Who needs a passport when you’ve got a car and a tank full of gas?
Illinois is hiding some seriously cool medieval-inspired spots that’ll make you feel like you’ve stepped into your favorite fantasy series.
1. RavenStone Castle (Harvard)
Ladies and gentlemen, prepare to have your minds blown by a slice of medieval Europe right in the heart of Illinois.
RavenStone Castle in Harvard isn’t just a building; it’s a time machine with turrets.
This stone fortress looks like it was plucked straight out of a fairy tale and plopped down in the Prairie State.
As you approach, you’ll half expect to see a dragon circling overhead or hear the clang of swords from within.
But fear not, brave traveler, for this castle comes with modern amenities – no need to worry about emptying chamber pots or fending off invading hordes.
The castle’s gardens are a sight to behold, with winding paths that make you feel like you’re on a quest to find the Holy Grail (or at least a really good cup of coffee).
And if you’re lucky enough to stay overnight, you might just wake up feeling like royalty – or at the very least, a well-rested peasant.
2. Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament (Schaumburg)
Hold onto your goblets, folks, because Medieval Times in Schaumburg is about to take you on a wild ride through history – with a side of chicken.
This dinner theater experience is like stepping into a medieval soap opera, complete with jousting knights, prancing horses, and more pageantry than you can shake a turkey leg at.
As you enter the castle-like exterior, you’ll be transported to a world where utensils are optional and cheering for your favorite knight is mandatory.
The air is thick with the smell of roasted meat and the sound of clashing swords – it’s like Game of Thrones, but with less backstabbing and more audience participation.
Pro tip: Don’t be shy about getting into character.
Yell “Huzzah!” at every opportunity, and who knows?
You might just catch the eye of a dashing knight or a fair maiden.
Just remember, what happens in the 11th century, stays in the 11th century.
3. Stronghold Castle (Oregon)
Perched atop a bluff overlooking the Rock River, Stronghold Castle in Oregon, Illinois, is the medieval fortress you never knew you needed in your life.
This stone beauty looks like it’s ready to withstand a siege – or at least a rowdy family reunion.
Originally built as a retreat center (because nothing says “relaxation” like thick stone walls and arrow slits), Stronghold Castle now offers tours that’ll make you feel like you’re exploring the set of a historical drama.
Just try not to get too carried away reenacting your favorite battle scenes – the staff tends to frown upon impromptu sword fights.
The castle’s great hall is perfect for those moments when you need to make a dramatic entrance or deliver a rousing speech to your imaginary subjects.
And if you’re feeling particularly regal, you can even rent out the whole place for events.
Nothing says “I’m turning 30” quite like a medieval-themed bash in an actual castle.
4. King’s Realm (Elkhart)
Tucked away in the quaint village of Elkhart, King’s Realm is the medieval-themed bed and breakfast you never knew you needed.
It’s like stepping into a Renaissance Faire, but with better plumbing and fewer turkey legs (unless you specifically request them, of course).
The exterior might look like a charming country manor, but inside, it’s all lords and ladies.
Each room is decked out in medieval splendor, complete with four-poster beds and tapestries that’ll have you speaking in thee’s and thou’s before you know it.
Breakfast is served in the great hall, where you can feast like a king (or queen) on a spread fit for royalty.
Just remember to use your best table manners – no one wants to see you gnawing on a drumstick like a barbarian at 8 AM.
5. Anderson Japanese Gardens (Rockford)
Okay, I know what you’re thinking – “Japanese gardens? In a list of medieval attractions?”
But hear me out, fellow time travelers.
While Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford might not scream “knights and castles,” it’s got all the tranquility and otherworldly beauty of a mystical realm.
As you wander through the meticulously manicured landscapes, you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled into a secret garden from a fantasy novel.
The gentle sound of waterfalls and the sight of koi fish gliding through ponds will transport you to a world far removed from the hustle and bustle of modern life.
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Who needs a jousting tournament when you can practice your zen on a peaceful bridge overlooking a serene pond?
It’s like meditation, but with better scenery and fewer chanting monks.
6. Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site (Collinsville)
Alright, history buffs and time-travel enthusiasts, buckle up (or whatever the medieval equivalent of buckling up is – maybe “secure thy codpiece”?).
We’re heading to Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in Collinsville, where you can climb to the top of ancient earthen pyramids and pretend you’re a pre-Columbian overlord surveying your domain.
