Allerton Park & Retreat Center

Allerton Park was the private estate of Robert Henry Allerton, who donated it to the University of Illinois in 1946. It features 1,500 acres of woodlands, formal gardens and more than 100 sculptures. The park is open to the public for hiking, picnicking, cross-country skiing and leisurely garden strolls.

CITY: Monticello

Grady's Family Fun Center

As Bloomington-Normal's only amusement park, Grady's features an 18-hole mini-golf course, batting cages, bumper boats, go-karts and kiddie rides.

CITY: Bloomington

Miller Park Zoo

Miller Park Zoo is the only Illinois zoo to feature the endangered Sumatran tiger. This zoo also features several indoor and outdoor exhibits of exotic animals, special events, and is open year round.

CITY: Bloomington

Urbana Indoor Aquatic Center

The Indoor Aquatic Center has a recreational and competition pool, a beach-like entry and a water playground.

CITY: Urbana

Pollinatarium

The University of Illinois Pollinitarium is the first free-standing science center in the nation devoted to flowering plants and their pollinators. Its location in the midst of the Arboretum brings together flowers and pollinators physically and conceptually. Changing exhibits relate to world events and ongoing research on pollinators. Guests can explore beekeeping equipment, see live demonstrations and play interactive games. Because so much depends on pollination, the UI Pollinatarium is dedicated to increasing awareness and appreciation of pollination as a remarkable ecological partnership and an essential ecosystem service.

CITY: Urbana

Genevieve Green Gardens

The Genevieve Green Gardens offer a relaxing setting for contemplation and the appreciation of nature's beauty. Small gardens are tucked in at various locations; there is also a formal compass garden with a beautiful arbor, a Japanese garden, and a main plaza that is highlighted by a water feature. Walkways, accompanied by tasteful signage, conveniently guide visitors around the property and are in harmony with the landscape's topography. Carefully designed lighting makes it possible to enjoy the gardens during evening hours.

CITY: Bloomington

Wandell Sculpture Garden

This unique, free outdoor sculpture garden sits among 22 acres of re-created Illinois tallgrass prairie in a 130-acre community park. Works from local and national artists grace the gardens. New sculpture is rotated every second or third year.

CITY: Urbana

UI Arboretum

See a beautiful collection of gardens, flowers and habitats at this University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign arboretum. Visitors can experience nature's four seasons in a single setting.

CITY: Urbana

Prairie Farm

Traditional farm animals such as sheep, pigs, horses, and goats are featured at prairie farms. The farm offers tours in addition to a petting area.

CITY: Champaign

Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden

The gardens boast some of the most beautiful and diverse flora in east-central IL. It also features the award-winning Miriam Davies Memorial Enabling Garden.

CITY: Mahomet

Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve

Lake of the Woods County Park is a 900-acre preserve that features an 18-hole regulation golf course, a 9-hole par 3 course and practice range, fishing, boating, hiking, picnicking, cross-country skiing, sledding, the HI-Tower bell carillon and observation area, a 3.3 mile bicycle/pedestrian path, the Museum of the Grand Prairie, Mabery Gelvin Botanical Gardens, a covered bridge, building rentals and various programs.

CITY: Mahomet

Olympic Tribute & Laborer's Memorial

Honoring the extraordinary achievements of Champaign County residents who have participated in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, this granite platform inscribed with the names of the athletes and the Olympic symbol is surrounded by playing fields, gardens and a community college campus. Tribute to Olympic Athletes rises from an ordinary prairie landscape transformed by playing fields, gardens and a community college campus.

CITY: Champaign

Sangamon River Forest Preserve

Sangamon River Forest Preserve, a 160-acre gem, offers a variety of natural features and is ideal for low-impact activities such as picnicking, bird-watching, hiking and river fishing. The preserve hosts the Lincoln Ash Tree, one of the largest ash trees in the state.

CITY: Fisher

River Bend Forest Preserve

The 275-acre River Bend Forest Preserve south of Mahomet contains approximately 130 acres of clear water in two lakes, one of which is the largest public lake in Champaign County, and includes 2.5 miles of forest along the Sangamon River.

CITY: Mahomet

Ultimate Play Space- Spray & Play Park

This 13-acre park allows kids to exercise their mind and body! Water park runs Memorial Day to Labor Day, weather permitting.

CITY: Clinton

Clinton Lake Marina

Services include boat rentals, beverages, bait, propane tank exchange, slip rentals and an on-site boat service department.

