2013 Travel Guide
Enjoy Illinois App
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Illinois Amish Country
The town of Arthur is located in the heart of Amish country, home to more than 2,000 Amish residents and hundreds of charming countryside businesses, Illinois' Amish Country offers shopping, dining, special events and guided educational tours (some of which feature meals in actual Amish homes).
CITY: Arthur
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
Amish Country Tours
A step on guide will accompany your tour of the Amish countryside. The tours will also include meals in Amish homes, and Amish home, buggy shop, dairy farm and woodworking tours. Additional highlights include an Amish museum, local attractions, restaurants, and accommodations.
CITY: Arcola
Tanger Outlet Center
Factory outlet mall with over 40 brand name outlets. Shop Coach, Harry and David, Reebok, Nike, Gap, Bass, Polo Ralph Lauren, Old Navy, Bath and Body Works and much more! Check out our monthly special events, coupons and sales. Tanger Outlet Center is conveniently located off of I-57, exit 212 in Tuscola. Locations nearby include Champaign and Amish Country.
CITY: Tuscola
The 200 Acres
Located in the heart of Illinois' Amish country, The 200 Acres is a working farm that features beautiful gardens, including a spectacular collection of more than 5,000 mums, and offers its heirloom seeds for sale. The 200 Acres is especially known for its more than 300 varieties of rare pumpkins, squash and gourds from around the globe that are grown right on the farm and displayed in its Great Pumpkin Patch from mid-September through October 31 every year. The on-site Homestead Bakery sells made-from-scratch goodies such as pies and angel food cake during spring, summer and fall.
CITY: Arthur
Arthur Amish Country Information Center
This visitor's center offers maps and information on the entire Amish area, including the 150 Amish craft shops that dot the countryside surrounding the village of Arthur.
CITY: Arthur
15 - 18
Windsor Harvest Picnic
Come and enjoy this family-friendly festival which is in its 117th year. Entertainment comes to you in gospel, country and rock, with entertainers from as far away as Australia and Country Star "Eddie Raven". Fountain City Amusements provide a carnival atmosphere with plenty of food served by various organizations as well as the Ice Cream Social. There is also a 5K run/walk, a pedal tractor pull, parade, and a raffle drawing.
CITY: Windsor
ACM Tours
ACM Tours is a full service, receptive tour guide company with many special services available at no additional cost. We literally open the door to fabulous Illinois Amish Country! We are ready to assist you with meals, attractions, lodging and step on guide service. We have available trained, professional, local step-on guides who are well versed in the history, customs and folklore of this most unique part of Illinois.
CITY: Arthur
Rockome Gardens
Located in the midst of Illinois' Amish country, Rockome Gardens features the Illinois Amish Interpretive Center, a cheese factory, gardens, shops, Amish dinners, special events, and farm and house tours.
CITY: Arcola
Ferrel Clydesdale Farms
In operation since 1850, the farm features a blacksmith shop and Clydesdale horses. Chuck wagon cookouts are available.
CITY: Lovington
Walnut Point State Park
State park with hunting, fishing, camping, hiking and picnicking. Concession stand and boat rental available.
CITY: Oakland
Monticello Railway Museum
View various pieces of steam and electric railroad equipment. Offers vintage train rides on Sat. and Sun. May through Oct., as well as a number of special events throughout the year.
CITY: Monticello
Bath & Body Works -- Tanger Outlet Center
Integrating health, beauty and well-being. Combining the introduction of spa products that are easily used at home with the incorporation of simple rituals into daily life, Bath & Body Works is committed to helping consumers improve their emotional and physical being. Purchase lotions, creams, hand soap and more in a variety of scents.
CITY: Tuscola
26 - 27
Findlay Walleye Festival
This yearly festival has plenty of entertainment, food and fun. The Walleye is a feature for the festival with the fish being served daily. There will be plenty of entertainment (bands), an ice cream social, fireworks on Friday-Saturday if rain. Kids games, a farmer's market, tractor pull, car, truck, & motorcycle show, a 5K event and plenty more. A large parade starts at 10am on Saturday and there will be plenty of kids activities and games both days.
CITY: Findlay
Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site
The last home of Thomas and Sarah Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln's parents. It shares the site with the Sargent farm, an 1840's living history farm.
CITY: Lerna
Dvorak Concert Hall
This hall offers a wide variety of recitals and concerts year round, and is home to the renowned Eastern Illinois University Symphony Orchestra.
