What makes Matteson sights so special is the way history whispers quietly in the backyard of modern suburbs. I remember strolling through the old railway lines, which once formed the backbone of the municipality, and immediately felt that this city has more to offer than the usual suburban clichés. Founded in 1855, named after the influential farmer- and politician-family name Matteson, the village first developed around the railroad that links Chicago with the south – a piece of industrial romance that is still found today in the narrow tracks and the few preserved warehouses.
Rich Township, which surrounds the majority of Matteson, is a bit like an invisible protective wall of fields and small residential settlements that preserve the charm of rural Illinois, while Cook County provides urban infrastructure in the background. I usually take the Metra B train to Blue Island and then a short bus to Matteson – no drama, just a short stop that gives you the feeling that you were just torn out of town but not too far from it.
When I go through the main street with friends, we would like to talk about how the old schools, the 1900-structural structures, today serve as municipal centres – a little nostalgic, a bit practical. And yes, I don’t always understand the hype about the “small” sights, but that’s exactly what makes the appeal: one discovers history where one expects them least, and that’s for me the real highlight of Matteson.
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The first stop I never miss is that Morton Arboretum in Lisle – a huge forest garden that offers more than 1,700 hectares of green space and is surprisingly close to Matteson. I once made a picnic there, while a small swarm duck crawled loudly over the water; that was not exactly romantic, but really authentic. Parking is almost always a Klacks, as long as you don't arrive at the weekend between 10 am and 2 pm, then the field full of family cars becomes an obstacle course.
A short detour to the south leads to Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, one of the few remaining prairie areas in the Middle West. I don’t always understand the hype about ‘wild landscapes’, but here you suddenly feel like in a film by Terrence Malick – only without the excessive light. The trails are well marked, and the visitor centre has a small café that surprisingly serves good coffee. Once I've seen a field sheep that stared at me curiously while I tried to shoot a photo that wasn't completely blurred.
If you want a little story, that's Joliet Area Historical Museum A must. The building itself is an old prison that is now waiting for exhibitions about the railway, the local industry and the notorious “Joliet Prison”. I was there on a rainy afternoon and I was in a corner with old photos of coal mines – a real look into the rough past that you only know from textbooks. Admission is free, and parking is right in front of the museum, but only in limited numbers, that is better to be there early.
A bit of glamour can be found in Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, a Art Deco Palace, which still regularly hosts shows and concerts. I once experienced a jazz concert that was so loud that I almost threw the popcorn out of my hand – but this is part of the charm. The approach is simple because the theatre is located directly on the main road and parking is usually free in the vicinity as long as you don't come to the main event.
For those looking for the feeling of “big city, but not too big”, this is Chicago Premium Outlets in Aurora a surprisingly good place to stroll. I found a pair of shoes that I never wanted to buy, but because they were reduced to 70%, I just had to take them. The car park is huge, so no stress, and the connection to the I‐88 makes the journey from Matteson almost effortless.
A little nature away from the prairie offers the Lake Lehigh County Park – a small lake that invites you to fishing, boating and just to hang around. I rented a little canoe there and suffocated a few hours over the water while the sun slowly went down. Parking is free, but on hot summer days the field quickly fills with families that spread their picnic blankets.
Whether you’re looking for green areas, history, culture or a bit of shopping – Matteson’s surroundings have more to offer than you would suspect at first glance. The places mentioned show that you can gather exciting experiences without great effort, and all this is just a cat jump from the Matteson Attractions removed. So the next time you pack your bags, you shouldn't miss these highlights – they are the true salt in the soup of this region.
The story of Matteson begins long before the modern suburbs, and I feel that everyone who comes here immediately hears the quiet whisper of the old railway lines, which once formed the backbone of this area. My personal favorite place is this Matteson Park, a piece of green that has more to offer than a few playgrounds – here families, joggers and one or other group of dog owners meet, who believe their four-legged friend is a professional Agility athletes. I remember a hot July afternoon when I settled down on one of the shady benches to enjoy a picnic, and suddenly an older man came by with a remotely controlled model train and explained that he has “the best rails” here since his childhood. Parking is usually a Klacks, except Saturdays, when the field is full for a local baseball tournament and you better use the back entrance.
Only a few destinations surprise their visitors with a Community Center, which at the same time houses swimming pool, gym and ice rink – all in a building that looks like an architect decided to use “a bit more glass, a bit less brick” after a particularly long coffee. I made my first swimsuits there since primary school and was surprised how friendly the staff is; they give you the feeling you're a VIP, even though you've only paid a few dollars for admission. The small kiosk at the entrance sells surprisingly good smoothies, and the swimming pool is crystal clear thanks to regular maintenance – a real bonus if you need a refreshing bath after a long day in the car.
Another jewel I can hardly overlook is the Matteson Public Library. It is not only a place to borrow books, but a lively meeting place for local writer readings and children's workshops. I once participated in a Poetry-Slam where a teenager from the neighborhood introduced a shark about the “noise sum of the refrigerators” – no joke, the audience was thrilled. The library has free Wi-Fi, and parking is right in front of the building, making it even more straightforward. If you happen to be passing between 10 am and 12 pm, you can even take part in a short tour where an enthusiastic librarian explains the history of the building that was once a small townhouse.
If you are Matteson Attractions search, you should definitely Matteson Historical Society Museum visit. The museum is small, but it has an amazing collection of artifacts from the time when the area was still dominated by farmers and railways. I remember how I found an old handwritten diary there, which was a young man from the 1880s who wrote from his love to a “girl from the city” – a bit cheesy, but there is a human touch to the place. The museum is freestanding, and parking is a bit tight, but this is part of the charm; you just have to bring a little patience when a van just leaves.
A little off the hustle and bustle St John the Baptist Catholic Church, a building from the early 20th. The century, with its brick façade and the artistic glass windows, immediately catches the eye. I took part in a Sunday Mass, just to find out that the community held a small concert by local jazz musicians – a surprisingly modern twist for a traditional church house. The interior is surprisingly spacious, and the acoustics make every note clear. When you arrive by car, there is a small parking space behind the nave, which is usually free as long as there is not a festival.
Another highlight I can hardly miss every year is the Matteson Farmers Market. It takes place on Saturdays in the community center parking lot and offers fresh fruit, vegetables and handmade products from local farmers. I once discovered a booth selling homemade apple cake that was so good that I would have spent almost the entire budget for the day. The market is a perfect place to chat with the locals – the sellers are open and like to tell stories about their fields and the challenges of cultivation in Illinois. Parking is a children's game here because most visitors come on foot or take the bike.
The Matteson Golf Club not missing, an 18-hole course that is suitable for both beginners and experienced golfers. I played my first round there while I tried not to hit the ball in the bunker, and noticed that the clubhouse has a cozy restaurant with a surprisingly good selection of local beers. The place is well maintained, and the staff is friendly, although they sometimes talk a little too enthusiastic about the “perfect knockout position”. Parking is directly at the clubhouse, and there is enough space even if the weather tempts most golfers to stay inside.
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