Lake of the Woods attractions are more than just a name on a map; they are the result of an honest, though slightly chaotic history, which in the early 20th Century began when the territory of Mahomet Township in Champaign County was transformed by a few ambitious land owners into an artificial reservoir to secure agricultural irrigation. I must admit that I cannot fully understand the whole “water reservoir for the future” hype, but the calm water that is today disturbed by ducks and occasional kayaks has its own charm.
When you arrive here, take the I‐72 direction East and then bend to County Road V to Mahomet – this is the fastest way to lose yourself in endless roundabouts. I have climbed the first time by train from Champaign to Mahomet because I thought that would be more romantic; in truth, the luggage was a bit too heavy for the small wagons.
A walk on the shore feels like walking through a forgotten chapter of local history, while the old oaks that line the shore almost whisper: “Here was a piece of land that nobody wanted.” And that's what makes the appeal – not excessive marketing, just a bit of nature, a touch of nostalgia and the opportunity to discover some real “Lake of the Woods Sights” that are not in every guide.
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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 Lake of the Woods, 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 couldn't miss was that Crane Art Museum at the University of Illinois – a place where modern art meets the same indifference I feel at the sight of my tax return. I stood there before an installation of recycled plastic bottles and thought: “Here sustainability becomes decoration”, while a student, beside me, eagerly explained that the work “Crites the consumer society”. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, it becomes a real problem because then the entire campus staff uses the museum as an excuse for an after-work drink.
A short walk further (or a short Uber-Ride if you don't like walking) leads to Japan House, a tiny but amazingly authentic retreat that I accidentally discovered when I was looking for a place where I could hide my countless sushi roles. The tea ceremony there is so precise that I almost forgot that I had actually only come because of the free Matcha cheese. The number of visitors is small, so no long queues – a rare consolation in this area.
A bit further south, almost in the heart of Mahomet, is that Champaign County Historical Museum. I have to admit, I don't understand the hype about old maps, but the museum has an original building from the 1850s that reminds me of my grandparents who always claimed they had never seen a vacuum cleaner. The best thing about it: the entrance is free, and the staff will make you feel almost like a relative when you ask about the way to the old barn.
If you have enough of dusty relics, you should have a detour to Illinois Railway Museum in Union – the largest railway museum in the USA. I met an old diesel locomotive driver there who told me that he used to “just went to work by train because the car was too loud”. The museum is huge, so plan enough time; Parking is easy on the main building, but the off-road parking is a labyrinth that does not want to crack a GPS itself.
Back in Urbana, the Urbana Sweetcorn Festival – no, this is not a place, but an event that takes place every year in August. I've eaten corn from the flask there for the first time, so fresh that he almost cracked a bit. The atmosphere is a mix of college party and village festival, and the best photos are created when you try to hold the corn with one hand and at the same time adjust the selfie stand.
A short detour to Urbana-Orpheum Theatre worth seeing a piece that has more drama than your last family holiday. I was there at a local production of “Romeo and Julia” that was so bad that I almost wanted to return the popcorn – until I realized that the popcorn was actually the highlight. The seats are comfortable, and parking at the back entrance is almost always free as long as you do not come to the main show on Friday night.
For nature lovers there is University of Illinois Arboretum, a large green piece that has more trees than my entire neighborhood to people. I made a picnic there while a squirrel tried to steal my sandwiches – a real fight for the last slice of cheese. The way is well signposted, and parking is free at the main entrance as long as you don't arrive too late in the evening, because then the light is out and you feel like in a bad horror movie.
All in all, the surroundings of Lake of the Woods offer a colourful mix of art, history, railway experience and nature that can satisfy every modern traveler – even the slightly cynical one. Next time you plan your route, don't forget the Lake of the Woods Attractions to include in your list; they are the cream cube that makes your journey complete.
I have to confess to you: what I do Lake of the Woods most love, is the Lake of the Woods Park. Imagine a small but fine lake surrounded by a gravel path that feels like a lukewarm walk through a children's book – only that the ducks actually do not conduct any dialogues here. The beach is not exactly a Caribbean paradise, but the water is clear enough that when swimming you feel like not planning in a turbulent puddy pool. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then everyone comes from Champaign to “relax” their weekend.
A short walk from the beach leads you to Lake of the Woods Marina. Here you can rent boats if you want to sip a little over the water without becoming a yacht captain. I once borrowed a small kayak and spent almost all the time paddleing over the weak currents, while an older gentleman, beside me, whispered loudly over the “good old time” with his 1970 motor boat. No joke, that was the loudest conversation I've ever heard on a lake – and at the same time the loudest laugh I've ever had about the absurdity of the moment.
If you're looking for something that brings a little more “swipe” into the day, then look at this Lake of the Woods Golf Course on. The place is open, 18 holes, and the green is so well maintained that you almost feel guilty when you make a birdie. I once missed a hit because I was too busy watching the passing swallow – that was probably the only time I combined a bird-snap adventure with a golf experience. The clubhouse snack bar serves a burger that is surprisingly good when combined with a cool beer from the nearby brewhouse.
A bit of culture in Lake of the Woods Community Center. The building is a bit like a Swiss pocket knife: gym, meeting rooms, and a small café area where you can sneak a cappuccino after a busy day at the lake. I took part in a yoga course where the instructor told more about the history of the lake than I have ever read in a history book – and that, although I usually only think of the next smoothie.
For those who prefer to travel with the eyes instead of with the feet, there is Lake of the Woods Nature Trail. The path stretches around the lake and offers numerous observation points for birds who like to be a bit warmer here in winter. I have seen a rare red-collar sight there, which led me to decorate my camera, although I was actually looking for a good place for a picnic. The trail is well marked, but don’t forget to take your cap – the weather here can suddenly change from “son” to “windy” without warning.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is that Lake of the Woods Amphitheater. In the summer, open-air concerts take place, ranging from local bands to occasional jazz acts. I was once at a concert where the band suddenly lost power in the middle of the set – the audience sounded like the part of the show, and I had to admit that the improvised acoustic set sounded somehow better than the previous electric piece.
And because I don't just want to skip the usual tourist path, I still have to Lake of the Woods Attractions not in any guide: the small but charming Lake of the Woods Cemetery, which is surprisingly well maintained and where you can find some old gravestones with interesting inscriptions that reveal more about the history of the area than any museum. I discovered an old stone there, where a name I later recognized in a local history blog – a small but fine moment that gave me the feeling of being part of a larger narrative.
Finally, a short note I almost forgot: the annual Lake of the Woods Summer Festival is a bit like a local Woodstock, just that the music is louder and the food is cheaper. I once won a Hot-Dog-Stände-duel, because I knew the secret ingredient – a little must and a lot of self-confidence. So, if you're in the area next time, look by, take some time for nature, the water and the slightly slanted but warm community that makes up this place.
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