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

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

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

Fairview Water Park

Fairview has an activity pool featuring arched water jets, a polar bear slide and a water mushroom. The park also features six lap swim lanes, a deep pool with two thrilling drop slides, multiple diving boards and two sand volleyball courts.

CITY: Normal

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

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

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

Ecology Action Center

This walk-in information and environmental education center offers workshops on recycling, composting and energy saving.

CITY: Normal

Comlara Park

Bike trails, boating, camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, nature area, picnic shelters, playground, restrooms, sand volleyball, swimming, beach, sledding and cross-country skiing.

CITY: Hudson

ISU Bowling and Billiards Center

The Bowling and Billiard Center (BBC) is located north of the ISU Quad, next to the Bone Student Center, and Milner Library. The BBC provides entertainment for students, faculty/staff, & the general public including: bowling, billiards, video games, etc.

CITY: Normal

Pheasant Lanes

Bowling & billiards.

CITY: Bloomington

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

Sudden Impact

Paintball.

CITY: McLean

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

Fairview Family Aquatic Center

Fun for the whole family! Zero depth activity pool, six lap swim lanes, separate pool for drop slides and diving boards, as well as a sand/water play area for children and two competition sand volleyball courts.

CITY: Normal

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

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

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

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

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

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

Green Acres Baitshop and Campground

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

CITY: Clinton

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

Sunnyside Acres

Small campground.

CITY: Kenney

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