Old Ripley IllinoisATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Old Ripley, Illinois.
1. Copper Dock Winery
LOCAL WINE TASTING EXPERIENCE
Copper Dock Winery offers visitors a charming vineyard experience near Old Ripley with local wine tastings and scenic views of the countryside. Guests can enjoy sampling various Illinois wines while relaxing on the property's spacious deck overlooking a tranquil lake. The winery frequently hosts special events including live music performances, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists seeking a relaxing afternoon.
2. Greenville Country Club
GOLF AND RECREATION
Greenville Country Club features a well-maintained golf course that attracts players from Old Ripley and surrounding communities. The club offers challenging fairways and greens suitable for golfers of various skill levels, along with club facilities for relaxation after a round. Visitors appreciate the friendly atmosphere and the beautiful landscape that provides a perfect backdrop for a day of outdoor recreation.
3. American Farm Heritage Museum
AGRICULTURAL HISTORY SHOWCASE
The American Farm Heritage Museum preserves the agricultural history of the region with an impressive collection of antique farm equipment, tools, and memorabilia. Visitors can explore multiple buildings housing exhibits that demonstrate farming techniques and rural life from the past two centuries. The museum regularly hosts special events including tractor shows and demonstrations that bring the area's rich farming heritage to life.
4. Carlyle Lake
OUTDOOR RECREATION PARADISE
Carlyle Lake is Illinois' largest man-made lake offering 26,000 acres of water-based recreation opportunities within driving distance of Old Ripley. Visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, and camping along its extensive shoreline and surrounding recreation areas. The lake is also known for excellent bird watching, particularly during migration seasons when bald eagles and other waterfowl populate the area.
5. 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, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can explore the impressive earthen mounds including Monks Mound, the largest prehistoric earthwork in the Americas, standing 100 feet tall with a 14-acre base. The interpretive center features exhibits explaining the sophisticated Mississippian culture that flourished here from approximately 1050 to 1350 CE, making it a must-visit historical attraction within driving distance of Old Ripley.
6. DeMoulin Museum
UNIQUE FRATERNAL HISTORY
The DeMoulin Museum showcases the fascinating history of DeMoulin Bros. & Co., once the world's largest manufacturer of fraternal lodge paraphernalia and initiation devices. Visitors can view an eclectic collection of fraternal initiation devices, band uniforms, and odd novelties produced by this unique company since the 1890s. The museum offers guided tours that provide entertaining stories about these unusual artifacts and their place in American fraternal history.
7. Greenville University
HISTORIC CAMPUS TOURS
Greenville University, founded in 1892, features a charming campus with historic architecture and beautiful grounds near Old Ripley. Visitors can take self-guided walking tours to admire buildings like Hogue Hall, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The university's Richard W. Bock Sculpture Museum houses works by the noted sculptor who was an associate of Frank Lloyd Wright, adding a cultural dimension to the campus experience.
8. Marcoot Jersey Creamery
FARM-TO-TABLE DAIRY EXPERIENCE
Marcoot Jersey Creamery offers visitors a unique farm-to-table experience at their seventh-generation family dairy farm near Old Ripley. Guests can take guided tours to observe the cheese-making process and meet the Jersey cows that provide the milk for their artisanal products. The on-site country store sells a variety of fresh cheeses, ice creams, and other dairy products made right on the premises, making it a delightful stop for food enthusiasts.
9. Historic Downtown Greenville
CHARMING MAIN STREET EXPERIENCE
Historic Downtown Greenville features well-preserved 19th-century architecture and a vibrant small-town atmosphere just a short drive from Old Ripley. Visitors can explore unique local shops, antique stores, and restaurants housed in historic buildings around the picturesque town square. The area regularly hosts community events, farmers markets, and festivals that showcase local culture and small-town charm.
10. Bottomley-Ruffing-Schalk Baseball Museum
LOCAL BASEBALL HERITAGE
The Bottomley-Ruffing-Schalk Baseball Museum celebrates three Baseball Hall of Famers who hailed from this small region of Illinois. Visitors can view an impressive collection of baseball memorabilia, photographs, and personal items belonging to Jim Bottomley, Red Ruffing, and Ray Schalk. The museum provides an intimate look at how these small-town athletes made their mark on America's pastime, offering baseball enthusiasts a hidden gem within driving distance of Old Ripley.
11. Henry's Ra66it Ranch
ROUTE 66 ROADSIDE ATTRACTION
Henry's Ra66it Ranch is a quirky Route 66 roadside attraction featuring a collection of rabbits both real and in the form of memorabilia. Visitors can explore vintage Volkswagen Rabbits, rabbit-themed souvenirs, and meet the actual rabbits that live on the property. The ranch also includes Route 66 memorabilia and a vintage gas station, making it a nostalgic stop for travelers exploring the famous highway near Old Ripley.
12. Silver Lake Park
LAKESIDE RECREATION AREA
Silver Lake Park offers a refreshing natural retreat with swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities on a 550-acre reservoir. Visitors can enjoy picnic areas, hiking trails, and camping facilities surrounded by scenic woodland views. The park's beach area is particularly popular during summer months, providing families from Old Ripley and nearby communities with a convenient outdoor recreation destination.
13. Bond County Historical Society Museum
LOCAL HERITAGE COLLECTION
The Bond County Historical Society Museum preserves the rich history of the region including Old Ripley through exhibits housed in a historic building. Visitors can explore artifacts, photographs, and documents that tell the story of the area's settlement and development over the past two centuries. The museum's knowledgeable volunteers provide insights into local genealogy and historical events that shaped this part of rural Illinois.
14. Governor Bond Lake
PEACEFUL FISHING DESTINATION
Governor Bond Lake provides a serene 775-acre fishing and boating destination near Old Ripley, known for its populations of bass, crappie, and catfish. The lake features multiple access points for boats and shoreline fishing, along with surrounding natural areas for wildlife viewing. Visitors appreciate the quieter atmosphere compared to larger lakes in the region, making it ideal for peaceful days of recreation on the water.
15. Hawkins-Schwartz Orchards
FAMILY FRUIT PICKING EXPERIENCE
Hawkins-Schwartz Orchards offers a delightful seasonal experience where visitors can pick their own apples, peaches, and berries depending on the time of year. The family-friendly orchard features farm animals, a country store selling fresh produce and homemade goods, and seasonal activities like hayrides. Fall visitors particularly enjoy the pumpkin patch and apple cider making demonstrations, creating memorable agricultural experiences for those traveling from Old Ripley and surrounding communities.