Hotel at a Glance: The Chateau Hotel & Conference Center

As you drive up to this hotel, you might, for just a moment, think you’re approaching a Swiss chateau. The top floor of arched windows is topped with two towers, and a fountain babbles between old-fashioned streetlights on the front lawn. Inside, things are a little more modern, with free WiFi and an indoor heated pool. There aren’t any horse-drawn carriages, but guests still get a modern-day version of the royal treatment: a free shuttle that takes you to Central Illinois Airport and local attractions.

• Tony Roma’s Restaurant: The specialty here is the sticky-sweet barbecue ribs; other tasty favorites include a lemony shrimp-and-salmon piccata and a burger topped with wild mushrooms and creamy havarti cheese.
• Swim year-round in the heated indoor pool, which is surrounded by arched windows that let in sunlight.
• Get a good night’s sleep in guest rooms that feature free WiFi and decorated in antique-style furnishings.
• Take the complimentary shuttle: to nearby attractions, including Eastland Mall.

Bloomington, Illinois: Family-Friendly Cultural Outpost

The middle of Illinois’s vast farmland might seem like an odd spot for a cultural hub, but Bloomington offers visitors just that. Its historic downtown district is rife with attractions, including galleries, theaters, and more than 10 museums. Among these are the McLean County Museum of History, where exhibits on Irish immigration, Mexican folk art, and pioneer artifacts are displayed in a historic 1903 courthouse. Another is the David Davis Mansion, the mid-Victorian home of Supreme Court Justice David Davis, who was also Abraham Lincoln’s mentor and campaign manager.

Among this family-friendly city’s many outdoor activities is the Grand Village of the Kickapoo Park. It’s home to a rare buffalo herd and honors the Kickapoo Native Americans who used to inhabit the area. On sunny days, families can head to Grady’s Family Fun Park in warmer months to let loose on the bumper boats or ride the Tilt-a-Whirl. Those looking for a more peaceful getaway can walk or bike the 24-mile trail, which stretches into neighboring Normal.

Normal itself is home to a host of diversions. The Children’s Discovery Center, for instance, encourages little ones to learn about science through hands-on exhibits and a laboratory. At Ropp Jersey Cheese, an award-winning cheese farm, visitors can see how cheese is made and meet a few Jersey calves.

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