Philo's sights are for me less a marketing term than an honest indication that this tiny corner of Illinois has more to offer than one would suspect at first glance. Honestly, Philo was born in 1855 as an agricultural village in the heart of Philo Township, Champaign County, and has barely reached the splendour of large cities since then – and this is somehow his charm. The first settlers came by train, which at that time ran the Illinois Central Railway along today's County Road 300, and laid the foundation stone for a village that is still characterized by old barns and an honest, slightly weathered Main Street.
When you arrive here, take the I‐57-Exit 215 or the regional bus of Champaign; this saves you the eternal wandering on land roads that are more field road than asphalt. I don't quite understand the hype around the big metropolises, but the quiet life here, the twilight of the field birds and the occasional ringing of an old church bell – this is the true highlight for me. And yes, the small café on the crossroads, which has existed since the 60s, serves the best black coffee wide and wide – no joke, that's almost a cult place. So if you're looking for an authentic Slice of Midwest, you shouldn't overlook Philo.
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The first stop of my little Odyssey leads you to Crane Art Museum in Urbana – a place where I spent more time with stars on abstract canvases than I would like to admit. The building itself is a modern brick block that feels like an oversized sculpture garden in the middle of the campus. I once discovered a special expedition about Pop Art, which almost convinced me that I should be an artist; a short look at the parking spaces, however, showed that parking on Saturday afternoon is a small adventure, because the students stack their cars like Tetris stones.
A short walk (or better to say, a short bus ride because I was too lazy to cycling) will take you further to Japan House and the adjacent garden of the university. There is an almost zen-like tranquility in contrast to the loud lectures of the campus. I remember sitting there in the spring, landing a few cherry blossom leaves on my shoulder, and suddenly I felt the need to cook sushi – just to realize that next door the café offers only coffee and bagels. Parking is a Klacks, as long as you are not there at the test time, then the field behind the building becomes a battlefield.
Go on Orpheum Children’s Science Museum, which I have only visited for my niece, but the interactive exhibitions have tied me just as much as the escape rooms I loved. The highlight was a huge, swinging pendulum, which I accidentally brought in swing and which brought almost the entire ground floor to tremble – a little hint that the museum is a real magnet not only for children, but also for slightly pussy adults. Parking is right in front of the entrance, but it can be done quickly on weekends, so it's better to come early.
A few miles north, in Union, this is Illinois Railway Museum, the largest railway museum in the USA. I spent a day there that felt like I'd go through a lively history book. The old steam locomotives that still start with a loud cliche reminded me of the stories of my grandparents who worked as a locomotive leader. The entrance is free, but parking is a bit a labyrinth – I almost lost my car in the fog of the old workshops.
If you're looking for something nature, that's what you're looking for. Kickapoo State Recreation Area That's right. The lake there is crystal clear, and I made a small picnic on the shore on a hot July afternoon, while a swarm duck curiously harassed me. The trails are well marked, and parking is easy at the main exit, as long as you don't arrive at the weekend with a whole family, then you have to slip between trees and caravans.
Back to the city, but not to the center, this is Champaign County Historical Museum. I visited an old farmhouse that still houses the original furniture from the 1800s – a real look into the past that reminded me of how little comfort we have today. The museum has a small parking lot behind the building; I have always used it because parking at the main street entrance sometimes becomes a bit “city life”.
Another must when you're on the go in the summer is the Champaign‐Urbana Farmers’ Market. I once bought fresh strawberries that were so sweet that I almost ate all the baskets empty before I even left the booth. The market is on campus square on Fridays and Saturdays, and parking is not a problem due to the many public parking spaces nearby – only crowds can sometimes be a little overwhelming.
Last but not least a short trip to Hessel Park, a green spot that applies to locals as “the place where you jog to escape everyday life”. I made a dog walk there with a neighbor who told me that he always sorts his thoughts here as he walks around the lake. Parking is directly at the main entrance, and the whole area is barrier-free, so no reason to avoid it.
Whether you're looking for art, history, technology or just a little fresh air – the environment of Philo has more to offer than you would suspect at first sight. My personal highlights range from the silent gardens of the Japan House to the loud steam locomotives in the Illinois Railway Museum, and each of these goals has its own charm that makes the visit worthwhile. So next time you think about where to spend your time, remember: Philo Attractions are a colorful mix of culture, nature and a bit of local peculiarity that will unleash every traveler a smile (or a light eye role).
I have to confess that my favorite place in Philo Philo Community Park is – a small piece of green that has more character than some big city core. There is an old baseball moon that is still used by the kids from the area, and a picnic table where I once spent half a day reading a book while a tractor was loudly moaning over the field paths. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because the annual “Philo Days” festival floods the field.
Right next to the park you stumble over the Philo Town Hall, a brick building from the 1900s, which today still serves as an administrative center. I once had a civic-hour term there and was surprised how friendly the employees were – almost as if they were asking for advice from a neighbour. The building is not exactly an architectural wonder, but the old clock on the facade has somehow charm, and the shield in front of the entrance is a popular photo motif for Instagram users who are looking for “authentic small town vibes”.
A short walk leads you to Philo Railroad Depot, an inconspicuous wooden building that used to be the heart of freight transport. Today there are only a few old tracks and a sign that explains that the trains have not stopped here since the 80s. I made a photo with my old train model there – no joke, that was the only time I felt like a real railroader, although I could hardly get a ticket for the next trip.
Another landmark you should not overlook is the Philo Grain Elevator on the edge of the city. The silver silo shafts project like a modern monolith into the flat landscape and remember that Philo is still heavily influenced by agriculture. I once met a farmer who told me that the grain from the surrounding fields is delivered almost exclusively to local bakeries – a good argument that not all that looks great is automatically touristic.
If you're looking for a place to let the soul dangle, then the Philo United Methodist Church That's right. The red brick church with its small bell tower is not only a church, but also a meeting place for the church. I was there at a choir tasting evening and was surprised by a choir from fifteen seniors with an old Gospel song – that was really great, and I even took a few notes to practice them at home later.
There is a bit more action Philo Annual Fall Festival, which takes place every year in October. There is a flea market, local crafts stands and a competition with tractors that I have never fully understood but still fired. The food is simple – corn, hot dogs and a few homemade apple cakes – but the atmosphere is incomparable because everyone here has a little more time to chat than in the larger cities.
And because I don't just want to list sights that you look from outside, I still have to Philo Diner mentioning that is hidden in a converted old kiosk on the main road. The coffee there is strong enough to get you through the long winter evenings, and the staff knows you by name as soon as you get in the second time. I once ate a breakfast with pancakes and bacon while listening to a local who explained why he does not need the “Philo Sights” guide because he already knows everything.
Finally, a little hint: When you arrive by car, take a few minutes to explore the small side streets – there you often find the best photo motifs and the most friendly faces. And if you ask yourself if Philo has anything to offer at all: Yes, it does, exactly to the extent that one can expect from a real small town.
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