8 Outdoor Activities In Illinois You Still Have Time To Do Before Summer Ends
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Elizabeth Crozier
Author
Don’t let the onset of September fool you. There’s still plenty of time left this summer to enjoy Illinois’ best outdoor activities. As you can see from these weather predictions, the warm weather we’ve been experiencing this year is just going to keep coming.
The weekends are made for time in nature. Scroll on for all the best attractions the Prairie State has to offer.
Enjoy scenic views of the Fox River at this lovely park. It includes a boardwalk, ponds, fountains, gardens, and playgrounds that will whisk you away to another world. Guests can fish, bike, hike, and even enjoy occasional live performances that take place here. The riverwalk is located at 100 N Island Ave. Batavia, IL 60510, and you can learn more from previous coverage here.
This is a truly historical experience that lets you step back into the 1840s. Board a mule-pulled canal boat that floats down the Illinois River and listen to tales of the state's great past. Find this place at 754 1st St., LaSalle, IL 61301, and click here to learn more and make reservations.
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Since 2014, this little-known attraction has been a summer paradise for Central Illinois locals. Enjoy a ropes course with zip lines, mini golf, and batting cages. Experience it all at 2501 E Nelson Park Rd., Decatur, IL 62521, and learn more about it here.
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Though there are many outdoor activities to enjoy here, the most popular thing to do at this incredible museum of trees right now is hunt for trolls. These gigantic pieces of art are situated throughout this 1,700-acre area and stand between 15 and 60 feet tall. Check out these folklore-inspired statues at 4100 IL-53, Lisle, IL 60532, and learn more about them here.
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This excellent adventure is accessible anytime of year as long as the weather is fine. Grab a tube and go on this three to four hour float down the Fox River. This attraction is located at 2480 N 41st Rd., Sheridan, IL 60551, and you can learn more about it here.
Also on the Fox River, this one-of-a-kind experience is part of the Bicentennial Riverfront Park. This man-made aquatic attraction consists of a 1,100 foot-long bypass chute that anyone can use while traveling upstream or downstream. Find it at 301 E Hydraulic St., Yorkville, IL 60560, and learn more about it here.
Though some may call it a junk garden, this incredible, little-known place is full of amazing artwork made from bits and pieces of many different things, mostly metal. It has been open since 1986 and is full of meaningful pieces that will make you think. Find it at 620 S W St., Galena, IL 61036, and learn more here.
This family-friendly fun park is a tropical-themed oasis with many things to do. Guests enjoy mini golf, go-karts, laser tag, batting cages, and an arcade. There is also food like pizza and ice cream available. Find this place at 7602 Rock Valley Pkwy., Loves Park, IL 61111, and click here to learn more.
For more ways to keep summer going, check out these six restaurants in Illinois that serve tropical drinks in pineapples.
What other outdoor activities do you plan to enjoy before summer ends? Share your ideas with us below in the comments.
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