CITY: Weldon

Anita Purves Nature Center

Located at the north end of Crystal Lake, this nature center is an environmental education facility that provides a natural resource for people interested in learning more about the outdoors.

CITY: Urbana

Outdoor Center Fields

The Outdoor Center Fields are located at First Street, spanning either side of Stadium Drive. Not just for students, but very welcoming to the general public.! Reservations for special group outings must be made! Outdoor Center Fields Amenities four lighted football fields two lighted soccer fields three lighted sand volleyball courts three lighted basketball courts six lighted Tennis courts Outdoor Center facility with exterior drinking fountains, restrooms, and a meeting room

CITY: Champaign

Champaign County Farm Bureau

The Farm Bureau acts as an intermediary to set up specific tours of area farms for visitors to Champaign County.

CITY: Champaign

Pheasant Lanes

Bowling & billiards.

CITY: Bloomington

Spalding Skate Park

18,000 square feet of concrete with 3 bowls, a snake run and an exciting street course.

CITY: Champaign

Weldon Springs State Recreation Area

Weldon Springs State Recreation Area is a 550-acre state park located near Clinton, Illinois. It centers on Salt Creek and the impoundment of a tributary, Weldon Springs, to form Weldon Spring Lake, a reservoir.

CITY: Clinton

Upper Limits Rock Climbing Gym

Upper Limits has more than 20,000 square feet of climbing, including routes up to 110 feet tall. Other features include a wave-wall, bi-level cave, and a unique outdoor bouldering area. Upper Limits accommodates all ages and skill levels, offering introductory and advanced classes, parties, group rates, scout programs, and team building exercises. Come visit Upper Limits, one of the largest and tallest gyms in the world!

CITY: Bloomington

Curtis Orchard

Curtis Orchard is an 80 acre apple orchard, pumpkin patch, and entertainment farm offering activities for the whole family. Open July 20th through December 16th, the orchard country store and bakery offers a wide variety of gift and food items, including pies, fritters, apple crisp donuts, and award winning cider.

CITY: Champaign

Clinton Lake State Recreation Area

Enjoy 9,300 acres of great outdoor picnicking, hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, swimming, boating, water skiing. Fall foliage, winter offers ice fishing, snowmobiling on frozen lake. 308 campsites, Private marina.

CITY: Dewitt

Green Acres Baitshop and Campground

Full line bait shop, with 50-site campground. Full hook-up, showers and toilets.

CITY: Clinton

Weldon Springs State Park

Weldon Springs offers beauty and recreation for all seasons! Camping, cross-country skiing, fishing, hiking, interpretive center & educational programs, picnicking, trails, sight-seeing, and more! Home of Veterans Point Memorial.

CITY: Clinton

Outlaw Outfitters - Le Roy

One-hour guided horseback rides, hayrack and carriage rides for private rental, and barn dances are available. Open through March and October.

CITY: Le Roy

Circle Lanes

Looking for late night or weekend bowling fun? Take your game to an unexplored new level with Xtreme Bowling – an adventure of lights, great music, wild bowling challenges, and (of course) your favorite food & beverages.

CITY: Bloomington

Twin Groves Wind Farm

Located on the wind-swept Bloomington Moraine in eastern McLean County, Twin Groves Wind Farm offers 396 megawatts of affordable, pollution-free wind energy, enough to meet the annual energy needs of about 118,000 homes. Learn more about this exciting new facility with a farm tour.

CITY: Ellsworth

Darnall's Gun Works and Ranges

Darnall's Gun Works and Ranges is a family owned business that provides a place for trap shooting, target practice and personal instruction and training in the use of firearms for self-defense.

CITY: Bloomington

Woodlawn Country Club

This nine-hole walking course features plenty of trees, and water that comes into play on seven of the nine holes. A snack bar is available.

CITY: Farmer City

Dockside Marina

Access to Lake Clinton. Pontoon and John boat rentals

CITY: Weldon

Friends Creek Conservation Area

18 miles north of Decatur on Route 48 near Argenta. The park feature three nature trails - the quarter-mile Friends Creek Trail, the 2-mile Woodland Trail, and the 2.5-mile Sun Trail. Each varies in difficulty and meanders through topographies ranging from open meadows and floodplains, to towering oak-hickory forests and undulating hillsides.

CITY: Cisco

Lazy H Stables

One- and two-hour guided horseback rides by reservation only. Hayrack rides offered in fall. Open April 1 - October 1.

CITY: Ellsworth

Heyworth Valley Parachute Club

Skydiving.

CITY: Heyworth