 Douglas-Hart Nature Center
The Douglas-Hart Nature Center is located on Route 316 at the eastern edge of Mattoon. The Center was established to recreate and maintain two native habitats of Illinois, the prairie and deciduous forest, as they appeared before intensive use of modern man.
Trails wind throughout Douglas-Hart Nature Center’s thirty-five  acres. Observation stations are designated along the length of our 0.8 mile loop. An accompanying trail guide, detailing interesting and unique features of the prairie and deciduous forest, is available to all visitors.
The Visitor Center is open year round. It features interpretive exhibits and sensory displays to be enjoyed by kids of all ages. A bird observation area allows one to enjoy birds as they feed, bathe, and play. Programs and guided walks are conducted  throughout the year. They are intended for the general public and cover such topics as wildflowers, gardening, reptiles, and pond life.
For more information, please call the Center at 217-235-4644. Reservations are required for large groups.
Lake Mattoon
The Annual Y-Flyer Fleet 39 Regatta is always held on Lake Mattoon the second weekend in June.
Owned by the City of Mattoon, Lake Mattoon is located in the counties of Coles, Shelby and Cumberland. Having a maximum depth of 35 feet, the average depth is 10.5 feet. The capacity is 2.6 billion gallons with a surface area of 1,050 acres. 53% of the 55.5 mile shoreline is owned by the City of Mattoon, along with 348.5 acres of surrounding property. Lake Mattoon is fed by the Little Wabash River and is a popular recreation spot for boating, fishing, and camping. Approximately 1,042 boat permits are issued every year. The primary use of Lake Mattoon is supplying water to the City of Mattoon, Illinois.
Pumpkin Patches
Buxton Garden Farm
Located 3 miles west of Sullivan or 3 1/2 miles east of Bethany on IL Route 121. Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Sunday. Roadside market spring, summer, and fall with seeds, plants, flowers and veggies, along with fresh produce. Corn, straw mazes and hayrides free! 200 varieties from 80 acres, you pick or we pick pumpkins, some may weigh 200 lbs! Colors include all shades of orange, yellow, red, white, and blue with shapes from flat to round and big to small. Also available, squash, gourds, Indian corn, cider, 1,500 plus mums, 5,000 cabbages, and a varitey of fall items. Gourd painting Oct 2 with gourd artist Karenlee Spencer. The first Buxton's Pumpkin chuckin Contest Oct 9.
Country Bumpkin Pumpkin Patch
Located 3 1/2 miles southwest of Grandview; follow the signs. Open weekends in October, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 1-6 p.m. on Sundays. Entire patch has a Hillbilly theme, including 18 hole Hillbilly Golf, mazes, a wooden maze, one 7 acre and one 3 "Survivor" corn maze, a crawling barn maze, anda two-barn straw maze; plus a toddler play area and straw maze. Wagon Rides available for only $1.50. Also new this year, a Country Bumpkin Express train ride and a petting Zoo. New red barn for food concessions. Hilbilly carnival games require additional tickets. All attractions, except wagon ride available for one admission price. Two years and under, free; 3-5 $3.50; 6 and up $7. Pumpkins, hot dogs, soda, and snacks available. On Columbus Day hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with half-price admission. To schedule special hours for group visits during the week, call owners Thad and Cathy Brimner at the above number.
Great Pumpkin Patch
Located 2 miles south, 1/2 mile west of Arthur, off the Cadwell Road. 500 varieties of pumpkins, winter squash and gourds. Among the featured sights to see is the goat bridge, which is 12 feet long. It spans from the original goat pasture to a pasture behind the historic one-room school house. Also featured is the Wall O' Squash, bigger and better than last year. Joining the goats, sheep, pigs, llama, and alpaca at the patch is a display of chickens called Japanese Silkies, bred for their boa-like "poofy" feathers. Now in it's 17th year, owned by Bruce and Mary Beth Condill, they are open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Oct 31. Haunted Barn, straw-bale maze, and new this year is a corn maze and wagon rides around the patch on weekends. There is also Indian corn, honey, pumpkin butter, gourds, gift shop, hardy mums, sweet shop, and sandwiches. School Field trips welcome. Small admission charge, but children 12 and under are free.
Moran Orchard
Located 10 1/2 miles south of Mattoon on IL Route 121. They are open Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 19 varieties, including Yellow Delicious and others coming up. Cider, apple butter, peach butter, Indian cron, pumpkins, crafts, painted pumpkins, and honey are also available.
Okaw Valley Orchard
Located about 4 miles North of IL Route 121 on IL Route 32, follow signs. 15 varieties of apples available at different times throughout the season, pasturized apple cider and cider slush, apple butter, applesauce, jellies and jams, caramel apples, fresh apple doughnuts, frozen apple dumplings, freah fruit pies available. Large playground and picnic area. October 9 and 10 Applefest with music, vendors and crafts
Shady Crest Orchard
An Amish owned orchard one half mile south of Arthur. Golden and Red Delicious, Jonathan apples and other varieties available. Also, apple butter, jams and jellies, comb and strained honey, sorghum and maple syrup, popcorn, cider and blooming mums. Vegetables and squash are also available. Open 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday. Take Main Street South on the county line road to the orchard sign. |
