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Decatur Area Freestyle Touring

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Thursday, October 22, 2020by bdust

New Interactive Visitor Guide Introduces Freestyle Touring

The Decatur Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (DACVB) announced the launch of a new interactive visitor guide designed to attract visitors to the Decatur/Forsyth area for overnight stays at local hotels. Included in the guide is the new Freestyle Touring initiative that visitors can easily use to scan, connect and explore Decatur area attractions from their vehicle or mobile device.

“Regional tourism is an important economic stimulus for the Decatur/Forsyth area,” said Teri Hammel, Executive Director of the DACVB, who collaborates with the hospitality industry to promote local tourism. “Freestyle Touring is an interactive way for us to promote local attractions to visitors who want to explore on their own closer to home, which is the current trend in domestic travel.”

Freestyle Touring consists of self-guided walking and driving tours using brochures, audio CDs and digital mapping in your vehicle or mobile device. There are currently three 2-day itineraries available for the Decatur area with additional tours to be released in 2021. “These itineraries will help visitors get the most from their extended tourism experience,” said Hammel.

The itineraries include Looking for Lincoln, a walking and driving tour of 15 wayside exhibits documenting significant Abraham Lincoln sites in Macon County, Public Art Trail, a walking tour of Scovill Sculpture Park and driving tour of the painted wall art created for the Mural Project and Historic Places, the HASC Architectural Walking Tour of historic neighborhoods and driving tour of eight Decatur locations on the National Register of Historic Places.

Visitors can book a stay at one of the impeccable hotels in Decatur and Forsyth, hook up their RV or pitch a tent at local campgrounds for a long weekend, or make it a day trip. Great field trip opportunities with educational tools for remote learning, too. The choices are many. As you browse the pages of the new Decatur/Forsyth Visitor Guide, keep your mobile device handy and look for QR Codes to scan for quick access to important websites and digital mapping.

To get started, visit the Decatur Area Convention & Visitors Bureau office at 202 E. North St in downtown Decatur, call 217-423-7000, email tourism@decaturcvb.com or go to the website at www.decaturcvb.com. You can order extra visitor guides and tour brochures, reserve audio CDs or schedule an appointment with a local concierge.

SCAN THE QR CODE with your mobile device to connect directly to the DACVB website


LOOKING FOR LINCOLN

Scan the QR code to link to online resources

Tools Available: mobile website link and printable brochure, detailed description in visitor guide

DAY 1: Ten Wayside Exhibits in downtown Decatur. 

Walk in the footsteps of Abraham Lincoln as you explore the significant sites where he began his journey to the White House at well-marked locations. 

Approximate time: 2 hours. Take a break for lunch and shopping at the many restaurants and boutiques.

DAY 2: Macon County Wayside Exhibits

Explore the prairie village where the courthouse now stands and visit the home of one of Lincoln’s closest friends and strongest allies.

Approximate time: 2.5 hours. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the banks for the Sangamon River and hike the trail at the Lincoln Homestead State Park and Memorial.


PUBLIC ART TRAIL

Scan the QR code to be connected to the interactive map

Tools Available: brochure, mobile links to website and digital mapping


DAY 1: Scovill Sculpture Park. Walk the trail and explore 12 art exhibits on display. Be sure to take photos! The park is open year-round and connects Scovill Zoo with the Children’s Museum.

Approximate time: 2.5 hours. After your tour, explore Scovill Zoo and meet the penguins and cheetahs. Seasonal hours.

DAY 2: Mural Project. Driving tour to find painted wall murals on select buildings throughout the city. Each painting tells a story through the eyes of the artist. 

Approximate time: 2.5 hours Take a break for lunch at Krekel’s Custard and take a selfie with the Chicken Car


HISTORIC PLACES

Scan the QR code for access to descriptions, photos and visitor reviews for each location

Tools Available: brochure, mobile links to website and digital mapping. 


DAY 1: Driving Tour of the eight Decatur sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places starting at the iconic Transfer House, our city’s landmark located in Central Park. Stop in the restored Wabash Depot to browse 10,000 square feet of antiques and collectibles and tour the Homestead Prairie Farm at Rock Springs.

Approximate time: 2.5 hours. Take a picnic lunch to enjoy on the trail or one of the park pavilions

DAY 2: HASC Architectural Walking Tour takes you through the historic neighborhoods of Decatur via an audio CD and printed map.

Approximate time: 2.5 hours Visit the Oakwood Business District just west of the Millikin Homestead for curbside food pickup for breakfast, lunch or dinner.


QUESTIONS? Contact the DACVB at 217-423-7000, tourism@decaturcvb.com or www.decaturcvb.com

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