AREA ATTRACTIONS

Lake Shelbyville Activities & Area Information.

Current Events in Shelby County, Illinois

Shelby County always has something going on:

• live music, arts and crafts fairs, festivals, fairs, farmers’ markets , park events, and much more

Shelby County Local Info Now page

Lithia Springs Marina

Visitors to Lithia Resort can find Lithia Springs Marina just 1/4 of a mile away. This full-service marina rents out….

• daily/nightly slips

• kayaks

• boats:

  • fishing, pontoon, and party barge

Boaters and other visitors can check out the marina store for…

• live bait, coffee, cold beer, snacks, apparel, safety gear, souvenirs, and more!

In addition, Lithia Springs Marina offers several dinning options. They include the restaurant, Nessie’s and, on tourism seasons weekends, food trucks and live music. Info about these features can be found on the Marina’s Facebook page.

Beach Access & Swimming

Lake Shelbyville Beaches

Swimmers can enjoy Shelbyville waters on both sides of the lake. Just a short walk from Lithia Resort, guests can access the nearby Lithia Springs Beach. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers keeps the beach open during the peak visiting season.

Across the lake, about a six minute drive from Lithia Resort, the 9th Street Beach lines the shore of the Dam West Recreation Area. Also run by the USACE campers swim free. The Corps allows swimming from 8 am to dusk. Neither beach permits pets.

Shelbyville Family Aquatic Center

Lithia Resort guests looking for pool recreation will enjoy the Shelbyville Family Aquatic Center, located about a 6 minute drive from Lithia Resort. Center visitors can enjoy a variety of attractions:

• frog slide, water slide, one-meter drop slide, wet and sand playground areas, concessions/food area, shaded picnic area, bathhouse, lap lanes, and diving board

For small children, elders, and handicapped individuals, the heated, zero depth entry area provides safe, easily accessible, and comfortable wading. The Center offers recreation from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend, Monday-Friday (12-8pm), Saturday (12-6pm), and Sunday (1-6pm). And the Greater Shelbyville Chamber of Commerce provides pricing and more information on its website or by phone (217-774-4343).

Hiking, Biking, Running, and golfing

General Dacey Trail

Thinking about going for a hike, run, or bicycle ride? You might like the multipurpose General Dacey Trail. Nature lovers visiting this area can enjoy ...

• trail exercise, hiking, bicycling, running, bird watching, geocaching, photography, site-seeing, and a 15-station outdoor fitness area

While the trail opened in 2006, it has undergone a number of development phases, so it always has something new for repeat visitors. Trail users can find trail heads with nearby parking at the Dam West recreation area, the Dam Overlook, or behind the Forest Park Scout Cabin in Forest Park.

Currently the trail has two one-mile loops that traverse woods and lakefront, and projections call for more than seven miles of developed trails. Different sections of the trail cover the …

• Dam West (9th Street) Recreation Area, dam overlook rest area, Army Corps of Engineers Visitors Center, lower spillway, Forest Park, wooded areas along Lake Shelbyville, downtown Shelbyville, Glenwood Cemetery

A number of events, including the Tom Short Trail 5k Trail Run and an Annual Candle Light Walk, occur throughout the year. The General Dacey Trail community maintains a Facebook feed (@DaceyTrail) with information about activities on the trail sites.

Mountain Biking at Camp Camfield

The MTB Project describes the Camp Camfield multi-use (hiking/biking) trail system as, “your best option in this part of Illinois.” It consists of a number of loops forming about seven miles of mountain biking trails. Located on the north end of Lake Shelbyville, near Sullivan, Illinois, it lies less than 30 minutes from Lithia Resort.

The trail has become especially well-known for its intermediate skill level single track mountain bike trail. And, race number seven of the Illinois MTB State Championship, known as “Clash at the Camp,” takes place there each August. Bicyclers can find updates on the CIMBA Facebook feed.

Camp Camfield trails wind through beautiful woodlands with lakeside views. The Central Illinois Mountain Bike Association (CIMBA) cooperates with the Army Corps for trail development at Camp Camfield.

