Road trip from Memphis to Madison

Overton Park is a 342-acre public park in Memphis, Tennessee. The park is home to two playgrounds, a dog park, an open Greensward for recreation, a Veterans Plaza, and the 126-acre Old Forest State Natural Area. It features more than eight miles of trails, including the Bike Gate arch and plaza trail. The park is managed by the nonprofit Overton Park Conservancy. Overton Park is also a major cultural attraction, home to a nine-hole golf course, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, the Memphis Zoo, Memphis College of Art, and the Levitt Shell concert pavilion.

Tucked away in Affton, Missouri stands the country home of the pioneer banker, Louis A. Benoist. Today, his mansion has been completely restored today to its original beauty from 1853. The house, now a historic museum, is owned and maintained by the Affton Historical Society. They began Oakland's restoration back in the early 1970s. Visit us for a historic tour of one of Affton's most hidden gems that was saved and still stands today. View our calendar for upcoming events and open house times.

The Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum provides children with the tools and inspiration they need to be explorers and creators of the world. We do this in part through understanding, supporting, and promoting play in the fullest sense of the word, one that includes imagination and creativity.

A Peoria Park District facility, Forest Park serves as the doorway to more than 500 acres designated as part of the Illinois State Nature Preserve. The center provides visitors with more than seven miles of trails that lead through dense forest, along trickling stream beds, and over dramatic hillsides. The A-frame trail head features a small natural history museum, nature store, and a room dedicated to bird-watching. Trails and museum are free and open to the public. NO PETS ALLOWED!

Anderson Japanese Gardens is proud of its longstanding reputation as one of the highest quality Japanese gardens in North America. Our passion, however, is how the Garden positively impacts individuals and the communities where they live. We are committed to presenting first-class programs, events, and opportunities that bring people together in this uplifting natural setting.

Our premier downtown multi-venue complex features four unique and versatile venues: Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Exhibition Hall, the New Holland Pavilions, and Willow Island. A top choice for expositions, conventions, meetings, concerts, sporting events, ag events, and much more, the Alliant Energy Center complex is a one-stop-shop for all your events. Ample parking, mouthwatering catering, dedicated staff, and a full range of rental equipment & high speed internet make AEC an event planners delight!