Royal IllinoisATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Royal, Illinois.
1. Homer Lake Forest Preserve
NATURAL BEAUTY AND RECREATION
Homer Lake Forest Preserve offers visitors a serene natural setting with hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and picturesque views of the lake. The preserve features abundant wildlife viewing opportunities and is perfect for outdoor photography enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy picnic areas, boating facilities, and seasonal programming focused on local ecology and conservation.
2. Ludwig Farmstead Creamery
ARTISAN CHEESE EXPERIENCE
Ludwig Farmstead Creamery delights visitors with its handcrafted artisanal cheeses made from milk produced on their own dairy farm. Guests can tour the facility to witness the cheese-making process from farm to table while learning about sustainable dairy practices. The creamery offers tastings of their award-winning varieties, giving visitors a true farm-to-fork culinary experience.
3. Riggs Beer Company
CRAFT BREWERY DESTINATION
Riggs Beer Company welcomes beer enthusiasts to their family-owned brewery where they can sample a variety of handcrafted beers made with locally grown ingredients. The brewery features a spacious taproom and outdoor beer garden where visitors can relax while enjoying fresh brews. Guests can take guided tours to learn about the brewing process and the company's commitment to sustainable brewing practices.
4. Kickapoo State Recreation Area
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE PARADISE
Kickapoo State Recreation Area offers visitors over 2,800 acres of outdoor recreation possibilities with activities ranging from fishing and boating to hiking and camping. The park features crystal-clear waters in its numerous ponds and the Middle Fork River, perfect for canoeing, kayaking, and even scuba diving. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the diverse wildlife, beautiful wildflowers, and the changing seasons that transform the landscape throughout the year.
5. Cahokia Mounds
ANCIENT NATIVE AMERICAN CITY
Cahokia Mounds stands as Illinois' only UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserving the remains of the largest pre-Columbian Native American city north of Mexico. Visitors can explore the 2,200-acre historic site featuring massive earthen mounds, including Monks Mound, the largest prehistoric earthen construction in the Americas. The interpretive center offers exhibits that bring to life the sophisticated prehistoric culture that thrived here around A.D. 1250 when Cahokia was larger than London.
6. Lewis & Clark State Historic Site
HISTORIC EXPEDITION GATEWAY
The Lewis & Clark State Historic Site marks the official starting point of the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition and serves as the first landmark along the National Lewis and Clark Heritage Trail. Visitors can view a remarkable 55-foot full-scale replica of the keel boat used by the explorers as they journeyed westward in 1804. The interpretive center features exhibits detailing the preparations for their historic journey and the significance of this launch point for American westward expansion.
7. Buckingham Fountain
ICONIC CHICAGO LANDMARK
Buckingham Fountain stands as one of Chicago's most iconic landmarks, located in the heart of Grant Park between Queen's Landing and the end of Ida B. Wells Drive. This magnificent fountain, one of the largest in the world, dazzles visitors with its impressive water displays and light shows that run from spring through fall. The Beaux Arts-style fountain represents Lake Michigan, with four pairs of bronze sea horses symbolizing the states that border the lake.
8. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY COLLECTION
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library houses an unparalleled collection of Lincoln-related materials and artifacts that document the life and legacy of America's 16th president. Visitors can explore extensive exhibits featuring original documents, photographs, and personal items belonging to Lincoln and his family. The library's immersive galleries use cutting-edge technology to bring Lincoln's story to life, from his humble beginnings to his presidency during the Civil War.
9. Field Museum
WORLD-CLASS NATURAL HISTORY
The Field Museum invites visitors to explore one of the world's greatest natural history museums, home to SUE, the largest and most complete T. rex ever discovered. The museum houses over 40 million artifacts and specimens, ranging from ancient Egyptian mummies to meteorites and prehistoric fossils. Interactive exhibits and engaging displays make complex scientific concepts accessible to visitors of all ages, creating an educational experience that spans billions of years of Earth's history.
10. Illinois Holocaust Museum
POWERFUL HISTORICAL MEMORIAL
The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center stands as the third-largest Holocaust museum in the United States, dedicated to preserving the memories of Holocaust victims and survivors. Through powerful exhibits featuring artifacts, documents, and interactive displays, the museum chronicles the history of the Holocaust and teaches visitors about the dangers of hatred and prejudice. The museum's Take a Stand Center uses state-of-the-art technology to connect visitors with Holocaust survivors through holographic testimonies that will educate future generations.
11. Lincoln Park Zoo
FREE URBAN WILDLIFE HAVEN
Lincoln Park Zoo offers visitors a free urban wildlife experience in the heart of Chicago with over 200 species of animals in naturalistic habitats. The historic zoo, founded in 1868, combines beautiful gardens, historic architecture, and modern exhibits focused on conservation and animal welfare. Families can enjoy year-round programming including seasonal events, educational workshops, and up-close animal encounters that make each visit unique.
12. The Morton Arboretum
MAGNIFICENT TREE COLLECTION
The Morton Arboretum spans 1,700 acres of breathtaking natural landscapes featuring a world-renowned collection of trees and plants from around the globe. Visitors can explore more than 16 miles of hiking trails, nine miles of paved roads for cycling, and specialized gardens including the award-winning Children's Garden and Maze Garden. The arboretum hosts seasonal events throughout the year, including the spectacular winter light show Illumination and the summer outdoor art exhibitions featuring massive sculptures scattered throughout the grounds.
13. National Museum of Mexican Art
VIBRANT CULTURAL SHOWCASE
The National Museum of Mexican Art houses one of the country's largest Mexican art collections, celebrating the richness of Mexican art and culture from both sides of the border. Visitors can explore colorful exhibits featuring over 10,000 permanent pieces that span 3,000 years of creativity, from ancient Mesoamerican artifacts to contemporary works by Mexican and Mexican-American artists. The museum offers a range of educational programs, live performances, and special events including the annual Día de los Muertos exhibition, one of the most important celebrations of this traditional Mexican holiday in the United States.
14. Peoria Riverfront Museum
ART, SCIENCE AND HISTORY
The Peoria Riverfront Museum combines art, science, history, and achievement into one dynamic, interactive experience on the scenic Illinois River waterfront. Visitors can enjoy the museum's diverse offerings including a state-of-the-art planetarium, giant screen theater, multiple art galleries, and fascinating science exhibitions. The museum's unique interdisciplinary approach connects seemingly different subjects, encouraging guests to explore how art, science, and history intersect in meaningful and surprising ways.
15. Volo Museum
VINTAGE CARS AND NOSTALGIA
The Volo Museum delights visitors with an extraordinary collection of hundreds of classic, muscle, and Hollywood famous cars displayed across 35 exhibits. The museum features iconic vehicles from famous movies and TV shows, including original cars from Ghostbusters, Batman, and Back to the Future. Beyond automobiles, visitors can explore nostalgic collections of jukeboxes, antique arcade games, military exhibits, and animated displays that bring the past to life.