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Arcola, Illinois: Where Fun and Adventure Meet – The Best Things to Do and Places to Visit

Arcola is Amish country and the crafts are the reason to come. Handmade quilts, furniture, baked goods and bulk foods at Beachy’s, Amish-style meals at Yoder’s Kitchen, and quilting explained at the Amish Interpretive Center. Then the odd part. The Hippie Memorial stands here, a wall of paintings and mosaics from the 1960s and 70s, and the Aikman Wildlife Adventure keeps over 200 animals from more than 70 species, camels included. Johnny Gruelle, who created Raggedy Ann, was born in Arcola.

Welcome to Arcola, Illinois, a small town with a lot in it. Local or visitor, there are plenty of amusing adventures to be had in Arcola. Time outdoors through to a serious meal, this town covers a broad range.

For dining options, Arcola holds up. The restaurants and cafes cover most tastes and finding something is not the problem. And check out the churches that dot the town, each with its own history and architecture.

Public spaces and parks are everywhere in Arcola, which gives you plenty of room for outdoor recreation and sitting still. And no visit to Arcola is complete without the Hippie Memorial, a quirky and colorful tribute to the town’s counterculture past. Check the Arcola Public Library and the art scene too. And for shopping, Arcola has plenty of unusual and locally-owned shops. Pack the bags and head to Arcola, Illinois.

Key Takeaways

• Arcola, Illinois offers a variety of amusing adventures for visitors and locals alike.
• The town boasts delightful dining options, charming churches, and plenty of public spaces and parks.
• Visitors can also enjoy the Hippie Memorial, the Arcola Public Library, and a vibrant local art scene.

Amusing Adventures in Arcola

For fun and amusing adventures in Arcola, these are the two spots. Both give you a laugh and something to remember.

Aikman Wildlife Adventure

The Aikman Wildlife Adventure is where the wild part of the trip is. The attraction holds over 200 animals from more than 70 different species. Walk through the park and you see everything from zebras and camels to kangaroos and monkeys. You can also ride a camel or a pony, or feed a giraffe.

Pro-tip: for something more adventurous, take the “Safari Adventure” tour, which gets you close to the animals and lets you feed them by hand.

Green Mill Village Theatre

For laughs and entertainment, head over to the Green Mill Village Theatre. The theater hosts a range of shows through the year, comedy nights, musicals and plays among them. The room is small and the performers are strong, which is a better combination than it sounds.

Pro-tip: check their schedule and plan ahead to catch your favorite show. And grab some popcorn and a drink at the concession stand.

Animal encounters or old-fashioned entertainment, these two spots cover both in Arcola. Get out there and make some memories.

Delightful Dining

On dining in Arcola, you are in for a treat. Mexican through to Italian, the range covers most tastes. These are the dining spots in Arcola worth the time.

Best Buffet Lunch Spots

For a hearty lunch, Arcola has some strong buffet options. These are the buffet lunch spots in town:

• El Toro: This Mexican restaurant offers a lunch buffet that includes tacos, enchiladas, and more. The best part? You can eat as much as you want for a reasonable price. Don’t forget to try their homemade salsa, it’s to die for.
• Monical’s Pizza: If you’re in the mood for pizza, then Monical’s Pizza is the place to go. Their lunch buffet includes a variety of pizza flavors, salad, and breadsticks. It’s perfect for a quick and delicious lunch.
• Broomtown Cafe: This family-owned cafe offers a healthy buffet lunch with options like soups, salads, and sandwiches. It’s a great spot to grab a bite to eat while enjoying a cozy atmosphere.
• Hen House: If you’re looking for a classic American lunch, then Hen House is the place to be. Their lunch buffet includes fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and other comfort foods that will make you feel right at home.

Whichever buffet you choose, the meal holds up. Go ahead and indulge.

Charming Churches

Arcola is home to some of the finest churches in the state. A place to worship or simply somewhere to look at the architecture, both are covered here.

First Christian Church

The First Christian Church sits in the heart of Arcola. The stained glass windows and the intricate woodwork are the reason to look in. What sets it apart is the community, which is friendly and welcoming from the moment you step inside.

Presbyterian Church

The Presbyterian Church is the other church in Arcola worth the time. The classic white facade and the towering steeple make it hard to miss. The sense of community there is the impressive part, and the members are welcoming and kind.

Both churches give you a look into the history and culture of Arcola. Religious or not, they are worth a visit. Take a break from the schedule and spend some time in them.

Public Spaces and Parks

On public spaces and parks, Arcola has it covered. Man Park through to the nature centers, the range is here.

Man Park

For somewhere to take the children and let them run, Man Park. There is plenty of open space to play catch, fly a kite or just run around, which makes it work for a family outing.

