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:
Endangered Species Carousel
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 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.
Project Playground
This state-of-the art, play area is a marvel in
engineering and kids of all ages enjoy climbing, swinging and balancing
throughout the labyrinth.
Zoo Hours
Spring
Hours (April 10 – May 22)
Monday-Friday
10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday
10:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Summer
Hours (May 23-August 16)
Open Daily
10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Fall
Hours (August 17 – October 12)
Monday-Friday
10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday
10:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m
The Children's Museum of Illinois 55 S Country Club Road
Decatur,IL 62521 (217) 423-5437 www.cmofil.com
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.
This wonderful facility was named one of the
Top 25 Children's museums in the nation by Child Magazine!
Long Creek Vineyards is a family-owned and
operated vineyard established in 2004. The vineyard is planted
on a family farm rooted in the quaint, but lovely village of
Long Creek, Illinois (located 3 miles east of Decatur on US Route
36). Draped on the hillside of this farm are Chambourcin, Steuben,
Vidal Blanc, La Crosse and Vignoles. In 2005, four wines were produced
and adorned with 8 medals in 2006, including “Gold” for
a Chambourcin at the Indy International Wine Competition. Tastings
and festivals are scheduled throughout the year.
Mari-Mann Herb Farm 1405 Mari-Mann Lane
Decatur, IL 62521 (217) 429-1404 www.marimann.com
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, health food store, greenhouse, warehouse and gourmet
kitchens where “herbalicious” high teas, brunches and
luncheons are prepared by expert chefs.
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.
Scovill Zoo
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.
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
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.
Long Creek Vineyards is a family-owned and
operated vineyard established in 2004. The vineyard is planted
on a family farm rooted in the quaint, but lovely village of
Long Creek, Illinois (located 3 miles east of Decatur on US Route
36). Draped on the hillside of this farm are Chambourcin, Steuben,
Vidal Blanc, La Crosse and Vignoles. In 2005, four wines were produced
and adorned with 8 medals in 2006, including “Gold” for
a Chambourcin at the Indy International Wine Competition. Tastings
and festivals are scheduled throughout the year.
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, health food store, greenhouse, warehouse and gourmet
kitchens where “herbalicious” high teas, brunches and
luncheons are prepared by expert chefs.