To be honest, when I hear the word “Royal Sights”, I immediately think of the inconspicuous village of Royal, which is hidden comfortably in the heart of Ogden Township in Champaign County – a place that has more history than one would suspect at first sight. Founded at the end of 19. The town has hardly changed since the first cereal cars were rolling over the rails and the first citizens built their wooden houses. I usually drive by car over the I‐57, because the highway passes practically directly to the city, and if I like a bit of train romance, I jump into the Amtrak, which stops in Champaign and from there is a short transfer to Royal.
I don't quite understand the hype about the big cities, but here, between endless corn fields, there are some real treasures you shouldn't miss. For example, the old municipal house, which still serves as a meeting point for the neighborhood – no joke, here is still discussing the weather and the harvest as if it were the most important of the world. And then there is the small library that has more charm than some hip cafes in downtown Champaign. So if you're looking for a place that shows you the real, unauthenticated Illinois, grab your suitcases and let yourself be surprised by the “Royal Sights” – I promise you won't be disappointed.
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 Royal, 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 is University of Illinois Campus – a bit like a mini-city park, only with more students who are loudly discussing their final work. I have the famous Union discovered a building that houses more cafes than an average suburb. Parking is usually a children's game as long as you don't come on Friday night after a football game; then the car park is transformed into a battlefield of uplifting cars.
A short detour to Crane Art Museum is worthwhile because the museum not only shows art from all over the world, but also has the rare ability to bring visitors to actually think about what they see. I remember standing in front of an abstract painting and suddenly felt like understanding my tax return – a real lucky case, considering that the museum does not require entry.
If you have enough of Western art, the path continues to Japan House on campus. There are tea ceremonies that are so precise that I almost felt like rethinking my own life decisions. The garden is small but perfectly maintained; parking is right next to the main building, and the sign “Visitor Parking” is a bit too friendly considering that most visitors stay only for a few minutes.
A bit further south, almost like a trip to the past, this is Illinois Railway Museum in Union. I saw an old steam locomotive there so loudly that I thought it was going to tell me a secret. The museum is huge, but parking is an open field – so just park and take off. The exhibition is so well curated that even a car enthusiast like I suddenly developed interest in rail transport.
A short trip to Monticello leads to Allerton Park and Retreat Center. The spacious gardens and sculptures are a real eye-catcher, and the terrain is so big that you can easily lose a few hours without remembering that you were just there for a photo. I made a picnic there while a squirrel tried to steal my sandwiches – a small but unforgettable moment. Parking is available at the main entrance, and they are usually free except for weekends when the whole country flows into the park.
For nature lovers Kickapoo State Recreation Area A must. The lake is ideal for fishing, and the hiking trails offer enough variety to inspire even the most bored city dwellers. I spent a few hours there to just enjoy the silence – a rare luxury near Champaign. Parking is free at the main entrance, but on hot summer days it can be full, so better get early.
Back to the city, but not too close, this is Champaign County Historical Museum. The collection of artefacts from the region is surprisingly extensive and I discovered an old farmhouse model that reminded me of my childhood in the country. The museum has a small parking lot behind the building; this is practical because you don't have to drive through the city centre to get there.
Another green jewel is the Hessel Park, a place I often use for a spontaneous badminton game with friends. The park has a small lake, an amphitheater and enough benches to read a book if you don't want to be active. There are parking spaces along the main road, and they are almost always free, unless there is a concert – then the whole becomes a small crowd.
Whether you are looking for art, history, nature or just a bit of rest, the surroundings of Royal, Ogden Township, Champaign have more to offer than you would suspect at first glance. The places mentioned show that you can plan a varied weekend without great effort – and all this without entering the city itself. For those looking for authentic experiences, these are Royal sights definitely worth a visit.
I need you to Royal Grain Elevator tell – this is the heart of this slept spot for me. The huge wooden and steel block on the edge of the railway line is not only a functioning warehouse for corn and soya, but also an involuntary photo motif for anyone who passes here. I stood there for the first time, while a tractor with squeaking tires pushed past, and thought: “Here you could almost open a museum if you were not constantly listening to the crying of the sirens from the neighboring fire department store.” Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't get there with the other barbecue fans on Saturday night – then the field becomes the battlefield parking space.
A short walk (or a short sprint, depending on the mood) leads you to Royal Methodist Church. The building from the 1880s has more history in the walls than some big city kiosk. I heard a Sunday choir sample there – no joke, the voices almost sounded like they worship the whole valley. The interior is simple, but the benches are charming, and the little bell game is ringing at every hour, which reminds me every time that someone still holds traditions.
If you're looking for a place where you can recover from the gear of everyday life, see this Royal Community Center on. This is not just a multi-purpose building, but the social epicentre – here the weekly bingo ends take place, and I even experienced an improvised Poetry-Slam event where a 70-year-old farmer spoke about his love for corn. The center has a small parking lot behind the building, and the best: the WLAN actually works, so you can post your Insta story without the image being pixelated.
A bit further, almost on the edge of the village, this is Royal Cemetery. I know that sounds like a macabre trip, but the old gravestones tell stories you don't find in any guide. I found an old veteran there, whose inscription says that he “ drove the first tractor in Royal”. This is a silent monument to the pioneering period for me, and the terrain is surprisingly well maintained – a short walk here feels almost like a little history lesson.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is the Royal sights around the small post office. The building with the red door is barely more than a shop window for the locals, but if you pick up a package there, you immediately get the feeling of being part of a small but very organized community. The postman knows every name, and the conversation about the weather can quickly go into a discussion about the best fishing spots on the Illinois River.
For those who want a little action, there are the Royal Volunteer Fire Department. This is not only a place where the red trucks park, but a real training center for the volunteers. I once took part in an open day where they demonstrated the deletion of a simulated fire in the forest – that was not only educational, but also a bit spectacular when you see the water hoses in full force. The terrain is well signposted, and parking is almost always free thanks to a small side road.
Last but not least, Royal Elementary School Don't forget. Yes, a school may not be what you expect in a guide, but here there is a small art project that is exhibited every year by the students in the front garden of the school building. I saw a huge, colorful mosaic of recycled plastic bottles that tells the story of the village – a real eye-catcher, and the staff is always friendly when you ask for a short guided tour. The schoolyard is open, and you can settle there at any time to find a bit of rest while the children roar loudly their pause songs.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
