In search of the best and fun things to do in Marion, IL?
Marion is in Johnson and Williamson Counties, Illinois, United States. Marion is Williamson County’s seat and largest city. In 2021, the city’s population was 16,742.
The growing city brimming with multiple attractions emerged from being formerly a vast coal field in the 20th century.
The name Marion springs from the Revolutionary American war hero, General Francis “Swamp Fox” Marion.
The city has developed to become the retail trade zone of Southern Illinois due to its convenient location on Illinois Route 13 and Interstate 57.
Marion, IL, is a famous destination for those seeking a fun trip. The city is teeming with gorgeous views, beautiful parks, excellent museums, and more.
This magnificent city is home to a Junior league baseball team, a state-of-the-art ballpark, high-octane racing, a mall, and more.
The region’s natural preserve offers blissful serenity and a structure listed in the National Historic Registry as a display of history, culture, and art.
Are you planning a trip to Marion? Here are the best things to do in Marion, IL.
Things to Do in Marion, IL
1. Marion Cultural and Civic Center
Marion Cultural and Civic Center
The Marion Cultural and Civic Center sits in the same building that was once the “Flagship” theater of the Orpheum Playhouse circuit.
Reid, Yemm, and Hayes, three merchants from DuQuoin, owned and operated ten movie theaters in the South of Illinois.
The Cultural and Civic Center was completed in 1921 after the foundation’s construction in 1919.
The 1,094-seat facility has a treat for everyone. It has a history that dates back to the vaudeville era.
Catching a show or performance at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center is highly recommended, especially if you love performance art.
Roughly 300 events are hosted by the facility annually, so there will likely be a show for you to watch whenever you visit the city.
The facility also has an art exhibition in its lobby where you can find artworks made by regional artists on display.
Address: 800 Tower Square Plaza, Marion, IL 62959, USA
2. Marion Park District Aquatic Center
There is a public swimming pool located at Ray Fosse Park in Marion. Visit the Marion Park District Aquatic Center, a public pool at Ray Fosse Park. The shared pool is a lovely spot to go for a swim.
Escaping the city’s heat at this vast pool is enjoyable in Marion, IL; as such, you will always find people there.
The outdoor pool has a secluded section for people who would love to swim laps or practice to improve their abilities.
Sometimes the folks at the pool organize swimming competitions; other times, pals race each other.
Address: 500 E Deyoung St, Marion, IL 62959, USA
3. Warehouse Antique Mall
Are you planning a cost-friendly vacation trip? If yes, going antique-hunting is worth a spot on your list of what to do in Marion, IL.
The boots at the Warehouse Antique Mall cover an area of about 11,000 square feet each and are stocked with beautiful antiques.
When you go antique hunting at the Warehouse Antique Mall, you will find that the antique products are just as numerous as they are unique.
The Mall is brimming with exceptional items, such as solid shelvings, bar carts, and even kid’s toys that are almost a hundred years old.
To get the best deals, It would help if you visited several vendors before settling for the items of your choice.
Address: 600 N Van Buren St, Marion, IL 62959, USA
4. Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge
One of the best things to do in Marion, IL, Is to explore the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge and use the opportunity to kick back and have a good time.
This 44,000-acre preserve offers families a great chance to get outside and discover the habitat’s beauty.
Going on a self-guided 9-mile driving tour of the land exposes you to bobcats, turkeys, wild deer, and migratory birds.
You can catch catfish and other fish species by casting a line on the temporary docks on the lake shores. You can ease up from all of the city’s bustle if you wish by packing a picnic.
Address: 8588 Route 148 Marion, IL 62959, USA
5. Marion Antique Mall
The Marion Antique Mall is an excellent shopping center with great prices. It has booths containing all varieties of collectibles. It is a must-see location in Illinois. Therefore, as a visitor, shopping here should be one of the top things to do in Marion, IL.
Spanning over 9,000 square feet, the Marion Antique Mall has a diverse collection where you can find a cross-section of your past.
This Antique mall is open 9:30 am-5 pm Monday to Saturday, and 1-5 pm on Sundays, which is excellent.
This excellent mall offers a broad collection of quality glassware. Other items found at the mall include memorabilia, large furniture, both antique & contemporary, and primitives.
Marion Antique Mall features a sizeable parking lot, so you don’t have to worry if you are coming with a privately owned vehicle.
Address: 503 N Madison Street, Marion, IL 62959 US
6. Pyramid Park
If you want to spend time with your family in a fun, peaceful, and serene place, visiting Pyramid Park is a good idea.
