suggested: attractions

Curtis Orchard

Curtis Orchard is an 80-acre apple orchard, pumpkin patch, and entertainment farm offering activites for the whole family.  Open from the July 20 - December 20, the orchard country store and bakery offers a wide variety of gift and food items including pies, fritters, apple donuts, and award winning cider.  Outdoor activities include seasonal apple and pumpkin picking, kids play structures, a giant slide, giant corn maze, petting zoo, and toddler area.  Curtis Orchard also accomodates birthday parties, corporate picnics and other group travel.  Weekend activities include country cooking for lunch, live entertainment, seasonal pony rides, and an orchard wagon tour.

Early American Museum

The Early American Museum has an extensive collection interpreting 19th and early 20th century life in East-Central Illinois.  Two floors of exhibits present architecture, trades and occupations, decorative arts, and childhood and domestic life of the time.  The Discovery Room offers hands-on opportunities for children to interact and learn about the residents of the Grand Prairie.  Educational programs are offered for all ages throughout the year.

Hardy's Reindeer Ranch

The North Pole has moved to Central Illinois!  Hardy's Reindeer Ranch offers a unique attraction for young and old alike.  From July through October, the theme is "Best in the Midwest."  Pick a pumpkin in the pines, browse through the general store gift shop, or try your luck at figuring out the mysteries of the 6-acre Cornfusion maze!  Experience the Kid's Corral, take a hayrack ride, play in a realistic Indian teepee or straw fort, pedal your way through the new Grand Prix style race track, and of course, the see the reindeer!  From November through December, the reindeer ranch is transformed into a Christmas wonderland.  The general store is reminiscent of days gone by with a pot-bellied stove, period costumes, twinkling lights, and wonderful smells. The western style banquet facility is available for a"Wild West: BBQ or outdoor weenie roast.  Group entertainment packages are available.  You won't be disappointed when you visit Hardy's Reindeer Ranch!

Japan House

Japan House and its gardens provide an important academic, cultural, and natural setting for promoting an appreciation of Japanese culture and related Asian cultural concepts.  There are three tearooms where on can participate in an authentic tea ceremony, and a variety of classes in traditional Japanese arts are also available.

Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum

The Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum is a premier showcase of Illinois Aviation and the 77 year history of Chanute Air Force Base.  The museum encompasses over 126,000 sq. ft. of display space, boasting the largest aerospace museum in Illinois.  Special memorial items are dedicated in honor of pioneer aviators Illinois and Chanute AFB commanders and heroes.  A gift show, visitors reception suite, library, Children's Discover Room, snack bar, and helpful volunteers await visitor's arrival. 

Spurlock Museum

The Spurlock Museum celebrates the people of the world with featured galleries of Africa, Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, Europe, East Asia, Southeast Asia and Oceania, the Americans, and the Ancient Mediterranean.  Special factilities include a focus gallery for temporary exhibits, learning center, auditorium, and educational resource center.

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William M. Staerkel Planetarium

The second-largest planetarium in Illinois is part of Parkland College's Cultural Center.  The planetarium uses a Zeiss Star Projector to project 7,600 visible stars on the 50-ft dome.  Sate of the art audio-visual equipment and special effects help visitors learn about the stars and planets and experience the perspective of the larger universe.  In addition to regular features, the planetarium also offers children's shows, rock-n-roll light shows, and special seasonal presentations.