Kansas IllinoisATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Kansas, Illinois.
1. Walnut Point State Park
SCENIC OUTDOOR RECREATION AREA
Walnut Point State Park offers visitors a beautiful natural retreat with hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and camping facilities. The park features serene wooded areas and a lake that's perfect for a day of outdoor activities. Visitors can enjoy picnicking, wildlife watching, and seasonal recreational opportunities in this tranquil Illinois setting.
2. Castle Finn Vineyard & Winery
LOCAL WINE TASTING EXPERIENCE
Castle Finn Vineyard & Winery welcomes visitors to sample locally produced wines in a charming rural setting. The winery features a tasting room where guests can enjoy various wine varieties produced from locally grown grapes. Visitors can relax on the grounds, learn about the winemaking process, and purchase bottles of their favorite selections to take home.
3. Charleston Alley Theater
INTIMATE LOCAL PERFORMANCE VENUE
Charleston Alley Theater (CAT) offers an intimate performance venue showcasing local theatrical productions throughout the year. The theater provides a unique cultural experience with its diverse selection of plays, musicals, and special performances. Visitors appreciate the charming atmosphere and the talented local actors who bring stories to life on this small but vibrant stage.
4. Giant Things in Casey
WORLD RECORD ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS
The Giant Things in Casey features over 30 enormous objects, including 13 world record holders like the world's largest rocking chair, wind chimes, and mailbox. Walking down Main Street, visitors feel like they've stepped into a fantasy world where everyday items have been supersized to incredible proportions. Just a couple miles off the interstate, this unique attraction makes for a perfect road trip stop with photo opportunities at every turn.
5. Cahokia Mounds Historic Site
ANCIENT NATIVE AMERICAN CITY
Cahokia Mounds Historic Site preserves the remnants of a pre-Columbian Native American city that once thrived along the Mississippi River floodplain. Visitors can explore the massive earthen mounds, including Monks Mound, the largest prehistoric earthen construction in the Americas. The site's interpretive center offers fascinating exhibits about the sophisticated Mississippian culture that flourished here between 1050 and 1350 CE.
6. Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site
PRESIDENTIAL FAMILY HERITAGE SITE
Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site preserves the 1840s home of Thomas and Sarah Bush Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln's father and stepmother. The site features historically accurate reconstructions of the Lincoln family's farmstead with period-appropriate buildings, furnishings, and interpretive displays. Visitors can experience 19th-century rural Illinois life through living history demonstrations, special events, and guided tours of this significant presidential family heritage site.
7. Fox Ridge State Park
HIKING AND OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
Fox Ridge State Park offers outdoor enthusiasts over 2,000 acres of wooded ridges, valleys, and the Embarras River to explore through an extensive trail system. The park features excellent fishing opportunities, camping facilities, picnic areas, and stunning scenic overlooks throughout its diverse terrain. Visitors can observe abundant wildlife, enjoy seasonal recreational activities, and experience the natural beauty of east-central Illinois in this well-maintained state park.
8. Douglas-Hart Nature Center
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION
The Douglas-Hart Nature Center provides a 70-acre nature preserve with prairie, woodland and wetland habitats connected by well-maintained walking trails. The center features an educational building with interactive displays, live animals, and resources about local ecology and conservation efforts. Visitors can participate in regular programming, guided walks, and seasonal events designed to foster appreciation for the natural environment of east-central Illinois.
9. Lake Mattoon
RECREATIONAL BOATING AND FISHING
Lake Mattoon offers 1,050 acres of recreational water activities including fishing, boating, and swimming in a scenic rural setting. The lake is known for its populations of largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish that attract anglers throughout the fishing season. Visitors can enjoy the surrounding facilities including boat ramps, picnic areas, and seasonal camping opportunities at this popular local destination.
10. Eastern Illinois University
HISTORIC CAMPUS AND CULTURE
Eastern Illinois University campus features beautiful grounds, historic architecture, and cultural attractions open to the public. Visitors can explore the Tarble Arts Center with its changing exhibitions of contemporary art and permanent collection of Illinois folk arts. The campus also hosts performing arts events, lectures, and seasonal festivals that welcome community participation throughout the academic year.
11. Lincoln Prairie Grass Trail
RURAL RAIL-TO-TRAIL PATH
The Lincoln Prairie Grass Trail offers a 14-mile paved pathway connecting Charleston and Mattoon through picturesque rural landscapes. The rail-to-trail conversion provides a safe route for walking, jogging, cycling, and in-line skating through prairie, farmland, and wooded areas. Visitors appreciate the well-maintained surface, interpretive signage, and opportunities to observe local wildlife and seasonal wildflowers along this scenic recreation trail.
12. Peterson Park
COMMUNITY RECREATION AND GARDENS
Peterson Park serves as Mattoon's premier community park with beautiful gardens, recreational facilities, and special event spaces. The park features a stunning rose garden, seasonal flower displays, playground equipment, and picnic pavilions for visitors to enjoy. Throughout the year, the park hosts community festivals, concerts, holiday light displays, and other special events that showcase local culture and traditions.
13. Coles County Historical Society
LOCAL HISTORY AND HERITAGE
The Coles County Historical Society preserves and presents the rich history of the region through exhibits, archives, and educational programming. Visitors can explore collections of artifacts, photographs, and documents that tell the story of the area's settlement, development, and notable historical events. The society offers regular presentations, walking tours, and special events that connect people with the diverse cultural heritage of east-central Illinois.
14. Mattoon Amtrak Station
HISTORIC RAILWAY TRANSPORTATION HUB
The Mattoon Amtrak Station represents a historic transportation hub housed in a beautifully preserved Illinois Central Railroad depot. The station serves as an active Amtrak stop on the City of New Orleans and Illini/Saluki routes connecting Chicago to New Orleans and Carbondale. Visitors can admire the architectural details of this historic building while experiencing an authentic piece of American railway heritage.
15. Lincoln Douglas Debate Museum
HISTORIC POLITICAL LANDMARK
The Lincoln Douglas Debate Museum commemorates the historic 1858 debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas held in Charleston during their Senate campaign. The museum features exhibits with audio-visual presentations, historical artifacts, and interpretive displays explaining the significance of this pivotal political event. Visitors gain insight into the critical issues of pre-Civil War America and the rhetorical styles of these two influential American statesmen.