Man Park is not only for children. There are plenty of benches where you can sit and look at the scenery. For something more active, take a hike on one of the park’s many trails.

One warning: the wildlife at Man Park is unpredictable. You might see anything from deer to squirrels to the occasional wild turkey. Keep a safe distance and do not feed the animals.

The Hippie Memorial

Monuments usually honor war heroes, political figures or celebrities. In Arcola, Illinois, there is one dedicated to hippies. It is called the Hippie Memorial.

Constructed in the 1990s, the memorial honors the legacy of hippie culture. It is a wall covered with colorful paintings and mosaics showing symbols and images from the 1960s and 70s. Peace signs, psychedelic patterns and a VW bus are all painted on it.

The Hippie Memorial is more than a wall with pictures on it. It is a shrine to the counterculture movement of the 60s and 70s, when people protested war, fought for civil rights and embraced free love. The memorial records the values those people stood for.

Visiting the Hippie Memorial puts you in a different era. Take a moment with the art and the message behind it.

For something different to do in Arcola, head over to the Hippie Memorial. It is a quirky attraction and it is worth the stop.

Where do you start in a town this size? Downtown, where the murals are, including the Johnny Gruelle Mural, along with the antique shops, the churches and the Arcola Public Library, all within a walk of each other. What is worth getting in the car for? The Aikman Wildlife Adventure, the Great Pumpkin Patch and the Outlets at Tuscola, all just outside town. And the Hippie Memorial? It is in a park in Arcola, and it costs nothing to walk up to.

The Arcola Public Library

For a quiet place to read, study or sit, the Arcola Public Library. This small town library is not the biggest and it is one of the friendliest. Size is not the point.

Step inside and you find rows of books, magazines and newspapers. If you are not sure what to read, ask one of the librarians. They are happy to make suggestions and help you find what you came for.

The Arcola Public Library is not only about books. They run programs and events through the year, book clubs through to story time for children. History readers should stop by the Carnegie Library section, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and carries classic revival architecture.

Bookworm or someone after somewhere quiet, the Arcola Public Library is worth a visit. You might come away with a new favorite book.

The Art of Arcola

Arcola is not only activities, it is also a place of art. Art enthusiasts will take to the murals on the walls of the buildings in downtown Arcola. These are not ordinary murals; they tell the story of Arcola’s history and culture. Walking through the streets, the colorful work depicting the town’s past and present is what stays with you.

The Johnny Gruelle Mural is the popular one in Arcola. Johnny Gruelle was an American artist, political cartoonist and writer who was born in Arcola. He is best known for creating the Raggedy Ann and Andy characters. The mural is a tribute to his life and work and anyone who loves art should find it.

Beyond the murals, Arcola is home to several art galleries and studios. They show the work of local artists and give them a platform. With luck you meet some of the artists and hear how they work.

To learn more about the art scene in Arcola, visit the Amish Interpretive Center. The center runs exhibits on the history and culture of the Amish community in Arcola and the surrounding areas. It also covers the art of quilting and how it became part of Amish culture.

Arcola is a place where art and culture do genuine work. Seasoned art enthusiast or someone who simply appreciates beauty, you will find plenty here to hold you.

Shopping in Arcola

Shopaholics do well in Arcola. Antique stores through to gift shops, the range covers most of what you would want.

The Amish store is the one to find in Arcola. Handmade furniture through to baked goods, the range is broad. Try the homemade jams and jellies, which are excellent.

For something unusual, head to Prairie Wind Antiques. The two-story antique shop is filled with stock from the past. Vintage clothing through to old-fashioned toys, what turns up changes every visit.

For gifts, check out Beachy’s Bulk Foods. The specialty store carries a broad selection of unusual gifts and souvenirs. Handmade quilts through to locally made crafts, it covers most of the list.

For outlet shopping, head to Outlets at Tuscola. The outdoor mall runs over 50 stores, some of the biggest names in fashion among them. Designer clothes through to home decor, the range is a real one.

Arcola carries a lot on the shopping front. Something unusual or plain retail therapy, both are here.

Visitor’s Guide

Welcome to Arcola, Illinois. For a memorable vacation, you are in the right place. Wildlife adventures through to unusual museums, Arcola covers a broad range. This is the quick guide to making the most of the visit.

Getting Around

Arcola is a small town, so getting around is easy. Rent a car, take a taxi, or walk to most attractions. To see the town the way a local does, get on a horse-drawn carriage and take a leisurely ride through the streets. It is an unusual way to see the sights and it tells you something about the town’s history.

Attractions

Arcola is home to some of the more unusual attractions in the Midwest. Animal lovers should not miss the Aikman Wildlife Adventure. You get close to over 70 different species of animals, zebras, camels and kangaroos among them. It fills a day with the family.

