Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast, looking for a romantic getaway, or even a family vacation, take a look at what the city of Mount Vernon has to offer you. Affordability is the key word here. Many attractions are free of charge and others have minimal cost.

An authentic log cabin village, the historic Appellate Courthouse where Abraham Lincoln represented clients, the state’s third largest winery and the beautiful Rend Lake Recreation Area are just a few of the places you can enjoy in Mount Vernon.

Cultural offerings include the Cedarhurst Center for the Arts complex (a 90-acre estate) that features the art museum, Sculpture Park, programs and events, including the Cedarhurst Craft Fair held each fall on the weekend after Labor Day. Visitors can browse more than 400 works of art from renowned artists in the museum’s Permanent Collection and view continually changing exhibitions in three galleries.

Take a trip back in time: Jefferson County Pioneer Village depicts life from about the mid-nineteenth century. Among the buildings available to visit are several homes, a one-room school, a church, an operating blacksmith and print shop and a log- style jail. There you will also find a general store and a medical building.

If you are looking for recreational fun, you have come to the right place. Rend Lake Recreation Area offers many activities, including golfing, swimming and camping. Whether your calling is boating and fishing, hiking and biking or just relaxing, you will find it at Rend Lake: a fishing, boating and hunting paradise for the outdoor enthusiast. Large crappie and channel catfish will delight any angler. Hybrid striped bass are also a popular catch.

Eight miles of scenic trails wind through the park where the brilliant colors of redheaded wood peckers, blue jays and wild canaries can be seen. Discover a wildlife adventure at every turn. Take time to listen to the forest. Wildlife is everywhere.

Welcome to Mount Vernon, Illinois, the entertainment center of Jefferson County. Come and see why Mount Vernon is such a popular travel destination.

Jacksonville, Illinois: Rich in Historical Treasures

Visit Jacksonville, Illinois and See Why It's the Perfect Getaway.

Come visit Jacksonville, Illinois, a community rich in historical treasures, with thriving arts, education, and culture, and wrapped in Midwest hospitality. Centrally located between St. Louis and Chicago and near Springfield, Jacksonville offers an excellent place to live, work, and play.

To the first time visitor, Jacksonville is full of the unexpected. From our Civil War and Abraham Lincoln connections, to the modern businesses of today, the area offers something for everyone. There is a small-town friendliness mixed with vibrancy from a richness of natural sites, intellectual institutions, and businesses.

Interested in history? Then Jacksonville is the perfect place to spend some time. The city’s rich heritage includes numerous interesting sites that help make history relevant to new generations. Destination choices include the murals of downtown Jacksonville that depict our history in a unique artistic fashion. Or, visit one of the many Underground Railroad sites, including Woodlawn Farm, or some of the historic homes in Jacksonville’s historic district. Walk in the footsteps of greatness, following the lives of Stephen Douglas, General Benjamin Grierson, or listen to stories about Abraham Lincoln on the Voices of Jacksonville Audio tour. Jacksonville is proud that many important figures have called our city their home.

No need to leave town! Fill all of your shopping and entertainment needs right here in Jacksonville! From one-of-a-kind antiques to locally owned specialty shops, Jacksonville offers something for everyone. That special treasure you’ve been searching for is just waiting for you in one of the shops and stores scattered throughout the city. Looking for culture? A highly-acclaimed community theatre group puts on productions all year long. The Jacksonville Symphony and Chorale and Illinois College’s McGaw Fine Arts Series all present fantastic seasons of concerts each year. Artists and art lovers return again and again to the David Strawn Art Gallery.

Need to stretch your legs? Recreation abounds! Multiple golf courses, lakes-  Lake Jacksonville was named the #1 Fishing spot in the State of Illinois by Field and Stream in 2007!, parks, campgrounds, and athletic opportunities are just moments away. You’ll find lots to do, both night and day.

Stay a while! Jacksonville has a host of lodging options to welcome you to our community. Need a place to stay for a day or a week? There is an abundance of lodging options in the area to suit all tastes and budgets. Sit back, and relax!

Planning a meeting, wedding or reunion? Jacksonville has meeting and banquet facilities to fit any budget and size of party. From beautiful outdoor facilities and locations to elegant banquet facilities, we can accommodate your requests. The Convention & Visitors Bureau has newly renovated meeting space available for up to 100.

More information is available at the Jacksonville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 310 East State Street in downtown Jacksonville. You can also call (217) 243-5678, or (800) 593-5678, if you have questions about planning your trip or visit our website jacksonvilleil.org.

Family reunions can be a lot of fun. You get to see family members you may not have seen for a couple of years. Perhaps, there are ‘new’ family members you haven’t met. The good news is there are plenty of family reunion locations throughout the U.S. The possibilities are endless!

It’s important to make arrangements early and find a place that works for everyone. This is a good way to prevent family feuds! If you wait too long to plan your family reunion, your favorite hotel or resort could be booked solid. Also, family members may not be able to attend due to previous travel plans.

How to Plan a Family Reunion, Cut Costs, and Have a Good Time

Book Your Family Reunion Locations Early! Photo credit: Stock exchange-Sign-Helen Bobis

Book early

Beach family reunion locations are popular. The most popular beach vacation destination is Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. If you have your heart set on having your family reunion in SC then you better book your location early. Otherwise, the entire family will be left out in the cold.

Tie your family reunion to an important date

If grandma and grandpa are celebrating 65 years of marriage, celebrate their special day at the family reunion. Building your family reunion around a holiday could be tricky. Big holiday’s like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July are during the travel ‘high season.’ You may not be able to find accommodations or someone may not be able to attend.

