Things to do in Vandalia include visiting historic landmarks, visiting restaurants, visiting the dragon, and enjoying outdoor activities. If you are planning a vacation to this city, you will find a wide variety of attractions to enjoy. Read on for some ideas. This city in Montgomery County is a thriving commercial center and has plenty to offer visitors.
Historic landmarks
Vandalia is a small suburban city in Montgomery County, Ohio, near Dayton. It has a population of 15,246 as of the 2010 census. Located at the crossroads of Interstates 75 and 70, Vandalia is an important business center and close to the Dayton International Airport.
The city is home to a number of historical landmarks. Visitors can visit the Little Brick House, built in 1850, and the Fayette County Museum. Other sights of interest in the city include the Madonna of the Trail statue, located on the Statehouse grounds. The statue was dedicated in 1928 to honor pioneer women who traveled the Cumberland Road. The city is also home to the “Sitting With Lincoln” project, which was inaugurated across from Lincoln Park.
The Vandalia Schoolhouse, founded in 1853, served as a school until 1951. The schoolhouse was a unique example of a one-room country school and was used as a community gathering place. Located nearby is the Vandalia Chapel, a 19th-century church. Both of these landmarks are preserved by the Vandalia Community Preservation Association, a nonprofit group.
The Vandalia State House is an impressive structure that was once the state capitol. The Vandalia State House is the oldest capitol building in Illinois, having been constructed in 1836. Its white exterior features tall windows and Federal-style furnishings. The upper levels contain the House and Senate chambers, which can be accessed via the wide staircase. The building is also where Abraham Lincoln began his political career, working for four dollars a day. There are a number of guided tours available to visitors.
If you’re visiting Vandalia, you may also want to take a look at Lincoln Park. This unique location features a fountain and a gazebo. It is also home to a statue of Abraham Lincoln. The 16th president of the United States was born in Vandalia, and it is named after him.
Restaurants
If you’re looking for a meal to please the whole family, there are many choices for restaurants in Vandalia. You can find a wide range of options from American to Italian. Some of the most popular choices in the area include Frisch’s Big Boy, Fu Ying Chinese Restaurant, Little York Tavern and Pizza, and Chipotle Mexican Grill.
If you’d like to save time on commuting, you can order from a number of different restaurants in Vandalia that offer delivery. You can also order food through Postmates, a service that provides food delivery right to your home or office. Many of these options offer contact-free delivery, and Postmates also offers scheduling. On the checkout page, you can select when you’d like your order to be delivered.
Outdoor activities
The Vandalia Recreation Center and Cassel Hills Pool are opening up again at noon on Sunday. The shooting in Butler Township earlier this week forced the closure of these facilities, but they will resume regular hours on Monday. A nationwide search has also led to the arrest of the gunman, Stephen Marlowe. The police chief said he is a former prisoner who resisted arrest.
The area also features Vandalia Lake, which is ideal for swimming, boating, and camping. In addition, there are seven parks in the area with ball fields and public pools. For more challenging activities, there are also several golf courses and bowling alleys. The city is also home to numerous events throughout the year, including the Grande Levee/Harvest Festival and the Fayette County Fair.
Visit the dragon
The 35-foot-long Kaskaskia Dragon is a great roadside attraction in Vandalia, Illinois. Located near the Vandalia Swimming Pool, the dragon is surrounded by nature and parks. The dragon has light bulb eyes and breathes fire when called upon. To visit the dragon, you can buy a dragon token, which costs $1, for ten seconds of flame-shooting fun. The dragon was constructed in 1995 and has become a tourist attraction.
The Kaskaskia Dragon is a local favorite and a stop for tourists from across the country. Built for the sole purpose of attracting tourists to Vandalia, this fire-breathing metal creature has become a destination for those in the area. For GPS enthusiasts, the dragon also offers a GeoCache.
Visitors can purchase dragon tokens for $1 at the local liquor store or the Kaskaskia Supply store. Tokens last ten seconds and can be inserted into the coin box. To make the dragon breathe fire, insert a token in a coin slot. Tokens can be purchased for $1 at the liquor store across the street.