The location of Princeton, Illinois, two hours west of Chicago on Interstate 80, has made it a popular satellite town in the Chicago metro area. The town has much to offer, with over 200 acres (80.9 hectares) of parks, a historic downtown, a championship public golf course, and seasonal festivals. The downtown is divided into two retail districts, connected by a well preserved main street, lined with shops, bars, and restaurants. The main street, coupled with historic houses, gives visitors a glimpse of what small town living was like, almost a century ago.
The south end of downtown contains the Apollo, the city’s only movie theater, the courthouse, a historic library, the main bank offices, and other businesses. The north end of downtown is referred to as the Art District and contains a business district, park, and the city’s train station. In the past several years the north end has undergone a transformation, with the addition of upscale clothing stores and the restoration of the Hotel Knox, a historic hotel.
If you are planning a trip to Princeton, Illinois, make sure you are prepared with this list of top things to do in the city. There’s everything from parks to historical sites, so study up and get packing!
1. Bureau County Historical Society Museum and Library
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
The museums at the Bureau County Historical Society will be open for veterans Day, Friday, November 11th--Noon until...
Posted by Bureau County Historical Society on Thursday, November 10, 2022
With two museum buildings and a library, the Bureau County Historical Society allows visitors to step back in time and delve into the rich history of Princeton. Anniversary files, family histories, and local history books are only some of the available resources here. The historical society also houses the military histories of Bureau County residents.
Other items on display include The Bill Lamb Collection, donated by a renowned historian of the same name. The H.W. Immke Photography Collection, which is an impressive array of glass plate negatives and portraits, is found in the museum as well. Tours are available for visitors.
Bureau County Historical Society Museum and Library
Address: 109 Park Ave W, Princeton, IL 61356, United States
Website: Bureau County Historical Society Museum and Library
Opening hours: Wed - Sat: 11am - 5pm (closed on Sun - Tue)
2. Apollo Theater
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Apollo Theater, formerly named the Apollo Opera House in 1882, is a movie theater in Princeton that features two screens for first-run Hollywood movies and arthouse films. This turn-of-the-century theater venue is spacious enough to accommodate 720 seats. The theater also observes a BYOB policy, allowing guests to bring their own lap-size popcorn buckets. Every Tuesday, the theater will fill the bucket with popcorn at a very affordable price.
Also found in front of the property are two “Walk of Fame” stars, belonging to Kathryn Hays and Richard Widmark.
Apollo Theater
Address: 455 S Main St, Princeton, IL 61356, United States
Website: Apollo Theater
Price: 7 USD
3. Zearing Park
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Spanning wide at 72 acres (29.14 hectares), Zearing Park provides the ideal setting for outdoor recreation. This Princeton park boasts ball fields, soccer fields, an outdoor soccer complex, and sand volleyball that offer endless fun. There are also shelters and picnic areas with barbecues that are available for rent. For children, there is a large playground found on the property. Visitors who simply want to enjoy nature can also explore the 1.3 mi (2.09 km) walking path of Zearing Park. A private pond is also found on site for fishing and relaxing.
Zearing Park
Address: Princeton, IL 61356, United States
Website: Zearing Park
Price: Free
4. Barrel Society
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
What do you do when you have over 400 Whiskeys and only so much shelf and counter space? BUILD UP! Whiskey from...
Posted by Barrel Society on Tuesday, January 10, 2023
In Princeton, one of the best places to unwind and have a quick recharge is Barrel Society. This trendy bar offers delicious craft beer to help you enjoy a casual bonding moment in the ambiance of vinyl record music and psychedelic-style rock posters. Whiskey, bourbon, house cocktails, and other hard liquors are available in the establishment as well. The place features an amazing staff as well as beer on tap, making it an incredible beer oasis for the brew-lovers! There is also a large TV in the bar area that shows classic movies.
