Visit East Brooklyn Grundy Illinois and the surrounding area to see the top sights. ReiseTipp: East Brooklyn, Illinois - Discover the small town with the historic downtown and the surrounding nature. Visit Lincoln Park Zoo or Jane Addams Hull House Museum. Enjoy local cuisine in the numerous restaurants.
Travellers from all over the world appreciate East Brooklyn attractions due to their unique blend of rural charm and sublime history. I have to admit that I don’t always see the whole “historical splendour” at once, but when you look at the small rows of houses marked by the railway along the old Main Street, you can immediately feel that something more was going on here earlier than today. East Brooklyn is located in the heart of Greenfield Township, Grundy County, Illinois, and was founded in 1850 as a stop for livestock farmers – a fact I like to use as an excuse to explain the dusty charm of the area.
A short trip by car from Chicago via the I‐55 leads you directly into this quiet corner, where the corn fields are almost louder than the occasional horns of farmers. I spent more time chatting with the locals about the weather than visiting any museums – and that was frankly refreshing. The people here have a dry humor that fits perfectly to my slightly cynical type; they laugh at my comments while secretly showing me the best places to picnic.
So if you are looking for a place that is not overrun by tourists, but still has a bit of history to offer, then the East Brooklyn sights are just the right thing – an underestimated jewel that you just have to experience before returning to the hectic of the city.
Whether adventurers, connoisseurs or culture lovers – in East Brooklyn everyone finds something that tears him out of everyday life, and I'm lucky to know everything firsthand.
My personal favorite spot is St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The brick dome protrudes over the fields like a lost lighthouse, and the interior is a mix of honest craftsmanship and the one or other cheesy glass window that dips the light into an almost sacral color play in the summer. I remember looking into the organ at a church service by chance – the piano was old, but the keys played even better than some modern clubs. Parking is usually a Klacks, as long as you don't come on Sunday morning after the fair, then the small parking lot becomes a battlefield quickly.
Only a few destinations surprise their visitors with a park that is at the same time an open air museum, and that is exactly what East Brooklyn Community Park. There is an old, slightly rusty tractor that the city has set up as a monument to agricultural history. I got my first hairstyle in the wind when a sudden storm sweeped the picnic blanket from the table – an unforgettable moment that showed me that nature still has the say here. The playground is small, but the swing is stable enough to return even the bravest adult a bit of childhood.
If you are looking for a place where you can sneak a bit of history, there is no way to East Brooklyn Schoolhouse by. The old school building from the 1900s was converted into a mini-museum, which houses old class books, chalkboards and a dusty globe specimen. I once got a lead there with a retired teacher who told me that he once had a student who later became president of the local bank – a detail I will never forget again. Parking is a bit tricky here, because the terrain is surrounded by old field roads, but a short walk is worth it.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is that East Brooklyn Grain Elevator. This massive wooden and steel building is not only a functioning warehouse for cereals, but also a popular photo stop for Instagram-Aficionados. I once met a photographer who said that the light was “magic” in the late afternoon, and I had to admit that he was right – the golden light makes the wood almost glow. Access is only for vehicles, but a short walk from the main road is enough to admire the whole.
For culinary hunger there is the inconspicuous but surprisingly good Miller’s Diner on Main Street. The burgers are not just gourmet, but they are honest, dedicating and are served with a serving of homemade pommes that are crispy as some expensive restaurant supplement. I once caught the owner in how he personally touched the milkshakes – a sight that reminded me that there are still real people working here, not just machines. On working days, parking right in front of the diner is a children's play, but on Friday evening long snakes are formed, so it's better to come early.
A short detour to Greenfield Township Library is worth looking for some rest. The library is small, but the range of local history books is amazingly extensive. I found an old diary that came from a farmer from the 1920s – a real find that gave me an insight into the hard life of the pioneers. The building has a small parking lot behind the house, which is usually free as long as you do not come to the weekly reading hour.
And because I must not forget everything: Kankakee River Trail is in the immediate vicinity and offers hikers and cyclists a quiet retreat. I've often sorted my thoughts there while I walked along the river and heard the quiet plunder. The access point is well signposted, and parking is free at the small parking lot at the Trailhead – a rare luxury in this area.
So, if you're thinking about the next time you want to spend your next little break, remember that East Brooklyn Attractions not only consist of dusty field paths, but of real experiences that you only get when you keep your eyes open and are ready to accept a bit of dirt on your shoes.
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