Location: Paxton
Top Things to do in Paxton
- 1. Hardy's Reindeer Ranch
- 2. Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in Movie Theatre
- 3. Museum of the Grand Prairie
- 4. Meadowbrook Park
- 5. Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum
- 6. lake of the woods county park
- 7. Urbana Public Library
- 8. Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
- 9. Mahomet Public Library
- 10. The Virginia Theatre
Countries
What to do and see in Paxton, United States: The Best Places and Tips
Paxton in United States, from Nouth America region, is best know for Farms. Discover best things to do in Paxton with beautiful photos and great reviews from traveller around the world here!
Restaurants in Paxton
1. Hardy's Reindeer Ranch
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By Heidi-ready-2-travel - Crystal Lake, Illinois
They do a 1/2 hour "tour" which is walking you out to the pen to see the reindeer that are "on duty"
They share some reindeer facts, give you some gram crackers, and some oats to feed them.
We visited the week before Christmas, so the only other thing we saw was the cute two story Christmas themed gift shop.
I would love to visit again...This time in the fall. I would want to see the deer "in velvet" and to participate in some of the fall activities.
2. Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in Movie Theatre
Overall Ratings
5 based on 38 reviews
All American Drive-in Movie Theater showing the latest theatrical releases, plus affordable family entertainment. Multiple events over the course of the season, Open March through October each year.
Reviewed By Melissa Annie G - Champaign, Illinois
I think all the food is good, but only get corn dogs from the burger barn instead of the snack shack (unless you like soggy corn dogs). Restrooms are clean and the cost is better than going to an indoor movie theater. $7 per person.
3. Museum of the Grand Prairie
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By K S - Mahomet, Illinois
At this small central Illinois museum, you can learn about central Illinois' history, from when the glaciers shaped the landscape through the time Europeans settled here. There's a great compact exhibit about Lincoln's role in Illinois, a hands-on children's section and a yearly changing exhibit. Currently, the focus is on the role of water in the area. If you hurry, you can also catch the temporary traveling Smithsonian exhibit "WaterWays." If you enjoy shopping, there's a delightful museum shop. The museum is free, but donations are welcome.
4. Meadowbrook Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 115 reviews
Reviewed By April C - Champaign-Urbana, Illinois
Meadowbrook includes a great playground for young children, a large grassy field for picnics or kites, a wildflower area, unusual sculptures, a meandering creek - but my favorite part of the park is the 80 acre restored tall grass prairie. In summer, grasses are over 6 feet tall! The prairie is ever changing with grasses, wildflower, clouds and weather. I frequently see deer and hear or see pheasants. You can enjoy the paved biking/walking path around the park or dirt paths crisscrossing prairie and woodlands (no dogs in dirt paths). For a natural experience, the park is a gem!
5. Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 45 reviews
This museum seeks to preserve the heritage of the Air Force.
Reviewed By Achung70
We were talking to some local town residents and they were telling us that the museum will be closing soon because it cannot sustain itself. We have visited this museum before and then we decided to go through it again. So many great planes! I hope what the town people were saying doesn't come true.
6. lake of the woods county park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By theturner4 - Mahomet, Illinois
Lots of paved and unpaved walking trails, picnic areas, fishing spots, and play areas for the kids. Great place to take family or senior pictures! Beautiful gardens and natural areas, clean bathrooms and plenty of parking. Feed the ducks, climb the bell tower, or rent a paddleboat - this part is enjoyable for all ages.
7. Urbana Public Library
Overall Ratings
5 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By Eunice B - Urbana, Illinois
My children enjoyed going to this library and it just keeps on getting better with age. The librarians are helpful and its just a wonderful library that has a children s library, meeting space, books, periodicals, movies, and even a coffee shop. Its located near downtown Urbana and parking is convenient just feed the meters, ride your bike or park in the garage for free.
8. Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
Overall Ratings
5 based on 62 reviews
Reviewed By zhangchi314 - Champaign-Urbana, Illinois
It is amazing how various types of international performing art can merge in this small university town, from Russian ballet to Chinese acrobatics, and to pop music concerts. We students can enjoy high-level drama and shows without traveling to large cities, and also at a very low cost.
9. Mahomet Public Library
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
A public library with a wide variety of programs for all ages. Free high-speed internet access via wi-fi or patron computers. Copy/print/fax services. Books, movies, audiobooks, and downloadable eResources including eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines. Easy access from both town and the interstate. Free parking. Coffee available for purchase.
Reviewed By Smythe77654 - Algonquin Provincial Park, Canada
Mahomet Library has many positives: clean, new, always willing to help with ordering loaner books, part of the Heartland Library System, big windows.
But, there are several niggling negatives that need address.
The work desks are small, and the chairs are the most uncomfortable I have ever say upon. All the furniture in this library was bought more for aesthetics and fashion than for comfort. I challenge any of the librarians to sit in any of the chairs they selected for one single workday, and they will be begging the taxpayers for more money to correct their horrific decision on prior furniture purchases.
The library has no real study rooms, which is understandable for a library of this small size. What is not understandable is that the library has a large community room, which is seldom used at night (and almost never during the daytime), and yet is not open for the public to read, relax, and study. I'm sure it's some inane reasoning about cleaning the room or some such thing, but the library does open the room for high school students during their one week finals, so any true arguments (cleaning needs, theft, vandalism, staffing, etc.) fall away when one knows that fact. A huge room, essentially unused.
There is a smaller room, the Schmit Room, that is used on a scheduled basis perhaps one hour a day. It is routinely empty. The staff should encourage people, particularly those working collaboratively, to use the room. Sure, one can sign up to use it, but why not post a sign openly that says "The Schmit Room is available for use today on a first come, first serve basis." Add to the sign the hours that it's available to use each day (which, believe me, is almost all day and evening). Seems the staff would rather not be bothered with it, so the quiet, glassed room goes unused, day after day. Silly.
A main concern for this library is noise. It's constructed lik a large, open box, with no walls or breaks, no tapestries, no soft barriers, to allow any deadening of noise. As such, when anyone speaks in this library, even at the front checkout desk, the voices can be heard, quite literally, from one end of the library to the other. Bad enough as this is, with even a touch of policing for noice from the staff, it might be tolerable.
Lo and behold: the staff is much of the noise problem! They speak unconscionably loudly to patrons, almost as though they are trying to be loud on purpose. They talk, not only of library stuff, but general conversations about life in Mahomet, the election, personal stuff, you name it--all at a decibel best reserved for a noisy cafe or restaurant. It goes on for 15 minutes or more, with no regard for the fact that we are all sharing on large, echoey "box". I have had to ask the library's own staff to please pipe down!
I have seen patrons speak on cell phones set on external speaker, I have heard full conversations between realtors and their clients, I have experienced numerous people playing video games with external gaming noise, there have been tots yelling and screaming and running around the adult study and book area, all without even a courtesy warning from staff who seem completely oblivious to the workings of any modern library. Needless to say, this does not occur at Champaign Library, Urbana Free Library, or other such libraries on central Illinois; they have staff that control the environment. Anyone who wants a serious nudge from library staff merely has to take off their shoes, fall sleep, or talk openly or on a cell phone, at Champaign Library, and they will get their wish.
A good, but exceedingly loud, uncomfortably furnished space in a central Illinois town.
10. The Virginia Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 45 reviews
Reviewed By Ed V
Love this theater. Had tickets reserved at will-call. They were there and seating was excellent. Show was great. The organist played and when finished the riser came down and the play began. Acoustics were great. Lighting was perfect. House lights came up during intermission. Bathrooms were clean. Concession stand was hopping. People looked happy. I will look for other performances at the Virginia in the upcoming months. Champaign is lucky to have an old (refurbished) relic like this.
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