Barrel Society
Address: 930 N Main St, Princeton, IL 61356, United States
Website: Barrel Society
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 3am - 10pm; Sat: 11am - 11pm; Sun: 11am - 8pm (closed on Mon)
5. Princeton Chapter House
Constructed in the early 1900s, Princeton Chapter House is one of the historic structures in the city. It is currently included on the National Register of Historic Places, making it worth checking out during your sightseeing tour in Princeton.
Princeton Chapter House was founded by a magazine publisher who intended to use the structure as a meetinghouse for the American Women’s League. The organization also used it as a base for promoting feminism as well as women’s magazines. The building was made a public library and a business after the organization dissolved.
Princeton Chapter House
Address: 1007 N. Main St. Bureau County, Princeton, IL
6. Princeton Park District
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Created in 1946, the Princeton Park District maintains over 200 acres (80.9 hectares) of parks, each of which offers a wide range of outdoor and indoor activities. For indoor recreation, The 50,000 square foot (4645.2 square meter) Bureau County Metro Center is a recreation center with a full-size gymnasium, an elevated walking/running track, a 25-yard (22.9-meter) indoor swimming pool with wading pool, racquetball courts, a weight room, a cardio room, and locker rooms.
Adjacent to the Metro Center is 12 acre (4.9 hectare) Alexander Park and Alexander Park Swimming Pool, with a separate wading pool. Alexander Park also has a 9-hole disc golf course, six tennis courts, horseshoe pits, barbecue and picnic areas, shelter, restrooms, a playground and sand volleyball.
West Side Ball Park has two ball fields, restrooms, and concession stand. Zearing Park is a 72-acre (29.1-hectare) park that has three ball fields, soccer fields, shelters, picnic and barbecue areas, sand volleyball, horseshoe pits, a playground, and concession stand. There is also a pond, walking path, and an outdoor soccer complex. City County Park has 65 acres (26.3 hectares) with trails, barbecue areas, a log cabin shelter, a playground, ball field, and restrooms. Also part of the park district is Joe Meyer Woods, a 30-acre (12.1-hectare) forest preserve of native timber.
Princeton Park District
Opening Hours Monday-Thursday, 5:30 am - 9:00 pm. Friday, 5:30 am - 7:00 pm. Saturday, 8:00 am - 7:00 pm. Sunday, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Address: 837 Park Ave W, Princeton, IL 61356
Website: Princeton Park Disctrict
7. Soldiers and Sailors Park and Monument
The Soldiers and Sailors Park is the focal point of Princeton’s Courthouse Square and the focal point of the park is a monument originally dedicated to Civil War Veterans of Bureau County. Plaques on the sides list the fighting men from Bureau County that participated in the Civil War. Built in 1913, the monument has been rededicated to all Bureau County veterans.
The monument stands 50 feet (15.2 meters) high and is made of granite and bronze, topped with a winged victory statue. In the summer, the park is the setting for Shakespeare in the Park and in December, a candy cane hunt for children.
Soldiers and Sailors Park and Monument
Address: 14 Park Ave E, Princeton, IL 61356
8. The Bridges of Bureau County
Just outside Princeton, you can easily travel to two covered bridges, one historic, the other recently built to modern highway standards. Located one mile (1.6 km) west of Princeton is the Captain Swift Covered Bridge. Built in 2006, the bridge is the only two lane covered bridge in Illinois. Made entirely of wood, with outer walls made of Douglas Fir, the bridge was built using 1800’s concepts. It has a 16 foot, 3 inch (4.9 meter) vertical clearance and a 128 foot (39 meter) span over the Big Bureau Creek.
Travel 1.5 miles (2.4 km) north of Princeton, on Route 26, to visit the historic Red Covered Bridge, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1863, it is one of only five surviving covered bridges in Illinois and remains open to traffic, more than 150 years later. The Red Covered Bridge crosses Big Bureau Creek and is a favorite spot for artists and photographers.
