Location: Fairfield
Top Things to do in Fairfield
The 10 Best Things to Do in Fairfield, United States
Fairfield is a city in and the county seat of Wayne County, Illinois, United States, and the location of Frontier Community College. The population was 5,421 at the 2000 census.
Restaurants in Fairfield
1. Smith Mill
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By So_Cal_Illini_81 - Pasadena, California
I've visited Smith Mill twice and would go back again.
The main attraction is a working grist mill. The Smiths give you a tour of the mill and a couple rooms on the upper floor with many mill artifacts.
The lower level is a tool museum with more tools than I have ever seen. There is also a side room with a display of items from Spartan Mfg. which was in Flora in years past.
There are also a few outbuildings including a blacksmith shop and a steam power engine. There is a coveted picnic area and a nice children's playground.
I believe there is no charge to tour, but it is only open by appointment or at an annual open house.
I think this is something all ages would enjoy, the wow factor for kids, the nostalgia for us older kids and local history for all.
2. Homestead Vineyards
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Dar131 - Mount Carmel, Illinois
Located just outside of the small village of West Salem, Illinois, Homestead Vineyards offers a beautiful outdoor area for their clients. They maintain an inviting, well manicured lawn, that features red rose bushes at the front of each row of many lush grape vines, that immediately catch your attention. A beautiful white gazebo is located on the grounds, and it offers a fan above you, to move the air, and cool you down, if it is warm outside. There is a sheltered area on a concrete pad to seek refuge from the sun or rain, as well. It would be suitable for a crowd of up to thirty four people, or thereabout, to gather for a family get together or such. Add some flowers, some shrubs, a few nice shade trees, a towering stately evergreen, some country yard decorations, and plenty of seating, and you enjoy being surrounded by nature's beauty, as you have great wine and conversation with friends. The owners, Shirley and Larry, are wonderful down to earth people. They are easy with which to talk, and they quickly seem more like your good friends than just treating you like a business interest.
Homestead Vineyard may offer the largest selection of fruit wines in the area, and let me tell you, they have many, many delicious wines! Their wines are priced reasonably, as well. Currently, they also offer three hard ciders, that both beer drinkers and wine drinkers will most likely find quite tasty. We have tried all their wines, at some time or another, and there are none we do not like. We generally find a couple of wines we like at other venues, but Homestead Vineyards has no bad tasting wines. Sweet and semi-sweet wines are their specialties, but even a wine snob would find something they like. LOL. I highly recommend the Lemon Wine. While it may not sound good to you, don't judge before you try it. It is so Yummy! But don't worry, if lemon is not your thing, I guarantee they will have several other wines you will love.
They are upgrading their tasting room as I write, to include an indoor restroom, and additional seating to accommodate 50 - 65 people. I am sure when they are finished (in the next couple of weeks,) it will be a nice place to host a special event. In fact, we have already booked it for my daughter's small country wedding reception, with the wedding to be held on the grounds for a date in 2016.
Homestead Vineyards also frequently host great live music, which is also big draw for us. When they host these events, they sometimes offer a food vendor, but whether a vendor is there or not, they always allow you to bring your own picnic food, if you wish. If you like to visit wineries, and enjoy drinking excellent tasting wines; please put Homestead Winery on your list. We have been many times, and we have never been disappointed. My husband and I absolutely love it!
3. Charley Brown Memorial Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By chaser193 - Mabelvale, Arkansas
We camped at Charley Brown park for seven days. The park was very nice. The grounds were well maintained and the upper bathhouse floor was newly painted. The lake also made the overall experience enjoyable. However, what would make this location outstanding would possibly be an updating of the bathhouse, concrete slabs for parking campers, and wi-fi.
4. Roofless Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 113 reviews
Unique open-to-the-air church, designed by Philip Cortelyou Johnson, features a walled garden measuring 130 X 230 feet and a magnificent 50-foot dome resembling Ibscacan architecture.
