Forget your history textbook for a second. If you want to see what Illinois looked like 800 years ago, head down to Lewistown. Dickson Mounds isn't just another dusty museum. It sits right on top of an ancient Mississippian village site. Dr. Don Dickson started digging up his family farm back in 1927. Crazy, right Now, you can walk through exhibits packed with 1,000-year-old ceramic jars, bone fishhooks, and hand-carved copper ornaments. They don't display open burial pits anymore that ended back in 1992, but the interactive setups show you how these early farmers actually lived, traded, and built giant earthen mounds.

Bring your walking shoes, too. Beyond the main building, miles of trails wind down toward the Illinois River. Look out for bald eagles. They nest in the high oak trees along the marshy ground during winter. So, if you want hands-on stuff, head to the Discovery Center on the lower level. Kids can crawl through a simulated dig site or try grinding corn with heavy stone tools. Beats staring at a screen all day.