Visit Unforgettable Forgottonia

01/22/2025

Last week, we told you about how Lizzie Magie — Macomb’s inventor of Monopoly — made a brief movie appearance. And now, she’s in a museum!

🖼️ Lizzie’s portrait is one of more than 200 by Anita Kunz in her series “Original Sisters,” which commemorates history-making women. Can you find her in this collage of portraits? Swipe for the reveal!

If you can’t visit the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA, you can purchase the book “Original Sisters,” or learn more about Kunz’s project in this article: https://valleyadvocate.com/2024/12/05/a-celebration-of-history-making-women-the-rockwell-museum-exhibits-over-200-of-anita-kunzs-portraits-in-original-sisters/

🎲 You can pay homage to Lizzie Magie with a game of Macombopoly in Macomb’s Downtown Courthouse Square!

01/20/2025

Today, we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and all those who worked tirelessly alongside him to advance the Civil Rights movement. In particular, we recognize Macomb’s own Rev. Dr. Cordy Tindell “C. T.” Vivian, a close friend of Dr. King who helped organize sit-ins, marches, and Freedom Rides across the country. Vivian’s legacy is preserved in Macomb with a beautiful 75-foot mural at 135 N Randolph St., which depicts some of the highlights of his illustrious life.

This isn’t Macomb’s only mural — check out this trip itinerary from Wayward for some more murals around town: https://app.wayward.travel/experience/unforgettable-forgottonia-mural-tour

01/17/2025

Thanks to the History Mystery Man for visiting Downtown Macomb and Unforgettable Forgottonia!

Send a message to learn more

01/17/2025

Ehem… 🎤 Allow us to re-introduce the brand new 2 Restaurant, formerly Chubby's Smoke & Steakhouse! They’re back with a refreshed menu and new “build-your-own” items, plus some old favorites. Pick your base, protein, toppers, and sauce for endless combinations of deliciousness. Or stop by for weekly lunch specials, like Taco Tuesdays (or course) and Wings on Fridays.

Come say hello! 👋

And while you’re in Macomb’s Downtown Courthouse Square, why not play a game of Macombopoly after lunch!

01/15/2025

What do Hugh Grant and Lizzie Magie have in common?

🍿🎥 Lizzie Magie has hit the big screen — alongside none other than Hugh Grant!

If you saw the thriller Heretic this winter (now streaming!), you know that Hugh’s character uses Lizzie’s invention of The Landlord’s Game and its evolution to modern-day Monopoly to help explain one of the film’s central tenets. We won’t spoil it for you, but it’s equal parts terrifying, thought-provoking, and well worth a watch!

🎲 You can pay homage to Lizzie Magie with a game of Macombopoly in Macomb’s Downtown Courthouse Square!

01/10/2025

What’s for dinner tonight? If the lack of answer leaves you hearing crickets… 🦗🦗 it might be time for a Friday night out — or some takeout if you’re already in your PJ’s. Here are some of our favorites:

🐥 Chick's on the Square: Home of the chicken lips! Sweet, spicy, or smoky — get your hot-lip pizza, lip nachos, lip fries, burgers, pastas, and more.

🍝 The Grill on Market Street: Family favorites, spaghetti dinners, pizzas, and the legendary deep fried pork tenderloin and horseshoe sandwiches.

🍗 Hometown Cafe: Find all your favorite breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals, including fried chicken on Thursdays, catfish strips on Fridays, and pasta on Saturdays.

🍳 Highway Family Restaurant: Breakfast all day! Plus the other two time-appropriate meals. But really, who doesn’t want breakfast for dinner.

🎲 After the feast, head outside to play a game of Macombopoly in Macomb’s Downtown Courthouse Square!

01/06/2025

Our gal Lizzie Magie made it onto Woman's World Magazine’s list of “8 Brilliant Inventions by Women That Changed Everyday Life!” You’ve probably got some of them in your home right now, like the dishwasher, flat-bottom paper bags, cotton sewing thread, and — if you’re lucky — the hand-cranked ice cream maker.

You probably don’t have a life raft, self-feeding tube, or laser eye surgery tools at home, but these also made the list — learn more in the full article: https://www.womansworld.com/life/life-changing-inventions-from-women-inventors

🎲 Pay homage to Lizzie by playing a game of Macombopoly in Macomb’s Downtown Courthouse Square!

01/03/2025

Craving an authentic Chicago-style hot dog? 🌭(The correct answer is always YES.) Did you know you can get one right here in Macomb? Get your dog fix — along with juicy burgers, Maxwell St. Polish sausages, traditional Italian beefs, and crispy golden fries — at Mili's King Gyros. And don’t forget to try their baklava for dessert! 🤤

🎲 After the feast, head out to Macomb’s Downtown Courthouse Square for a game of Macombopoly!

01/02/2025

Still adding to your new year’s resolution list? Here are a few Macomb-centric ideas to get the juices of optimism flowing:

📕 If you’re hoping to read more, get lost in the stacks at one of Macomb’s independent bookstores. Find local authors and stories at New Copperfield's Book Service, or shop used books galore at The Book Post II.

🧘 Stretch out of your comfort zone with some yoga or fitness classes at Free Range Yoga and Community Wellness Center. Your body will thank you later.

🎸 See (or maybe even perform?!) some live music at one of Square Music Company's recurring Open Mic Show at The Cafe.

🤓 Challenge yourself to learn something new every day. Or maybe once a week. Lucky for you, infinite knowledge is right at your fingertips with a Macomb Public Library!

🎲 And lastly, pick up a new hobby, like playing Macombopoly in Macomb’s Downtown Courthouse Square!

