Best Summer Driving Destinations From Marion, IL

June 16th, 2022 by

Are you looking for some fun places to visit around Marion during the summer months? Here at Ike Honda, we put our heads together and came up with some great suggestions, including outdoor activities, historic sites, and play areas. Whether you just want to drive a short distance or don’t mind heading further afield, there’s something on our list to suit everyone’s needs during the hottest months of the year.

Boo Castle Park

Boo Castle Park is a privately owned park that’s open to the general public. Located on the outskirts of Carwendale, it has a Dungeons and Dragons theme. There are plenty of activities to keep kids of all ages occupied, including the sleeping dragon to climb or the castle maze to explore. The castle is the park’s centerpiece, featuring ogre and gargoyle statues. A sword collection is also displayed inside.

The park is open every day from 9 a.m. If you want to bring your dog along, note that the park rules require you to keep them on a leash at all times. Larger groups, including birthday parties, can reserve the pavilion at a cost of $50. Otherwise, entry to the park is free, with donations welcome.

Collinsville Aqua Park

Formerly known as Splash City, this water park in Collinsville provides a location for the whole family to enjoy themselves. The park is open every year from Memorial Day through the Labor Day weekend. Features at the park include several water slides, a leisure pool, a lap pool, and an aqua climbing wall. Life jackets are provided free of charge.

The Lazy River is a figure-eight pool with a current where you can relax and float on an inner tube. For something more active, check out the Water Fortress play area. Alternatively, head to Monsoon Mountain, which is a 50-foot-high castle with slides and hoses for kids to have water fights. The bucket at the top of the castle dumps 50 gallons of water on everyone down below every five minutes.

You can reserve the park for larger parties by submitting an event request. Alternatively, all you’ll need to do is turn up and pay the entry fee.

Ferne Clyffe State Park

This expansive park covers just over 2,400 acres and provides a wide range of activities for summer weather. A vast number of trails offer a great opportunity to take a walk to experience the rich wildlife in the park, including a variety of plants and trees, rabbits, squirrels, and birds. Sometimes, you can also see wild turkeys.

The Lakeview Picnic Shelter is ideal if you’re visiting for the day and need a spot to enjoy a bite to eat. If you plan on staying longer, take a look at the park’s camping options. Turkey Ridge is the campsite for you if you prefer a more primitive camping experience, while the Deer Ridge site includes a few more home comforts. Ferne Clyffe Lake is a popular destination for fishing since it’s home to large populations of bluegill, largemouth bass, and catfish. For hunters, you have over 1,700 acres of forested areas to locate deer, squirrel, and quail.

Don’t forget to stop by the Round Bluff Nature Reserve, which is south of the picnic shelter. Covering 53 acres, the reserve hosts several unique geological features and a range of plant life.

African American Museum of Southern Illinois

Located at University Mall in Carbondale, this museum is a must-see for anyone interested in learning more about the achievements of African American citizens and the area’s local history. There are several permanent exhibits at the museum, such as one on African art and another displaying slave artifacts. Visiting exhibitions are also available. In the past, these have included projects on the Underground Railroad and local artwork.

The museum is run entirely by volunteers. It also enjoys the distinction of being the only African American museum between Chicago and Chattanooga. You can visit between noon and 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Mammoth Cave National Park

If you’re looking to take a longer drive out of Marion, Mammoth Cave National Park is an exciting place to visit. You can reach it within approximately three hours, and it’s well worth the long drive. The park has the longest known cave network in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage site thanks to its thousands of years of history and diverse plant life.

Park staff members conduct a variety of tours through the cave network. For example, you can go on a wheelchair-accessible tour, a crawling tour, or a short- or long-walking tour. You should reserve your tour spot in advance because tickets sell out fast. The park staff also recommends that you bring an extra layer of clothing for the cave tours since it can get cold underground.

Park rangers can provide you with guided tours along the national park’s many trails if you’d prefer to spend your time above-ground. The rangers also give talks during their tours, so you can learn more about the park and its features.

Mammoth Cave also has three campgrounds available. If you’d prefer to spend the night in a little more comfort, you can opt for a historic lodge or the Mammoth Cave Park Hotel.

Some of the other activities on offer at the park are fishing, paddling, and hiking. Many of the hiking trails are great for biking and equestrian riding, too. The park’s website recommends that you get out on the trails early in the day in order to enjoy the best views of wildlife and the sunny weather.

We hope that our diverse selection of summer drives around Marion has given you a few ideas on how you can spend your time in southern Illinois. Did you find one of your favorite places on our list? Would you like to suggest another amazing place to visit around here? Get in touch with us and we’ll be delighted to include your recommendation in one of our upcoming blog posts.

Posted in Exploring Marion