Overview
Arcola is a city in the Central Illinois region of Illinois with about 2,900 residents in 2020. Visitors will get a sense of small-town Midwest as they walk or drive down the streets of Arcola. The countryside surrounding the city houses the largest Amish population in Illinois with many small shops operated by Amish craftsmen in and around the area.
3 sights · 3 things to do · 5 places to eat · 3 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Arcola
Aikman Wildlife Adventure
A drive-thru wildlife adventure park.
Hippie Memorial
Claims to be the only memorial to hippies in existence. Created by Bob Moonmaw to honor the artists and free spirits of the Hippie Movement.
Arcola Public Library
Arcola's public library was built by Andrew Carnegie in 1905.
Arcola Broom Corn Festival
An annual event held on the weekend after Labor Day each September. Foot races, live music, contests, and a parade featuring the Lawn Rangers.
Moore Memorial Park
A nice park that has a two baseball fields, a playground, basketball court, four tennis courts, and a soccer field.
Arcola Architectural Tours
A tour that goes through the architectural history of small-town America.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 18°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: May and Apr. (climate data from nearby Peoria)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- CMI University of Illinois Willard Airport, Savoy — 25 mi away. Directions
- DEC Decatur Airport, Decatur — 32 mi away. Directions
- IND Indianapolis International Airport, Indianapolis — 107 mi away (major hub). Directions
Most visitors to Arcola can drive into town from the north from Champaign and from the south on either US highway 45 or I-57. Illinois Highway 133 allows access to Arcola from east and west.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $87–$87 a night (typical $92), from 2 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$130, mid-range ~$170, comfortable ~$250.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Hippie Memorial, Arcola Architectural Tours
- Lunch Broomtown Cafe
- Afternoon Arcola Public Library, Moore Memorial Park
- Dinner Vita's Food Taqueria
- Evening Back Alley Saloon
Day 2
- Morning Aikman Wildlife Adventure
- Lunch El Taco Tako Mexican Food
- Afternoon Arcola Broom Corn Festival
- Dinner Monical's Pizza
- Evening Shae's Pub and Grub
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Arcola is located in Douglas County, Illinois. Mostly surrounded by farmland, the town is roughly a 40-minute drive from Champaign-Urbana.
History
Arcola was founded in 1855 when the Central Illinois Railroad company built a railroad through the area. The Illinois Central Railroad Company was responsible for surveying and selling plots of land in the development of the town.
Arcola was the birthplace of John Barton Gruelle, creator of the Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. Arcola is somewhat famous for the Lawn Rangers, a "precision lawn mower drill team" that marches in formation with brooms and lawnmowers while wearing cowboy hats. Every year since 1980 the Lawn Rangers have marched in the Arcola Broomcorn Festival Parade.
Visitor Center
Place Arcola Historic Train Depot & Information Center (Arcola Chamber of Commerce)
This train Depot was built in 1885 for the Central Illinois Railroad that ran through town. It holds CIR memorabilia, the largest Louis Klein collection of antique brooms and brushes in the United States, and Arcola relics. Raggedy Ann & Andy dolls and collectibles are also on display.
Get in
By car
Most visitors to Arcola can drive into town from the north from Champaign and from the south on either US highway 45 or I-57. Illinois Highway 133 allows access to Arcola from east and west.
By plane
Arcola is not serviced directly by an airport. The closest airport is Willard AirportCMI, 28 mi north in Champaign, with flights to and from Chicago and Fort Worth daily. The airport also houses multiple rental car companies to travel around the local area.
Get around
Like most Illinois towns, Arcola is easiest to maneuver via car. Many of the roads in town also have sidewalks that allow for walking around the city center and some residential areas. There are no widespread public transit that services the city.
See
See Hippie Memorial
Claims to be the only memorial to hippies in existence. Created by Bob Moonmaw to honor the artists and free spirits of the Hippie Movement.
Do
Do Moore Memorial Park
A nice park that has a two baseball fields, a playground, basketball court, four tennis courts, and a soccer field.
Do Arcola Architectural Tours
A tour that goes through the architectural history of small-town America.
Buy
Eat
Eat Hen House Restaurants & Gifts
A bar and grill with good food and a giftshop.
Drink
Sleep
Go next
- Illinois Amish Country The surrounding countryside is home to the largest Amish population in Illinois.
- Champaign-Urbana
- Effingham
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