On the first steps through Coal City attractions you can immediately feel that this small town is more than just a stop on the highway to Chicago. I remember driving over the old railway bridge as a child with my grandfather and telling me that Coal City was founded in 1857 as a coal mine – a name that is almost ironic today, because the mines have long since become museum pieces. The whole area is located in Felix Township, which in turn is part of Grundy County, explaining why the streets here run a little bit more slanted than in the planned suburbs further east.
When you walk the main road honestly, you realize that people here have a peculiar self-confidence: They talk loudly about their weekly peasant markets while at the same time they praise the latest fast food truck from Illinois – no joke, this is almost a ritual here. I took the bus from the Metra station in Joliet, because the car would have cost me too much time, and suddenly I stood in the middle of the small but charming center where the old town hall still forms the heart.
For those who want to experience the authentic Middle Land, Coal City not only offers a few nice cafes, but also a sense of resistance that you rarely find in the fast-paced suburbs. And yes, the Coal City sights are not packaged in a shiny guidebook, but are hidden in the conversations of the locals, which are best heard with a cool beer in the local pub.
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The first place I have to mention is that Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, a huge piece of unspoiled green that stretches around 30 km east of Coal City. I spent an afternoon there, while a wind blow brought the high prairie grasses to dance – a picture you can't find in every Instagram feed. Parking is usually easy, except for the weekends when the Ranger tours are full and you have to go through between a tractor and a picnic basket. The "Prairie Loop" trail is well signposted, and if you're lucky, you'll catch the rare prairie canine hidden behind a bush.
A short detour to the north leads you to Kankakee River State Park. There is not only a lake for fishing, but also a network of hiking and cycling trails, which swell through dense forests. I remember standing on a hot July afternoon at the waterfront, an ice cream in my hand, and suddenly a family bird shot over the lake – a moment that was almost too cheesy for my cynical vein, but still was really great. The parking spaces are generous, but on Saturday night there can be a small chaos when the grill groups move.
Only about 20 km further north Illinois Railway Museum in Union, the largest railway museum in the USA. I spent hours marveling old steam locomotives and wondering about the curious exhibits that hardly anyone mentions. A highlight was the ride with a restored “Prairie Star” that almost let me forget that I actually wanted to take a short stop. The museum offers enough parking, and the staff is surprisingly friendly – a small comfort when you have to recover the ears of squeaking brakes after a long drive through the middle country.
A bit further west, in the heart of Morris, this is impressive Grundy County Courthouse. The 1905 building radiates an almost majestic boredom, which I find somehow charming. I made a tour with a local historian who told me that the court building was once a scene of a spectacular smuggling process – a detail that you rarely find in the tourist brochures. Parking is possible directly in front of the building, but the narrow lanes can become a challenge for larger vehicles.
If you prefer to travel on two wheels, Fox River Trail A must. The path stretches along the river and connects several small cities, including Coal City. I straightened the trail on a sunny autumn morning, while the leaves were lit in all red and gold tones – a sight that was almost too romantic for my sober view. The trail facilities are well-developed and you will find drinking water points everywhere, although the toilets sometimes seem somewhat improvised.
A last but not less interesting stop is the historical center of Channahon25 km south. There is a small museum that illuminates the history of the railway and the early settlers. I discovered an old photograph showing a train that seems to be driving directly through today's city centre – a picture that clearly illustrates the rapid development of the region. Parking is available at the town hall, and parking is usually easy as long as you do not arrive at the main traffic time.
If you are looking for varied experiences around Coal City, you will quickly notice that the environment has more to offer than just a few field routes. From wide prerias to historical railway museums to charming small towns – there is enough fabric for any kind of traveller. And that's exactly what makes Coal City Attractions to an underestimated treasure in the heart of Illinois.
This guide invites you to stroll with me through Coal City's slanted-harmant world, as if we met in the pub after a long working day and chat about the best corners of the city.
For me, the Coal City Historical Museum, a tiny but surprisingly well-stocked museum in a rebuilt railway depot. I remember standing there as a child with my grandfather and marveling at the old coal production – that was not exactly what was expected of a “historical” attraction, but the original tools and the dusty photos really tied me up. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, the small car park in front of the museum suddenly becomes the battlefield of the weekend hunters.
A short walk further leads to Coal City Public Library. Yes, I know libraries are not exactly the highlight for adventurers, but here there is a corner with local works of art that I have completely overlooked during the first visit – until I have crumbled in a cozy reading chair and was suddenly surrounded by an old photo album about the city history. The library even has a small café where you can drink a coffee while enjoying the “Stille” of the shelves – a real secret tip for those who are looking for a bit of rest without going straight to the monastery.
If you have enough of dusty memories, that is Coal City Park exactly the counterpart. The park is not huge, but the green areas are surprisingly well maintained, and the playgrounds have the charm of 90-year designs that somehow seem nostalgic. I once made a picnic with friends, and we made fun of the “great” idea that the car park next to the playground is a bit too close – but hey, this is Coal City, where everything is a bit thrown together.
Another must is that St John the Baptist Catholic Church. The church is not only a place of prayer, but also an architectural piece of jewelry with a stone façade, which acts almost like a set of films in the sunset. I took part in a choir sample there – no joke, I tried to sing, and the result was... let's say, a good example of why some talents should stay in the head better. Nevertheless, the acoustics is impressive, and the interior is a quiet retreat when you want to escape the hustle of the city.
For those who prefer something more active, there is Coal City Golf. The place is not exactly a PGA-Turnier-Venue, but the fairways are well maintained and the clubhouse has a rustic charm that invites you to stay. I played a 9-hole game with an old colleague there, and we argued about whether the water barrier is a “strategic element” or just a “bad design” – the result was a few lost balls and a good laughter.
A short detour to Coal City Farmers Market on Saturday morning is also worthwhile. Fresh vegetables, homemade jams and a stand with handmade candles – this is the true “local” flair that you don’t find in the big supermarkets. I tried the best maize bread of my life there, which was baked by an older lady named Marge; she even gave me a recipe that I've been baking every time I have guests.
A little away from the main roads Coal City Community Center. There are regular art exhibitions, dance evenings and even a small film classic evening. I was once at a retro movie night when we saw “Casablanca” on an old canvas – the popcorn was a bit too salty, but the atmosphere was so cozy that I almost forgot that I had only come because of the snack.
And yes, if you are looking for a good photo motif, you can choose the iconic Coal City Water Tower not overlooked. The tower rises over the city like a silent guard, and at sunset it throws a warm light on the surrounding houses. I have made a few recordings that are now hanging in my Instagram feed – no joke, that is the only building I would ever call a “must-see” because it is simply so distinctive.
If you now think that all this is a bit too much, let me tell you: Coal City Attractions are not exactly the glittering metropolis that you know from travel guides, but that makes the charm. There are no crowded tourist streams here, just a few nice people who give you a smile when you ask for the way, and a few places you leave with a slight symphony because they are so honest and unpretentious.
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