On the first steps through Willowbrook, a small jewel in the Crete Township of Will County, you can immediately feel that the Willowbrook sights are more than just a name on the map. I remember the dusty stories of my grandparents, which were told by the 1850s, when the railroad first joined the pulsating world and the humble pavement was suddenly overrun by travelers from all the corners of the Middle West. Today you almost always drive by car – the I‐55 is just a short trip away, and if you prefer the train, the Metra station stops in nearby Joliet, from where a short transfer to Willowbrook is no problem.
What I like in this place is the mixture of historical tranquility and the quiet, slightly cynical sums of a community that does not take itself too seriously. The old half-timbered houses on the main road tell about a time when every craftsman put a little pride in his work – and that's what you still feel when you walk past the old church on a sunny afternoon. I don't quite understand the hype around the big metropolises, but here, between the wide fields and the few but charming cafes, I find an authenticity that is rarely experienced in the crowded tourist centres. And yes, the Willowbrook sights are not just an advertising slogan, they are the silent promise that you can dust a piece of real Illinois here.
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 Willowbrook, 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 old tractor, which has been on the edge of the Crete Township for decades, is my personal favorite view when I finally move the car out of the entrance after a long day in the office. where the field extends into an infinite green, it lies Crete Historical Museum, a small but surprisingly well-stocked museum that tells the story of the early settlers and the railway – and this without the usual tourist gimmick. I found a yellowed schedule there, which still shows the departure from 1903; that was a real lucky handle because I would never have known how many times the trains have actually changed.
A short trip to Union leads you to Illinois Railway Museum, the largest railway museum in the world. I have to admit, I don't understand the hype about old steam locomotives, but the huge free warehouse with over 200 vehicles is just impressive. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem – this is the only time I find myself here in a snake that is longer than the locomotive itself.
If you have enough of metal and grate, continue towards Elwood, where this Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie , This is not an ordinary park, but a real nature reserve that once was the land of Potawatomi. I made a picnic there, while a Bison-Rudel cautiously stumbled over the prairie – no joke, that was almost too film-ready to be true. The entrance is free, and the trails are well marked, although the GPS sometimes spins a bit when you venture too deep into the high grass.
A bit further south, just half an hour drive, this is Kankakee River State Park. The river is wide and cozy, perfect for a bit of canoeing if you don't want to fear mosquitoes – they have their own small ecosystem here. I remember how I once rented a kayak with a friend and we were almost dragged by the stream because we underestimated the current. That was a good reminder that nature is not always as cozy as Instagram is.
Back near Joliet, but definitely not in the center, the Joliet Iron Works Historic Site. The old 19th steelworks The century is today an open-air museum that keeps the industrial past of the region alive. I made a lead there with a former welder who explained to me why the forging art was almost as dangerous as a bungee jump without rope. Practical: There is a small parking lot behind the museum, which is usually free as long as you are not there for the main event.
Another highlight that is often overlooked is that Old Joliet Prison Museum. The building is a real prison from the 1850s, now serving as a museum. I did a night tour there because I thought that was a bit too creepy – and yes, the atmosphere was real, but the guides were so factual that I almost felt like a tourist visiting a historic building. The entrance is free, but parking is only allowed on the street, so be ready to walk a few meters.
For those who prefer something more active, I&M Canal Trail a perfect place for cycling. The path stretches through the landscape of Will County and offers always small views of old locks and bridges. I started a spontaneous race with a local cyclist there – he won, but I at least enjoyed the view. The trail is well developed and you can find a few benches everywhere if you need a break.
Last but not least, if you want a little culture, look at the St. James Catholic Church in Crete. The building is a beautiful example of neo-Gothic architecture, and the organ sounds amazingly good when you hear it from the inside. I have seen a small concert there, which was presented by a local choir – a real ear scare, which briefly excites the otherwise so quiet little town atmosphere.
If you are looking for a weekend in the surroundings of Willowbrook, you will find a colourful mix of history, nature and a bit of adventure – all without the usual tourist crowds. This selection Willowbrook Attractions shows that the region has more to offer than one would suspect at first glance.
The story of Willowbrook begins long before the first house I saw there – and that was only because I had moved when I wanted to go to Crete Township. I suddenly stood in the middle of a small, but surprisingly charming community, which has more to offer than to her at first glance. My first stop was Willowbrook Park, a piece of green that extends between the endless rows of corn fields and the sparsely populated suburbs. The park is not just a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but the ancient oaks standing there have more character than some city centers. I made a picnic there, while an older couple spoke loudly about the “good old times” – a perfect example of how life is pulsating a bit slower here. Parking is usually a Klacks, except Saturdays, when the families with their strollers and barbecue equipment turn the field into a battlefield.
A short walk (or a short sprint, depending on the mood) leads you to Willowbrook Golf Course. Yes, a public golf course in an area that is more connected to corn and tractors – that sounds almost like a bad joke, but the fairways are surprisingly well maintained. I have tried a few beats there, while a local golfer told me that the “green grass” here is actually just an excuse to stop the neighbors from the lawn mowing. The clubhouse café serves a coffee that is strong enough to keep you awake for the rest of the day, and parking is right next to the entrance area, which was a small victory for me.
If you're looking for a place where you can feel like a real local, that's it. Willowbrook Community Center Your goal. Yoga classes, senior dance evenings and the notorious “Karaoke‐Freitag‐Abend‐Chaos” take place regularly. I once took part in one of these evenings and had to admit that my crooked voice in the duet was almost liberating with a retired teacher who still loves the 80s. The center has a small parking lot that is usually free as long as you are not at the same time as the local scout group there.
Another jewel I didn't want to overlook is the Willowbrook LibraryA branch of the Will County Library. The library is a place where you can lose yourself between shelves full of local history and modern bestsellers. I have found a book about the history of the Prairie Path that brought me to the Willowbrook Trail to explore – a section of the Illinois Prairie Path, which sounds through the fields and is occasionally spited by curious dogs and cyclists. The trail is ideal for a relaxed afternoon, and the best: you can park your bike at the library parking lot without anyone complaining about it.
A little away from the usual paths lies the Willowbrook Farmers Market, which takes place in the summer on every second Saturday in the city centre. Here there are fresh strawberries, homemade jams and the one or the other stand where an older gentleman offers his self-pressed apple juices – a taste that immediately reminds you of the rural idyll you are looking for. The market is small, but the atmosphere is authentic, and parking is usually easy to find thanks to the nearby school.
Of course, you must not forget that Willowbrook is part of Crete Township, and that means that Willowbrook Attractions are often interwoven with the attractions of the neighbouring city of Crete. Nevertheless, Willowbrook has its own, slightly blurred charm, which shows itself in the small details: the crisp sign at the entrance of the park, which still announces “Willowbrook – Welcome!”, the slightly rusty metal benches at the golf course, which tell more stories than some museums, and the friendly faces that welcome you when entering the community center with a smile, which says: “Here you are not only a tourist. ‘
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
