What makes Wilmington sights so special is the way history and present are almost unnoticed. I remember driving over the old railway bridge for the first time – a relic from the 1850s, which still seems to breathe the quiet rattling of steam locomotives, although today only the occasional freight train is over. Wilmington is located in the heart of Wilmington Township, embedded in the vast Will County, and you can feel it immediately when you travel along the dusty field paths that seem to end from corn fields that extend to the horizon.
A short trip by car from the I‐55, which practically passes by the city, takes you to the small but lively center where the old brick buildings still radiate the charm of past times. I have to admit, I don’t understand the whole hype about the “small city with a big heart” propaganda, but the friendly smile of the shop owners who came to meet me when entering the local café was really refreshing. Those who like to cruist by bike through quiet country roads quickly discover that the area offers a perfect terrain for relaxed tours – all without the usual crowds of large metropolises. When you sit in the car in the evening and see the lights of the city fade slowly, it becomes clear why I come back again and again – Wilmington has just experienced this sublime charm, which is not found in guidebooks, but only.
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The first stop I can hardly imagine that it is not marked on each card with a luminous asterisk is just a short jump beyond the field limit: Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. I once tried a picnic there, while a field bunny patterned me with a glance, saying, “You are not here to eat.” The prairie is huge, the grass so high that you almost feel like walking in a film by Terrence Malick. Parking is usually a Klack at the visitor centre, but when the weekend starts, the field turns into a battlefield of cars and tourists, all looking for the perfect Instagram shot. I then simply set myself on a crashed tree trunk and enjoyed the quiet rustling of the grasses – a moment you do not find in guidebooks because it is too quiet.
A few miles further, in Naperville, waits for this Cantigny Park – a place that is cut off by some as “to touristic” but I don’t understand the hype completely because the gardens look almost too perfect there. Nevertheless, when you see the castle from a distance, you suddenly feel like in a film by Wes Anderson, only that visitors walk around here rather in jogging pants than in shrill suits. I spent a little time at the Kunstmuseum, which offers surprisingly modern exhibitions, and then ate an ice cream at the lake, while an older gentleman loudly over the “good old times” of the 20th century. The century faded. Parking is at the main parking lot next to the museum, and this is usually free as long as you do not arrive at lunchtime when the families move in with strollers.
Only a short trip to Lisle leads to Morton Arboretum, a forest that is so big that you can easily lose the overview – and that is exactly what I love in this place. I remember being lost one morning in one of the thematic gardens and suddenly surrounded by a group of squirrels who showed me curiously the nuts they had just buried. The signpost to the visitor center is clearly signposted, and parking is almost always a children's game, unless it is a Saturday in spring, then you have to avoid a few blocks. Arboretum not only offers trees, but also a small café that serves surprisingly good pastries – a real secret tip for hungry hikers.
A little further south, in Union, this is Illinois Railway Museum, the largest railway museum in the USA. I spent a day there because I thought it was only for train enthusiasts, but the old steam locomotives have something magical that even brings the greatest sceptic to amaze. I put myself in an old car and made a short ride through the terrain – the sound of the pipe was almost like a wake-up call from another era. Parking is directly at the main entrance, and this is practical because the museum is located on a former railway site that is not overloaded. A little hint: If you visit the museum on a Friday, there are often special tours that you should not miss.
For families who do not want to bore their children with endless walks, this is DuPage Children’s Museum in Naperville, a real rescue anchor. I put my niece there while enjoying coffee in the adjacent café, and was surprised how much interactive science is offered there – from water experiments to mini-robot workshops. The museum is barrier-free, the parking is right behind the building, and that is usually free as long as you don't get to the school closing time when the parents move into a crowd.
Another highlight I always like to mention is the Great Western Trail, a 42-mile-long cycling and hiking trail, which stretches through the rural Illinois and runs past many of the attractions mentioned. I explored the trail once on a sunny autumn morning, while the leaves shined in all earthy tones. The path is well marked, and there are numerous starting points for resting – for example a small stop at the old barn of Willowbrook, where a friendly farmer always offers a glass of lemonade when you ask. Parking is easy at most entry points, except at weekends when local joggers and families flood the trail.
So next time you think about what you can do in the area of Wilmington Township, remember: Wilmington Attractions are not only the small shops in the city, but the whole spectrum of nature, history and family fun, which is only a stone's throw away. And yes, a bit of cynicism helps to look through the hype machine – but at the end of the day these places are exactly what makes the heart of Illinois.
The story of Wilmington begins long before the first highway sign I've ever overlooked, and I'm lucky that the little town in Will County has some surprisingly charming corners that you don't find in every guide.
My personal favorite spot is that Wilmington Historical Museum. The building itself is a converted classroom from the early 1900s, and inside there are photos that reveal more about the hard life of the early settlers than any Netflix documentary. I remember standing there with my grandmother as a child and wondering that the old typewriter exponat was still working – no joke, I actually tipped a letter with it. Parking is almost always a Klacks, as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the small parking area becomes a battlefield.
A short walk down the main road leads you to St John the Baptist Catholic Church. The brick dome is not exactly what one expects from an “Instagram Wonder Church”, but the silence inside has something calming that I rarely find in loud cities. I saw a Sunday concert there, where the organ was so loud that the neighbors came out of the next room to ask if this was a new construction project.
If you're looking for a place where you can rest your feet and at the same time run a bit of people watching, look at this. Downtown Main Street on. There are some antique shops that have more dust than goods, but that's what makes the charm. My favorite café serves a cappuccino, strong enough to carry you through the next round of “Wilmington Sights”. Parking is a bit tricky here – most places are occupied, but a small sideway still offers a free place when you come early enough.
A little bit of nature? The Prairie Trail, a section of the Illinois Prairie Path, stretches directly through the city area. I once saw a sunset with my bike, while a tractor slowly pushed by – a picture I will never forget. The path is well marked and you don't need a map; a short look at the sign at the beginning is enough to guide you. And yes, you can leave your bike there as long as you don't plan to leave it overnight.
For families (or for those who want to feel like children) Wilmington Park a real secret tip. The playground is not particularly spectacular, but the baseball fields are always well maintained, and in summer there are often local picnic events. I started a spontaneous barbecue with some locals there – the result was a slightly burnt hot dog and a new friend who later gave me a piece of self-made apple cake.
Last but not least, Wilmington City Hall not forget an old brick building that has more stories to tell than most tourist guides. I once found a city map that showed the old street names from the 1920s – a real find for history lovers. The building is open to the public, and the staff is surprisingly friendly as long as you do not ask for the “secret” basement.
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