Du Quoin Holiday Lights Fair: Drive-Through Lights, Indoor Festival

Du Quoin Holiday Lights Fair: Drive-Through Lights, Indoor Festival

When I was a kid, we had a family tradition of piling into the station wagon during the Christmas season and driving around town, oohing and aahing at houses decked out in lights. We’ve continued the Christmas lights tradition as adults, only now we don’t drive around neighborhoods looking for homes decorated Griswold style. Instead we find one or two big displays put on by zoos, towns or civic organizations. This year we discovered a winner with the Du Quoin Holiday Lights Fair in southern Illinois. Not only does Du Quoin display an awesome drive-through lights show; they include a big indoor fair, as well. Read more

Folepi’s Winter Wonderland, East Peoria IL: Two Miles of Holiday Lights

Folepi’s Winter Wonderland, East Peoria IL: Two Miles of Holiday Lights

We’ve been so impressed with Folepi’s Winter Wonderland that we’ve gone to it several times. Folepi’s Winter Wonderland is the signature event of the East Peoria Festival of Lights. Read more

Holiday Lights in Illinois 2021

Holiday Lights in Illinois 2021

Twinkling lights add a bit of magic to the holiday season. Infants to elderly are fascinated by dazzling lights displays. Whether you prefer to enjoy holiday lights on foot or in the warm comfort of your car, you’ll find many impressive and unique holiday lights displays throughout Illinois. Read more

Illumination: Tree Lights at Morton Arboretum

Change the color of a tree when you hug it…or sing to it…or press a button near it. These are some of the fun interactive features of Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois. Other lights dance to music, and trees light up in a rotating array of colors. Read more

Love Roadside Attractions? Visit Casey, Illinois

Love Roadside Attractions? Visit Casey, Illinois

If you’ve ever pulled over for a photo op of a Muffler Man or detoured to get a glimpse of the world’s largest steer, then you must plan a visit to Casey, Illinois. Fair warning: You won’t get away with just a quick stop in Casey. You’ll want to spend several hours there, maybe even all day. You see, Casey is home to the world’s largest wind chime, rocking chair, mailbox, and nine more sculptures that have made it into the Guinness Book of World Records. Read more