Top 15 Attractions in Carbondale, Illinois

The location of this Southern Illinois college town was selected in the 1850s, positioned strategically between two proposed railroad stations.

Southern Illinois University (SIU) was established later in 1870 and plays an integral role in defining Carbondale’s identity. The campus, situated at the southern edge of downtown, contributes culture, museums, athletic events, and architectural beauty.

The visionary architect Buckminster Fuller was active in Carbondale during the 1960s, where he resided in a self-designed geodesic dome.

On the outskirts of Carbondale lies the breathtaking Shawnee National Forest, while the Southern Illinois wine region has flourished, showcasing several wineries in close proximity to the town.

1. Downtown Carbondale

Carbondale features a broad central commercial district along Main Street that is notable for a town of its size.

Accessible on foot, downtown Carbondale is home to numerous intriguing sights, ranging from the Old Train Depot at the center to around 25 historic buildings surrounding the Historic Town Square.

This downtown area fosters a thriving environment for local, independent businesses, allowing visitors to enjoy browsing unique shops that offer art, fashion, collectibles, board games, musical instruments, leather goods, bicycles, skating equipment, vintage apparel, and sewing supplies.

Culinary offerings are diverse, featuring a cosmopolitan selection that includes crêpes, pizza, Indian cuisine, Mexican, Italian, Thai, Chinese, American classics, and hot dogs.

2. The University Museum

Approaching its 150th anniversary, the distinguished museum located on the SIU campus is free and accessible to all.

The collection originated in the 1870s and has since expanded to include 70,000 objects across the arts, humanities, and sciences.

Featuring a dynamic schedule of exhibitions, the museum hosts up to five exhibits simultaneously, exploring a diverse range of topics such as geology, local metalwork, Guatemalan textiles, and Chinese calligraphy.

The “Our Region” exhibit in the South Hall investigates the history and nature of Southern Illinois, presenting remarkable artifacts from SIU excavations.

The Lutes Gallery highlights the impressive collections bequeathed by alumnus Carl W. Lutes, with a focus on Renaissance sculpture, painting, furniture, and tapestries.

3. Carbondale Farmers’ Market

This vibrant farmers’ market brings together a community of multigenerational farmers, artisans, and producers, showcasing products that are primarily sourced from Southern Illinois.

Held on Saturday mornings, the market operates outdoors at the Westown Centre during the summer and transitions indoors at the University Mall for the winter season, running from early December to late March.

Now in its fifth decade, this market is a reliable source of farm-fresh produce in summer, as well as eggs, honey, cheese, baked goods, preserves, salsa, handcrafted gifts, and more from local artisans.

4. SIU Campus

Southern Illinois University captures attention through its museums, cultural venues, and sports programs; it also merits exploration for its impressive architectural designs.

A notable highlight is the Renaissance Revival Altgeld Hall (1896), which stands as the second structure erected on campus and is the oldest surviving building. It was renovated in the 2010s and now houses SIU’s School of Music.

Adjacent to it is Wheeler Hall (1904), previously a library and now part of the School of Medicine. Other prominent features include Allyn Hall (1908), Anthony Hall (1913), the Davies Gymnasium (1925), and the Byzantine Revival Shryock Auditorium (1918), which contains a Reuter Organ with 3,312 pipes.

Notable figures who have spoken at the auditorium include President Taft (1918), Vice-President Nixon (1956), and Buckminster Fuller (1965).

5. Shawnee National Forest

Carbondale is adjacent to an expansive region of preserved natural beauty, encompassing 280,000 acres of federally managed land, which includes the Ozark and Shawnee Hills.

Visitors can expect a remarkable variety of landscapes at Shawnee National Forest, featuring rugged bluffs, unique rock formations, rolling forests, streams, and lakes, all accessible via over 400 miles of hiking and equestrian trails.

This area encompasses significant wilderness zones, with the closest being Panther Den, renowned for its dramatic cliffs, alongside wildlife-rich regions such as Clear Springs and Bald Knob, both known for their rugged and remote nature.

Moreover, a significant portion of the Shawnee Hills American Viticulture Area lies within the national forest, where grape varieties such as Chambourcin, Chardonel, Riesling, and Cabernet Franc thrive.

6. African American Museum

This remarkable museum is situated at SIU’s University Mall. Established in 1997, the African American Museum works to identify, preserve, and showcase significant achievements in African American history and culture.

The collections comprise hundreds of artifacts, many confronting the realities of slavery through preserved auction notices and shackles designed for women and children.

The museum also features sculptures, quilts, garments, books, and photographs, presented in rotating exhibitions.

7. R. Buckminster Fuller and Anne Hewlett Dome Home

The esteemed architect, philosopher, and systems theorist Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983) was affiliated with SIU from the 1960s into the early 70s.

From 1960 to 1971, he resided in a self-designed residence at 407 S. Forest Ave with his wife, Anne Hewlett.

This was the only residence Fuller ever owned, featuring the geodesic dome design for which he is well-known. During his time there, he conceived the Montreal Biosphere, authored eleven books, and was awarded nine patents.

