Things to do in Sandwich
Blackberry Farm's Pioneer Village
This re-creation of an Illinois farm village contains a historic depot and house, a pottery shop, a smithy, a carriage museum, a one-room schoolhouse and a pioneer cabin. The Early Streets Museum features historic items within an exhibit area that looks like a 19th-century commercial district. Re-created stores include a general store, a music shop, a pharmacy and a toy store. The Farm Museum houses an extensive collection of farm implements, and the Discovery Barn contains farm animals. Train, hay wagon, carousel and pony rides are available. Call (630) 892-1550 for more information.
100 S. Barnes Rd., Aurora, IL 60506
Farnsworth House
Completed in 1951, this glass-and-steel structure was designed by architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Nestled along the banks of the Fox River in a secluded meadow, the house is a well-known example of modernist domestic architecture. Call (630) 552-0052 for more information.
14520 River Rd., Plano, IL 60545
Lederman Science Center
Lederman Science Center is on the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) campus, 3 mi. n. of I-88 Farnsworth Ave. exit at jct. Kirk Rd. and Pine St. Geared toward students in grades 4-12, the center features hands-on physics exhibits. The center's interactive displays focus on the work performed at Fermilab, where scientists explore the nucleus of an atom using the world's highest energy particle accelerator. The grounds contain a prairie trail, a buffalo enclosure and bicycle paths. Note: Fluctuating security levels may affect public access; phone ahead to verify schedule. Call (630) 840-8258 for more information.
Kirk Rd. & Pine St., Batavia, IL 60510
SciTech Hands On Museum
SciTech Hands On Museum, 1 blk. e. of SR 31 at 18 W. Benton St., offers more than 200 hands-on science exhibits exploring astronomy, heat, light and magnets. The Outdoor Science Park features playground equipment that entertains while demonstrating scientific principles. Call (630) 859-3434 for more information.
18 W. Benton St., Aurora, IL 60506
St. Charles Paddlewheel Riverboats
St. Charles Paddlewheel Riverboats departs from Pottawatomie Park, 4 blks. n. of SR 64 and 3 blks. w. of SR 25. The 4-mile sightseeing cruise lasts about 50 minutes and takes visitors along the scenic Fox River aboard replica steamboats. Bordered by woods, the river has changed little since the Pottawatomie Indians inhabited its banks. Call (630) 584-2334 for more information.
2 North Ave., St. Charles, IL 60174