Lake Shelbyville Area Golf

Golf fans can play a number of courses near Lake Shelbyville without traveling more than a half an hour from Lithia Resort. On site courses include Eagle Creek and Oak Terrace.  Fox Prairie Golf Course, near Windsor, IL lays only a 15-minute drive from Lithia Resort. Also within a reasonable drive from the Resort golfers will find a quite a few championship golf courses:

• Eagle Creek Golf Course (18 holes) - (217) 756-5550 (Facebook @golfateaglecreek)

• Sullivan Country Club (9 holes) - (217) 728-4406 (Facebook @sullivancountryclub)

• Timberlake Golf Course (9 holes) - (217) 797-6496 (Facebook @Timberlake09)

• Moweaqua Municipal Golf Course (18 holes) - (217) 768-3411 (Facebook @MoweaquaGolfCourse)

• Oak Terrace Golf Course (18 holes) - (217) 539-4477 (Facebook @OakTerraceResort)

• St. Elmo Golf Club (9 holes) - (618) 829-3390 (Facebook page)

• Meadowview Gold Course (18 holes) - (217) 258-7888 (Facebook @MeadowviewGolfCourseMattoonIL)

• Lakeshore Taylorville Golf Course (18 holes) - (217) 824-5521 (Facebook @golflakeshorenow)

• Hickory Point Golf Club (18 holes) - (217) 421-7444 (Facebook @GolfDecatur)

• Bent Tree Golf Course (formerly Pleasant Grove) (9 holes) - (217) 348-1611 (Facebook page)

• Red Tail Run Golf Club (18 holes) - (217) 422-2211 (Facebook @GolfDecatur)

• Rogala Golf Course (9 holes) - (217) 235-5518 (Facebook @GolfLink)

• Scovill Golf Club (18 holes) - (217) 429-6243 (Facebook @GolfLink)

local wineries

Willow Ridge Vineyards & Winery

Only 20 minutes from Lithia Resort, Willow Ridge Vineyards & Winery makes a great meeting place for family and friends. It lays eight miles northwest of Shelbyville and 1/2 mile west of Westervelt, Illinois.

There, patrons can enjoy fine Illinois wines amid Tuscan style decor, surrounded by beautiful countryside. Visitors enjoy wine by the glass or the bottle along with complimentary wine tasting.

The tasting room features a beautiful stone fireplace, a handcrafted bar, and stained glass windows. Outside, the terrace overlooks the vineyard for refreshing relaxation.

For large groups and events, the establishment’s banquet room seats 190 people and it is available all year long, with the exception of major holidays. The wine tasting room seats an additional 40 people.

Normally, the winery opens from Wednesday through Sunday, and, on holiday weekends, it opens on Mondays. In addition, Willow Ridge offers wine delivery on the weekends. Parties looking for more information can visit its website: www.willowridgewinery.com or call (217) 738-2323.

Vahling Vineyards

Vahling Vineyards specializes in wines made from local indigenous grape varieties. They also carry nonalcoholic beverages. It lays only about 20 minutes from Lithia Resort, near Stewardson, Illinois.

Vahling operates all year long, Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 am through 5 pm; Sundays, from noon until 5 pm; as well as on Mondays of holiday weekends. Individuals can learn more about the facility on the Vahling Vineyards website, www.vahlingvineyards.com, or by calling (217) 682-5409

Niemerg Family Winery

The Niemerg Family Winery occupies a restored 100-year old building on Main Street in downtown Findlay, Illinois. Just a 25 minute drive from Lithia resort, this winery operates with grapes from throughout the U.S. So, it offers quite a variety of wines.

During the summer it opens Tuesday through Friday, from 12 to 8 pm; Saturdays, from 11 to 8 pm; and Sundays: 12  to 5 pm. During the winter it closes on Wednesdays. For more information, take a look at the Niemerg Family Winery Facebook page (@niemergfamilywinery), email them at niemergwinery@frontier.com, or call (217) 756-5521.

tourism

Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center-USACE Offices

At the Dam East Recreation Area, on Lake Shelbyville, tourists can visit the Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center and US Army Corps of Engineers offices. The corps opened its project office in December 2010 and the visitor center in 2011. Features of the Center include:

• exhibit hall, aquariums & terrariums, grand lobby, gift shop, auditorium, rest rooms, library, outdoor deck, observation platforms, an outdoor classroom/pavilion, butterfly house and gardens, telescope overlooking the lake

Project Office personnel work Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm. Meanwhile, the Visitor Center’s hours, during the summer months, span from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm on Sunday through Thursday and 9:30 am to 6:30 pm on Friday and Saturday. During the non-peak spring, fall, and winter months, it operates on weekdays, from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. The Center closes on Federal holidays except Memorial Day, the fourth of July, and Labor Day.

From Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, the Center offers dam tours Saturday and Sunday at 3 pm. The Center personnel encourage participants to meet at Visitor Center 1/2 hour prior to the tour. Tourists can get more information by on the Corps website or by calling (217) 774-3951. Finally, the Corps provides a 24 hour Lake Info Recording at (217) 774-2020.

Boarman’s Roxy Theater

The refurbished early 1900s Boarman’s Roxy Theater plays first run movies in its award-winning classic environment. It operates seven days each week, with shows at 6:30 pm. And, on Saturdays and Sundays, it features 2:00 pm matinees. To find the current feature movie, check out its Now Playing page on its website, its Facebook feed @BoarmansRoxyTheatre, or call (217) 774-7699.

The Little Theater on the Square

The Little Theater on the Square lays about 25 minutes from Lithia Resort, in Sullivan Illinois. According to its website, since its opening, in 1957, more than 175 famous stars performed on the Little Theater stage. They included …

• Mickey Rooney, Alan Alda, Ann Miller, Don Ameche, Betty Grable, John Carradine, Leonard Nimoy, Forrest Tucker

Theater fans can see what is going on at the theater by visiting its website or Facebook page @LTOTS, or they can call (217) 728-7375.

Antique Shopping

Antique collectors visiting Lithia Resort will enjoy the antique stores in Shelbyville, Sullivan, and Arthur. In Shelbyville, visitors will find several antique stores right on Main Street. Only 20 minutes away, in Sullivan, Illinois, Lithia guests can enjoy antique shopping just south of town and another five minutes north, in the downtown area. Finally, another 20 minutes northeast, Arthur, Illinois has several more antique shops.  

Visit Amish Country in Arthur Illinois

To really get a feel for the regional culture, nothing beats a visit to Arthur, Illinois, the home of the state’s largest Amish settlement. It lays only 45 minutes northeast of Lithia Resort. Visitors can see Amish farms and horse-drawn buggies there.

In addition to the Amish homesteads, newcomers to the town will enjoy interesting shops, stores, and bakeries. Shoppers go to see traditional Amish furniture, quilts, crafts, clothing, foods, and more.

Particularly popular stores include Beachy’s Food Store. It offers fresh produce, a deli, specialty food items, and plenty of finely crafted food items. It has its own Facebook page, @beachysbulkfoods, and one can call the store at (217) 543-3447. The store operates Monday through Friday from 7 am until 5:30 pm and Saturday, 7 am - 4:30 pm. It is closed on Sunday.

The owner of Yoder’s Kitchen, Anna Herschberger grew up in a traditional Amish home. She learned to serve homemade meals through her mother's traditional business, Miller’s Home Cooking.

Today the restaurant offers traditional Amish menu items, buffet selections, and catered food. The restaurant operates Monday through Saturday, from 7 am until 8 pm. It is closed on Sundays. Diners can see its extensive menu on the restaurant website, or get more information on its Facebook page @yoderskitchen or by phone, at (217) 543-2714.

Shelby County Tourism

Looking for even more things to do near Lithia Resort? Check out the Greater Shelbyville Chamber of Commerce webpage or the City of Shelbyville Illinois Official Facebook Page, @shelbyvilleil. Visitors can also call the Chamber at (217) 774-2221.

Learn about Shelbyville and Shelby County:

• Biking, hiking, boating, swimming, fishing, hunting, historical sites, wineries, dining, shopping, and more!

And, there’s even more information available on the Official Website for Shelby County and Lake Shelbyville Area Tourism, sponsored by the Shelby County Tourism and Lake Shelbyville Area CVB (Facebook Page @lakeshelbyvilleinfo or lakeshelbyville on Instagram). Visitors can reach them by phone at (217) 774-2244 or (800) 874-3529.

Deb’s Catering website or phone 618.483.3777

Griffins’ BBQ Facebook or phone 217.620.4003