For history, check out the Illinois Amish Museum. The exhibits cover the Amish way of life and show their handmade crafts. It is a proper look at a culture that works very differently from most.

Food and Drink

No vacation is complete without the local cooking. Arcola has plenty of options. For a quick lunch, head to Yoder’s Kitchen. They serve hearty Amish-style meals and nobody leaves hungry.

For something sweet, stop by The Great Pumpkin Patch. They carry a huge selection of homemade pies, cookies and other treats. Grab a pumpkin or two for the fall decoration while you are there.

Accommodations

On accommodations, Arcola has plenty of options. Cozy bed and breakfasts through to modern hotels, something will fit the style and the budget. Check TripAdvisor or Yelp for reviews and ratings from other travelers.

Final Thoughts

Arcola, Illinois is a small town carrying a lot of surprises. With that many unusual attractions and strong food options, the visit holds up. Pack the bags, grab the family or friends and go.

Price Guide

You want to enjoy Arcola without spending much. There are plenty of affordable activities and attractions in this town. This is the breakdown of the things to do and places to visit in Arcola that will not cost much:

Aikman Wildlife Adventure

If you’re an animal lover, you won’t want to miss the Aikman Wildlife Adventure. For just $10 per person, you can take a self-guided tour of the park and get up close and personal with over 70 different species of animals. If you’re feeling fancy, you can even book a private guided tour for $75 per person.

Hippie Memorial

Peace, love, and it costs nothing. The Hippie Memorial is one of the things to see in Arcola. Take a stroll through the park and look at the colorful artwork and sculptures, which pay homage to the hippie movement of the 1960s.

Arcola Public Library

For a quiet place to relax and read, the Arcola Public Library. Entry costs nothing, and they carry a broad selection of books, magazines and movies you can borrow at no charge.

Beachy’s Bulk Foods

Anyone who takes food seriously on a budget will do well at Beachy’s Bulk Foods. The specialty store carries a broad range of snacks, spices and other goods at reasonable prices. Stock up on the treats without spending much.

Outlets at Tuscola

Shopaholics should head to the Outlets at Tuscola. The center carries designer brands at discounted prices. Clothes, shoes or accessories, all three are covered and the bargains are real.

The Great Pumpkin Patch

Fall is just around the corner, and you know what that means – pumpkin season. The Great Pumpkin Patch is a must-visit attraction in Arcola, and admission is just $5 per person. Wander through the pumpkin patch, take a hayride, and enjoy all the autumnal festivities without spending a fortune.

There are plenty of affordable things to do and places to visit in Arcola, Illinois. Animal lover, anyone who takes food seriously, or a shopaholic, this town covers all three. Pack the bags and grab the wallet.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re looking for a peaceful escape, what’s the best spot to visit in Arcola?

For a quiet escape in Arcola, visit the Aikman Wildlife Adventure. You get close to over 70 different species of animals there. The paved and rustic paths both take a walk and the landscape does the rest. It is a straightforward place to slow down.

Looking for a unique souvenir? What is Arcola known for that you can’t find anywhere else?

Arcola is known for its Amish community, and the souvenirs here are ones you will not find elsewhere. Visit Beachy’s Bulk Foods and Outlets at Tuscola for handmade quilts, furniture and other Amish-made items. Check The Great Pumpkin Patch too, for the pumpkin-related souvenirs.

What’s the best way to get your groove on at the Hippie Memorial in Arcola?

The Hippie Memorial in Arcola is a tribute to the hippie culture of the 1960s. Bring flowers, wear bell-bottoms and listen to some classic rock if you want to enter into it. The colorful murals and psychedelic artwork photograph well. Be respectful while you are there.

Frequently asked questions about Arcola, Illinois

What can you see at the Aikman Wildlife Adventure?

Over 200 animals from more than 70 species, zebras and camels through to kangaroos and monkeys. You can ride a camel or a pony and, if the timing is right, feed a giraffe. The Safari Adventure tour is the one that gets you close enough to hand-feed them, and it is worth booking ahead.

Is the Hippie Memorial worth stopping for in Arcola?

It is a wall of paintings and mosaics built in the 1990s, covering the counterculture of the 1960s and 70s. Peace signs. Psychedelic patterns, a VW bus painted on the wall, and enough of it that the stop goes quickly. It costs nothing.

Is Beachy’s Bulk Foods the place to shop in Arcola, Illinois?

Beachy’s Bulk Foods for the snacks, spices, handmade quilts and locally made crafts. Prairie Wind Antiques is the two-story one, with vintage clothing and old-fashioned toys. The Outlets at Tuscola are the opposite end of the spectrum, over 50 stores of designer brands at discount prices out on the edge of town.

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