Visit Georgetown Vermilion Illinois and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the old railway and wood town of Georgetown in the U.S. state of Illinois! Experience the beautiful nature of the Illinois River and visit the historic Georgetown College. A must: The museum for old railways and the boat tour through the wild romantic river loops.
Georgetown sights are not exactly what you expect in a travel guide for big cities, but that's what makes the charm. Honestly, this small town in the heart of Vermilion County was founded in 1826, when a few brave pioneers decided to colonise the country between the fields – and since then there has hardly been any change here, which has not become a bit better. I usually drive by car over the I‐74, because the bus is more of a myth here, and as soon as I cross the old main road, I feel like I stroll through a lively history book.
The Township itself is a patchwork of farms, a few old wooden houses and the one or other café that has more heart than money. I don't quite understand the hype about the annual County Fair, but the popcorn there is really great and the people are so friendly that you almost forget that you're just “tourist” on the road. If you're looking for a place where time is slower and you're still not completely separated from the net, then Georgetown is just the right thing – a bit cynical, a bit nostalgic, but always honest.
I have to admit that I was never a huge fan of “Top‐10” lists – but when I tell you about Georgetown, I can’t start with my favorite attraction: the old Georgetown Public Library at the main square. The building is a real relic from the 1900s, with a façade that has more Patina than my favorite pulli after the first winter. Inside it smells like old paper and a bit of dust, but that's exactly what I love about small towns. Parking is usually a Klacks, as long as you don't want to be there on Friday night after the library reading – then the field before the entrance suddenly becomes the battlefield for cars.
A short walk further (and yes, this is no coincidence that I mention this) Georgetown Historical Museum. I once saw an old photo of a horse car that reminded me that there used to be more cows than people. The exhibition is small, but honestly – no exaggerated light installations, only real artefacts donated by the inhabitants themselves. If you're lucky, an older gentleman is taking the lead and telling you how he lived as a child in the same house that now houses the museum. This is the true “Georgetown Sights” experience that is not in every guide.
Go on St. Mary's Catholic Church, which I always refer to as the “dead house”. The Gothic windows are not the greatest, but the light that falls through them, when the sun is deep in winter, is almost poetic. I heard a choir sample there once on a Sunday – no joke, the singers were so enthusiastic that I almost felt they would put the whole village in. Parking behind the church is a bit of a labyrinth, but if you find the small, narrow way, you feel like discovering a secret.
If you're looking for a place where you can feel like a real local, look at this. Georgetown Farmers Market on. Every Saturday morning, farmers from the surrounding area put their fresh products out, and this is the only time you really feel in Georgetown that people not only “view” but actually have something to sell. I tried some local apples there that were so crisp that I almost had eaten the whole basket empty. Parking is a bit tricky here because most cars are parked on the street and then you have to take a little walk to the market – but this gives the whole a certain charm.
A bit off the hustle and bustle Georgetown Golf Course. I admit I'm not a golf professional, but the green is surprisingly well maintained for a village that is otherwise more known for its corn fields. I beat a couple of balls with a friend there, and we argued about whether the water barrier is a “artwork” or just an excessive hole in the lawn. The clubhouse has a small snack area where you get a coffee that is strong enough to save you after a long day in the park. Parking is available directly at the entrance, but at the weekend it can quickly be filled there – then you need to park a few blocks further and walk the way.
Another highlight I can't leave is that Georgetown Train Station. The railway station is small, but it has this nostalgic charm, which is only found in the few places that are still being traversed by the railway. I once missed a train to Chicago because I was too busy admiring the old clock on the wall. This is the problem with such places: You're so beautiful that you forget the time. Parking is practical here because there is a small car park right next to the train station – but it is usually occupied by commuters who just come back from the city.
Finally, and this may be a bit of the underestimated treasure, Georgetown Community Park. The park has a small field of play, a few benches and a well that easily swoops in the summer. I have often spent my lunch break there because the green is so well maintained that you almost feel like being in a suburb, not in a rural city. Parking is a children's game here because there is a large open parking space that is never really full – unless you come on the day of the annual summer festival, then it becomes a bit messy.
The first stop of my little Odyssey was Vermilion County Museum in Danville, which can only be reached a few minutes via the US route 150 – a short detour that still feels like a jump into the past. I saw an old tractor model there, which was allegedly still driven by a real farmer from the 40s; the thing smelled like old oil and nostalgia. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the small parking lot turns into a battlefield of crowded cars and stressed parents.
A few miles further, the Danville Prairie Trail, a 7-mile runway leading through fields and over old rails. I tried the trail on a windy autumn morning – the leaves rustled under the wheels, and I had to ask myself why I didn't come here earlier if this is the only way to feel Danville's rural soul. Bicycles can be rented at most stations, and parking at the trail entrance is almost always free, except if a local running club is just stopping its weekly training.
If you have enough of asphalt, the path continues to Kaskaskia River State Fish and Wildlife Area. The area is about 30 miles south, but the ride is worth it: a huge network of swamps, forests and fishing sites, which will amaze even carved urban people. I remember a morning when I was standing on the shore with a friend and suddenly a beaver repaired his dams – a spectacle that you don't see every day. The driveway is well signposted, and the small visitor center has enough parking space, as long as you don't get to the high season, you can quickly hop from a parking lot to the next.
Back in Danville, you can historical Danville Train Depot not missing. The old building from the 1880s serves today as a venue for weddings and art exhibitions – a bit cheesy, but at least a piece of lively history. I once experienced a small jazz concert where the acoustics in the old waiting area were almost too good to be true. The depot has a small parking lot behind the building; that is usually sufficient as long as you do not come to the wedding season, then you have to park a few blocks further and walk on foot.
Another highlight is the Danville Farmers Marketthat takes place every Saturday in the heart of the city. Fresh products, handmade soaps and a touch of local community – that is what I love in such markets, even if prices are sometimes a bit higher than in the supermarket. I once met an old farmer who told me that he had grown the same tomato varieties for over 50 years; the conversation was a short but intense insight into life here. Parking is usually easy on the marketplace, but if the weather is good, the roads quickly fill with cars and bicycles.
For art lovers there is Danville Art Guild, a small but fine center that regularly organizes exhibitions of local artists. I discovered a painting that represented the fields around Georgetown in bright yellow and green tones – a picture that was almost too beautiful to be real. The building has a small backyard where you can drink a coffee in good weather, and parking is usually free as long as you do not come during a big vernissage.
All in all, the surroundings of Georgetown and the neighbouring cities offer a colourful mix of history, nature and local culture that can satisfy every traveller – even the easy cynical one. So those who are looking for authentic experiences should definitely put the places mentioned on the map; they show that Georgetown Attractions extend far beyond the small town and offer plenty of reasons to visit the area more often.
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