What makes Braidwood landmarks so special is the unique mix of historical reverence and the slanted charm of a small town that has hardly been able to hide since the 1850s. I have always wondered why the railroad, which laid the rails here in 1869, still dominates the cityscape and has to admit: the old railway station, today a quiet meeting place for coffee lovers, tells more about the founding families of Reed Township than any textbook. In the dusty alleys you can feel the echo of the coal mines, which once formed the backbone of Will County – a bit rough, a bit romantic, and yes, sometimes a little stinky when you inhale the wind from the old shafts.
If you come by car over Interstate 55, just follow the signs to Braidwood; the driveway is a short detour that is worth it because you immediately feel like landing in another time. I like to take the bus from Joliet because the ride through the wide fields of Reed Township is almost more meditative than any city tour. And while I sit here, I watch the locals talking to an eye-catcher about the “big city” while they do their weekly shopping in the small supermarket – a picture I don’t want to miss. People here have a dry humor that fits perfectly with the historical plaques scattered everywhere and summarize the history of Braidwood in scarce, sometimes sarcastic sentences. So every walk to a little history lesson you can hardly expect to repeat.
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The first stop I recommend to anyone who comes out of Braidwood is that Mazon River State Fish and Wildlife Area. I tried to override a pike there on a lukewarm Saturday morning – the result was a wet shoe and a laughing angler colleague who told me that the water here is more famous for ducks than for big fish. Nevertheless, the area is a paradise for birdwatchers; the trees along the river offer seating, of which the majestic white-head eagle is almost guaranteed to be plucked. Parking is usually a klack, except when the hunting weekend is in full swing – then the field becomes a small battlefield of cars and tractors.
A short descent towards the south leads to Kankakee River State Park. Here there is more than just a way to paddle: the trails wind through wet meadows, and I once discovered a frog, the louder queue than the tourists who came around the corner with their selfie sticks. The river is wide enough to test a kayak, and the water is surprisingly clear – at least until you realize that a few anglers have distributed their baits everywhere. The park is well signposted, and the visitor center has a small shop that sells more snacks than information brochures, which is a good sign for me.
If you have enough of nature, that is Joliet Iron Works Historic Site a welcome contrast. I found an old welding device there that still gives a quiet sum of itself – a relic from the industrial flowering period that reminds me of the stories of my grandparents working in the factories of the area. The place is not huge, but the restored factory halls give you the feeling of standing in a time machine that just puts a short stop in modernity. Parking is best to be done in the early afternoon, because the number of visitors after 17:00 suddenly hit the height when the school classes show up for excursions.
A couple of miles further Will County Historical Museum in Joliet, which houses more artefacts than I could gather in a year of souvenirs. I remember discovering an old diary from the 1920s in a dusty corner, which acted by a farmer who complained about the “big urban people” who flooded his fields with tractors. The museum is a bit like a huge cellar full of memories, and the staff is so friendly that they even offered me a piece of cake from the cafeteria – a little comfort when you fight through the endless exhibitions.
For those looking for a touch of religious history and a little Swedish charm, this is Bishop Hill Historic Site a real secret tip. I took part in a sunny autumn afternoon in a guided tour where a guide in an old-fashioned costume explained how the Swedish settlers organized their community. The old wooden houses are still standing, and the museum offers workshops where you can carve a piece of wood – an experience I would hardly have thought possible if I were not randomly stumbled over the sign “Open Workshop”. The parking lot is small, so better to come early, otherwise you have to park the car at the edge of the road and take a walk of about 200 meters.
Whether you’re looking for quiet natural experiences, industrial history or a small cultural excursion – the surroundings of Braidwood provide a colourful mix that surprises every traveler. And if you are looking for the perfect mix of relaxation and discovery, then these places are exactly what you need to get the Braidwood Attractions in a new light.
This guide invites you to stroll through the rather inconspicuous but surprisingly charming Braidwood as if we were secretly sneaking into the back of a forgotten Western city.
I always start with State Park because this is the only green that is not surrounded by a field path that is only driven by tractors. The lake glistens in the morning light, and if you're lucky, you'll see a duck pair that's more interested in your snacks than for the water. Parking is usually a Klacks – a small car park right at the entrance, as long as you don't get out of the suburbs with the families on Saturday night, this will be a little patience.
A short trip to the heart of the city leads you to Braidwood Historical Museum. The old railway depot, which is now full of old tools, photos and a collection of mine helmet exhibits, is a bit like a dusty suitcase full of family secrets. I remember trying to climb the old locomotive as a child – the safety signs didn't stop me, but the staff quickly pulled me down. Today, it is a quiet place where you can rest assured of the history of coal mines that the city once held alive.
If you're looking for a place where you can move back with a book without a café overwhelming you with loud indie pop music, then it's the Braidwood Public Library That's right. The building is a relic from the 1920s, with high ceilings and a reading room that smells more like a library of a film by Wes Anderson than a modern media center. I once spent an afternoon there, while a thunderstorm rolled over the field outside – that was almost as dramatic as a thriller, only that the only sound was clicking the keyboard.
A little sport? The Braidwood Golf Club is a 9 hole place that has more character than some 18 holes in the big cities. The fairways are lined with trees that offer a firework of red and gold tones in autumn. I once tried to hit a birdie there and instead landed in the bunker – that was a real “I-hab-mich-running-in-sand” moment, but the laughing of the other players has saved the situation.
A short walk leads you to City Parkwhere a small playground, a basketball court and a pavilion are waiting for you for barbecue evenings. Here the locals meet to share a beer after work, and you immediately get the feeling that you are part of a small, slightly chaotic community. The car park is practical, but if you come by bike, you can use the many cycle paths that swell through the neighborhood – a real plus point for the environmentally conscious travellers.
For those who are looking for the typical “Small City-Flair”, Braidwood main road A must. There are a few antique shops, a café that serves the best apple cake in the region (I tried it, and yes, it is really as good as all locals claim), and a small cinema that occasionally hosts retro movie evenings. The road is wide enough to enjoy a cozy walk, and parking is usually free as long as you are not there at the main traffic time.
A little less touristic, but for me personally a highlight, is the old Water tower on the edge of the city. The tower is a landmark that can be seen from almost everywhere, and it reminds of the time when Braidwood was still an important hub for the water supply of the surrounding mines. I made a picnic there once, while the sun went down – that was a moment when I thought I might become a bit too poetic, but the picture of the tower in the evening red was just too beautiful to ignore it.
If you now think that this is too much, let me tell you: Braidwood Attractions are not packed in a huge guide, but scattered like small treasures waiting to be discovered. And the best thing is that you feel like being an insider because you have visited the same places that I recommend – with a little cynicism, but a lot of heart – again and again.
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