Honestly, when I hear the word “Hoopeston Sights”, I first think of the dusty road that leads me from Chicago to Grant Township – a short detour from I‐57, and suddenly the heart of Vermilion County lies ahead of me. The city was born in 1870 as a railway hub, and this is still felt today: the old warehouses smell like history, not hipster coffee.
I liked to get lost in the small alleys where people are still talking with a smile about the weather that changes here between corn fields and endless layers of heaven. The old courthouse, a brick building from the 19. Century, is not a museum, but a real meeting place for those who like to discuss politics while enjoying their lunch on the veranda.
A short detour to Grant Township lets me feel the agricultural soul – tractors that crawl like huge insects over the fields, and an annual corn festival that I never quite understand, but still visit every year, because the peace candle in the wind simply looks magical. And yes, I don't quite understand the hype about the “Hoopeston Sights” label, but the honest hospitality here is really great.
With the map tool, you can plan the ideal location for a photo online in advance – taking into account the sun's path and the surroundings.
Here's how it works:
Advantage:
You can assess light, perspective and location before visiting the site – ideal for photography, sunrises and sunsets.
To find the exact point where the sun disappears behind the skyline, use the azimuth display on poi-travel.de. In Hoopeston, 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 Kickapoo State Recreation Area, just about 20 miles north of Hoopeston, is what you could call “natural therapy” during a visit to the area – if you are not just plagued by mosquitoes. The lake is large enough to push a bit of boat, and the trails wind through ancient oaks that have more stories to tell than some locals. I once tried to make a photo of the sunset there, just to realize that the sun hid behind a razor of ducks – a real moment that reminded me that nature is in charge here. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the field full of caravans becomes a small battlefield.
A short trip to Danville leads to Vermilion County Museumhidden in an imposing, slightly dusty building from the 1920s. The exhibitions are a mix of local history, ancient land machines and a surprisingly well-made collection of works of art from the region. I have to admit that I cannot fully understand the hype about the “interactive” children’s department – my curiosity was rather awakened by the old photographs of the first railways that formed the backbone of the area. The museum is centrally located, so there are always a few free parking spaces when you arrive early enough.
The Danville River Walk is another piece of town that I like to look over, because it is too easy to take a walk. Along the Vermilion River there is a well-maintained path, lined by benches that invite to stay, and occasional art installations that give more questions than answers. I once made a picnic there, while an older gentleman told me that he jogs here every morning because the water “cleans the soul”. Practical: Access is free, and parking at the end of the path is almost always free as long as you are not there at noon with the whole city.
For those who prefer to travel on rails, the Danville Prairie Trail is a real secret tip. The former freight train station was transformed into a 12-mile long cycle and hiking trail that leads through fields, small forests and a few abandoned barns. I have straightened the whole route with a friend there, just to see that the only “riding places” consist of old tractor houses, which you do not get too close – the smells are an experience for yourself. The trail is well signposted, and parking at the starting point is usually easy as long as you do not arrive at the weekend with a group of families.
A little further east, almost on the edge of the University campus of Urbana‐Champaign, lies this University of Illinois Arboretum. Here you can meet well-maintained gardens, a greenhouse and a few hidden paths that can surprise even carved nature lovers. I once discovered a spontaneous Poetry-Slam event organized by students – a real proof that culture is pulsating not only in museums, but also in the green. Parking is a bit tricky because the campus car park is quickly full, but a small sideway leads to a free parking if you are ready to run a few minutes.
Last but not least, the Busey Woods is mentioned, a 165-hectar natural area managed by the city of Danville. The trails are well marked, and the wildlife – from reefs to rare bird species – makes this a small adventure. I once saw a fox watching me from a safe distance as if I were the leading actor in a natural document. The entrance is free, and parking is located directly at the entrance, but it can be done quickly on sunny Saturdays, because families here make a picnic.
When you explore the surroundings of Hoopeston, you can quickly see that the region has more to offer than just Maisfelder and the annual Corn Festival. From the quiet lakes in the Kickapoo State Recreation Area to the historic halls of the Vermilion County Museum to the green paths of the Busey Woods – there is something to discover for every taste. And that's exactly what makes Hoopeston Attractions to an underestimated treasure for travellers who want to experience something authentic off the beaten paths.
So if you're the first time after Hoopeston you have to Hoopeston Corn Festival Grounds check off – yes, this is my personal top attraction, because here the whole town is suddenly transformed into a cornfield monk and you ask yourself why you were not here earlier. I don't understand the hype around the festival, but the mixture of oversized corn-piston sculptures and the countless food stands is easy great. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because everyone tries to get a place next to the huge corn stage.
A short walk (or a short sprint if you want to avoid the traffic jam) leads you to Hoopeston Historical Museum. There are old black and white photographs of farmers who betray more about the true heart of the city than any Instagram story. I found a yellowed newspaper that reported a 1920s vintage where a local politician claimed that the weather was “predictable as a clockwork”. No joke, that was a real laugh, because the weather here is just as moody as a teenager with too much energy drink.
If you're looking for a place where you can recover from the hustle and bustle, see this Hoopeston Public Library on. The library is not only a place to read, but also a social hub – I once experienced a poetry slam where a pensioner spoke about his lost socket. That was so absurd that I almost returned the book that I just wanted to borrow. Practical: Parking behind the building is almost always free as long as you don't buy a sandwich there at noon.
Another highlight I always mention is that Hoopeston Water Tower. This rusty colossus overlooks the city like a murderous guard. I took a photo there once, while a tractor passed and almost all the city dusted – the picture is now my favorite wallpaper. The tower is not accessible to visitors, but the surrounding green is perfect for a picnic if you are looking for a snack from the Corn Festival.
For those who want to feel the real “smaller city life” the Main Street A must. Here are some old diners, an antique shop that has more dust than goods, and a small kiosk that sells the best coffee beans from Iowa – no joke, that's better than some hipster café in the big city. I once discovered an old record player who still works there, and that was the highlight of my day, because I suddenly felt like living in a movie from the 50s.
A short detour to Grant County Fairgrounds is also worth it. There are various events all year round, from livestock auctions to local craft markets. I was there in the autumn when a local artist exhibited a sculpture from maize stalks – that was so cheesy that I wanted to document almost the whole photographically, just to later realize that my phone had no memory.
And finally, because I'm not enough of Hoopeston Attractions I recommend a detour to make Hoopeston High School Football Stadium. The stadium is small, but the atmosphere is huge, especially when the “Cornfield” team plays. I once saw a game where the fans were more loud than the players – that was a real proof that here the heart of the place on the lawn beats, not in the shining stages of the metropolises.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
