✨Slip away in Jackson Co, Il✨
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Whether taking out of town guests, or getting a break from out of town guests, the #shawneenationalforest is waiting and she is overflowing with places to find some peace!
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🍁While some of the more well known so/ill attractions are on the East side (think Garden of the Gods) or near the university, we have found Jackson County and the west side of southern Illinois to have some of our favorite places to explore. We also find that we never have to deal with crowds, regardless of the season.
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Some of our fave spots include
💕Giant City State Park
💕Kinkaid Spillway
💕Cove Hollow
💕Piney Creek Ravine
💕Pomona Natural Bridge
💕Little Grand Canyom
💕Mississippi Riverfront
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Where do you slip away to in so/ill?
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#southernil #southernillinois #yessitb #middleofeverything #giantcitystatepark #shawneenationalforest
🎩Off the top🎩
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What is the best family friendly hike in Southern Illinois?
🍁Ferne Clyffe State Park// We mention the (rain fed) waterfall trail, ie Big Rocky Hollow Trail, but the Rebman trail located next to it is another one great for littles!
🍁Giant City Staye Park// with 7+ hiking trails and a great visitors center, this is a great family friendly state park!
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What are your recommended hikes with kiddos?
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#shawneenationalforest #giantcitystatepark #yessitb #southernillinois
🎩Off the Top🎩
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What is the most peaceful place in so/ill?
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✨Mississippi Bottoms + Riverfront
✨La Rue Pines
✨Active Falls // Some faves include Ferne Clyffe, Bork Falls, Kinkaid Spillway
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We could write a book with local spots that fit the bill! What are your peaceful go-to spots?
🎩Off the Top🎩
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Name some romantic spots for a southern Illinois date
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🧺Picnic or kayaking at 📍Devils Kitchen Lake
🦀Crab Rangoon from @china wok
🍭Sweet snacks from @tastebuds snack shop
🥾Hike 📍Rocky Bluff Trail
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We realized romantic is a relative term. We are shamelessly ‘crab Rangoon’ romantic! How do you get romantic in so/ill?
🎃 The Great Carbondale Pumpkin Race🎃
This annual tradition brings families and local groups together in the heart of Carbondale for an unforgettable day of creativity, competition, and community spirit. We checked it out for the first time today and heres a breakdown of the day:
🏎️ Pumpkin Racers of All Kinds: Participants can bring their own pumpkins or sign up on the spot. From serious racers to quirky entries like a carrot on wheels, every entry added its own charm.
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🛠️ Prep Workshop: For those wanting a head start, the event offers a workshop with rules, instructions, and hands-on help, making it accessible for everyone from pros to first-timers.
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🏆 The Races & Smashes: The competition was fierce for some, while others joined in for the laughs, aiming to see their pumpkins ceremoniously “smashed” by a guest of honor.
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🚒 Community Support: With the street closed down, local organizations like the fire department joined in, making it a true community event.
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Can’t wait to bring our own pumpkin racer next year!
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#southernil #carbondaleil #yessitb
🌮El Jalisco🌮
📍Murphysboro
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If you know, you know! Mondays are impossible to find places to eat out and as small business owners Mondays are often our weekend. We recently stopped into El Jalisco and were impressed with the bright atmosphere and flavorful food.
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✨The mango chipotle tacos were a huge hit and we will definitely be back!
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Hours
Sun-Wed 11-9
Third-Sat 11-10
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What’s your fave Monday eatery?
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#southernil #yessitb #murphysboroil
🎩Off the Top🎩
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Name a trail or hike that surprised you the first time. Here are our picks off the tops of our heads//
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🌳Panther's Den
🌳Garden of the Gods
🌳Little Grand Canyon
🌳Trail of Tears State Park
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What other trails took you by surprise?
🎩Off the Top🎩
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This new series we will provide answers to questions about local happenings off the tops of our head. For this one we chose //
✌️Southern Illinois University Carbondale,
✌️Cedarhurst Center for the Arts and
✌️Art Gallery Off the Square
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Where would you go?
🖤 Join Faye in Murphysboro for a magical night under the stars on October 24th!
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✨ Dress up in your best witchy attire and enjoy a bewitching evening with cocktails/mocktails, delicious snacks, and cozy up by the fire pit with s’mores. 🔥
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It’s the perfect time to connect with fellow witches, indulge in spooky treats, and make some enchanting memories.
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🕯️ Tickets are just $35, so gather your coven and make it a night to remember! 🎃🌙
🦅Vulture Fest
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October 19-20 kicks off this beloved so/ill festival in Makanda, IL—the hippest town in Illinois and home to TWO solar eclipses! 🌞🌑
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🎶Live music kicks off at noon both days, setting the vibe for an amazing weekend. Enjoy browsing tons of top quality local artisans, offering unique handmade items that make great gifts for the holidays.
Great food vendors and overall atmosphere.
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🎃This beloved festival is the perfect way to dive into fall while supporting local artists and makers.
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Enjoy a post-fest hike at @giantcitystatepark with a bite at @giantcitylodge!
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#southernil #makandail #shawneenationalforest #yessitb
🍂 Fall Color Watch! 🍂
📍Giant City State Park // @giantcitystatepark
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The first pops of orange, red, and yellow are making their debut at Giant City State Park and you do not want to miss it!
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🍁The tower gives you sweeping views of the Shawnee National Forest.
🍁Peak colors are expected to arrive the last week of October
🍁The park has 8+ hiking trails for all ability levels, so everyone can enjoy the fall vibes
🍁Grab a bite at the @giantcitylodge or even rent a cozy cabin for the weekend getaway.
And while you’re at it:
🍦Make a stop at the Makanda Boardwalk to relax, enjoy the colors, and treat yourself to some ice cream
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It’s amazing how quickly the colors pass so we make sure to schedule long drives, nature walks, and picnics so we can really soak in the beauty of the season. What’s your favorite fall color tradition?
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#shawneenationalforest #makandaillinois #giantcitystatepark #midwestfall #fallcolors #southernil
🎨Art in the garden🎨
📍Marion, Il
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In partnership with @banterrabank , we had the best time at the 2nd annual Art in the Garden at @mandala.gardens. 🌿💫 If you’ve never been to the gardens, this 7-acre gem tucked away in a neighborhood is the perfect escape into a slower, more peaceful pace of life.
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🎭Free entry included over 50 talented art vendors, interactive art experiences, live art demonstrations, a drum circle, and some seriously delicious food trucks.
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✨While we couldn’t stay for the end-of-evening celebration, where they burn a giant wooden art piece (which sounds like an unforgettable send-off 🔥), the day was filled with fire performers, live music, and families picnicking, dancing, and just enjoying the beauty around them.
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Huge shoutout to @unionstreetarts and @projecthumanx for curating such a magical
event. We can’t wait to be back next year!
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#marionil #artfestival #southernil #yessitb#middleofeverything
