EvyJo Compton
Reporter
With summer approaching, a question weighs in the air. Where will I go this summer? There are a lot of tourist destinations around the United States, but there are also quite a few here in Illinois within a few hours from Champaign-Urbana.
First up is the Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois. There is a variety of things to do such as hike, fish, camp, and horseback ride. Depending on what route is taken, the drive from Champaign will be about three to three and a half hours.
One of the exciting places to stay at is called Rim Rock’s Dogwood Cabins near Elizabethtown, Ill. It is close to many of the tourist attractions at the Shawnee National Forest such as Garden of the Gods, Rim Rock, Pounds Hollow Lake, and many more. The cost to rent one of these cabins, for a minimum two-night stay, is between $200 and $400.
There are many opportunities to horseback ride at Shawnee, but one of the more popular ones is Lake Glendale Stables in Golconda, Ill. For an hour ride, the cost is $45, and they provide the horses, as well as access to their 10-acre lake and other amenities.
Garden of the Gods is a hiking destination as well as a photographic opportunity. It is located near Herod, Ill. There are trails and campsites located there. Camping costs $10 a night, and up to eight people and two vehicles are allowed per campsite.
On the other side of the state is the Starved Rock State Park where there are indoor and outdoor activities.
Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center, in Oglesby, Ill, is the hub of the park. The drive from Champaign-Urbana takes about two hours. It costs $100 and up to stay at the historic wooden lodge and the price varies greatly when staying in a cabin. Indoor activities include massages, indoor pool activities, live music, and much more. Outdoor activities include trolley tours, guided hiking tours, and much more. There is also a café and dining location for those who visit. And be sure to try the handmade fudge.
Further north is the Art Institute of Chicago. It is a roughly two-hour drive straight up I-57 into the heart of the city. It is free to Illinois residents on Thursday evenings, but general admission for any other time is $14 and if you order online there is a $2 service charge.
There are many exhibits to be seen; from the African Art Collection to the Thorne Miniature Rooms, there is something there for everyone. There are also shops available for those looking for souvenirs.
A short 12-minute drive from the Art Institute leads you to the Museum of Science and Industry. The cost of the tickets depends on if you buy online, roughly $20, or in person: $22.
With the general admission pass, all of the permanent exhibits are available to be seen. Some of these permanent exhibits are “Science Storms,” “Numbers in Nature: A Mirror Maze,” and “Extreme Ice.” There are also upgrades to see some of the other temporary exhibits.
A roughly three-hour drive from Champaign leads to the Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, Ill. For adults, the general admission is $9, but for students it is $7.
There are private garden tours which cost $8 for students. Fresco at the Gardens offers breakfast and lunch and they get much of their food from local suppliers. There are a lot of private and public events such as “Tuesday Evening in the Gardens” which is a summer time concert series.
The Cahokia Mounds are in Collinsville, Ill. This is a two and a half hour drive from Champaign. The entrance fee is technically free, but they suggest a $7 donation for adults, and $15 donation for families.
There are public guided tours, as well as iPod Tours which cost $3, Tape Tours are free but require a driver’s license. There is a tour guidebook which can be bought from the Museum Gift Shop for a dollar. The Museum Gift Shop offers a variety of souvenirs for people to snatch up as well as hand-made Native American items, such as jewelry or pottery.
Whether you are a history buff, an outdoorsy person, or an art lover, there is something fun to do in Illinois this summer.