Enjoy a picnic with your family at the Park. Its 33 acres contain properly maintained facilities that attract visitors and locals from all parts of the city.
Pyramid Park boasts the city’s best fields, playgrounds, and picnic spots. The Park is also home to the Pharoh’s Way Disc Golf Course.
In addition, there is a skate park in the middle, two baseball diamonds, and many parking spaces.
Take in the beautiful sunset at the Park. You can fully appreciate the sky’s magnificent orange hue from this park.
Address: Pyramid Park Road, Illinois 62274, USA
7. John Brown’s On The Square
John Brown’s On The Square is a pub located on “Marion’s Square,” as the name implies. The bar offers excellent welcoming service to its guests; its craft beers are top-quality.
The pub features single-artist performances as well as live bands. You should visit it if you are a fan of bloody marys, which come on twice monthly.
The staff at John Brown’s On The Square foster good relationships with returning customers, as much as by calling them by name.
The pub is a lovely location to chat while having a drink. It has a good atmosphere fostered by live music. The bar can be crowded sometimes, but it is a great location to socialize
You will not be disappointed when you visit the warm little pub in Marion’s square. The bartenders are friendly.
Address: 1000 Tower Square Plaza, Marion, IL 62959, USA
8. Mandala Gardens
Mandala Gardens
The serene Mandala Gardens have an atmosphere of calmness and harmony.
Depending on how you utilize it, you can choose what it is, a farm, park, food, sanctuary, or market. The quiet mandala-inspired gardens have a star, medicine-wheel, and spiral patterns.
You could also explore the elaborate stone carvings. Bring your kids to pet the ducks, chickens, and goats at the farm.
The Gardens contain crops and plants that produce grocery items you can find in a standard grocery store.
Additionally, you can unwind on the neighboring benches. It is a great idea to visit during summer to stock up on sun-dried herbs and vegetables.
Please include a camera in your bag to capture beautiful memories of this peaceful place when you visit.
Address: 1704 N State St, Marion, IL 62959, USA
Planning an Illinois road trip? Also, check out our list of things to do in Grafton, and things to do in St. Charles for a fun Illinois trip.
9. Kokopelli Golf Club
Among the many fun things to do in Marion, IL is to play golf at Kokopelli Country Club. The Golf Club unites golf and Southern Illinois
In 1996, Over 20 local business people led the construction to bring outstanding golf to Southern Illinois
Steve Smyers, a renowned golf architect, designed this large course. It was named one of the best golf clubs in America by Golf Week Magazine.
Kokopelli encompasses an eight-acre practice area, a large pro shop with professional golf instructions, and a fleet of GPS golf carts with radio and Bluetooth capabilities.
Anyone who participates can join and sponsor. This course will keep you hooked whether you’re a novice or a pro.
Updated amenities, a walk-through bar, and recently remodeled event spaces can be rented in Kokopelli’s revamped event area.
It also contains The Turn, a restaurant, and a lounge where visitors may unwind and enjoy all night long.
Address: 1527 Champions Dr, Marion, IL 62959, USA
10. Rent One Park
Rent One Park
This stadium became the home of a junior League team of the Frontiers league known as the Southern Illinois Miners in 2007.
The stadium has a contemporary, non-traditional outlook compared to the traditional brick, red, and green-painted steel of many ballparks in the country.
Amidst the more than 3,400 standard armchair seats at the ballpark, it’s not unusual to discover a giant chair at the back of the home plate.
The grassy area outside the outfield and by the left-field line can contain over 2,000 spectators.
In Rent One Park, there are two picnic sites available. The on-site amenities include team stores, an outdoor plaza, home and visitor clubhouses, a maintenance facility, and administrative offices.
At the southwest corner of the Park, towards the left-field side, is The Fun Zone, a kids’ play area that features four inflatable games.
Address: 1000 Miners Drive, Marion, IL 62959, USA
11. The HUB Recreation Center
HUB Recreation Center
The Center’s staff, programs, services, and
infrastructure aim to develop a welcoming neighborhood culture of fun, fitness, and education.
The HUB Recreation Center is where pleasure and good health converge! It has gyms, swimming pools, sports fields, and a track where you may work out.
This location has items for all personalities. To use these amenities, purchase a one-day visiting pass or become a member. It is one of the best places to visit in Marion, IL.
Address: 917 W Main Street, Marion, IL 62959, USA
12. AMC CLASSIC Illinois Centre 8
The AMC Classic Illinois Centre 8 features the latest releases for movie buffs. Watch the most recent blockbuster movies at this charming movie theater.
