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Downtown

From dining to shopping, from business to family... Monticello offers one of the most historic downtown districts in the area.  Whatever your flavor, you'll find the dining experience very enjoyable with the many options around the downtown square.  Including a brewpub and kitchen, Irish inspired restaurant, sandwich and salad specialty spot, and local pub grills!

Shop local for nearly all your needs.  Monticello downtown has numerous businesses that will satisfy your shopping for clothes, hair style and barber, furniture and home decor, insurance and legal assistance, trendy apparel and gifts, financial institutions, health clinic, eye care, and so much more!!

Take pride in the many events that are hosted in Monticello's downtown area.  Summer is alive with outdoor movie theater nights.  Monticellobration that includes vendors and live bands.  Weekly farmer's market with fresh fruits and vegetables.  And many other family and friend oriented events!

As mentioned on their website, Allerton Park & Retreat Center was built as a private residence in 1900, today it is a historical treasure owned by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The Mansion and Park are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and one of the American Institute of Architects’ 150 Great Places in Illinois. The Park was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1970.

Allerton is available to host a wide range of events including commercial, governmental and scholarly meetings and conferences, and student competitions. Natural areas of the Park are used by various departments within the University of Illinois as well as other universities and conservation agencies, for environmental studies and for participatory student projects. Both the Retreat Center and Park are used for wonderfully unique weddings and special events.

The grounds are open to the public and are of particular interest to scientists and naturalists (professional and amateur), hikers, and anyone who enjoys a walk outdoors. With almost 100,000 visitors each year, Allerton Park & Retreat Center is an invaluable cultural and environmental asset of the University of Illinois. It serves to bridge between the public, educational and research resources of the University faculty.

Allerton Park & Retreat Center

Visit their website:
Allerton Park & Retreat Center

Kirby Medical Center

In Kirby Medical Center's long-standing tradition of caring for the community, they provide families in the City of Monticello, Piatt County, and surrounding areas near Decatur and Champaign, Illinois, with quality medical and health care services. As a not-for-profit organization that is not supported by local tax dollars, they are focused on providing excellent care for when you are ill and also providing services and activities that can have you living a healthier and happier life.

From an award-winning emergency care team to advanced diagnostic imaging, 24-hour laboratory services, surgery, family and specialty medicine, plus a wide-variety of outpatient rehabilitation services and more, they believe that access to advanced care should be affordable and convenient, locally, to all we serve.

With an expanding campus, Kirby Medical Center is very involved with the community, and continues to be a part of the growth of Monticello!  Also, as a resident of Sage Meadows, you'll be within just steps of KMC.  Such a great peace of mind knowing you have medical care as your neighbor!

Visit their website:
Kirby Medical Center

Located 1 1/2 miles north of Exit 166 I-72. Owned and managed by Piatt County Forest Preserve Park District.  The park is 500 acres along the Sangamon River.  It is the site of the annual fireworks celebrations on July 3.

Offering-

  • Primitive camping

  • Picnic tables and sites

  • Playground equipment 

  • Walking trails

Lodge Park

Monticello Family Aquatic Center

Featuring -
                   

  • 5,000sf bathhouse building with full basement for water filtration, treatment, recirculation, equipment and storage

  • 5,750sf main pool with 6 lane, 25m competition area

  • 12-foot diving well with 1m and 3m diving boards

  • 14-foot tall, 63-foot long flume water slide

  • 2,400sf zero-depth pool with 16 water features

  • Lounge chairs and shade canopies

  • Locker rooms and shower facilities

  • Private party rental room

  • Full concession stand

  • "Dry Zone" arcade game room

  • 2015 Monticello Recreation Foundation purchased an AED for the facility  

Named after a man with a servant's heart, Eli Stephens, and managed by the organization The Monticello Model Masters, Eli Field is an RC facility designed to promote radio controlled modeling to RC enthusiast all over the world and gain interest of the general public.

As you will learn from their website, the M3 is very passionate about the hobby and sport of radio control modeling.  The are located just across the interstate from Sage Meadows, and you're able to see the model airplanes take flight and speed through the sky.

Eli Field offers events throughout the year, that welcomes RC enthusiast, as well as the general public, to come out and enjoy all that they have to offer.  You'll be in for a real visual treat when you make a visit!

Eli Field

Visit their website:
Eli Field

Railway Museum

Visit their website:
Monticello Railway Museum

One of the premier attractions in Monticello, the Railway Museum is enjoyed by people of all ages.  Visitors from all around the area make the trip to Monticello specifically to ride the trains.

The Monticello Railway Museum is an all-volunteer organization in central Illinois with an operational railroad main line yard open to the public. They offer train rides on Saturdays and Sundays from May through October, regardless of weather conditions, as well as a number of special events throughout the year.  One of the most anticipated events of the year, is the coveted Polar Express.  Be sure to visit their website, and schedule a day to get your ticket for a train ride!

They also collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit materials and artifacts from throughout the fascinating history of trains and railroading. Come explore their many rail cars and other equipment, and view our museum displays.

  • 1 acre community park located at 209 N. Hamilton St. built in 1992 in memory of Nick SanAntonio

  • Phase 1 redevelopment of park completed in 2017.

  • Thank you to the following Park Donors:  Monticello Recreation Foundation, Monticello Rotary & Kirby Foundation, Monticello High School Industrial Technology Classes

  • Pavilion available for use no fee, but first-come, first served.

  • Restrooms and picnic tables

  • Home of "Gabby's Gazebo" built in 2017 in memory of Gabby Galbo

  • Walking path surrounding playground (12 laps = 1 mile)

Nicks Park

Levee Trail

Sangamon Trail

Historic Street Walk

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