Visiting Old Route 66, The Midewin Tallgrass Prairie, and Other Gems in Wilmington, Illinois

Aug 30, 2024

It’s time to take a break from the busy office life and get out there and explore a little. Today, we’re taking a short day trip to enjoy Wilmington, Illinois! Located in will County along the east bank of the Kankakee River, it’s just a short drive south-west from Chicago, making it a perfect little escape for a day or weekend trip. Let’s explore the sights and excitement in our neighboring city!

Local Attractions in Wilmington, IL

Grab your camera and get ready to enjoy some fine kitschy americana with a photo of the 30-foot fiberglass spaceman sculpture known as the Gemini Giant! It’s located at the “Launching Pad” drive-in and has been a beloved route 66 stop for travelers for decades. Then head on over to snap a pic of The Sinclair Dinosaur. located on the roof of BTI Tires and has been an iconic symbol of Sinclair Oil since 1933!

The Wilmington Area Historical Society offers a unique insight into local area history and is open the first Saturday of every month from 12PM to 3PM. You can check out news articles, artifacts, and photographs chronicling the history and residents of Wilmington over the decades.

Located across the street from Van Duyne Motel is The Experience Hub, a kiosk that tells visitors about the history of the famed Route 66.

Take a walk in the Historic Downtown area and enjoy a wide variety of antiques shops, vintage goods, and collectibles at places. You can check out local and nearby shops including: Sincerely Salli’s, Milltown MArket, Old Theatre Antiques & Resale, Paraphernalia Antiques, Route 66 Antiques, Le Fleur De Lis Boutique and Antiques, The Bell Book and Candle, Celtic Trinity, Ricks’s Relics on 66, and more. From April through October, enjoy The Water Street Flea Market on the first Saturday of the month from 9AM to 3PM and sample some local foods, handmade items, and artisanal goods.

Catch a flick at the Launching Pad Drive-In or a first-run showing at The historic MAR theater

Get in Touch with your Wild Side at These Nature Areas in Wilmington, IL

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie is a national grasslands area protected by the US Forest SErvice, covering more than 18,000 acres and is the first national tallgrass prairie in the US! Thanks to preservation efforts and a partnership between the USDA Forest and National FOrest Foundation, you’ll be able to spot 27 Bison who were introduced to the area as a restoration experiment. It’s also a safe haven for endangered and sensitive bird species such as loggerhead shrike, upland sandpipers, henslow’s sparrows, and endangered or threatened plants including leafy prairie clover and Eastern white fringed orchids. You’ll find 108 species of birds, 40 aquatic species, 23 reptiles/amphibians, and 27 species of mammals. The sheer size of the park and its sprawling diverse habitats have made it the ideal space for endangered species and sensitive species to recover and be protected.

Kankakee Sands Preserve covers 10,000 acres of restored tallgrass prairie lands that are prime spots for wildlife viewing, birdwatching, and nature photography. You’ll find oak barrens, wet meadows, tall grasses, and lots of wildflowers that offer unique homes to abundant wildlife. Not only is this a great area for birds, but you’ll note plenty of butterfly and insect species and numerous amphibians! Hiking and biking are available on the local self-guided trails.

Des Plaines Dolomite Prairies Land and Water Reserve features 5,000 acres of tranquil land between the Kankakee and Des Plaines Rivers and features forests, mesic prairie, wetlands, sedge meadow, dry dolomite prairie, and other natural habitats. Visitors here enjoy a wide range of activities including fishing, camping, skeet shooting, archery, and hunting, and it’s also dog friendly. You’ll find

Forked Creek Preserve – Forsythe Woods features more than 900 acres of beautiful forests, wetlands, and park area, and is a part of the larger 2400+ acre Forked Creek Preservation System. You’ll have an opportunity to explore a variety of local plants including Kentucky Coffee Trees, Glade Mallow, Smooth Blue Aster, and a multitude of bird species including the spotted sandpiper, yellow-billed cuckoo, and the dickcissel just to name a few. Enjoy limestone and paved trails for biking, hiking/running, and horseback riding.