Garden of the Gods and Rim Rock Recreational Area is the jewels in the crown of the beautiful Shawnee National Forest of southern Illinois.

Garden of the Gods and Rim Rock/Pounds Hollow Recreational area are two must see locations on the eastern side of the Shawnee National Forest of Southern Illinois. Both are located just off Karbers Ridge blacktop 30 minutes from Harrisburg. Garden of the Gods consists of spectacular overlooks and views of unusual rock formations. One formation, known as Camel Rock, and will be featured in the America the Beautiful Quarter Program representing Illinois in 2016. Garden of the Gods has been listed in “USA Today” as one of “Ten Great Places to Get Nature on Film”. There are two main trail systems. The “Observation Trail” is a .25 mile stone path featuring some of the most well known formations. The view [...]

Come visit Jacksonville, Illinois, a community rich in historical treasures, with thriving arts, education, and culture, and wrapped in Midwest hospitality. Centrally located between St. Louis and Chicago and near Springfield, Jacksonville offers an excellent place to live, work, and play.

To the first time visitor, Jacksonville is full of the unexpected. From our Civil War and Abraham Lincoln connections, to the modern businesses of today, the area offers something for everyone. There is a small-town friendliness mixed with vibrancy from a richness of natural sites, intellectual institutions, and businesses.

Interested in history? Then Jacksonville is the perfect place to spend some time. The city’s rich heritage includes numerous interesting sites that help make history relevant to new generations. Destination choices include the murals of downtown Jacksonville that depict our history in a unique artistic fashion. Or, visit one of the many Underground Railroad sites, including Woodlawn Farm, or [...]

While Mt. Vernon is well known for art and nature, the Cedarhurst Center for the Arts has stepped things up a notch for the coming season. Cedarhurst Center for the Arts is a nationally known art museum and outdoor sculpture park that recently completed a multi-million dollar expansion of its facilities. Plan your vacation to Illinois in the spring or summer so you can visit the sculpture park, which takes center stage as you come through the gates. Several old favorites including sculpture made from recycled chrome car bumpers – Gorilla and Kimball the horse, and “dancers” floating on the lake are joined by new pieces that bring the sculpture count over sixty. The recent expansion has made room for a gallery dedicated to the permanent collection that contains works from late 19th century artists including Mary Cassatt and Thomas Eakins. Exhibitions in three other galleries change every six weeks and include local artist exhibitions, new [...]