Location: West Frankfort
Top Things to do in West Frankfort
Top Restaurants in West Frankfort
6 Things to Do in West Frankfort That You Shouldn't Miss
West Frankfort is a city in Franklin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 8,182 at the 2010 census. The city is part of the Metro Lakeland area.
Restaurants in West Frankfort
1. Herrin Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By mitchell2013 - Southern Illinois
Herrin Park has a lot to offer - multiple playgrounds, a public pool with a waterslide, a skatepark and tennis courts, running trails and a dog park. There are multiple picnic pavilions to be rented out for events. Still has an old playground with the old school big swings. Sign the geocache too! Great place to spend a couple hours with friends or kids.
2. Franklin County Historic Jail Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By Taylor B - Chicago, Illinois
The historic Franklin County Jail Museum in Benton, Illinois, north of Mount Vernon and south of Centralia on I-57, serves as the home of the Franklin County Tourism Bureau. It is a beautifully restored 1905 building that houses memorabilia of the gangster era from the days of prohibition in the 1920s as well as mementos from famous Benton natives, including Union General John A. Logan, actor John Malkovich, professional basketball star Doug Collins and Beatle George Harrison, who visited his sister in Benton in the summer of 1963. The jail, located at 209 West Main Street, became a symbol of the gangster era in southern Illinois during prohibition. It was the last stop for Charlie Birger, the last man publicly hanged in Illinois on April 19, 1928, for the 1926 murder of West City's mayor, Joe Adams. A new jail was built in 1991 and the old jail was placed on the Register of Historic Places in 1999. Inside the jail museum, visitors can look into Charlie Birger's cell and see the window where he reportedly shouted to the men building his gallows to "build it strong, boys." A replica of the gallows is there, too. Beatle George Harrison spent two weeks in Benton while visiting his sister in 1963. He bought his famous black Rikkenbacker guitar at Fenton's Music Store in nearby Mount Vernon and was interviewed and played a song on radio station WFRX in nearby West Frankfort. Five months later, in February 1964, the Beatles debuted on American television on the Ed Sullivan Show. Harrison's guitar, which sold at auction in 2014 for $657,000, is not on display. You'll have to settle for the life and times of Charlie Birger.
3. Ken Gray Presidential Hall of Fame
Overall Ratings
2.5 based on 3 reviews
Former Congressman Ken Gray's collection of political memorabilia is on display for the public.
Reviewed By TravelHappy2Day
If you go to the "Presidential Hall of Fame" expecting anything grand, then you're sure to be disappointed. Kenny Gray, "The King of Pork" as he was known, has collected the oddest assortment of cars, memorabilia, parade floats, and other oddities. But it doesn't come across as much more than one of those Route 66 roadside "attractions."
I've met the man, and he's a very nice guy. But the best part of the museum is that it's free.
4. Rent One Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By Miles F - Marion, Illinois
It's a great place to watch a game. The Minors are a winning team. Most nights you can show up just before the National Anthem and still get great seats. We were row 4 behind home plate. Tickets are very reasonable. Our were either $12 or $14. Lawn seats are $4. I think it's Wednesday nights beer and hot dogs are $1. Friday nights they have the fireworks. We go 5 or 6 times a year and always a great game (of course it's better when the home team wins). Play ball!
5. County Seat Antique Mall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Bob B - Florence, Kentucky
We stopped in here to find out more about George Harrison's visit to Benton in 1963. The proprietors were so friendly and informative. I was even given hand written directions to one of the sites that I wanted to visit. We even found a ceiling lamp shade that we've been wanting for our 1950s home to replace one that was broken years ago. There is a lot of neat stuff in this store.
6. South marcum campground, Rend lake, Il
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By moore1200 - St. Louis, Missouri
This campground is very well maintained. The sites are all paved and include a stone picnic table and fire pit. We made easy reservations online at the Corps of Engineers Reserve America web site, which includes a small photo of each site. Nightly rate of $16 was quite reasonable. Check in was a breeze. Shower house was clean and updated. Great access to Rend Lake. While visiting, we drove through other campgrounds there, including the state park, and this one was still our favorite. We did notice a skunk, as other reviewers have mentioned. But it caused no problem for us. Note that not all sites have full hookups. We stayed the weekend at an electric site and had no problems. Water available at the one dump station. Having only one was the only negative we could find. We would love to return again. We had a site with an amazing water view! Make your weekend reservations in advance for those.
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