CITY: Charleston
McGrady Inn Bed and Breakfast
A pleasant walk from the campus of Eastern Illinois University, The McGrady Inn honors its heritage, a United Brethren church constructed in 1919. From the original maple floors to the nine-panel stained glass window at the center of the 23-foot sanctuary ceilings, guests are surrounded by the results of a three-year restoration matching the original craftsmanship. The Inn offers modern amenities such as flat screen televisions, wireless internet and spacious bathrooms in the company of intricate oak woodwork and nineteenth century church pews. Enjoy a stroll to one of the many restaurants located on Charleston's courthouse square or simply relax in the shade of a hard maple tree on our front porch. The McGrady Inn is centrally located among the distinguished homes in our college community.
CITY: Charleston
The Great Pumpkin Patch
Open from mid-September through October 31, The Great Pumpkin Patch features 300 varieties of pumpkins, squash and gourds from around the world, all grown on the farm. The beautiful grounds feature various mazes and gardens, farm animals, a u-pick pumpkin patch and the Homestead Bakery, offering fresh-baked goods. Live entertainment is presented on fall weekends.
CITY: Arthur
Buxton's Garden Farm
Pull up to Buxton's roadside stand to buy in-season vegetables, pumpkins and festive Indian corn.
CITY: Sullivan
Villa Galleries
Fine art located in the heart of the Illinois Amish country. The Villa Galleries has dedicated its gallery to local artists who have ties to the central Illinois area either through living situation or artwork subject. Photography, watercolors, colored pencil, oil and acrylic, stained glass, and pottery are just a few of the mediums featured in the gallery.
CITY: Arthur
Stellar Tours
Amish Adventures will give you an up close and personal tour of the Illinois Amish culture and religion as you travel back in time along our quaint country roads with our professional and informed tour guide. To help our visitors learn more about the Amish culture, we offer a variety of tours that are customized to fit your itinerary. Tours of Amish homes, Amish farms, Amish woodworker's shop, a meal in an Amish home and a Step-on Guided Tour of the Amish countryside!
CITY: Arthur
Tri-County Auctions
Authentic, mix-with-the-Amish experience. Auctions held at Vernon Yoder’s farm near Arcola.
CITY: Arcola
Wacky Nackies
Gifts, decorative accessories, jewelry, candy - life's simple pleasures
CITY: Monticello
Unique Suites Hotel
For this locally owned hotel, showing guests special attention is our goal to make your stay as comfortable as possible. We have connections with caterers and plenty of ballroom area to host your next party or conference. We are a 77 room hotel with ballroom facilities, seasonal swimming pool, free WIFI and continental breakfast. Located in Charleston, Illinois near Eastern Illinois University.
CITY: Charleston
Steeple Gallery
We specialize in Americana, limited edition prints, custom framing, primitive antiques, gifts and decor. We are located in a 1906 vintage church.
CITY: Monticello
19 - 20
Ghost Train and Haunted Boxcar
Ride the Ghost Train through Camp Creek Hollow, with a stop at Cemetery Road. Only the brave should walk through the Haunted Boxcar.
CITY: Monticello
Whitley Creek Recreation Area
This campground has 81 campsites, most of which are shaded.
CITY: Sullivan
Moore Home
This is the preserved home of Reuben Moore and his wife Matilda, who was a daughter of Sarah Bush Lincoln and stepsister of Abraham Lincoln. The frame Moore Home dates back to the late 1850s.
CITY: Lerna
Holiday Inn Express - Tuscola
82 rooms, 6 executive suites. Extended continental breakfast. Meeting facilities for up to 35 people. Two full service restaurants within walking distance.
CITY: Tuscola
Illinois Amish Center
Recently relocated to Rockome Gardens in the countryside near a prominent community of Old Order Amish, the largest in Illinois. The museum originally opened in 1996 and features exhibits on most aspects of Amish life, as well as an introductory video about the Central Illinois Amish. Through the museum, tours can be scheduled of the Amish countryside, Amish homes, farms, businesses and meals in Amish homes.
CITY: Arcola
Copper Eagle
The largest antique mall in Charleston, Illinois. The Copper Eagle antique mall is located at the corner of 3rd Street and Madison Avenue, known locally as "Five Points". The Copper Eagle has grown to around 75 dealers offering over 3000 square feet of antiques and collectibles. Inventory changes daily and many of vendors offer periodic specials. Copper Eagle is open every day of the week, so stop in and spend some time browsing - you might just find that one piece you have been searching for!
CITY: Charleston
Lake Shelbyville - Bo Wood Recreation Area
Most of the campsites in this 82 site campground are shaded. Located on Lake Shelbyville, beach nearby.
CITY: Sullivan
Thomas Lincoln Cemetery and Shiloh Church
This cemetery is the final resting place for many Civil War veterans, as well as Thomas and Sarah Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln's father and stepmother.
CITY: Charleston
Monticello Railway Museum
Offers vintage train rides on Sat. and Sun. May through Oct. View various pieces of steam and electric railroad equipment.