Nothing comes close to spending the evening watching a movie while enjoying a drink and popcorn with a friend or a loved one.
If you want to get the feel of being within the movie scenes, watch a movie in the RealD 3D theater at AMC Classics Illinois Centre 8.
It is a terrific venue for a movie date; even if you aren’t a huge movie fan, the building offers a more secluded theater where you and your significant other can enjoy a private movie experience.
Address: 3107 Civic Cir Blvd, Marion, IL 62959, USA
13. Southern Illinois Raceway
Feel your heart pounding with adrenaline when you visit the Southern Illinois Raceway. Discover Marion’s thrilling motorsports scene.
The one-eighth-mile dirt track at Southern Illinois Raceway is a fantastic location to watch the racing.
If you love motorsports, you probably look forward to the next thrilling race with bated breath. To interact closely with the racers, purchase a pit pass.
You can watch some of the main events’ training laps if you arrive at the track minutes before the starting pistol fires.
Address: 9000 Foyt Rd, Marion, IL 62959, USA
14. Pyramid Acres
The Pyramid Acres is a recreation area consisting of earth and water, a campground, and a marina on the northeast corner of Lake Egypt.
If you are looking for a campground close to the water with friendly and supportive camp coordinators where you can engage in many fun activities, go to Pyramid Acres. It is one of the best places to visit in Marion, IL.
This fantastic site on the shorelines of the Lake of Egypt has excellent staff and offers the best camping experience.
An excellent example of a fun activity you can engage in at Pyramid Acres is the fishing tournaments held regularly for campers.
Some on-site facilities include ATMs, Heating, Air conditioning, boat ramps, restrooms, parking, and more.
Pyramid Acres has stores where you can get groceries, bait, tackle, ice, and beer with a stable electricity supply.
Address: 12057 Marina Rd, Marion, IL 62959, United States
15. Marion Carnegie Library
Marion Carnegie Library
The Marion Carnegie Library is presently located in the former “Grandma Cline” residence.
In 1915, the Carnegie Foundation made the construction of the building possible through its donation of $18,000.
Clifford Shopbell, an architect from Evansville, Indiana, designed the structure, and Robert Sparks, a builder from Marion, Indiana, constructed it.
It opened on February 29, 1916, with 680 borrowers and 1,162 books. The library’s collection now numbers over 118,000 items.
Customers can borrow various items available at the library, including magazines, DVDs, books, CDs, digital content, and educational packages.
If the item you’re looking for is not accessible, you can request something else from another library in its network.
Address: 206 S Market St, Marion, IL 62959, USA
Want more of Illinois attractions and activities? Check out our list of things to do in Carbondale, things to do in Alton, and things to do in Champaign for a memorable vacation.
16. Goofy Golf
If you prefer playing golf without having to walk and drive long distances after each swing, visit the 18-hole mini-golf course at Ray Fosse Park in Marion.
The price of a game per person is very cost-friendly. It is open From April to October, seven days a week, 4-10 pm Monday to Friday,12 -10 pm Saturdays, and 2-10 pm on Sundays.
Asides from the golf course, the amenities at the Goofy Golf include batting cages to master your swings, bags/cornhole to train your tossing moves, and more.
Additionally, you receive a sucker when you complete the golf course. A pool is also nearby, so feel free to take a refreshing swim.
Address: 1403 North Garfield Street, Marion, IL 62959, USA
17. Aspire Yoga
Aspire Yoga started at the end of 2017 as a simple dream but became a reality after a series of training in the midwest of Marion, IL.
The establishment then expanded further in 2021. Aspire Yoga works with the fact that health and fitness should go beyond exercise to become a lifestyle.
Aspire Yoga aims to create a serene space to attract, educate, uplift, and encourage the locals and visitors.
The establishment offers a liberating experience for all, even if you are a beginner. The classes will gradually strengthen, de-stress and stretch your body, allowing your body to achieve better flexibility and mobility.
Address: 603 N Court Street, Marion, IL 62959, USA
18. McKinney’s Western Store
McKinney’s Western Store
If you love the Wild West, visit McKinney’s Western Store to explore all the items needed to fulfill your cowboy dreams.
This fantastic store has been in business in Southern Illinois from 1960 to date, even after Rick and Kim, the descendants of McKinneys, handed over ownership in 1993.
The store is the best option if you want to purchase top-notch brands and an array of western outfits and fixes in Marion, Illinois.
Some items you can get at the store include Western clothes and accessories such as boots, feed, and tack.
Drop by McKinney’s Western Store if you are searching for a place to get good-quality clothes for yourself or your loved ones.
