Gifford sights? Honestly, that sounds like one of those hip Instagram hashtags that you hardly understand until you stand there – and that's exactly what I love about this tiny little spot Illinois. Founded in 1880 as a railway shrine for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway, Gifford has never sought the splendour of a metropolis; Instead, it has encircled into the quiet area of Compromise Township, which in turn is part of the vast Champaign County. If you come from Champaign by car, simply follow the I‐57 south and take the exit 229 – this is the fastest because the bus here is a myth. I don't understand the hype around the big cities, but the small village has a charm you can only find when you stroll along the main road and admire the old wood shrubs that tell more stories than any museum. Right next to the old post office, which is now a café, there is a small place where locals sell their Sunday rolls – no joke, that is better than any tourist attraction. And yes, if you googlest to “Gifford Sights” you will find that the real highlight is the authentic, slightly sleepy life here that almost lets you forget that you are even on the go.
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 Gifford, 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 I can't miss is that Japan House on the campus of the University of Illinois – a tiny but amazingly quiet place where you can almost forget between Tatami mate and a small Zen garden that you are actually in the dusty Illinois prairie. I once observed a tea ritual that sounded more after a silent meditation than after a lecture, and that was a real light look between the endless lecture blocks that otherwise shape the city.
A short detour to the south leads to Crane Art Museum. The building itself is a bit like an oversized box that tries to look modern, while the exhibitions inside are anything but cheesy. I don't quite understand the hype about the changing pop-up exhibitions, but the permanent “American Art” is a real location for me, where I could discuss the subtle shades of Mid-Century artists for hours – and that, while the café has hardly any space for more than four people.
If you have enough of art, that is Illinois Railway Museum in Union a must. I saw an old diesel train model there, so loud that I almost thought it was a modern electric sports car. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the model trainers from all over Illinois move. But chaos is worth it: The guided tours are easy, the guides like to talk about the history of the railway, and you get the feeling of sitting in a time machine that rarely drives.
A little further west, almost like a secret retreat, lies the Kickapoo State Recreation Area. There is a lake that invites you to swim in the summer, and hiking trails that lead through trees that you only know from postcards. I once made a picnic with friends that was disturbed by a horde duck that apparently thought the bread was better than us. The entrance is free, parking is generous, and the only thing you should bring is a good pair of walking shoes – and maybe a bit of patience if you want to find the way to the viewpoint.
A short trip to Champaign brings you Homer Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area. The lake is not just a paradise for sun worshippers, but for anglers a real Eldorado. I caught a pike there that was almost as big as my bike, and that was the highlight of my day – until I realized that I didn't really master fishing and left the animal back into the water. The parking lot is small, so it's better to come early if you don't want to be in traffic.
For those who prefer history than nature, this is Champaign County Historical Museum in Urbana a place where one can understand the development of the region from the beginnings to the present. I saw an old tractor model that reminded me of the agricultural roots of the area, and that was a beautiful contrast to the state-of-the-art research laboratories of the university. The museum is small but well curated, and the staff is friendly when you ask for additional information.
Another highlight I can't leave is that Prairie Farm Museum in Urbana. There is a real farmhouse from the 19th century. Century that still looks like it just heard the cow bells. I took part in a workshop where you could use old tools – a bit dusty, but a real experience that gives you the feeling of being part of a long past era.
Whether you are looking for art, railway history, nature or rural traditions – the environment of Gifford offers more than enough fabric for curious travelers. The mix of small museums, large parks and surprising cultural corners makes the area a underestimated treasure. So, Gifford Attractions searches, will quickly realize that the true highlights lie a few miles outside the village – and that is exactly what makes this region so charming and at the same time a bit self-willing.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Gifford is not some hipest café, but the Gifford Public Library. Yes, you have read correctly – a small, squeaky building that sprays more charm than most big city cinemas. I borrowed a book about maize cultivation there, because I thought it was a bit too local, and then I sat there, surrounded by shelves, breathing more history than the city itself. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because the local bingo troupe will occupy the garage.
A short walk further (and that's not a joke, that's really just a few blocks) leads you to Gifford Community Park. There is a playground, a few baseball-diamonds and a small amphitheater that is used for the annual Gifford Summer Festival in summer. I was there last year when a local country band brought the crowd to dance – that was really great, though I wondered why people still dance to country if you could have pop. The park is open, the grass is mostly mowed, and the only thing you should bring is a picnic basket and a bit of patience if you are looking for a free space under the trees.
There is now a place that I personally consider to be underestimated: old grain silo on Main Street. This massive, rusty monument is what I would call Gifford’s “hearted symbol”. It's not exactly a museum, but if you stand there and hear the wind whistling through the metal plates, you get a sense of why the city actually exists. I took a picture there that now hangs in my living room – no joke, the picture got more likes than my last selfies.
If you're looking for a little story, look at that. Gifford Historical Society Museum in the old school building from the 1920s. The exhibition is small, but it contains original documents, old school books and a few dusty tools that remind you that the life here used to consist not only of Instagram posts. I found an old map that shows how the village was once traversed by rails and horse carriages – a real eye-catcher for anyone interested in local history.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is that Gifford Summer Festival – yes, the same festival I mentioned in the park, but this time it is about the parade, the food and the shrill costumes. I took part the first time in 2015 when I accidentally appeared in a Pappkarton costume I borrowed for a local play. The crowd laughed, and I learned that the inhabitants of Gifford have a pronounced sense of humor, even if the weather is miserable.
A short detour to Gifford Fire Department is also worth it. The building is not only a functioning fire department store, but also houses a small museum with old helmets and hose reels. I once met a former fireman who told me that the biggest fire they've ever extinguished was a locust corn field – that was so absurd that I almost thought he would make a joke.
And because I can't forget everything: if you're looking for a place where you can just drink a beer “just honestly” then go to Gifford Bar & Grill on the main road. This is not exactly a tourist magnet, but the bartenders know every regular guest by name and serve you a beer that tastes better than what you get in most big cities. I once met an old peasant who told me he was sitting here for 30 years every Friday – this is the true heart of Gifford.
If you now think that this is too much, let me give you one last word: Gifford sights may look small, but they have character that you rarely find in the crowded metropolises. And that's what makes the whole adventure so... strangely charming.
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