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Calling City Hall - posted on August 14, 2009
The next time you're in downtown Lincoln, stop across the street from City Hall (700 Broadway) and look up. There, perched on the rooftop, you'll spot an unusual site. No, it's not the phone booth where Clark Kent dons his cape and becomes Superman—although this phone booth's location would provide a prime lookout for the superhero. Rather, it was placed on the rooftop as part of a World War II civil defense system. Later, when the government no longer feared attacks from the sky on small towns across the United States, it was used for storm watching. Rumor has it that the lowest firefighter on the totem pole would be sent to the roof to keep an eye out for tornadoes. Then, if they spotted one, they'd place a call to sound the sirens. (And, undoubtedly, wou...

Get Spooked - posted on August 12, 2009
Abraham Lincoln history and the supernatural collide in Springfield, Bloomington, and Lincoln, where guided tours highlight the sites and spirits of Central Illinois. Springfield WalksInspired by ghost walks he took through Europe, Illinois native Garrett Moffett began researching Illinois ghost lore. After developing Macomb’s first ghost walk, Moffett started Springfield Walks in 2006. On a given night, as many as 100 people may participate in the thoroughly researched Lincoln’s Ghost Walk tour—one of many Moffett offers.   Lincoln’s Ghost Walk: Legends & Lore is a 90-minute, 12-block walking tour that combines Lincoln history with eerie stories about Lincoln’s spiritual beliefs, his prophetic visions, his ghost in the White House, Mary Todd Li...

Try the Trails - posted on August 8, 2009
Whether you’re traveling on two wheels or on your own two feet, Central Illinois has plenty of trails to keep you occupied. Here’s a sampling of the many routes available—from short jaunts to long hauls. Try them out, then we want to hear from you: What favorite trails did we miss? Share your picks in the comments section below or by emailing editor@illinois-adventures.com today so we can add them to the list.Bloomington/Normal Constitution TrailTwenty-four miles of hard-surface trail—perfect for walking, hiking, jogging, and biking—run through the twin cities of Bloomington and Normal. No matter where you are, it’s easy to find a section of the trail to travel. Download the natural trail guide here.Champaign CountyChampaign County (including Champaign-U...

Guzzardo's Italian Villa - posted on August 4, 2009
Get your fill of classic Italian fare and great steaks at family-owned Guzzardo’s Italian Villa in Lincoln. Located downtown on the south side of the square, The Villa has been a Lincoln mainstay for more than 50 years—and still serves many of the same dishes that graced the menu when the restaurant opened in 1957. The HistoryAfter Italian immigrants Dominic (Doc) and Rose Guzzardo moved from the Chicago area to Lincoln in 1947, they dreamed of opening an Italian restaurant. Ten years after they arrived in town, that dream became a reality.At the time, the site of the restaurant was just a storage building with 2x12s, a dirt floor, and no upstairs. Once construction was completed, the new upstairs area seated 24 people, who could look down through the middle of the restaurant ...

Deal: Bicentennial Birthday Package - posted on August 3, 2009
Celebrate Lincoln’s 200th birthday in style at the historic State House Inn. Package includes overnight accommodations in a deluxe guest room, two tickets to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, a $50.00 gift certificate to Saputo's Restaurant, two welcome beverages in the “No Name Bar,” a full hot American breakfast buffet, and a complimentary Lincoln souvenir to remember your trip. Saputo’s reservations are suggested. You may also request additional tickets when reserving. Total package price is $160.00 + tax for Deluxe Guest Room and $170.00 + tax for Deluxe Suite accommodations. Learn more....

Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum - posted on July 15, 2009
Trace the path of Abraham Lincoln’s life—from his boyhood reading by firelight to his tumultuous time as the 16th President of the United States—at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum in Springfield.The museum presents a unique opportunity to experience the scenes of Abraham Lincoln’s life up-close, rather than playing the role of passive spectator viewing displays set behind glass. Life-size, three-dimensional representations of Honest Abe are present nearly every step of the way—in lifelike detail, from the translucent skin on his hands to the hair on his furrowed brow.The journey begins at The Plaza, where the first family stands ready to greet visitors. (Go ahead and snap a photo with them; cameras are only allowed in The Plaza area.) To ...

The Lincoln Watermelon Monument - posted on July 7, 2009
Lincoln, Illinois, is the only town to be named for and by Abraham Lincoln before he became president of the United States. The next time you’re in Lincoln, relive a bit of Central Illinois history by stopping at the spot where Abe christened his namesake town.After serving in Congress, in 1849 Mr. Lincoln returned to private law practice. Before entering politics again in 1854, he served as the attorney for the Chicago and Alton railroad, which was constructed about a mile east of Postville (part of modern-day Lincoln). After he assisted with the platting of a new town at the site of the railroad, Mr. Lincoln reluctantly agreed to have the town named after him. The first lots were sold on August 27, 1853, and Abe was present that day for its christening. “Nothing with the name...

Holding Court in Postville - posted on June 17, 2009
Walk up the cobbled sidewalk that leads to the Postville Courthouse in Lincoln and you’re accompanied by ghosts of court days past—including the spirit of Abraham Lincoln, who walked these same grounds himself more than 160 years ago.The Postville Courthouse you enter today is not the same building that Lincoln spent time in. But a tour of the replica—a state historic site and Route 66 Roadside Attraction—offers a glimpse of what the original structure looked like at the time a young Abe Lincoln practiced law there. A Trip Back In TimeInside, displays showcase what life was like for traveling lawyers and explain how the legal system worked in the mid- to late-1800s. Lay your eyes on a rocking chair Lincoln used to sit in when he visited friends in the area—but...

Welcome! - posted on June 2, 2009
Welcome to Illinois Adventures! I’m glad you’re here and interested in exploring Central Illinois. Trust me, there’s plenty to see.That’s why I created this travel magazine for all things Central Illinois. After moving to the area a couple of years ago, I realized there’s a veritable treasure trove of activities in the middle of the state—but many people, even those who live in the area, tend to forget just how much there is to do around here. In my short time in the state, I’ve experienced the local flavor of county fairs, enjoyed the bountiful fruits of many farmer’s markets, tasted the vino from the area’s beautiful vineyards, passed Central Illinois sites from my seat on an Amtrak train, and so much more. But there’s plenty le...

The World's Largest Covered Wagon - posted on June 1, 2009
Stop by Lincoln, Illinois, the town named for the venerable bearded president (before he even became president, mind you), and you’ll find plenty of Abraham Lincoln sites to explore. One of the most noticeable: The World’s Largest Covered Wagon, also called the Railsplitter Covered Wagon, located at 10006 Woodlawn Road (on the corner of Woodlawn and Route 66). The giant wagon first appeared in Lincoln in January 2007, after it was purchased by the Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau as a tribute to Abe.The hulking wagon, which weighs five tons and measures 40 feet long, 12 feet wide, and 24 feet tall, holds the title of World’s Largest Covered Wagon according to the ultimate authority on the matter: The Guinness Book of World Records. A stern 350-pound, 12-foot-tall Abraham Li...

Can't-Miss Travel Deals - posted on May 26, 2009
Looking for some stellar Central Illinois travel packages? Head to enjoyillinois.com, the official website of the Illinois Bureau of Tourism, to check out more than 20 deals on travel in the area. Among the highlights? Plenty of lodging packages just in time for Lincoln Bicentennial events around the area, Bloomington and Decatur golf getaways, Normal shopping packages, and more.   Have a great deal you want to share with Illinois Adventures readers? Contact us today! Photo: Darren Hester...