Carbondale, Illinois

The city of Carbondale is situated in southern Illinois, about 333 miles (536 kilometers) south of Chicago and 132 miles (212 kilometers) southeast of St. Louis. Carbondale is part of Jackson County, and has a population of 20,681.

One of the city's chief attractions is the Marberry Arboretum, a living museum that's home to 20,000 plants representing 600 species. The arboretum also features quiet walking paths, a fishing pond, and scenic picnic sites. The Carbondale Park District organizes numerous sports and recreation programs, and manages the city's beautiful parks. A great summer time destination is Cedar Lake, where you can pass the day boating, fishing, swimming, or simply lying on the beach and soaking up the sun. Golf enthusiasts can tee off at the Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center, while cycling and hiking enthusiasts will enjoy exploring the Greenway Trail. There are many state parks in southern Illinois, and Shawnee National Forest is just south of Carbondale.

Jackson County and Union County have combined efforts to create "trails" of another sort. The Shawnee Hills Wine Trail features five southern Illinois vineyards, and gives visitors the chance to see and taste the region's fine fruit wines. The Orchard Trail includes six family-owned orchards, and offers tours along with tasty treats. Finally, there's the Southern Illinois Treasure Trail, which invites visitors to discover the many antique shops of the region, and bring home a bit of history in their shopping bag.

Many of Carbondale's arts and cultural activities revolve around the Southern Illinois University campus. The Department of Theatre mounts many productions throughout the year, ranging from Shakespearean plays to experimental solo works. Another great place to visit on-campus is The University Museum, the only encyclopedic museum in southern Illinois. The museum's art exhibits include paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts; the science exhibits feature more than 26,000 geological and natural science specimens; and the humanities exhibits include historical relics from southern Illinois, as well as archeological and cultural artifacts from around the world.

A small and friendly city, Carbondale invites you to discover all that it has to offer!

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