CITY: Monticello
Best Western - Gateway Inn
44 guest rooms. Inside entrances, elevator. There are some extended stay rooms with kitchenettes. Conference facilities including banquet room (350), meeting space/conference room, olympic indoor size pool and extensive outdoor deck area that is available for private events.
CITY: Monticello
Olde Brick Wall
Here at Olde Brick Wall we carry a wonderful collection of upholstered and early American reproduction wood painted furniture. There are several styles and colors to choose from. To complete your whole room, we carry paint, curtains, shower curtains, pillows, rugs, chandeliers, shelves and pictures. Established in 1994 in a charming, old hotel building in the heart of Illinois Amish country, Arcola, the Olde Brick Wall features a wonderful gathering of tinware, light fixtures, candles, redware, folk art and primitives. We offer everything you could ever want to give your home that special look, feel and smell of country that we all love so much.
CITY: Arcola
Marsha's Vineyard Bed & Breakfast
Built in spring 2000 by a local Amish contractor, this 1 1/2 salt-box cottage includes two spacious siutes, private baths and kitchen located in the heart of Illinois Amish Country.
CITY: Arthur
Amish Country Heirlooms, LLC
Area's largest of hand-crafted Amish and oak furniture, collectible prints, and accessories, along with Country Dreams furniture exhibit.
CITY: Tuscola
The Primitive Goose
Seek out life's simple pleasures...A gathering of primitives, antiques, folk art, and home and garden decor. A memorable shopping experience!
CITY: Arcola
Ambero Antiques and Decorative Arts
Located on the west side of the historical Courthouse square in Charleston, IL, Ambero Antiques & Decorative Arts provides authentic antique, vintage, and contemporary furnishings at fair prices. Here you will find an eclectic mix of furniture, mirrors, art, ceramics, metalwares, textiles, and jewelry.
CITY: Charleston
Sullivan Marina
Located on a serene wooded hilltop, gently slopes into a full-service marina and restaurant situated on Lake Shelbyville.
CITY: Sullivan
Simply Amish
Many Styles. One Standard. Amish isn't a style. It's a standard of excellence—desired by many and practiced by a very rare few. It's in the fine details of solid wood drawers, hand-finished, inside and out. It's in the skill of genuine Amish craftsmen, passed down from one generation to the next.
CITY: Arcola
Bridget's Blarney Stone
Bar & Grill - Small Town Hang Out Spot; with Karoke every 1st and 3rd Friday of each month
CITY: Ivesdale
Arcola Architectural Tours
Arcola is a pristine showcase of small-town America that still retains many examples of more than a century of architectural changes in the American home. Two tours daily from April through October.
CITY: Arcola
Douglas-Hart Nature Center
Explore 70 acres of prairie, wetlands and forest habitat.The Visitor Center features interpretive exhibits, sensory displays and live critters, including a bird observation area.
CITY: Mattoon
The Arcola Diamond House Bed & Breakfast
Arcola Diamond House is just what you hope to find in a bed-and-breakfast... a touch of whimsy, a dash of nostalgia and engaging hosts brimming with small-town friendliness. The Harshbargers, a family of porcelain artists, poets, musicians and scholars, have developed a sure-fire formula for enchanting their guests. Blending the decorative arts with culinary flavors, they have turned their family homes into masterpieces. Shining with personality, The Flower Patch & Diamond House make a pleasant beacon of exquisite taste; in more ways than one.
CITY: Arcola
Dielman's Asparagus Patch
Pick up fresh asparagus at this roadside spot from mid-April through the end of May.
CITY: Monticello
Arches Antique Marketplace
Antiques of all sizes and descriptions, from books and clothing to kitchen utensils and baby items.
CITY: Findlay
Graber Produce Patch
This roadside produce stand offers asparagus, radishes, eggplant and sweet corn.
CITY: Sullivan
The Flower Patch
Featured in Midwest Living magazine, the Arcola Flower Patch offers a lovely downstairs parlor, shaded porch swing, quiet gazebo for tea or coffee & gift shop. Lynn, the Artist in Residence, displays framed porcelain art and watercolors throughout the house. Every room abounds with floral arrangements, crafts, curios and family memorabilia. With floral rugs, potted plans and displays of fresh and dried flowers, it’s always spring at the bed & breakfast. Guests and non-guests alike are welcome to tour the backyard garden, where the Harshbargers grow the herbs used in their epicurean masterpieces
CITY: Arcola
Arcola Historic Train Depot & Information Center
This 1885 train depot displays Illinois Central Railroad memorabilia, the largest Louis Klein collection of antique brooms and brushes in the United States, and interesting Arcola relics and keepsakes. Because Arcola is the birthplace of Raggedy Ann creator Johnny Gruelle, Raggedy Ann & Andy dolls and collectibles are also on display.
