Visit Mattoon Coles Illinois and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the American town of Mattoon in Illinois! Experience the John A. Logan Museum and the Charles Milles Mansion, two historical attractions. Walk in the Mermet Acres Lake Park or Lake Shelby Fish & Wildlife Area. Eat traditional American food in one of the local restaurants. Mattoon offers a quiet and relaxing atmosphere for your travel experiences!
What makes Mattoon sights so special is the unique mix of small-town charms and industrial heritage that you can hardly find in a guide that doesn't even get over your own prejudices. I remember stumbled into the old railway museum of the city for the first time – not because I was a fan of rusty rails, but because the building itself is a relic when Mattoon was another important hub of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway. The city was founded in 1855, named after the land surveyor William B. Mattoon, and has since changed the name more than a few times before it finally established itself as the heart of Mattoon Township in the vast Coles County.
If you take the I‐57 by car or, for the romantics, the Amtrak from Chicago to Carbondale, you can immediately feel that Mattoon is not only a passage, but a place where people are proud of their history – and that with an eye-catcher. The local bus line, which is surprisingly punctual, will take you to the small cafés where I discovered the best apple cake in the region (no joke, this is really a highlight). And yes, I don't quite understand the hype for the annual “Mattoon Air Show”, but the colorful driving in the sky is a real eye-catcher if you just want to turn off a moment from everyday life.
For those looking for an authentic Midwestern experience, Mattoon's attractions offer a scenery that looks nostalgic and surprisingly modern at the same time – a place where history does not dust in dusty brochures, but continues in every smile of the locals.
The story of Mattoon begins long before the first railroad rails, which I still hear in mind today when I stand at the old depot and wonder why I came here at all. The Mattoon Depot, an inconspicuous brick box, is for me the true heart of the city – not because it is particularly chic, but because it is the only one that radiates a bit from the old “Rumble-and-Bustle” from the 1900s. I once tried to take a picture while a train just passed; the result was a blurred image that I now call lovingly “art from the rush hour”. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then everyone from the area comes to “Train-Spotting”.
A short walk down the main road leads you to Mattoon Historical Museum. I admit that the word “museum” makes some people think of dusty showcases, but there are more than just old boxes with screws. The exhibition on local aviation history has tied me particularly – who would have thought that a small town like this once had a secret test ground for propeller aircraft? I stood there staring at an old propeller blade and thought: “No wonder the locals always speak so loudly.” The museum is located directly on the sidewalk, so no stress with the car, and the staff is so friendly that they almost give you the feeling that you would be part of the exhibition.
If you're looking for a place where you can feel like a real culturecreator, go to Orpheum Theatre. The building is a relic from the 1920s, and the Marquee lights still flash as if they wanted to tell you something is still going on. I experienced a local jazz concert there that was so loud that I almost thought the roof would lift off – a real highlight if you like the feeling that the city is still a bit wild. You get tickets at the checkout, and parking is a bit of a gambling: There is a small garage behind the theater, which is usually free as long as you don't come to the main event on Friday night.
A little change? Then take a look at Mattoon Farmers Market Saturday morning. Locals meet to sell fresh vegetables, homemade bread and these strange but amazingly delicious pumpkin muffins. I once met an old farmer who told me that he has been here every Saturday since 1953 – this is almost a local record. The market is located in the centre of the city, so you can make a quick trip to the nearby café “Bean There, Done That”, which serves the best cold Brew far and wide. And yes, this is a perfect place to gather a bit of “Mattoon Sights” without feeling you would visit a tourist trap.
Another jewel I always underestimate is that Mattoon Public Library. Many think libraries are only for bookworms, but this one has a modern design that almost looks like an art work. I found a reading room there that is so cozy that I almost forgot that I was looking for a place to surf in free Wi-Fi. The library also regularly offers small exhibitions of local artists – a perfect place to recharge a bit of culture while you are warming up with a cappuccino from the neighbouring café “Java Jive”.
