5 Fun Spring Activities in Beardstown, IL

Springtime in Beardstown, Illinois, is the perfect time to get out of the house and have some fun. The area has so many different activities available, you’ll find something for everyone in the family to enjoy. The next time you’re looking for something to do, check out a few of these fun spring activities in Beardstown.

Beardstown Parks

The parks around Beardstown always have something going on, and springtime is no exception. If you’re feeling a little sluggish after a long winter, the Schewe Community Center has a cardio room and weight room where you can get up and get moving. Are you planning a birthday party, family reunion, or other get-togethers this spring? You can rent the Jaycee Shelter, Kiwanis’ Shelter, or Lions’ Shelter at Roy Roberts Park. Additionally, Schmoldt Shelter is available for rent in Schmoldt Park.

When you’re ready to get outside and have some fun, Art Jones Park has an 18-hole disc golf course, golf driving range, and two lighted ball diamonds. You can also take the family to Schmoldt Park so everyone can enjoy the two playgrounds, dog park, tennis court, basketball court, and two lighted ball diamonds. Plus, don’t forget the Sudbrink Water Park in Roy Roberts Park typically opens at the end of May. Here you’ll find a waterslide, a family slide, four lap lanes, a climbing wall, various spray features, and more.

Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge

Spring is an excellent season to get outside and learn more about nature. One of the best places to do this near Beardstown is Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge. Located just 14 miles south of Beardstown, Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge covers 3,582 acres of protected land on the eastern side of the Illinois River. The refuge was established in 1973 to provide a place for public recreation opportunities and a sanctuary for wildlife, mainly waterfowl and other migratory birds. Today, you can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities at the refuge.

Since it’s located on the Illinois River, the refuge is a great place to do some fishing. Along with the river, you can also find additional fishing opportunities on Meredosia Lake. If you’re interested in doing some wildlife viewing, the 0.25-mile accessible nature trail offers excellent opportunities for people of all abilities and ages to check out the animals that call the refuge home. As you walk along the trail, you might spot everything from whitetail deer to the bald eagles that like to make their nest in the refuge.

Blues, Brews, & BBQ

Image via Flickr by jessicafm

One of the more popular springtime events in Beardstown is Blues, Brews, & BBQ. The event occurs at the beginning of June at Art Zeeke Park in downtown Beardstown and features a Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned barbecue cook-off with categories for kids, backyard barbecuers, and professionals. Along with being able to try all that delicious barbecue, the event will also have vendors selling pulled pork sandwiches, ribs, corn dogs, authentic Mexican food, and other treats.

With all the barbecuing that’s going on, it might be easy to forget that the event is also celebrating music and drinks. If you need something cool and refreshing to help wash down all that barbecue you’re enjoying, you can head to the beer tent to find drinks from local craft beer and microbreweries. You’ll also have a chance to enjoy live rock ‘n’ roll and blues musicians on Friday and Saturday.

Looking for Lincoln Story Trail

Are you interested in learning a little of the area’s history this spring? Then hop in your car and see how many spots you can visit on the Looking for Lincoln Story Trail. The Looking for Lincoln Story Trail tells the unique and fascinating story of Abraham Lincoln and the time he spent in Illinois. Altogether, the trail has 215 exhibits in 52 communities, including six in Beardstown! The stories on the exhibits describe the events and people that played a role in Lincoln’s journey toward the presidency.

To make the exhibits even more interesting, each one has a 4-inch medallion that contains an image from that particular story. The image is raised so you can use a crayon to create a rubbing on a piece of paper and have a lasting souvenir of your experience.

The exhibits in Beardstown include Lincoln in Beardstown, Lincoln the Candidate, Lincoln and the River, Traveling to Beardstown, Lincoln and the Black Hawk War, and Captain Abraham Lincoln. You can get a full listing of the exhibits and their locations in Beardstown by visiting the Old Lincoln Courtroom & Museum. While you’re there, you can also view the historically and culturally significant artifacts that relate to Native American heritage, the community, and the region.

Illinois River

Beardstown is located directly on the Illinois River, which plays an important role in both the history of the community and its current economy. You’ll find multiple viewing locations along the Illinois River in Beardstown. One of the best spots is a viewing platform in downtown Beardstown at the end of State Street.

The river is also a great place for a variety of recreational opportunities. If you’re interested in spending some time boating or paddling on the river, the Beardstown Marina near Schmoldt Park has boat ramps and a kayak launch. In addition to boating, the river is also a fantastic place to do some fishing.

If you need to stock up on supplies before you cast a line, you can stop by Tom’s Bait Shop in Beardstown to find everything you need. Once you have your gear, you can choose between shoreline fishing or fishing from a boat. Some of the most common species caught in the Illinois River include channel catfish, flathead catfish, largemouth bass, white bass, crappie, blue catfish, sauger, and walleye.

At United Chevrolet Buick GMC, we love when spring arrives in the area so we can head outside to enjoy these fun activities in Beardstown. Did we forget to mention something you enjoy doing when it’s spring in Beardstown? Then please be sure to contact us and let us know so we can add it to this list!