Colonel Matthew Rogers BuildingSangamon River State Natural AreaCarpenter ParkIllinois State FairgroundsIllinois Korean War MemorialIllinois State Museum
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Places to visit near

Athens

Athens is a town in Menard district, Illinois, United States of about 1,938 people. Within 50 km by road there are 192 places to visit: 61 forts & heritage, 51 parks and 8 lakes, dams & reservoirs. The must-see places are Colonel Matthew Rogers Building, Sangamon River State Natural Area and Carpenter Park.

39.9609° N, 89.7240° WPop. 1,938

© OpenStreetMap contributors
Within 30 km148 places
Within 50 km192
Must-see56
Notable198
Best timeOctober to February

Start here

The 3 places worth the trip

Colonel Matthew Rogers Building, heritage site near Athens
Must-see

Colonel Matthew Rogers Building

Heritage site · 1 km

Must-see

Sangamon River State Natural Area

Nature spot · 7 km · Sangamon

Carpenter Park, nature spot near Athens
Must-see

Carpenter Park

Nature spot · 17 km · Sangamon

Places near Athens by type

All 254 places by distance →

One day from Athens

5 stops, one loop, back by 5:38 pm

55 km on the road, in driving order so you don’t double back. Times assume an 8 am start and typical visit lengths.

  1. Leave Athens
  2. Sangamon River State Natural Areanature spot · 2 hrs
  3. Washington Parknature spot · 2 hrs
  4. Edwards Place Historic Homeheritage site · 1.5 hrs
  5. Illinois State Fairgroundspark · 45 min
  6. Carpenter Parknature spot · 2 hrs
  7. Back in Athens
Today’s loopAthensStopStraight lines between stops — distances are road estimates
Imagery © Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics · © OpenStreetMap contributors

Questions people ask

What are the best places to visit near Athens?

Colonel Matthew Rogers Building (heritage site, about 1 km), Sangamon River State Natural Area (nature spot, about 7 km), Carpenter Park (nature spot, about 17 km), Illinois State Fairgrounds (park, about 19 km), Lincoln Tomb (tomb, about 20 km), Illinois Korean War Memorial (monument, about 21 km).

How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Athens?

192 places on Spotwander: 61 forts & heritage, 51 parks, 8 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 20 museums, 13 wildlife, forests & gardens.

Which is the nearest fort to Athens?

Colonel Matthew Rogers Building, about 1 km by road; Power Farmstead (7 km) is next.

Which is the nearest park to Athens?

Starhill Forest Arboretum, about 9 km by road; Kennedy Park (16 km) is next.

What is a good one-day trip from Athens?

Start in Athens, visit Sangamon River State Natural Area, then Washington Park, then Edwards Place Historic Home, then Illinois State Fairgrounds, then Carpenter Park, and drive back — about 55 km by road in all.