These massive mounds might not have the pointy tops of their Egyptian cousins, but what they lack in geometry, they make up for in mystery.
As you ascend Monks Mound, the largest prehistoric earthwork in the Americas, you’ll be following in the footsteps of a civilization that vanished long before Columbus ever set sail.
Pro tip: Bring a picnic and enjoy it atop one of the mounds.
Just be prepared for some strange looks if you start proclaiming yourself the supreme ruler of all you survey.
The park rangers tend to frown on that sort of thing.
7. Allerton Park and Retreat Center (Monticello)
Nestled in the heart of Illinois, Allerton Park is like stumbling into a secret garden designed by a time-traveling landscape architect with a flair for the dramatic.
This 1,500-acre park is a delightful mishmash of formal gardens, nature areas, and sculptures that’ll make you feel like you’ve wandered into a medieval fever dream.
The Sunken Garden, with its perfectly manicured hedges and mysterious statues, is like something out of Alice in Wonderland – if Alice had a thing for European formal gardens.
As you stroll through the grounds, you’ll encounter everything from a Chinese maze garden to a full-sized replica of the Statue of the Dying Gaul.
Because nothing says “cohesive theme” quite like throwing every historical period into a blender and hitting “puree.”
Don’t miss the Fu Dog Garden, where stone guardians stand watch over a serene reflecting pool.
It’s the perfect spot to practice your best “brooding medieval hero” pose.
Just try not to fall in while you’re lost in thought about the weight of your imaginary crown.
8. Enchanted Castle Restaurant & Entertainment Complex (Lombard)
Forget your run-of-the-mill Chuck E. Cheese – Enchanted Castle in Lombard is where the real magic happens.
This castle-themed entertainment complex is like Disneyland’s Medieval Times cousin who decided to open a pizza joint with a side of laser tag.
From the moment you step through the castle-like entrance, you’re transported to a world where pizza reigns supreme and mini-golf is a noble pursuit.
The interior is a delightful hodgepodge of medieval-inspired decor and flashing arcade lights – it’s like the Middle Ages got into a fistfight with the 1980s, and somehow, everyone won.
Whether you’re battling it out in the laser tag arena (because nothing says “chivalry” quite like zapping your friends with neon lights) or trying your hand at the carnival games, you’ll feel like a kid again – a kid with a strange obsession with castles and unlimited quarters.
9. Soderstrom Castle (Peoria Heights)
Perched atop a bluff overlooking the Illinois River, Soderstrom Castle in Peoria Heights is the medieval-inspired mansion of your dreams.
This architectural oddity looks like what would happen if a European castle and an American country home had a baby – and that baby grew up to have excellent taste in real estate.
Built in the 1930s by a Swedish immigrant with a flair for the dramatic, this castle-home hybrid boasts turrets, a great hall, and enough medieval-inspired details to make you feel like you’ve stepped into a time warp.
The best part?
It’s a private residence, so you can admire it from afar and let your imagination run wild about the secret passages and hidden treasures that might be inside.
As you gaze upon its stone facade and manicured grounds, you can’t help but wonder – does the owner ever stand on the balcony and yell “Hear ye, hear ye!” to the neighborhood?
Because if I lived there, that’s exactly what I’d do.
Every. Single. Day.
10. Havencrest Castle (Savanna)
Last but certainly not least, we have Havencrest Castle in Savanna – the crown jewel of our medieval-inspired Illinois tour.
This 63-room mansion is what happens when someone says, “I want a castle, but make it extra,” and then follows through with reckless abandon.
From the moment you lay eyes on its turrets and towers, you know you’re in for a treat.
The interior is a dizzying array of themed rooms, each more opulent than the last.
There’s a Versailles-inspired music room, a Moorish bedroom, and even a bathroom modeled after King Ludwig’s grotto.
It’s like someone took a grand tour of Europe, came back with a severe case of castle envy, and decided to recreate every highlight under one roof.
As you wander through the lavishly decorated rooms, you can’t help but feel a mix of awe and amusement.
It’s part museum, part fever dream, and entirely unforgettable.
Just remember to pick your jaw up off the floor before you leave – drooling on the antique carpets is generally frowned upon.
So there you have it, fellow time travelers and fantasy enthusiasts.
Illinois might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think “medieval adventure,” but it’s got enough castles, gardens, and oddities to satisfy even the most discerning knight or lady.
Now go forth and conquer – or at least take some really cool Instagram photos.