Oftentimes in life, an experience is more about the journey than the destination. That rings especially true when planning the route to an excursion — you know where you'll end up, but what else could you see or do along the way? If you're a fan of stopping off at a quaint local market, admiring historic architecture, and seeing one-of-a-kind roadside attractions while driving through the beautiful countryside, then this just may be the most scenic drive in Central Illinois.
The Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive is a 140-mile self-guided scenic route that meanders through Fulton County in Central Illinois — beginning in London Mills before syncing up with the Illinois River at the other end of the county. While the drive can be taken any time of the year, in the fall the first two weekends of October are dedicated to the drive, complete with fun local stops and events along the way.
Author Edgar Lee Masters made the Spoon River region famous with his 1915 work titled, "Spoon River Anthology."
Along the route you'll find Reed Park in the city of Farmington. The park offers a large gazebo, some playground equipment, green space, and several veteran memorials. It's a great place to stretch your legs while also soaking in some local history.
Architecture appreciators will enjoy The Federated Church building in Avon, another stop along the drive. The church was first built in 1907 and still sports a well-maintained exterior.
Smithfield is home to the Red Brick School Center, a repurposed schoolhouse that now serves as a community center. The building dates back to at least the 1930s and operated for more than 60 years until it was shuttered in 1990. Two decades later, it was revived and is now a central stop on the route.
Lady Liberty comes alive (not really) in London Mills, where an 8.5-foot copper statue of her looks over Riverside Park. The unusual marker is one of more than 200 that were built in Chicago and purchased by Boy Scout troops in nearly 40 states.
The timeless Bernadotte Bridge is found in Bernadotte and dates back to 1910. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places for being among nine metal highway bridges in Fulton County. It's closed to traffic due to age and safety concerns, but it still makes for a great photo and is worth admiring.
Orchard Hill Farm is another favorite stop located in Lewisville. The farm offers fresh fruits, vegetables, wine, snacks, gifts, and plenty of country charm.
All along the way are also small fairgrounds and farmers' markets, where you can get tasty homemade treats like the beloved Lakeside Licorice. It's worth the drive to taste the "world's best"!
Have you ever taken the Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive? Did you think it was the most scenic drive in Central Illinois? What's your favorite stop along the route? Tell us in the comments! Start planning your trip now by keeping tabs on the Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive Fall Festival's website, and the Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive Facebook page. In the mood to keep on driving? Check out this list of 11 of the best scenic drives in Illinois, or check out some of these scenic backroad drives!
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