When looking for cool things to see, many people head to the bigger cities. But you shouldn’t overlook smaller Illinois towns. Head to these 11 Illinois towns – they will surprise you!
- Collinsville
Chuck Coker/Flickr Collinsville is home to the world’s largest catsup bottle. It is also home to Cahokia Mounds, once home to a prehistoric civilization.
- Effingham
Todd Huffman/Flickr This giant cross is at the intersection of 57 and 70. It is actually the largest cross in all of America.
- Casey
Bing Things in a Small Town/Facebook Casey holds numerous Guinness records for “largest” things. They have the world’s largest knitting needles, pencil, and rocking chair.
- Alton
Monochrome/Flickr Alton is home to all sorts of weird stuff, like a bunch of haunted places, including amazing tours, and a creepy drawing of the famous Piasa bird.
- Fulton
Dennis Carr/Flickr Fulton is a quaint river town along the Mississippi. People come here for the famous windmill. The Dutch windmill was pre-assembled and manufactured in the Netherlands. It is nearly 100 feet tall.
- Nauvoo
Ken Lund/Flickr Joseph Smith made Nauvoo a new home for fellow Mormons. Today the town is not predominantly Mormon, but they honor the town’s heritage. You can view this amazing temple, and experience the history through historical reenactments.
- Metropolis
Mark and Allegra Jaroski/Flickr You probably know that Metropolis is home to Superman. But you may not know how seriously citizens take it. You cannot avoid Superman and his friends here.
- Elizabethtown
Timber Ridge Outpost and Cabins/Facebook How many people can say that they have spent the night in a tree house? You can if you head to Elizabethtown town and stay over at Timber Ridge.
- Wilmington
Tydence Davis/Flickr Gemini Giant is a huge attraction in Wilmington, a town of just 5,000. Gemini Giant has been around since the 1960s.
- Chester
Joe Busby/Flickr Chester, Illinois is the home of beloved cartoon Popeye. You can visit Chester and see all sorts of statues of Popeye and his friends.
- Belknap
Anthony George/Flickr Belknap is home to Heron Pond, which houses these bald cypress trees. Some of these trees are nearly 1,000 years old.
Do you live in a small Illinois town? Does it have some nice attractions?
Chuck Coker/Flickr
Collinsville is home to the world’s largest catsup bottle. It is also home to Cahokia Mounds, once home to a prehistoric civilization.
Todd Huffman/Flickr
This giant cross is at the intersection of 57 and 70. It is actually the largest cross in all of America.
Bing Things in a Small Town/Facebook
Casey holds numerous Guinness records for “largest” things. They have the world’s largest knitting needles, pencil, and rocking chair.
Monochrome/Flickr
Alton is home to all sorts of weird stuff, like a bunch of haunted places, including amazing tours, and a creepy drawing of the famous Piasa bird.
Dennis Carr/Flickr
Fulton is a quaint river town along the Mississippi. People come here for the famous windmill. The Dutch windmill was pre-assembled and manufactured in the Netherlands. It is nearly 100 feet tall.
Ken Lund/Flickr
Joseph Smith made Nauvoo a new home for fellow Mormons. Today the town is not predominantly Mormon, but they honor the town’s heritage. You can view this amazing temple, and experience the history through historical reenactments.
Mark and Allegra Jaroski/Flickr
You probably know that Metropolis is home to Superman. But you may not know how seriously citizens take it. You cannot avoid Superman and his friends here.
Timber Ridge Outpost and Cabins/Facebook
How many people can say that they have spent the night in a tree house? You can if you head to Elizabethtown town and stay over at Timber Ridge.
Tydence Davis/Flickr
Gemini Giant is a huge attraction in Wilmington, a town of just 5,000. Gemini Giant has been around since the 1960s.
Joe Busby/Flickr
Chester, Illinois is the home of beloved cartoon Popeye. You can visit Chester and see all sorts of statues of Popeye and his friends.
Anthony George/Flickr
Belknap is home to Heron Pond, which houses these bald cypress trees. Some of these trees are nearly 1,000 years old.
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