Our quest to seek out America’s most bizarre attractions continues to the Mid Western state of Illinois. While the typical Illinois vacation would have you taking in a Cubs game, dining on Chicago deep dish and journeying to the top of the Willis (Sears) Tower, we’ll have you experiencing everything but. So buckle up, put on your best Chicago accent, and journey with us to five of Illinois strangest attractions:
1. Funeral Home Mini Golf: Palatine, Illinois
When they’re not embalming a corpse or displaying the dead, you can bet the staff and patrons of the Palatine Funeral home will be in the basement playing a round of death themed mini golf. In fact, a free round of golf comes included with each funeral package.
The smell of formaldehyde fills the air, as you put your way through a challenging course filled with coffins, tombstones and other funeral themed memorabilia. Land your ball in the hole and watch it plummet 6 feet under.
2. World’s Heaviest Man’s Grave: Benville, Illinois
It’s only fitting that the final resting place of the world’s heaviest man, should be located but a stones throw away from the site of the world’s first McDonald’s Restaurant. While there’s no telling just how many Big Macs, apple pies and hot fudge sundaes Robert Earl Hughes consumed during his life, it’s safe to assume it helped him get where he is today.
Once weighing in at a hefty 1041 LBS, Hughes’ subterranean eat-nothing diet has reduced him to nothing but bones.
3. Live Otters In Bank: Kewanee, Illinois
At Kewanee’s Union Federal Savings and Loan, you can make a deposit, take out a loan, and pay a visit to Oscar and Andy, the bank’s dynamic otter duo (though Oscar Sadly passed away in 2008).
Housed in a giant pit at the centre of the bank, the otters have succeeded in re-inspiring investor confidence in the midst of the financial crisis. In fact, prices of fisheries stocks (the otters primary food source) have risen a staggering 64% since the arrival of the playful pair.
Bank Otters
4. World’s Largest Bagel Parade: Matton, Illinois
Bring out the cream cheese, prepare your cutting knifes, warm up your toasters and get set for a carbohydrate rich parade that puts Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade to shame.
There’s no need for elaborate floats or fancy costumes here, no, the men and women happily dressed as poppy, sesame, onion and chocolate bagels are all you need.
Aside from the big name musicians and street performers who show up for their fill of dough, the event is highlighted by the appearance of the world’s largest bagel. To our disappointment however, the mammoth baked good was filled with thousands of bagel ruining raisins. Yuck!
5. Leaning Tower Of Niles: Niles, Illinois
Why bother with the trip to Italy, when you can experience Pisa (or at least a reasonable facsimile), just 15 minutes from Chicago O’Hare. And heck, authentic Italian cuisine doesn’t even come close to matching Chicago deep dish.
The 94 foot tower is about half the size of the Italian original, but with the right camera angle no one but da Vinci will be able to tell that it’s not the real thing (and he’s dead).
-Sam
Sam Zivot is a blogger and Marketing Manager for Jurnii Car Rentals, America’s new travel focused online rental car company. He writes frequently for the Jurnii USA Car Rental, blog and enjoys travel in the U.S and abroad.
