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Specialty Farms

Mari-Mann Herb Farm

1405 Mari Mann Lane, Decatur IL 62521

Spanning six rolling acres on bluffs overlooking the Sangamon River and designated as an Official Illinois Herb Garden, you'll find a potpourri of herb beds, everlasting beds, wildflower fields, and formal gardens. Reputed for the area's largest variety of herb products, Mari-Mann also offers group tours, programs, and classes. 217-429-5400. www.marimann.com

Richland Student Farms

One College Park, Decatur IL 62521

On-campus site includes greenhouses, hoop houses, sixteen farm plots with fruit trees, brambles and vegetables. During the growing season from May-October, the weekly farmer's market also provides the ingredients to the culinary arts program where students prepare farm to table menus for Bistro Five ThirtySeven and B2Go food truck. 217-875-7211, ext. 537. www.richland.edu

1912 Barn Experience

990 S. Meridian Ave., Niantic IL 62551

Unique rural setting to teach families about the hobby of raising chickens and the rich history of working family farms. Aissa and Hank enjoy touring guests and allowing them to lend a hand feeding the chickens, picking fruit or just spreading a blanket out for a family picnic. Tent sites, RV hookups and barn stays with farm amenities. Reservations: 217-853-6058. www.1912barn.org

Serenity Fields Farm

8831 Sefton Rd, Dalton City IL 61925

Prairie farm where you can interact with the farm animals, hike the property, build a fire and enjoy the great outdoors. Large, shaded playground offers trampoline, zip line, ninja line, slack line, silks, climbing dome and hammocks. Horseback riding available. Tent camping, RV hookups and farm amenities. Reservations: or Serenityfields4@gmail.com www.hipcamp.com

Family Fun

Scovill Zoo

71 S. Country Club Road

Zoo exhibits hundreds of wild and domestic animals from Madagascar to Australia and every place in between. Take a ride on the Z.O.O. Express train or hop on the Endangered Species Carousel. For hours and fees, go to www.decatur-parks.org.

Children’s Museum of Illinois

55 S. Country Club Road

Interactive stations encourage youngsters to be whoever they imagine — pilot, builder, banker, or scientist. The newest exhibit is Heroes Hall, a two-story, 7,000 square foot law enforcementthemed addition that was made possible by a 3 million dollar grant from the Howard G. Buffett Foundation. For hours and fees call, 217-423-5437. www.cmofil.org

Overlook Adventure Park

2501 E. Nelson Park Road

One of Decatur’s newest attractions – two 18-hole miniature golf courses, ropes course and batting cages, nestled in the hills of Nelson Park, plus the Splash Cove family aquatic center. For hours and fees, go to www.decatur-parks.org.

Rock Springs Nature Center

3939 Nearing Lane

Specialty Farms Freestyle Tour

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Discover what surprises nature has in store through hands-on exhibits, hiking and biking trails, and river waterways. Interpretive staff members are always on hand to help translate nature’s dialogue. Trails are open daily 7:00 am to sunset. For hours call, 217-423-7708. www.maconcountyconservation.org