Had an interactive kids section that my boys enjoyed playing in. Thursdays is free admission for…read moreall sections and we really enjoyed that. They had scavenger hunts for the main gallery for kids to do. We enjoyed walking around and seeing the outdoor sculptures as well.

We visited at the Museum while at an overnight stay in Mt Vernon. After dinner we headed to the…read moreCenter for their Thursday evening out door concert on the patio. (A regular event during the summer). Free of any cost. Plenty of parking and easy to find. The music on this particular evening was just OK but we were able to get into the museum to browse. It was perfect, since the crowd was outside there was no one in the galleries inside. Not a particulary large collection but some interesting art in the main gallery. Being from Louisville, the Derby City it was fun to see an exhibit of Derby Hats by Dianne Isbell displayed in the main foyer. The museum typically has a $5 admission fee but free entry on Thursdays. It was spacious, clean and well organized. I was inpressed for a museum of its size to have the collection it did. My love of art was really satiated with the outdoor sclupture garden. There must have been 30 outdoor scluptures (one of my favorite mediums of art) in the outdoors gardens surrounding the museum. About half of the scluptures are in an open field without a walkway so you must be careful walking in the grass. But some of the scluptures are situated around the lake in the back and the museum itself. So plenty to see, explore, entertain and delight in this small town venue.

For a quick visit and to stretch your legs during a long drive, this place is great. Kids' activity…read moreroom has several hands-on ways to do art. Lego mosaics, a huge Lite-Brite type board (for those of you who remember those), and a life size horse sculpture you can reassemble. Oh, and it's free. Outdoor sculpture garden covers about an acre and has many large sculptures kids can run among. My two boys, 7 and 10, would have liked to stay longer. Permanent exhibit is small but has some notable artists, like Mary Casatt. Not sure if I was supposed to pay for going in that room? Oops. Temp exhibit for next couple months is photos of rock stars, plus autographed guitars from the collection of a local radio guy. Costs $5 and my wife opted for me not to see it. Some of the guitars are hanging in the main lobby, like Clapton's and BB King's. Not that you would drive to Mt. Vernon *just* to see it, but if you are passing thru on I-64, give it a look for an hour or so.

Well worth a visit. Frequently changing displays and great special events. Not too near the hotels,…read morebut only about a mile away. A pleasant little walk.

This place has been here forever but it's been years since I have gone. I was super impressed…read more Staff was helpful. Place was super clean. Equipment was in good space. There are daily specials- some days it's by the hour and some days by the game, so take a look. I am sure there are league nights so call first but late Sunday afternoon was perfect

Always clean and a fun atmosphere! Great food and drinks! Fast service always. Great for a family…read moreday or a date night. They also have an arcade and a pro shop!

Both a History of Benton and Franklin County History both Good and Bad Worth the entry fee.read more

This 1905 Franklin County Jail Museum is a very interesting walk through Benton's history…read more Featuring one of the last public executions in Illinois of Charlie Berger, this museum has original noose, weapons, newspaper articles and other historical documentation. When you walk into the house, you enter a beautiful, classic early 1900s home. A very welcoming home with reconstructed living room and kitchen. Prepare to be surprised! It is only when you near the back of the house that you find the white, rusted heavy iron door. Open this door and you enter a cold, dark realm that even Tim Burton couldn't recreate. Perhaps a hundred years for rusting and paint chipping contributes to the overall gloom. These are the prison cells that inspire modern day fiction. All the windows have bars. And the view from the outermost window is of the gallows. These gallows have been recreated in the position they originally stood. There are multiple rooms of cells which you can enter and take photos of. Don't use the toilets, though. They are a bit old. :) Escape back into the semblance of normalcy of the house and head upstairs to take in additional Benton history. The normal bathroom is up there: very clean. When the Beatles FIRST came to America, this is where they played. The museum curator stated that she was a young girl when they arrived: "We had no idea who they were...They weren't known in America at the time, but we all hurried to get a look. We didn't end up seeing them though." There is civil war paraphernalia and an autographed photo of town local John Malkovich. I highly recommend this location! The curator is very knowledgeable and friendly. The location is a few miles off the nearby highway.

Always enjoy taking the time to stop here traveling on I-64 or 57. There are enough different…read moreoptions of wine you'll surely find 2 or 3 you like (I suggest the vignoles) there are also slushies and beer. The outdoor seating is great and when its chilly there is plenty of indoor seating. The winery is for sale and I hope whoever buys it maintains the same quality and friendliness the current owners have provided.

Awesome wine tasting! Wine lovers delight-and they have beer too! Amazing indooor and outdoor…read moreambience! Garden like setting and very relaxing! Dog friendly! Convenient place to stop off the freeway- even with a camper! Service was excellent!