Things To Do Around Mattoon Illinois
An Overview of Mattoon
Located in Coles County Illinois, Mattoon is a small town, home to Lake Land College, large fields, countryside settings and a small main street. As a countryside town, Amish farm stands, rustic buildings and horse-drawn buggies aren’t uncommon in the region. The town has it’s own charm and there are several interesting things to do around Mattoon.
Things To Do Around Mattoon Illinois
The World’s First Burger King
Prior to the multinational franchise, there was a tiny, family-owned restaurant in Mattoon, Illinois already established under the same name. This original Burger King, known simply as Burger King, has a long, complex legal history with the fast food chain of the same name. The legal battles eventually allowed Mattoon’s Burger King to keep it’s name, and prevented the food chain from opening a store within 20 miles of them.
Two Story Outhouse
Located in Gays, Illinois, the Two Story Outhouse is an actual historical structure, once attatched to a general store owned by Samuel Gammil. The outhouse connected to the second floor of the building so the apartments upstairs could have a private room. The small town carefully spared the outhouse when the main building was torn down, promoting it as a low-cost, novelty tourist attraction ever since. The outhouse has its own promotional material on billboards, which reads: In England they have urinals / In Paris bidets / But nowhere on earth / Has an outhouse like Gays.
Douglas-Hart Nature Center
This is a small, pleasant nature reserve found in the heart of Mattoon with different state habitats and environmental education classes.
Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site
Found to the south of nearby Charleston, Illinois, the Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site is a sizeable history park. The park contains a replica of the log cabin owned by the President’s father, Thomas Lincoln. There are several other buildings, attractions and a visitor’s center on site.
Fox Ridge State Park
This is a beautiful nearby state park with thickly wooded ridges, lush riverside foliage and several pleasant hiking trails. The State Park has overnight camping available for guests.
Wolf Creek State Park
Wolf Creek State Park is a large forested area surrounding a large lake boardering the Eagle Creek State Recreation Area. The forested lakeside areas have several comfortable hiking trails, large campgrounds, several boat ramps and a robust wildlife native wildlife. The site also has a snowmobile trail available in the winter, as well as several swimming spaces.
MY Garage Museum & Retail Store
Located in nearby Effingham, this odd museum-gift shop combination specializes in corvette and vintage Volkswagen vehicles. It’s a unique and popular attraction in the small town.
World Records of Casey, Illinois
Despite being a downright tiny town with less than 4,000 people, Casey Illinois works hard to hold several world records on oversized objects, including the World’s Largest Pitchfork, Worlds Largest Golf Tee, World’s Largest Rocking Chair, World’s Largest Wooden Shoes, World’s Largest Mailbox and the World’s Largest Knitting Needles and Crochet Hook.
Read more about things to do around Mattoon Illinois and seeing the world by visiting Leftfade Trails Blog.
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