Hold your family reunion in the off-season

It may be cost effective to hold your family reunion in the off-season. Family reunion locations such as Florida, North and South Carolina, Georgia, and other popular destinations can be expensive during the ‘high season’ which is usually during the summer. Some family members may not be able to afford to attend. Take this into consideration when planning your family reunion. Holding in the off-season could work for everyone.

Meet at a family member’s home

Holding your family reunion at a family member’s home is another way to cut costs. Perhaps, a family member with five or more acres of land will be willing to host the family reunion. Everyone can bring something, a hot meal, desert, or soft drinks. Of course, cash would probably be accepted too!

Decide on the size of your family reunion

Your family reunion doesn’t have to be large. A small and intimate family reunion could be more inviting. First-time family reunion planners may want to plan a smaller affair. You’ll get a sense of what it’s like to plan reunion.

Raise money for your family reunion 

Send out an email blast and ask family members to have garage sales, silent auctions, raffles, car washes, rummage sales, etc. to raise money for your family reunion.

Plan cost-effective family activities

Ask family members what they like to do. Ask family members what their kids like to do. You can’t please everyone. But you can plan activities ahead of time to keep people entertained. Ideas are:

• Renting a karaoke machine.
• Set up a sound system outside (if you’re holding at your home).
• Booking golf outing.
• Swimming
• Hiking
• Going to the park.
• Renting a ‘bouncy castle’ or other inflatable rentals.

Now you know how to plan a family reunion, cut costs, and have a good time! Keep the lines of communication open. Correspond via email or Facebook. Keep in mind that everyone may not have a computer or Facebook page. Contact family members when you have the date, time, and location settled. Keep family up-to-date with the latest information. Happy planning!

CRUISE CONTEST: Win a free cruise! 

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The Seneca Hotel & Suites is a distinctive boutique hotel in downtown Chicago…an intimate escape, just a block off Michigan Avenue…Chicago’s Magnificent Mile.

Here you will discover a sophisticated boutique hotel with everything that you are looking for in a luxury downtown Chicago hotel location, featuring spacious suites priced like rooms.

The Seneca is exceptional for all that Chicago has to offer. For shopping, you’re across the street fromWater Tower Place… and just a short walk from Neiman-Marcus, Bloomingdales and theOak Streetboutiques. For entertainment, the Art Institute, Museum Campus,OakStreetBeach, Theatre District, Navy Pier and Rush Street’s nightlife are all nearby. For dining, endless restaurants—from world-renowned bistros to Chicago-style pizza—are all steps away along the Magnificent Mile.

Whether you’re planning a Chicago vacation, weekend getaway, extended stay, an important business meeting or attending a convention, The Seneca Hotel & Suites is the place to be… in Chicago.

The Seneca Hotel & Suites
200 E. Chestnut Street
Chicago, Illinois 60611
800-800-6261
www.senecahotel.com

Located in Central Illinois where Interstates 57 and 70 meet, Effingham has a little something for everyone. With 19 hotels and over 60 restaurants, Effingham provides the very best in service and hospitality and welcomes visitors to come spend a few days exploring what the city and surrounding communities have to offer.

Local attractions in the city include: The Cross at the Crossroads, which stands at 198 feet; The Rosebud Theatre, which hosts live performances by local, regional and national performers; Ballard Nature Center, where visitors can explore nature as they hike wooded trails; and Lake Sara, which is an 800-acre recreational lake nestled into a wooded shoreline.

Effingham is also home to several annual events, such as the Corvette Funfest, Funfest for Air Cooled VWs, Wonderland in Lights, and Sculpture on the Avenues.

For more information about the city, visit www.visiteffinghamil.com or call 1-800-772-0750 to request a free Visitors Guide.

Mt. Vernon, IL – Stay here and go everywhere

Mt. Vernon’s Cedarhurst Center for the Arts is a nationally known art museum and outdoor sculpture park located on 85-acres of beautiful grounds. A recent expansion has made room for a gallery dedicated to the permanent collection containing works from late 19^th century artists. Exhibitions in three other galleries change every six weeks. Special events are always on tap and include chamber music, live performances, art classes and demonstrations. A special gallery is devoted to children and their interests with changing exhibits and hands-on activities. Admission to the museum and sculpture park is free. Cedarhurst is located at 2600 Richview Road and is open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. Find more information about this gem in southern Illinois at www.cedarhurst.org.

Outdoor activities reign supreme at the superb Rend Lake Recreation Area just minutes south of Mt. Vernon. Visitors enjoy world-class golf, boating, fishing, horseback riding, clay shooting, and miles of bicycle and walking trails. Rend Lake has 27 boat ramps and 20,000 acres of public land surrounding the lake. There’s much to see and do at Rend Lake. 

Other popular attractions in the area include a variety of events and festivals, wineries, shopping, live music, eateries, and hundreds of rooms for economical lodging options. You will want to see what Southern Illinois has to offer. 

Mt. Vernon Convention & Visitors Bureau
800-252-5464 

www.mtvernon.com

Located in Central Illinois where Interstates 57 and 70 meet, Effingham has a little something for everyone. With 19 hotels and over 60 restaurants, Effingham provides the very best in service and hospitality and welcomes visitors to come spend a few days exploring what the city and surrounding communities have to offer.

Local attractions in the city include: The Cross at the Crossroads, which stands at 198 feet; The Rosebud Theatre, which hosts live performances by local, regional and national performers; Ballard Nature Center, where visitors can explore nature as they hike wooded trails; and Lake Sara, which is an 800-acre recreational lake nestled into a wooded shoreline.

Effingham is also home to several annual events, such as the Corvette Funfest, Funfest for Air Cooled VWs, Wonderland in Lights, and Sculpture on the Avenues.

Plan the best Illinois vacation ever. For more information about the city, visit www.visiteffinghamil.com or call 1-800-772-0750 to request a free Visitors Guide.