And then there is City Hall Clock Towerthat I always call the “big, ticking heart” of the city. The tower is not only a photo motif, but also a bit of a symbol of how the city tries to stay in time, while the world around it becomes faster and faster. I once tried to put the clock because I thought that was a nice little service, but the city staff kindly pointed out that it is not necessary – the clock is running by itself, and that is kind of soothing.
Finally, a short trip to Mattoon Community Center. Local sports tournaments, dance evenings and even a few yoga classes that I have tried out of pure curiosity – and yes, I felt almost like a beginner from the 1980s aerobic show. The center is located just outside the city center, so you have to drive a few minutes by car, but parking is a children's game there, and you can then walk through the adjacent Cedar Park with its old trees and the little lake a little rest, before you fall back into the busy drive of Mattoon.
So, if you're thinking about the next time you want to spend your next little break, remember: Mattoon may seem inconspicuous at first sight, but between the old railroad railroads, the squeaking theatre people and the friendly market sellers there is a place that greets you with an eye-catcher and an honest smile. And this is the true highlight for me – not excessive marketing, but the real, slightly cynical, but lovely heart of a small town I wanted to share with you.
The first stop I put to every newbie is the Lincoln Trail State Park, a piece of unpredicted nature, which lies about 20 miles north of Mattoon in the gentle hills of Lerna. I spent a weekend with my old tent, which had more holes than a Swiss cheese, and yet camping was a real lucky handle – the campfire knistered, the stars were clear and fishing in the small lake was surprisingly profitable, although the local anglers looked sceptically over my shoulders. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the families from the surrounding area will touch with their picnic baskets.
A short descent to the south leads you to the Kickapoo State Recreation Area, a huge forest and water paradise that stretches over 2,000 hectares and is just half an hour away from Mattoon. There are more hiking trails here than I am at bad word games, and I once lost myself in one of the 12-mile loops – that was not planned, but the view from the view tower over the lake was worth every detour. The boat rental at the lake is a bit expensive, but the paddling in the dawn makes you almost forget that you had actually planned a short day trip.
If you have enough of trees and water, stroll to Charleston, where the historic center with the imposing Coles County Courthouse almost already looks like a set of films from the 1930s. I spent a few hours admiring the artistic pillars and considering why I didn't become a lawyer myself – the Richterbank looks comfortable, but the crawling of coffee cups in the nearby café makes the whole thing really alive. Parking at the town hall is free as long as you do not appear at the main bus time (afternoon), otherwise you have to fight between the parking vans and the tourist buses.
A few blocks further lies the Eastern Illinois University Campus, known not only for its students, but also for the small but fine EIU Art Gallery. I discovered an exhibition about local artists who threw my expectations of “art in a small town” completely over the heap – especially a painting that represented the fields of Coles County in neon-colored stripes, made me sneak. The campus is well signposted, and parking is almost always a Klack, thanks to the spacious car parks, as long as you do not pass there during the test phase.
The Coles County Historical Society Museum, a small but fine museum that documents the history of the region from the pioneers to modernism, is just a stone's throw away. I remember the old tractor exhibits that reminded me of the stories of my grandparents working in the fields around Mattoon. The museum doesn't have a big visitor rank, so you can study the old maps and ask yourself why people could get out without GPS at the time. The entrance is free, and parking is right in front of the building, which is ideal for spontaneous visits.
A little away from the well-known paths is the Lerna Heritage Museum, a tiny but lovingly curated museum that celebrates the local folklore and the history of the railway in the region. I saw an old Lokomotive model exhibition there, which reminded me of the importance of the railway for the development of Mattoon and the surrounding area. The museum is open only on weekends, and parking is a small, inconspicuous place behind the building – perfect if you want to take a coffee after a quiet afternoon.
Whether you are looking for nature, history or a bit of art, the surroundings of Mattoon have more to offer than you would suspect at first glance. From the vast forests of the Kickapoo State Recreation Area to the historical walls of Charleston to the small museums that preserve the heart of the region, there is something to discover for everyone. And if you incorporate all this into your itinerary, you will quickly realize that the Mattoon Attractions radiate far beyond the city boundaries.
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