For centuries Toledo has been attracting people looking for a little rural charm with a touch of industrial heritage, and the “Toledo sights” are more than just an advertising slogan. I only landed here a few years ago, because a friend said that the town was a perfect stop when you drift from Chicago to the Middle West – and I have to admit that he was right, though not entirely for the romantic reasons he led. The city was built in 1853, named after the same name model in Ohio, and is embedded in the Sumpter Township, LaSalle County. The old railway rail grid, which still crawls through the centre, reminds that Toledo was once a hub for freight before the truck races stole the show.
A short trip to Cumberland, Illinois, about half an hour south, shows how different rural Illinois can be – there is hardly more than a post office and a few old barns, but people there have a smile that you rarely find in the city. When you arrive by car, take the I‐39/80 that leads you directly to the city border; the few bus lines that hold here are rather a relic from better times, so better park the car and explore the small trees-lined roads. And yes, I don’t understand the hype about the “Toledo Sights”, but the mix of historical chatting, friendly faces and the occasional look at the old grain silo on the edge of the city is really great, no joke.
With the map tool, you can plan the ideal location for a photo online in advance – taking into account the sun's path and the surroundings.
Here's how it works:
Advantage:
You can assess light, perspective and location before visiting the site – ideal for photography, sunrises and sunsets.
To find the exact point where the sun disappears behind the skyline, use the azimuth display on poi-travel.de. In Toledo, the sun travels further northwest below the horizon in summer, while in winter it takes a more southwesterly angle. With the embedded line on the map, you can determine your tripod position down to the metre.
The first stop of my little Odyssey was Lake Shelbyville, a huge reservoir that spreads about 30 kilometres north of Toledo. I rented an old, squeaking kayak there on a hot July afternoon – no joke, the thing was a relic from the 80s – and then I paddled over the glittering water surface, while the sun reflected in the water like an overmotivated selfie filter. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem, because then the whole city is touching with its families and barbecue parties. The beach section at “Miller’s Cove” is not particularly luxurious, but the noise of the water and the occasional quaken of the ducks make the whole a relaxed retreat.
A short detour to the south leads to Kaskaskia River State Fish & Wildlife Area. Here there are more field paths than in an average gym, and the noise of the river is the only thing that frees my thoughts from the urban sounds. I spent a weekend with my friend there, we watched wild boars (the animals seem to have more interest in our snacks than in us) and photographed a few rare bird species – a real bonus for hobby ornitologists. Parking is free at the main entrance, but if you go to the hunting season in the autumn, you should inform yourself first because some areas are locked.
A little further west, almost in the shadow of the old oaks of Greenup, this is Greenup Historical Museum. I must admit, I was skeptical because little history museums often offer more dust than storytelling. But the museum surprises with a well-sorted collection of artifacts from the pioneering period, including an original wooden chair, on which supposedly the first mayor of Toledo sat – I never tried him because I was afraid he was breaking down. The staff is friendly, and the small café next door serves the best homemade apple cake in the area I haven't eaten since my childhood.
Only half an hour drive to the east lies the city of Charleston, home of the Eastern Illinois University. The campus looks like a typical college estate at first glance, but the combination of historical brick Gothic and modern glass buildings gives it a unique charm. I visited the art gallery where local artists have exhibited their works – a mix of abstract paintings and rustic sculptures made of recycled metal. The entrance is free, and the café on the campus offers a surprisingly good espresso that wakes me up after a long walk through the library.
Another highlight I didn't want to leave is that Old Courthouse Museum in Greenup. The building itself is a relic from 19th. Century that still preserves the original doors and window frames. Inside there is a small but fine exhibition about the case-law in rural Illinois, including an original Richterhammer, which I accidentally almost confused with my phone. The leadership is voluntary, but if you're lucky, there's a local historian who tells you anecdotes about the scrupulous processes of the 1800s – a real treat for historians.
At the end of my small tour I would like to Lakeview Trail mention a 12-kilometre walkway leading around Lake Shelbyville. The path is well marked, and the viewpoints offer a panoramic view that brings the hardest Instagram influencer to amaze. I once watched a sunset there, while an older couple, beside me, chatted loudly about their youth in the 60s – a moment that showed me that the beauty of this area lies not only in the sights, but also in the people they live.
So next time you think about which Toledo Attractions you should visit then do not forget that the true treasures often lie a few kilometers outside the city boundaries – from the quiet waters of Lake Shelbyville to the historic halls of Greenup, from the wild paths on the Kaskaskia River to the cultural corners of Charleston. Each of these places has its own character, and I can assure you that after a visit you will not only go home with photos, but with stories that you like to give to the best during the next barbecue.
This guide invites you to discover the hidden treasures of Toledo, Sumpter Township, and I take you to my personal favorite route. I have to admit that I don’t understand the whole hype about the “small town experiences” but the old Parker-Truss bridge over the Iroquois River immediately tied me up – a piece of rusty elegance that has been spreading over the water since 1912 and is now considered one of the few preserved Illinois carrier bridges. A short walk from the main road leads you directly to the massive steel beams, and if you are lucky, you will catch the Sunday light game that the metal struts dip into a warm gold. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the local barbecue will take place on the bridge.
A few blocks further lies the heart of the city: the Toledo Park. Here the kids are strolling on the newly renovated playground, while the adults rest on the benches on the old oaks and hear the quiet sum of the grill station. I started a spontaneous baseball game with native teenagers there – no joke, they almost pulled me over the lawn because I interpreted the rules “creative”. The small lake in the park is not deep enough to swim, but it reflects the sun so beautiful that you almost forget that you just came here to catch some fresh air.
If you want to swallow a bit of history, that is old school house That's right. Built in 1902, today as a mini-museum, the building houses dusty classroom boards, old student bags and a few yellowed pictures of generations who grew up here. I remember how I secretly ringed the old bell as a child – that didn't sound particularly melodic, but the echo was a real adrenalinkick. The entrance is free, and parking directly in front of the building is practical because the road is hardly driven.
Another jewel I always like to mention is the St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The Gothic facade with its colorful glass windows is a real eye-catcher, and the interior is surprisingly well preserved – a place where you almost feel like standing in another time. I took part in a Sunday Mass, just to sit in the Kirchhof and enjoy the tranquility while the villagers run their dogs. The small cemetery next to the church is a silent witness of local history, and parking is easy thanks to a small side street.
For those who prefer something active, there is Toledo Community Center. Here you will find not only a gym, but also regular dance evenings and a weekly flea market where you can find old agricultural machines and handmade ceramics. I visited a course for traditional folk dances there – the instructions were a bit confusing, but the enthusiasm of the locals was contagious. The center is located directly on the main square, so that after the visit you can easily get a coffee in the neighboring diner.
And yes, I must not forget: the Toledo Diner, a small but fine place that has existed since the 60s. The pancakes are really great, and the staff knows every customer by name – a bit cheesy, but that makes the charm. I once tried a “Toledo-Special” there, a breakfast burrito that I will never forget because it was so good that I ordered almost the whole menu. Parking is available directly in front of the diner, but be warned: on Saturday afternoons this is a hot fight for a free space.
If you now think that this is all that Toledo has to offer, then you have the Toledo Attractions not yet fully explored. The city may be small, but it has a heart that beats loud – from the cracking bridge to the living community center. And while I sit here, mample a piece of cake from the diner and listen to the quiet noise of the river, I can only say: Come by, let yourself be surprised and do not forget to reserve a bit of time for the small but fine moments.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
