Every night is a double feature, 2 movies for 7 bucks! 2 screens to choose from, each playing 2 movies. The concession stand had a good selection of food, and there are indoor restrooms, which when I was there, unfortunately reeked of urine. Unlike the olden days, you now tune into a radio station to listen, so if yours doesn't work, or your battery dies easily, you've been warned. I loved this place! The backwoods local rednecks only added to the show, my personal favorite was the lady next to me that decided that changing her pants was best done next to, as opposed to in, the privacy of her lifted pickup truck.
Everything you want in a roadside catfish! He's real big, he's real fat, and he looks real greasy! An easy stop just off a main highway, and as far as world's largest fish breeds go, of which I've seen many across this great country, thus far, the Wahpeton Wahpper is the biggest!
In the international battle for big turtle supremacy, this guy comes up 2 feet short to his American counterpart just down the road. This is one of 2 turtle statues within an hour of each other, both of which are named Tommy, and both of which claim to be the world's largest turtle, however this Tommy comes in at 28 ft vs the 30 footer in Bottineau, ND. This guy is still a must see however, as not only is he the largest realistic turtle in the world, he also proudly waves his flags letting everyone know that it is ok to love both Canada and the USA!
This is one of 2 turtle statues within an hour of each other, both of which are named Tommy, both of which claim to be the world's largest turtle, but only one of which you dont need a passport to visit! Regardless of who actually wins this international battle for big turtle supremacy (its this one, he's 30 ft tall, whereas the Canadian one is only 28), I can guarantee you one thing... This Tommy is definitely sitting in the world's largest snowmobile!
If you're in this part if the country, you've probably seen all sorts of turtle statues... But this is the only one you'll find made of rims! That right there should be reason enough to stop! Hes huge, he's heavy, you can climb on him. Stop reading this and just go already!
Not enormous, but pretty freaking big. Definitely the biggest I've seen, and not one I'd want the old lady to be holding when she's mad at me
How is this Illinois?! Garden of the Gods is a must see. Its not anything like the one in Colorado, but still a completely different kind of impressive. Many of the best sights here are accessed by easily traversed trails, many of which are loops trails so you don't see the same thing twice.
Whether you make this a quick stop, or a multi day backcountry hiking adventure is up to you, just make sure you put it on your must visit list.
We have been here only once at night, and once again in spring when nothing was open yet, so we probably aren't the best people to talk about the restaurants, amusement park, etc.
I can tell you that there are ample trails, you can hike to the top, etc. I can also tell you that the entry fee is a bit ridiculous ($15 during non peak, and $20 during peak times and holidays).
Everything everyone is saying is true. It is beautiful here. The walk to the blue hole is both nice, and short. However they are failing to mention some things. Most notably the people that take over the area around the headspring. This is a very popular place for white trash pot lucks. Or maybe just pot smoking. No, they weren't as nice as stoners, it was definitely meth. And I'm not talking the good kind of white trash.. I mean the North Florida kind. The kind that will stare at you like there's something wrong with you, while their entire ass crack is exposed, they drink liquor straight from the bottle in the middle of the parking lot, their baby is crying from their carseat on the roof of their multicolored Toyota minivan, and their girlfriends hide their black eyes when you look at them . Oh And I'm pretty sure they cheated the honor system and didn't pay the $6 entry fee.
A natural lazy river?! I'm in!! A natural spring here flows into a stream, which you can float down (bring a tube, as there are none available inside the park), and it only takes about 15 minutes. From there you can walk back to the spring and do it all over again, swim on the beach, or hang out in the large pond/pool where the "lazy river" portion ends. Are there fish swimming with you? Yes. Are there alligators? Occasionally. Was there a snapping turtle in there with us when we went? Yep. Does any of that matter? Nope, it was a blast!
There are other things to do here as well, as it is a large park, however this is the main attraction. There is a concession stand, and the changing rooms aren't too bad. There was even free sunscreen by the bathrooms.
It costs 3 bucks to get in, and from what I've heard gets insanely crowded, however it was not bad at all when we were there.