Bikin' and Cyclin'. Plan Your Motorcycle Week

The fall is the best time to get on a motorcycle and experience the fall foliage and rural charm of many communities in ILLINOISouth’s territory. For those interested in traveling along the Wabash River on the eastern portion of our territory, Route 1 is a great highway to travel with several different stops you should make in a handful of communities. If you exit off of Interstate 70 and head south on Route 1, the first community you’ll come across is Marshall. For a glance at some beautiful architecture, a visit to Marshall’s business historic district is a must. Many buildings in the district were built between 1830 and 1910, and were designed in the Italianate, Romanesque, and Italian Renaissance Revival styles. While you’re checking out the district – be sure to visit the National Road Welcome Center, and the World’s Largest Gavel located at the Clark County Courthouse!

Once you’ve seen Marshall and head south on Route 1, head to Hutsonville in Crawford County. Hutsonville isn’t far off of Route 1 and is a charming little community that offers great views of the Wabash River. While you’re in town, a trip to the Hutson Cabins is a must for history buffs. Inside these seven authentic 1812 cabins is a vast array of historical artifacts, telling the history of Hutsonville. The cabins are open from June 2 to September 29 from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sundays, but other tours can be arranged by calling (618) 563- 4531.

By now you’re probably getting hungry, so if you head south 27 miles – you’ll come to one of the best places to eat on Route 1. Coco’s Café and Wine Bar in Lawrenceville offers a fantastic atmosphere with even better food. The menu is a large to say the least, offering everything from cocktails, to soups and salads, with comfort food, and a plethora of dessert options. Some notables include maple bacon mac and cheese, shrimp and grits, and pineapple upside down cheesecake! newleaffitnessandspa.com/cocos

After all of that food, now is the best time to take a walk and explore nature – and there’s no better place to do that than Beall Woods State Park in Wabash County. The ride to Beall Woods from Lawrenceville is a beautiful one, with more views of the Wabash and a nice trip through Mt. Carmel. Beall Woods State Park is just south of Mt. Carmel and offers five established trails to stretch your legs on. This park attracts people from all over the world interested in seeing one of the few remaining tracts of virgin timber east of the Mississippi River – some trees are over 120 feet tall and 3 feet in diameter. dnr.illinois.gov/ parks/pages/beallwoods

To this point Route 1 has offered a lot of history, nature and great food – now how about a little fun? Just a short 13 mile ride south of Beall Woods State Park in Grayville lies Rest Up Camping and RV Corral, but there’s so much to do here besides camp. Rest Up offers one of the best miniature golf courses around, with the option to golf 9 or 18 holes. After you’re finished with golf, you can head inside and have some fun with their electronic shooting gallery – using replicated guns from the 1800’s to shoot animatronic targets. You won’t leave here bored! restupcampingandrvcorral.com

We’re nearing the end of our motorcycle run on Route 1, and there’s no better place to stop and rest for the night than the Social House Inn in Carmi. This Neo Classic Revival Inn was built in 1905 and offers nine rooms to rest your head, as well as a loft above the carriage house on the property that boasts a pet friendly living area with full kitchen and bathroom. thesocialhousecarmi.com