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| - On a recent weekend getaway to central Illinois, some of our nearby family made plans to meet us at Allerton Park for a picnic. In my mind I'm thinking a normal park--it's middle of nowhere Illinois afterall. But as soon as we drove up, I knew this was someplace special.
Allerton Park is more like a complex, with its mansion, conference center, expansive gardens, and intricate statues. Wikipedia describes it as "a vast prairie turned into a personal fantasy land of neoclassical statues, Far Eastern art, and huge European-style gardens surrounding a Georgian-Revival mansion.
It feels like you're in a foreign country--definitely not the Midwest.
And I was entranced in this new world. For hours we strolled the gardens, getting lost in every nook and cranny. Lots of hidden passages, winding paths in the woods, and endless trails--this place is magical.
Although we only had a simple picnic on the grounds, Allerton would be the picture-perfect spot for wedding... and it is often used precisely for that purpose! In fact, there was one while we were there--and it looked gorgeous.
I won't go into all the different parts of the park or which one was my favorite. Wikipedia can provide all the details you need, and every inch of this place is gorgeous and worthy of your time. Definitely plan for a few hours so can explore the entire grounds with wide eyes full of wonder.
Allerton Park is a destination not to be missed, and the story of the original owner--Robert Allerton--is just as intriguing as the gardens.
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