Since it was commissioned in 1926, Route 66 has connected the Bloomington-Normal area with the rest of the world, passing through communities in McLean County. Its history here also offers a starting point for discovering a variety of trails and experiences.
Route 66 and Trails for Your Own Discoveries
The Historic Route 66 Trail designates sections along the historic highway for non-motorized traffic. It is complemented by more bike-friendly local roads and separate recreational routes. The more than 50-mile-long Constitution Trail stretches through the Bloomington-Normal area; its paved paths are for walking, running, and cycling. The trail descriptions therefore differ: the Historic Route 66 Trail highlights its different types of routes, while the Constitution Trail is described by its length and paved paths.
Water, Nature, and Recreation
The approximately 1,300-acre COMLARA Park combines land- and water-based activities: camping, swimming, boating, and fishing, as well as picnicking, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Its wide range of activities makes the park a destination for all kinds of outdoor interests.
Moraine View State Recreation Area covers 1,687 acres and includes a 158-acre lake. Sailboats and motorboats up to 10 hp are allowed on Dawson Lake; the area also has a two-lane boat ramp, a dock, and boat rentals. Those who prefer to explore on foot can take the 0.5-mile Tanglewood Self-Guiding Nature Trail. It passes a beaver lodge and a beaver dam.
S.H. West Park also has a documented origin story: Simeon H. West donated the 20-acre park in 1908. Details like these give the county's open spaces a historical dimension in addition to their stated sizes.
History, Collections, and Culture
The David Davis Mansion in Bloomington has 36 rooms and is designated a National Historic Landmark. Visitors can tour 20 rooms on the second and third floors; some feature Renaissance Revival-style furnishings. The house thus offers a different way to explore history than an exhibition of individual objects.
The McLean County Museum of History has seven exhibition galleries and more than 18,000 objects. The entrance is on the south side of the building, on Washington Street; check the latest visitor information before your visit. The Prairie Aviation Museum offers another specialty, displaying 11 aircraft and two helicopters. The historic Normal Theater screens arthouse and cult films and hosts live events.
The Children's Discovery Museum aims to foster learning and development through playful, hands-on experiences. The history of maple syrup production is another distinctive local topic: the Funk family has been making maple syrup in Funks Grove since 1824.
A Corn Maze with a Digital Map
At Rader Family Farms, the corn maze covers 12 acres. A digital map you can access on your phone shows your location in the maze. Finding your way is part of the experience itself, combining a large maze with a practical tool to help you navigate it.
Discover more destinations: McLean, Normal, Chenoa, Bloomington, Mason County, DeKalb, Jefferson, Morgan.
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