful crossing dedicated exclusively to walking and biking, running parallel to the Iron Bridge. This scenic structure provides visitors with spectacular views of Lake Springfield and access to trails on both shores. The bridge has become a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts, photographers, and those seeking a tranquil escape near Jerome.
10. Lincoln Memorial Garden
NATURAL WOODLAND SANCTUARY
Lincoln Memorial Garden is a beautiful nature center featuring native Illinois plants and trees, designed by landscape architect Jens Jensen. Visitors can explore miles of woodland trails that wind through 100 acres of restored prairie, woodland, and wetland ecosystems. The garden hosts seasonal events like the Spring Saunter and serves as a living memorial to Abraham Lincoln with inspirational quotes from his speeches placed throughout the grounds.
11. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY CENTER
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum stands as one of the most technologically advanced and visitor-friendly presidential museums in the United States. Through immersive exhibits, historic artifacts, and interactive displays, the museum chronicles Lincoln's life from his humble beginnings to his presidency and tragic assassination. Visitors can experience historically accurate recreations of key moments in Lincoln's life, including his childhood home, the White House, and Ford's Theatre.
12. Fulgenzi's Pizza & Pasta
CLASSIC ITALIAN DINING
Fulgenzi's Pizza & Pasta offers delicious Italian cuisine in a family-friendly atmosphere near Jerome. The restaurant serves hand-crafted pizzas, pasta dishes, and other Italian favorites made with traditional recipes. Located alongside Bill Shea's Gas Station Museum, it provides a perfect dining option for tourists exploring the historic Route 66 attractions in the area.
13. Lake Springfield
RECREATIONAL WATER DESTINATION
Lake Springfield is a 4,200-acre reservoir offering numerous recreational opportunities including boating, fishing, and picnicking. The lake's 57 miles of shoreline feature parks, beaches, and nature areas that attract outdoor enthusiasts throughout the year. As the largest municipally owned lake in Illinois, it serves both as a scenic natural attraction and as an important source of cooling water for the city's power plant.
14. Washington Park
HISTORIC URBAN GREENSPACE
Washington Park is a beautiful 150-acre urban park near Jerome featuring botanical gardens, walking paths, and recreational amenities. The park's centerpiece is the stunning Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon, one of the world's largest carillons with 67 bells that provide regular concerts throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy the rose garden, fishing lagoon, and numerous community events held in this historic greenspace established in 1901.
15. Lincoln Home National Historic Site
PRESIDENTIAL FAMILY RESIDENCE
The Lincoln Home National Historic Site preserves the only home Abraham Lincoln ever owned, where he lived with his family from 1844 until departing for the White House in 1861. The restored Greek Revival house offers guided tours through rooms furnished with period pieces and some original Lincoln family possessions. The surrounding four-block historic district features additional restored buildings that help visitors understand life in mid-19th century Springfield when Lincoln practiced law and entered politics.