CITY: Arcola
Shelbyville State Fish and Wildlife Area
A 6,400-acre wildlife area on the north end of Lake Shelbyville. Hunting for waterfowl, forest and upland game is popular. Boat access is provided to accommodate anglers and hunters.
CITY: Bethany
Charleston Putt-n-Swing
This family fun spot features an 18-hole miniature golf course and batting cages.
CITY: Charleston
Ameri Host Inn - Tuscola
59 rooms with 2 jacuzzi suites, indoor pool, free deluxe continental breakfast.
CITY: Tuscola
Amishland's General Store
Nostalgic general store filled with Amish wood crafts, quilts, food products and souvenirs.
CITY: Tuscola
Sisters
Locally hand crafted goodness, baked goods, fun decor for the home, children's section & more, soaps, blankets, antiques, sock monkey & designer fabrics, amish souvenirs, hand woven rugs, teapots and more.
CITY: Arcola
Martha's House of Florals
Beautiful flowers, gifts, candy and cards. While away a few minutes in this treasure trove.
CITY: Atwood
Meadowview Golf Course
This 18-hole, par 72 course features moderate to gently rolling terrain, manicured greens, a full-service pro shop and a food court.
CITY: Mattoon
Nature's Bounty
Buy dried herbs and flowers, or pick your own red and golden delicious apples.
CITY: Sullivan
Dec 25
Mattoon Lightworks
Enjoy the lights of the season in beautiful Peterson Park. Over 50 magnificent light displays, many of which are animated. Definitely a site to see! Drive through at your leisure evenings starting at 5pm. Over 15,000 visitors each year see this great display of holiday lights. Admission is free, donations accepted.
CITY: Mattoon
Vintage Karma
Handmade goods from local artists. Oh, and it’s got one of the most unique floors you’ll ever see – check it out for yourself and bring your camera!
CITY: Tuscola
Yoder's Lamps & Antiques
A shop full of antiques and 30+ dealers, plus a large inventory of antique oil and gas lamps. Repair and parts are available for antique and modern oil and gas lamps. Authorized Aladdin Lamp dealer and repair.
CITY: Arthur
The Little Theatre On The Square
A Professional Actor Equity Association-affiliated theatre performing Broadway musicals and comedy. Produces five mainstage shows from mid-June to mid-August. Three theatres for young audiences, shows, in addition to a fall, Christmas, & spring show.
CITY: Sullivan
Harris Agricultural Museum
The museum houses an agricultural display that includes antique tractors (1922-1937), engines, a 1919 grain/dump truck, a replica of a 1920s farmstead kitchen, and more.
CITY: Atwood
Lincoln Douglas Debate Museum
Charleston's newest heritage tourism attraction. Learn more about the 1858 political debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas. This site is a designated, "Looking for Lincoln" site.
CITY: Charleston
Mattoon Welcome Center/Peterson House
The historic Peterson House serves as the Mattoon Welcome Center, offering information about area events and attractions.
CITY: Mattoon
Independence Pioneer Village
Visit this log home village from the early 1800s, including a blacksmith shop, church and schoolhouse.
CITY: Oakland
Charleston Historic District
Downtown Charleston includes a historic courthouse and many historic homes listed on both the Coles County Register for Significant Places and the National Register of Historic Places.
CITY: Charleston
Historic Charleston Courthouse Square
See the majestic Coles County courthouse and discover historic murals in Charleston's Courthouse Square.
CITY: Charleston
Charleston Alley Theatre
Located in the historic courthouse square. A local theater at its best. In an intimate setting, offering a wonderful mix of old and new drama.
CITY: Charleston
Coyote Cabins - Fishing Lair
Fishing Lair is a 2 bedroom retreat stocked with bottled water, coffee and snacks. The first night offers a crockpot dinner with fresh bread. Enjoy fishing, hiking, horseback riding, mini-golf, golf, live theatre just minutes away.
CITY: Sullivan
Angus Links
18-hole golf course set in the countryside of Windsor. GPS ADDRESS: 1300 N 3050 E
CITY: Windsor
Melrose Quilts & Sewforth
Seasonal retail store offers heirloom quilts & homespun accessories. Occasionally the Mennonite shop owner may be seen working on her quilts.
CITY: Arthur
Lincoln Prarie Grass Trail
Ride your bike or walk from Charleston to Mattoon on the Lincoln Prairie Grass Trail.
CITY: Charleston
Lincoln-Prairie Grass Trail
two miles of paved surface and 10 miles of aggregate surface. Jogging, walking, equestrian riding and biking permitted.
CITY: Charleston
