Illinois Travel Guide 2009 - (Page 29) Canal-era crew and passengers, will take you back to the pioneer days of the Illinois prairie. Spend some time in the nearby Lock 16 Visitor Center, featuring special I&M Canal exhibits, a cafe and a souvenir shop with canal-themed gifts. Head for the fun and sun in the Central region of the state at Lake Shelbyville, one of Illinois’ largest lakes. You can swim at the beach, boat, horseback ride, hike and fish the 11,000acre lake, which is surrounded by Eagle Creek State Recreation Area and Wolf Creek State Park. Bassmaster Magazine names Lake Shelbyville one of the nation’s best bass lakes, known for its white bass. The sprawling Eagle Creek Resort, located on Lake Shelbyville, sports an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, hiking and biking trails, mini golf and an outdoor swimming pool that overlooks the lake. Cruise down the Mississippi River on the Celebration Belle riverboat. Trip options can last anywhere from two hours to all day. The boat launches from Moline. For an especially luxurious cruise, take an overnight boat trip on the Spirit of Peoria. Overnight excursions include meals, lodging and entertainment. Themed and sightseeing cruises are also available. COURTESY OF SHELBY COUNTY TOURISM In Southern Illinois, cool off at Mer met Springs, a spring-fed stone quarry in Mermet that reaches depths of 120 feet. Take a scuba dive to see sunken treasures that include an 18-wheel rig, a cement “petting zoo” and the Boeing 727 used in the movie U.S. Marshals. Experienced instructors and equipment rentals are on hand. Visitors can enjoy an array of water activities at Rend Lake in Whittington, including boating, water skiing, fishing, swimming or just relaxing on the beach. Stay in a “boatel” at Rend Lake Resort and make the most of your time on the water. The adjacent Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area offers horseback riding, hiking and birding. In the Southwest river town of Grafton, head to Grafton Canoe & Kayak to rent a canoe, kayak, pontoon boat or wave runner for fun on the unique confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. You can also rent mountain bikes, with trailers for hauling the little ones. Then again, you just might want to sit back and relax on a riverboat cruise aboard the Heron, run by the Great Rivers Tour Boat Company, which departs from Grafton Harbor. Laze along the Mississippi River on one of the sightseeing, sunset or hors d’oeuvre cruises. Top to Bottom: Underwater discoveries include a submerged Boeing 727 airplane at Mermet Springs, dive into the fun at Lake Shelbyville, one of Illinois’ largest lakes 800/2CONNECT ILLINOIS. MILE AFTER MAGNIFICENT MILE. 29 COURTESY OF MERMET SPRINGS http://www.AmericasBestValueInn.com http://www.AmericasBestValueInn.com
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