Restored in the 2000s, this site is conveniently located a ten-minute walk from downtown Carbondale and is owned by a nonprofit organization that offers tours and aims to establish a historic house museum on the premises.

8. Giant City State Park

Located just south of Carbondale, Giant City State Park is renowned for its stunning sandstone formations.

Spanning 4,000 acres, the park can be explored through numerous trails, including the Giant City Nature Trail, which leads visitors to the Giant City Streets, flanked by magnificent sheer bluffs.

The park’s geological features attract rock climbers, with designated climbing areas at Devil’s Standtable and Shelter One.

For further insights into the park’s geology, wildlife, and plants, interpretative displays are available at the visitor center.

The park’s lodge, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the mid-1930s, contains both a restaurant and a gift shop.

9. Evergreen Park

Situated on the southern side of the SIU campus, Evergreen Park enjoys popularity next to Carbondale Reservoir, a municipal water supply reservoir built in 1926 and covering 135 acres.

This park offers a scenic retreat for relaxation, featuring picnic tables, shelters, BBQ grills, play equipment for children, and lush mature trees that provide ample shade during summer months.

A boat launch facility is available, making fishing a favored pastime, with recent surveys recording largemouth bass, crappie, and channel catfish as common catches.

10. McLeod Theater

This exceptional performing arts venue at SIU hosts a variety of musicals and plays, produced by both students and professional companies.

For those seeking live entertainment at an accessible price point, the McLeod Theater, located a short distance from downtown Carbondale, is an excellent option.

The theater accommodates 521 patrons across two tiers and continually updates its stage technology and lighting.

During the summer, the SIU Department of Theater’s professional branch, the McLeod Summer Playhouses, presents a series of four productions over a six-week runtime.

11. Banterra Center (SIU Arena)

The sports facilities at SIU are located along “Saluki Way” on the southeast end of campus, where a series of complexes and arenas, including the 15,000-seat Saluki Stadium, were launched in 2010.

Adjacent to this is the Banterra Center, a Modernist structure completed in 1964 at a cost approximating $4.3 million (over $35 million in today’s economy).

In the 1970s and 80s, many prominent music artists, such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Peter Gabriel, performed here; notably, it was at this venue in 2010 that rapper Drake held his first live concert.

The arena hosts up to 8,339 spectators for the NCAA Division I Southern Illinois Salukis basketball teams, which achieved Sweet Sixteen qualification in 2007 and has seen nine players go on to NBA careers.

12. Boo Rochman Memorial Park

This privately held park spans 3.5 acres southeast of Carbondale and is accessible to the public, featuring a poignant and uplifting history.

Established in 2000, Boo Rochman Memorial Park serves as a heartfelt tribute to Jeremy “Boo” Rochman, who tragically lost his life at the age of 19 in a car accident close to the park’s location.

An enthusiast of Dungeons & Dragons, Rochman’s memorial park, funded through a legal settlement and donations, boasts a thoughtfully designed fantasy theme.

Impeccably maintained, the park features a realistic castle constructed from stone and wood for children to explore, complete with a throne room, alongside climbable statues of dragons and figures such as knights, a wizard, and a fairy.

13. Super Splash Park

Throughout the summer, Carbondale becomes even more enjoyable thanks to Super Splash Park, a public water park managed by the city’s park district.

This facility caters to both fitness-oriented swimmers and families with energetic children.

Featuring an eight-lane lap pool with a diving board, alongside a leisure pool that includes beach entry, a lazy river, a water slide, and interactive spray equipment for younger children.

The park is also equipped with amenities such as a party pavilion, spacious deck areas with shade, and a concession stand.

14. The Science Center of Southern Illinois (TSC)

University Mall also hosts this interactive children’s museum, which offers captivating exhibits suitable for ages 3-13, along with a stimulating program of activities.

The Science Center of Southern Illinois continuously enhances and expands its wide variety of exhibits. At the time of writing, highlights included a 3D real-time topographical sandbox, a geodesic dome climbing structure inspired by Fuller, a whimsical musical area, an earthquake table, and a 10-foot Lariat chain kinetic sculpture.

Additionally, creatively arranged stations allow children to explore and learn about subjects such as wind energy, probabilities, paleontology, and engineering.

15. Monte Alegre Vineyard & Cellars

Carbondale lies on the northwestern edge of the Shawnee Hills AVA, and there are numerous wineries and vineyards in the surrounding area.

The most accessible of these is Monte Alegre, located just off E Main St, a mere ten minutes from downtown.

Originally a farm for breeding and training horses, the property transitioned to a commercial vineyard in the 1990s, primarily cultivating Chambourcin and Vidal Blanc, along with Chardonel, Seyval Blanc, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Franc among others.

At Monte Alegre, visitors can taste and acquire wines derived from grapes that are grown and carefully harvested on-site, along with aged varieties from their cellars. Set in a picturesque landscape, the vineyard offers a selection of varietal wines and blends, as well as fresh grape juice during harvest season from July through October.