What makes Mount Zion's sights so special is the unique mix of historical simplicity and an almost sublime self-satisfaction that can be felt at the sight of the old rails. I remember the first time I took the train from Decatur over the old Main St. Louis-Line drove to Mount Zion – the rat of the locomotive was almost like a nostalgic beat that accompanies the city since the 1850s, when the first pioneers founded the township and broke the land for agriculture. Today the I‐72 sounds, and I usually take the exit 146 to be in the center in a few minutes where the headstone paver is still testified by the first settlers.
People here have a dry humour that is reflected in the small cafes and the only diner – no joke, the food is really great, but the portions are so small that you almost feel they would save the money. I don't quite understand the hype about the annual harvest fair, but the colorful driving on the marketplace is a real eye-catcher if you're honest. And when you look at the fields of Mount Zion Township in the evening, you can see that life is pulsating more slowly here, but with a sublime pride that puts every visitor in a bit.
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To find the exact point where the sun disappears behind the skyline, use the azimuth display on poi-travel.de. In Mount Zion, 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 first stop of my little Odyssey was the sparkling water of Lake Decaturthat stretches only a few minutes south of Mount Zion and is more than just a pretty photo motif. I rented an old kayak there on a hot July afternoon – the thing was more than my last attempt to assemble an IKEA bookcase – and paddled over the gentle waves, while the sun was reflected in the water like an overcrowded selfie stick. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't come on Friday night, then the shore turns into a battlefield of crowded picnic blankets and loudly strong grill masters.
A short detour to Decatur brought me to the heart of the city where the Children’s Museum of Illinois stands – yes, that sounds like a place for kids, but I swear the interactive exhibits have made me amaze more than so many art gallery visits. I remember, as an adult, stuck in a gigantic, glowing marble alley and tried to keep control while an 8-year-old cheered next to me when I finally reached the end. The museum is practically in the centre, so parking can easily be done in one of the public garages; the only manko is that the café offers only coffee and donuts – no joke, that is the whole culinary offer.
Further north, almost a small detour, this is Scovill Zoo. I spent a day there because I thought a zoo was a safe place to escape everyday life. Surprisingly, the staff there was so enthusiastic about the animals that they poured almost all the knowledge of the local white-headed eagles out of the sleeves, while I tried to photograph the peacock that refused to smile in the camera. The zoo has a spacious car park that gets crowded quickly on weekends – a tip: come early, otherwise you stand in the rain and listen to the calls of the monkeys, which are obviously better organized than the staff.
A little further west, near the old railway line, lies the Kickapoo State Recreation Area. There are hiking trails that lead through dense forests and stroll past small lakes that are so clear that you almost feel like being in a natural film. I spent half an hour repairing an abandoned wooden ridge – not because I am a craftsman, but because I could not appreciate the silence and the rustling of the leaves enough. Parking is free at the main entrance, but on weekends there are often long snakes because the families with their picnic baskets occupy the places.
A short jump to the south leads to Lincoln Trail State Park, a place that offers more history than nature, at least if you take the name seriously. I visited the small visitor centre that surprisingly well informed about Abraham Lincoln and his early years in Illinois – a bit dry, but the tour was so easy that I almost felt like chatting with an old friend. The park has a simple but well signposted parking, and the hiking trail network is ideal for a quick walk if you don't want to sit in the car all day.
Back in the city, this may be Decatur Water Tower not missing, the iconic, red and white striped structure that watches over the skyline like an oversized corkscrew. I took a photo there that I later posted on Instagram, just to see that the picture was overshadowed by a passing tractor – a real local charm. The tower is surrounded by a small parking lot, which is usually free, unless there is a local festival, then it becomes a hotspot for food trucks and spontaneous street musicians.
A last but not less interesting stop is that Macon County Historical Museumhoused in an old, renovated building and a collection of artifacts from the region. I found an old diary written by a farmer from the 1880s – a fascinating insight that reminded me that this area has more to offer than fields and corn. The museum has a small visitor parking space behind the building; it is rarely full, so you can enjoy the exhibitions there in peace without being disturbed by loud groups.
When you explore the surroundings of Mount Zion, you can quickly discover that Mount Zion Attractions not only lie in the city itself, but extend over the whole region – from glittering lakes to lively zoos to historical paths that tell stories from past times. Each of these places has its own character, and I can only recommend taking the car, having a little patience with the parking space and letting yourself be surprised by the mixture of nature, history and local characteristics.
This guide invites you to stroll through the small but self-contained Mount Zion, as if we met in the pub after a long working day and chat about the best corners of the city.
I always start with the United Methodist Church because it is the heart of the village – a brick building from the early 20th. Century that has more stories to tell than many bestsellers. The high windows let the morning light so that you almost feel like sitting in a church from an old movie. I once experienced a Sunday service coffee meeting there; the community was friendly, but the cake choice was a bit too conservative – no joke, that was an old-fashioned marble cake that smelled more like history than sugar.
A short walk down the main road leads to Mount Zion Public Library. This is not only a place to read, but a meeting place for the kids who are playing board games there after school. I borrowed a book about the history of Macon County and noticed that the staff always speaks a bit too enthusiastic about local genealogy – as if every visitor suddenly wants to become a ancestor. Parking is usually a Klack, except on Saturdays when the weekly flea market chaos blocks the street.
If you have enough of dusty shelves, you go on to Mount Zion Community Park. This is the green heart of the place, with a small lake, a few baseball diamonds and a playground that has more rust than color – but that makes the charm. I made a picnic with friends there in the summer; the water was cool enough to refresh the children, and the old oaks donated enough shade to make the cricket bearable. The park is free, and the only “entry ticket” is the occasional quaken of the frogs, which almost looks like a concert at night.
A little further north, almost hidden behind the corn fields, this is old grain silo – a monument of the agricultural industry, which today serves more as a photo motif. I shot a photo there that later landed on my Instagram feed, and that was the only time I really felt like an adventurer because I knocked the railing around the silo to enjoy the view. Be careful. The terrain is not always secured, so please don't climb too much up if you don't want to be rescued by the local fire department.
Another highlight I can't leave is that Mount Zion Historical Society Museum. It is small but full of local artefacts – from old school books to handmade furniture of the founding families. I found an old map that shows how the village was once traversed by a single path that is now considered Main Street. The museum is operated by volunteers who like to tell why the village has never become a big city – a bit dry, but honestly, that is exactly what I appreciate in such places.
Of course you can Mount Zion Fall Festival do not miss that takes place every year in October. It's a bit like a Mini-County-Fair, with fewer crowds and more local craftsmanship. I have eaten the best caramel apple baggage of my life there, and that was the only time I could look forward to the “authentic” atmosphere without thinking that I am in a tourist catalog.
If you ask yourself what else to see here, then think about the Mount Zion Cemeterya quiet place where the history of the village continues in engraved stones. I once discovered an old gravestone that bears the date of 1865 – a hint that the area was colonized long before the official founding date. The cemetery is well maintained, and parking is possible right next to the entrance, which is practical if you want to think a bit after a long day.
All these Mount Zion Attractions together form an image that is familiar and surprising at the same time. I don't quite understand the hype around the big metropolises, but here, between corn fields and old brick buildings, I find a rest that is rarely experienced in the crowded cities. So, next time you're in Macon County, turn off the GPS, follow the signs to Mount Zion and let yourself be enchanted by the small but fine details – and don't forget to take a few photos so you can tell your friends that you were really there.
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