Captain Swift Covered Bridge
Address: 1600 N. Epperson Rd. Princeton IL 61356
Website: Captain Swift Covered Bridge
Red Covered Bridge
Address: Route 26 North Princeton IL 61356
Website: Red Covered Bridge
9. Lovejoy Homestead
The Lovejoy Homestead, in Princeton, Illinois, was the home of Reverend Owen Lovejoy, an abolitionist and outspoken preacher. He was a founder of the Illinois and National Republican Parties and a congressional leader. During the 1840’s and 1850’s, Lovejoy’s home was part of the Underground Railroad that harbored slaves on their way north and as a result, he faced prosecution, several times.
Today the house, a National Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is open to the public as a museum. The annual Homestead Festival honors Reverend Owen Lovejoy and his contributions to America’s history.
Lovejoy Homestead
Opening Hours Friday to Sunday, 1 - 4 pm. Monday to Thursday, closed.
Address: 905 E Peru St, Princeton, IL 61356
Website: Lovejoy Homestead
10. Hornbaker Gardens
Opened in 1987 as a wholesale business, Rich and Kathy Hornbaker began selling plants, trees and shrubs. The next year, the couple held an open house and received such an overwhelming response that they started a retail operation, the Hornbaker Gardens. They eventually became known for their daylily, iris, and hosta collections, as well as several other hundred varieties of perennials in their nursery.
Since opening the retail business, they expanded their offerings and added display gardens, that have since grown into a botanical garden and arboretum. There are also display ponds for their aquatic plants. In 2008, they opened the Shop at Hornbacker Gardens, which stocks pottery, bronze sculptures, metal artwork, and other garden accessories. In 2012, the Barn at Hornbaker Gardens was built as an event center for wedding receptions, meetings and community events.
Hornbaker Gardens
Address: 22937 1140 North Avenue, Princeton, IL 61356
Website: Hornbaker Gardens
11. Pin Splitter Lanes
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Pin Splitter Lanes on Saturday, July 8, 2017
Princeton’s Pin Splitter is the area’s go-to bowling alley, a one stop shop for bowling, sports, drinks, pizza, darts & billiards. After a recent remodeling, the bar area is now separate from the bowling lanes. Watch televised sports on big screen TV’s, play darts, billiards or video games.
Along with the full bar, you can munch on pizza or take advantage of the pizza and bowling packages. Pin Splitter has a banquet room for rentals, perfect for all kinds of parties. They host bowling leagues and Cosmic Bowling is available on Friday and Saturday.
Pin Splitter Lanes
Opening Hours Tuesday to Thursday & Sunday, 12 pm - 10 pm. Friday to Saturday, 12 pm - 2 am. Monday, 12 pm - 9 pm.
Address: 1402 W Peru St, Princeton, IL 61356
Facebook: Pin Splitter Lanes
12. Chapel Hill Golf Course and Events Center
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Originally a private golf club, Chapel Hill Golf Course and Event Center is now a public, 18 hole golf course and event venue, located southeast of Princeton. The original club, the Bureau Valley Country Club (BVCC), is steeped in tradition and history, dating back to 1909. The Chapel Hill Golf Course today is known for its scenic views, championship course with tree-lined fairways and plantation style clubhouse, which is a popular venue for wedding parties and other celebrations.
Two other outside venues, under the three oaks on Fairway 10, or at their Wine Cellar Patio, are also available for parties. The new wedding chapel on the grounds was constructed in a 1920’s style and can host 108 guests. The golf course has both nine and eighteen hole packages, cart rentals, as well as a driving range.
Chapel Hill Golf Course and Event Center
Opening Hours Sunday to Saturday, 9 am - 5 pm.
Address: 12927 Co Rd 26, Princeton, IL 61356
Princeton: A Chicago satellite, with much to offer
Princeton, Illinois, has become a popular satellite city, since it is easily accessible from Chicago, by Amtrak. However, its small town ambiance and slower pace, makes Princeton an attractive town to live and work. With over 200 acres (80.9 hectares) of municipal parks, there are a wide variety of indoor and outdoor recreational activities to choose from, year round, including a championship golf course. The downtown, with its two retail districts and a well preserved main street that includes shops, bars, restaurants, an art district, and a historic theater, add a touch of sophistication to small town living.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to