Area Attractions Take a walk on the wild side at Decatur’s Scovill Zoo, on the banks of scenic Lake Decatur. Scovill is an AZA-accredited zoo. The zoo has more than 100 species of animals, birds and reptiles. Be sure to check out the North American Timberwolves, the South African Cheetahs and the Bactrian Camels. Other features and activities at Scovill Zoo include:
Take a spin on Scovill Zoo’s Endangered Species Carousel. The carousel, specially designed for Scovill Zoo, is unique to Central Illinois. It features 30 colorful, hand-carved wooden animals, representing protected and endangered species from across the globe. The Endangered Species Carousel offers a unique educational opportunity for visitors. It provides an innovative way to encourage kids of all ages to learn more about conservation. From the colorful puffin to the exotic Malayan sunbear, from the unusual capybara to the popular cheetah, a one-of-a-kind animal experience awaits you.The carousel is located at the entrance of Scovill Zoo. The ride is ADA accessible. Two chariots on the carousel can accommodate wheelchairs. Z.O. & O. Express
One of Scovill Zoo's most popular attractions, the Z.O. &O. Express has transported tens of thousands of visitors each year. Added to the zoo in 1984, the train is a scaled replica of an 1863 C.P. Huntington Steam Train. C.P. Huntington, a California merchant in the 1800s, built and operated the Central Pacific Railroad. The Z.O. & O. Express is ADA accessible. Passengers in wheelchairs have an accessible ramp with an area that locks in the wheelchair.
This state-of-the art, all wooden play area is a marvel in engineering and kids of all ages enjoy climbing, swinging and balancing throughout the labyrinth.
Zoo Hours
The Children's Museum of Illinois
Tue. – Fri. 9:30 – 4:30; Sat. 10 – 5; Sun. 1 – 5
The Mari-Mann Herb Company originated as Mari-Mann Herbs in the kitchen of Mari Beth King in the 1970’s. From there it expanded to one of the largest herb gardens in the Midwest, a large retail gift shop, greenhouse, warehouse and gourmet kitchens where “herbalicious” high teas, brunches and luncheons are prepared by expert chefs. Mari-Mann also produces natural, earth-friendly, unique products which are sold worldwide. You can book a tour of the gardens, make reservations for high tea, brunch and other individual or group excursions at Mari-Mann. Or, just show up and browse through the marvelous gardens, and explore the gift shop brimming with fragrant oils, herbal sauces and seasonings, decorative wreaths and the largest selection of homeopathic products and herbal supplements found anywhere. Haunted Decatur Tours Now you can see how the dark events of the past have created the hauntings of today in what has become known as the "Haunted Heart of Illinois". The Haunted Decatur Tour is an entertaining and spine-tingling trip into the history & hauntings of Decatur. Created by Troy Taylor & Skip Huston in 1994, it is one of the longest-running ghost tours in the state of Illinois. As one of the "most authentic" ghost tours in the Midwest, the tour is once again personally operated by nationally-known author Troy Taylor and based on his bestselling series of books on "Haunted Decatur." Haunted Decatur tours may be booked by individuals as well as groups. Haunted Decatur will do customized tours for your group, including step-on tours for motor coach groups. New this year to Haunted Decatur is their very own "Ghost Bus." The bus is painted and customized to be unique to Decatur and is available for ghostly tours for the spring and summer months and for special tours during the Halloween season. The ghost bus is also available to be booked for private tours, parties, and corporate events! The company also offers “Haunted Decatur Pub Crawls” using the Ghost Bus. The pub crawls include visits to haunted places as well as stops at 3 of the city’s haunted pubs! Haunted Decatur Pub Crawl charters are available for private parties only where all individuals are 21 years of age and older! Individual and group tour reservations can be made through the Haunted Decatur web site or by calling 1.888.446.7859.
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Scovill Zoo
Endangered Species Carousel
Climb aboard! The Z.O. & O. Express Train offers a 1 mile narrated tour, through a tunnel and along Lake Decatur to give you a unique view of our animals. Riders will have the opportunity to see animals from five different continents like the Emu from Australia and Toucans from South America. Be sure to watch for the two South African Cheetahs, Jafari and Runako!
Project Playground
The Children's Museum of Illinois invites you to explore two floors of hands-on interactive exhibits. The museum offers over 10,000 square feet of exhibit space for children and families to discover. It’s the place where children play to learn, and adults learn to play.
Mari-Mann Herb Farm
Since the first settlers arrived in the area that would someday be Decatur, and found it to be filled with Native American burial grounds, this region has been a place of history, mystery --- and ghosts!