01/01/2025

Happy New Year! Not only is it the first day of 2025, but it’s also . Hmmm…suspicious. Not sure who decided that, but it’s as good a day as ever to trick yourself into consuming something healthy via adult tomato juice at one of these local bars and restaurants:

Sports Corner at 124: Their specialty Linda Lou bloody Mary (pictured here 😮) is complete with garnishes galore — celery, a pickle spear, a bleu cheese stuffed olive, lemon & lime, a lil’ cheddar cube, AND shrimp! 🫒🧀🍋🍤

Chick's on the Square: Let’s be honest — pretty much any drink pairs perfectly with their incredible chicken “lips,” served in every way imaginable, including the one and only “Lip Pizzadilla.”

Jackson Street Pub: The concept of a bloody Mary IS kinda weird… but is it more or less weird than the iconic breaded pork tenderloin or open-face horseshoe sandwiches served up at Jackson Street Pub? You’ll have to try all three to decide for yourself.

The new 2 Restaurant (formerly Chubby's Smoke & Steakhouse): New name, who dis? With a refreshed menu — which, yes, happens to include a bloody Mary — you’ve got a whole lot to discover here!

: They may be known for their margaritas, but who says you can’t pair your tacos with one of their bloody Marys? Spice it up.

🎲 Post libations, you can shuffle around Macomb’s Downtown Courthouse Square and play a game of New Year’s Macombopoly!

12/19/2024

Bundle up — we’re going on a winter solstice stroll! Join us at Lakeview Nature Area & Center as dusk falls on Dec. 21, where we’ll begin our walk through the Prairie Labyrinth at 4pm. Bring your own lantern or borrow one of ours, and be sure to dress appropriately for the weather, as this event will be entirely outdoors.

🎲 Afterwards, stop and admire the festive decorations in Macomb’s Downtown Courthouse Square while playing a game of Macombopoly!

12/18/2024

Some of us have ugly sweaters. Others prefer our sensible Santa hats, reindeer antler headbands, or embarrassingly festive neck ties.

Sure, those are great and all, but can we all acknowledge Abe Lincoln and his beard as the ~real~ holiday G.O.A.T.? Visit the Living Lincoln Topiary Monument and its memorable mane before the season’s over! 🎄

🎲 And while you’re downtown, play a game of Macombopoly in Macomb’s Downtown Courthouse Square. But no cheating! Honest Abe is watching. 👀

12/16/2024

Help us make the holiday season in Macomb even more de-LIGHT-ful!

If you’re planning on decorating your home or business, you can be part of Macomb’s 5th annual Tour of Lights. Submit your decorated address by Monday, December 2 to [email protected] or call 309-575-3015.

🎲 And while you’re admiring the sights of the season, you can also play a game of Macombopoly in Macomb’s Downtown Courthouse Square!

12/12/2024

We always appreciate a good shout out! Thanks, MSN, for highlighting Monopoly’s egalitarian roots as Lizzie Magie’s “The Landlord’s Game.”

You can read the full article here: https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/gaming/the-world-s-largest-monopoly-game-is-free-to-play-in-this-midwest-college-town/ar-AA1tooEu

🎲 Come see for yourself and play the world’s largest Monopoly game right here in Macomb’s downtown Courthouse Square!

Monopoly lovers can't miss this massive version of the iconic board game that takes players all over a college town in Illinois and offers real-world rewards.

12/11/2024

Thanks to the McDonough County CEO Program for allow us to spend the morning with this bright and intelligent group of successful entrepreneurs! It was a pleasure, and quite a nice bolster to the confidence in our talented local youth.

Gain as much experience as possible, be a team player, and always do your best.

These are just a few keys to success shared by Jock Hedblade, Executive Director of the Macomb Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

In his mission to encourage people to Visit Unforgettable Forgottonia, Jock has taken some unique aspects of our town & region and utilized them for tourism. As one of the biggest revenue generating industries in the country, tourism isn’t just for the big cities!

We learned a lot more about Lizzie Magie’s ties to Macomb (creator of what would become today’s Monopoly game) and a little more about President Lincoln’s time in our county seat. Jock talked about setting goals, pursuing leads, and what it meant to come back to his hometown after a significant career and life in Chicago. Thanks to Jock for the time, stories, and wisdom shared with our team last week!

12/06/2024

Hear those sleigh bells jingling in the distance?! 🦌🔔 We've got two special holiday events this weekend!

Join us in Ye Olde Macomb for Dickens on the Square this Friday and Saturday. The event kicks off with Santa’s arrival aboard the Santa Zephyr Express promptly at 6:17 p.m. 🚂Then we’ll celebrate downtown with all the best holiday magic, like horse-drawn trolley rides, music, shopping, kids activities, live reindeer and — of course — visits with Santa himself! 🎅

You can also ring in the holiday season at Bushnell's Christmas Light Parade this Saturday 12/7 at 6-7pm. Watch as decorated cars and trucks slalom their way through town! ✨

🎲 Plus, while you’re downtown, play a game of Macombopoly under the glow of Christmas lights!

12/04/2024

Congrats to our fearless leader of Visit Unforgettable Forgottonia aka the Macomb Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Jock Hedblade! Jock received the Town & Gown Award from Western Illinois University for providing exceptional service in continuing the partnership between WIU and the Macomb Community.

After a career in the entertainment industry, Jock returned to his hometown of Macomb in 2017. Among other accomplishments, he’s the mastermind behind Macombopoly, the world's largest Monopoly-style board of its kind, which you can play on the Macomb square!

Thanks, Jock, for making big things happen in our small town!

You can read the full article here: https://www.wiu.edu/news/newsrelease.php?release_id=20288