Reviewed By Mack3065 - West Lafayette
We visited twice during our stay in New Harmony. It’s surprising that quiet, historic little New Harmony was able to attract two works by world-renowned architects: Richard Meier’s Atheneum and this peaceful retreat by Philip Johnson, open to the sky. Elaborate gilded gates welcome you to the serene, brick walled space. And within the block-sized area a small shingled structure shelters a sculpture by Jacques Lipchitz. Near the gates a quiet fountain is dedicated “In celebration of all grandparents...” A pleasant, serene experience every time you visit. It would be nice if there were an explanatory plaque about the Roofless Church and the works inside it.
5. Olney City Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By Blueboss573 - Jefferson City, Missouri
This is a pretty little park with nice playground equipment, some ADA, picnic tables and lots of shade trees. Was hoping to photograph the white squirrels Olney is known for, but didn't see any on my visit. A gentleman was there feeding peanuts to the grey squirrels and said the rain may be what was keeping the white ones in their nests. It had been a rough weather week for both animals and humans with days of stifling heat and then rain showers on the weekend. He said the squirrels had not been too active all week. Maybe the next trip I will be able to see them.
6. Beall Woods State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Douglas T
Beall Woods State Park and Nature Preserve contains over 300 acres of magnificent old-growth forest along the Wabash River. Five hiking trails wind through the park and range in length from 0.5 to 1.75 miles, although longer hikes can easily be achieved by combining trails. The park also has a nice visitor center with displays on the park's natural history.
I've been to this park three times over a period of 20 years, and I have always come away amazed at the beauty of the large, old trees of several different species (white oak, sycamore, silver maple, red oak, black oak, Shumard's oak, yellow poplar, and more). Well worth a visit for the nature enthusiast!
7. Berryville Vineyards
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
Somewhere nestled between Mulberry Hill and the town of Berryville, lies a place called Berryville Vineyards. Here we harmonize with nature to cultivate premium wine grapes. Only hand selected, sun-ripened fruit from our own vineyard becomes Berryville wine. All our wines are 100% Estate Grown & Bottled ensuring you the finest quality. Tasting Room Hours: April - December Saturdays Noon-5pm
Reviewed By Kimberley H - Sumner
GREAT atmosphere wonderful local place to relax with friends and sip wine. Perfect setting for a small intimate wedding or renewal of vows.
8. Pheasant Hollow Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By gary k - Hoffman Estates, Illinois
I stop in this winery maybe twice a year and I have to say the wine is unbelievably great. They have various blends. My favorite is the midnight melody made with a blend of three wines one of which is strawberry. You will love this one. Also the Razz is excellent, Blue and black are my next favorite. The atmosphere is great and relaxing with a very comfortable porch. If you plan ahead you can be there for one of their events. The GPS told us to turn the wrong way so when you go follow the signs not siri.
9. Red Hills State Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Dennis Y - Peoria, Illinois
A less used state park park in south eastern Illinois, this park has a great little lake, good fishing, hiking trails, and splendit camping facilites.
10. Roundhouse Wine Company
Overall Ratings
5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By SalemTravelBureau - Centralia, Illinois
This small wine producing winery is located on Raccoon Lake in Centralia, Illinois. The owners Sheila and Jerry Kapes have built a brick tasting room with Tuscan decor and a long concrete bar. Stop in for a glass or bottle of a one of their wines or others from the region. The tasting room frequently has local musicians and an excellent variety of entertainers.
Lakeside just down the hill is a large elegant white tent for special events. We have hosted a special event in the tent and it was perfect! I've seen photos of some very elaborate weddings and then there's the casual bride who is attracted to the winery for the beauty of the setting.
Light lunches are served but we usually opt for the cheese, fruit and crackers with a bottle of Little Caboose and sit by the lake until the bottle is empty.
I can recommend the Roundhouse for an event or just a little getaway. This is absolutely one of Centralia's most unique gems.
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