Address: 802 Halfway Rd, Marion, IL 62959, USA
19. Tombstone Gun Range and Training Center
Among the super adventurous activities in Marion is honing your shooting skills at Tombstone Gun Range and Training Center.
Whether you are an experienced shooter or a beginner, all shooters are welcome to try it out at the shooting range.
The Center also provides training for people of different skill levels. In addition, programs and classes can be tailored to your skill level.
The Center’s mission is to educate visitors on the proper and safe use of firearms for sport, personal defense, or your line of work in the military, law enforcement, or security in a secure environment.
You can pick up tips from law enforcement, civilian firearms owners, and trained military experts at the gun range.
The establishment has restrooms, a pro shop, and a classroom. You can decide to become a member or purchase a day pass.
Address: 12121 N Skyline Dr, Marion, IL 62959, USA
20. Martini’ Joe’s
Martini Joe’s is a Martini pub that offers an extensive menu that includes local and imported craft beers, martinis, and a broad liquor option.
The service at the bar is just incredible, the bartenders are easygoing, and the atmosphere is always fun.
You can catch the weekly specials from Monday to Friday to enjoy good music and drinks.
Martini Joe’s features a pool table, bags, a jukebox, football, and gaming machines. For comfort, there is a lounge with couches for you to kick back and relax.
The bar is available from Monday to Saturday and closed on Sundays to allow the staff to unwind.
Address: 102 E Main St, Marion, IL 62959, USA
21. Williamson County Historical Museum
Williamson County Historical Museum
Among the top things to do in Marion, IL, is a visit to the Williamson County Historical Museum to learn about the city’s past.
The Williamson County Historical Society lies in a valued brick structure from 1913, situated at 105 Van Buren Street and a half-block away from the Williamson County Courthouse.
The Museum served as the Sheriff’s home and jail. The males stayed in four big cell blocks, while the females stayed in smaller ones.
The Williamson County Historical Society decided to turn the building into a museum after the new jail was finished in 1972.
It has been a gold mine since its inception, housing numerous priceless family heirlooms and fascinating artifacts from the county’s creation in 1839.
Among the 17 rooms packed with exhibits, including records and Antiques of past eras, are a vintage classroom and numerous displays of historical clothing, equipment, toys, and military uniforms.
Address: 105 S Van Buren Street, Marion, IL 62959, USA
22. Therapeutic Touch Day Spa
If your trip’s main aim is to eradicate stress, you should visit the Therapeutic Touch Day Spa.
The staff at the Day spa does a great job in offering services that will banish your tensed and stressed muscles using relaxing techniques on another level.
Ease your nerves at the Therapeutic Touch Day Spa. Its services guarantee you will leave there feeling a lot better than you came.
The spa’s expert staff know the best ways to deliver a spot-on massage, so visit this sensational place to experience the goodness for yourself.
The establishment is available from Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm and is closed only on Sundays.
Address: 8386 Old State Route 13, Marion, IL 62959, USA
23. Log Cabin Tavern
Are you looking for what to do in Marion, IL, to intensify your vacation experience? Then, dine at Log Cabin Tavern. The Log Cabin Tavern is an establishment that uniquely combines a pub and a restaurant to satisfy its customers. It is famous amongst the locals of Marion, IL.
The establishment is owned by Denis, who also joins the waitpersons in serving meals and drinks to customers.
Visitor’s reviews indicate that the restaurant has improved consistently. It serves tasty beer and coffee and provides an atmosphere that allows customers to unwind after a stressful day.
Log Cabin Tavern, as the name implies, was constructed with logs and is well-furnished on the inside. This pub serves delicious & unique appetizers such as armadillo eggs.
The items on the menu include bbq wings, Asian sauce wings, Garlic Parmesan wings, garlic burgers, and more. The food is always spicy, delicious, and well-flavored.
A visit to Log Cabin Tavern ought to have a spot on your Marion checklist, especially if you are an adventurous eater or want to try something different.
This must-see location is available all week, 11-1 am from Monday to Friday and 12-10 pm on Sundays.
Address: 1105 S Court Street, Marion, Illinois, USA
Also, check out our list of things to do in Evanston, things to do in Aurora, and things to do in Moline for a fun time in these cities of Illinois.
Plan Your Trip to Marion
It would be best if you traveled to Marion, Illinois, to experience some of the history and culture of Southern Illinois. Those who wish to have a good time frequently visit this place, as it holds numerous fascinating attractions.
The city has beautiful landscapes, top-notch museums, charming parks, and shopping establishments.
There is always something to keep you occupied in the city. Check it out!