Others Near Vandalia,IL
Hight rate 5 location for tourist in Vandalia, IL, USA
06-2025 Kaskaskia Dragon in Hight rate 5 location for tourist in Vandalia, IL, USARantoul Historical Society - Rantoul Jr Manuel Tapia: It was great! There shows u a lot of history of rantoul, the air base that used to be in rantoul and as well the founder or rantoul etc etc! Great place to check out if u have the opportunity! And well the staff was great! They sell some military coins that you collect... but they need to still sell more souvenirs!
Benton IL, Historic Jail Museum - Benton Stephanie Kelley: This is a small Museum with a lot of information. The link to George Harrison of the Beatles is explained, and you can learn about Charlie Birger, the last man publicly hanged in Illinois.
They dont accept cards, so be sure to bring cash. $5 admission per person.
Benton City Park - Benton Terri Parks Smith: Was delighted to find this hideaway park! So beautiful and very well kept. Thanks to my kids for taking me hiking on the trails through the woods. Got to see the albino deer and her family who live there on the protected grounds. Great experience all around!
Benton Community Park District - Benton Malinda Loera: It is so beautiful, lots of walking trails, 3 baseball fields, tennis and pickle ball courts, playgrounds & areas to have family gatherings with bathrooms. Parking also
George Harrison Beatles Mural - Benton Craig Baker: In-town historical plaque inscription:
In the late summer of 1963, four musicians from Liverpool, England — John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr — collectively known as the Beatles, were poised to conquer pop culture and music history. With three hit singles in England, the band anticipated their first number one record in America by taking separate holidays. Lennon to Paris, McCartney and Starr to Greece, and Harrison to America. Traveling with his older brother, Peter, Harrison came to Southern Illinois to visit their sister, Louise Harrison Caldwell, for a fortnight in the small mining town of Benton, Illinois. While in "Egypt" Harrison stayed in his sisters home at 113 McCann Street, jammed with several local musicians, performed at a VFW Hall in Eldorado with the Four Vests, bought a guitar in Mt. Vernon, sang "Happy Birthday" at a Bocce Ball Club in Benton, and went camping in the Garden of the Gods and other sites in the Shawnee National Forest. Many of the Beatles first recordings were played over the radio station WRFX-AM in West Frankfort and Harrison was interviewed by a local teenager, Marcia Schafer, the first interview by a Beatle in America. Harrison returned to England and came back to America with the Beatles the following February after "I Want To Hold Your Hand" rose to number one on the U.S. charts. Harrison went on to write such classic songs as "Taxman", "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", and "Something", the second most recorded song in the Beatles catalog. He died in 2001.
Franklin County 1910s Garage Museum - Benton Mark Hickman: We made an effort to come to the museum during their posted hours of operation. The door was locked and no messages were posted. We called but bo one answered so we left a voicemail. Someone finally called from the Chamber of Commerce several hours later. I was really looking forward to seeing the museum but wasnt able to wait around for them all afternoon. If you cant keep your posted hours of operation you shouldnt have them posted.
Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge - Alicia Reeves: This place is wonderful this time of year. Tons of Seagulls and different species of Cranes and other birds stop here as they are migrating south for the winter. National Geographic was out there a few weeks ago filming a special about them.
There is another pond on the other side that is great for fishing. Every few minutes, literally youll see a huge fish splash out of the water. Ive never seen such a thing. We caught several good sized catfish. Nice relaxing place to enjoy. The only downfall is that there is no shade. So be prepared.
Dickson Mounds State Museum - Lewistown Jonathan Mizner: Completely empty of any visitors on a Saturday afternoon. The exhibits are decent, but so many displays are empty due to repatriation of artifacts to tribes. The visiting display downstairs is empty, though it was supposed to be finished up several months ago. The 3rd floor balcony is also closed. Its a shame, as clearly the museum has seen better days and just isnt getting the visitation and attention needed.
Rasmussen Blacksmith Shop Museum - Lewistown Amanda Smith: This is a real working blacksmith shop with lots of cool tools and products. The gentleman that runs the place is very friendly. Next door to the shop is an eclectic museum with a variety of local and no so local items from all kinds of time periods. When I was there there was also an adorable little dog whos tongue sticks out the side of its mouth.
