Tourist Vacation Attractions in Galesburg, Illinois

If you are planning your spring break get away or thinking about a summer trip through Illinois, don't forget to think about adding Galesburg to your itinerary. Galesburg is right off I-55 in West Central Illinois. The history of Galesburg, and the fact that it is located in the heart of the prairie, makes this a prime spot of stopping and spending some time. Some attractions that might be of interest to families traveling with children are described below.

Be sure to plan enough time for a good visit to the Galesburg Railroad Museum. This museum is home to lots of information about the history of the railroad. There are exhibits on the inside of the museum which include a reading room with many books and documents related to the railroad, an artifacts room that has many displays of railroad memorabilia -and much more. Outside, on the grounds of the museum, you will be able to actually see and touch an exhibit that includes a number of railroad cars and railroad equipments. A couple of the railroad artifacts that you will get a chance to see and learn about are the 3006 CB&Q locomotive, a Railway Post Office car, and a Burlington Route 13501 Waycar caboose. The museum is open April to September 15^th. Hours of operation are Tuesday - Saturday 10-4. On Sunday it is open from 12-4. It is closed on Mondays. The museum asks for donations as admission compensation.

If you still have time while visiting Galesburg, another most excellent attraction is the Discovery Depot . This Children's Museum is open year round Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and on Sundays from 1 pm to 5 pm. They offer extended hours of operation on the first Friday of each month - 10 am to 7 pm - during the summer months. It is closed on Mondays during the school year. In addition to the normal Children's Museum activities, the Discovery Deport offers special events on certain dates and times. For example, they offer an event called Teetertots which is FREE for toddlers and families. Another special activity is called Stories Alive and this is free. Be sure and check out the Discovery Depot Web site for specific information on activities, days and times. Admission is typically $4.50/person. If you attend one of the FREE activities, this is waived. The last Thursday of the month is Thrifty Thursday, and admission is $2.50.

One last idea about something fun to do in Galesburg is to route your itinerary to include a visit to the Lake Storey Recreational Area. While visiting this park you will have over 600 acres to stroll and discover. The parks' landscape is host to rolling hills, beaches and lots of green space. If you want to do more than take in the scenery, you can boat, swim, snowmobile, do cross-country skiing, and a host of other fun things. Golf enthusiast may want to get in 9 to 18 holes of golf and those who love water parks are in for a thrill.

As you can tell from this brief summary, Galesburg, Illinois, is a great place to visit and play. There is no doubt that when visiting, you will be able to find lots of super things to do.