Fall Guide

“Big Things/Small Town” is a no-brainer marketing slogan for Casey. The southeastern Illinois town of fewer than 3,000 people offers eight world-record attractions with more to come in late September. Want to make a 54-foot-tall wind chime gong? How about craning your neck to see a 46,200-pound rocking chair? Climb a set of stairs to […]

I eyed the sleek cycling shoes worn by the person standing next to me, then glanced down at my own clunky sneakers and wondered what I’d gotten myself into. It was a pleasantly balmy afternoon, and I was about to embark on my first ride with the Springfield Bicycle Club (SBC). About 35 riders decked […]

August Washington Park Historic Photography DisplayAug 23-Sep 2, 12-4pm Mon-Fri, 12-5pm Sat-Sun. Annual photo display features images of Washington Park dating back to the park’s creation in 1902. Free. springfieldparks.org. Washington Park Botanical Garden Exhibit Hall, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 546-4116. Illinois Products Farmers MarketAug 23, 30, Sep 6, 13, 20, 27, Oct 4, 11, 4-7pm […]

When you visit Grant in Galena, make sure you take a Grant with you. That way, you will be ready when magician P.T. Murphy asks for a $50 bill to help with a mind-baffling trick. Murphy’s show is just part of the magic of Galena, that hilly city tucked in Illinois’ far northwestern corner and […]

Save for Bambi, it’s hard to beat autumn as the best season for motorcycling in Illinois. There’s nothing like having venison still on the hoof jump out in front of you to ruin an otherwise perfect ride, and so sage motorcyclists are parked well before sundown, when deer  become both more active and harder to […]

Mike Ward, superintendent of Gateway Arch National Park, says being involved in the redevelopment of the Gateway Arch is a once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity. Eight years in the making, the CityArchRiver project is a $380 million public-private partnership that has transformed the Arch grounds and surrounding areas in downtown St. Louis. Hallmarks of this huge undertaking […]

As the balmy days of summer recede and cooler temperatures begin to prevail, it’s traditional for the theatrical venues of central Illinois to start heating up. This fall’s stage-bound offerings are all over the map, with touring and regional companies providing examples of drama and musical theater ranging from improvisational comedy to opera to true […]

Just as the changing leaves of the season provide a broad spectrum of colors to delight the eye, so do the sonic offerings available to local music fans range all over the palette of pleasing sounds this autumn – indeed, from country to punk to symphonic grandeur, there’s no shortage of variety to the sounds […]

Fill your fall by feeding your spirit and experiencing joy at the Chiara Center, a scenic and inspirational site for contemplation.  Hundreds of guests each year are uplifted and enlightened through retreats, days of quiet, the Food and Faith series and collaborative programs. The Chiara Center is one of the healing ministries of the Hospital […]

Jacksonville Farmers MarketAug 24, 26, 29, 31, Sep 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28, 30, Oct 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28, 31, 7am-12pm. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday through Oct. jaxfresh.org. Lincoln Square, Jacksonville. Speaking in DecayAug 24-25, 9am-5pm. Exhibition curated by […]

Effingham, population 12,500, seems an unlikely locale for a renowned gourmet restaurant and perhaps the largest Corvette party in the world, but this town at the crossroads of I-57 and I-70 is full of surprises. While most interstate exits feature the usual dreary assortment of fast-food spots and chain motels, Effingham, 100 miles southeast of […]