Wonder-bred

Cozy Dog Drive-In
Starved Rock, one of the seven winning wonders, was named for the Illiniwek Indians who starved to death after being trapped by warriors avenging the death of an Ottawa chief. That might make you appreciate your stop at the Cozy Dog Drive-In (2935 S Sixth St, Springfield; 217-525-1992)—known for its hot dogs on a stick (or Cozy Dogs)—even more. The restaurant is a frequent stop for Route 66 tours, like the 4th Annual Cruisin’ Route 66 to Litchfield Classic Car Festival June 22–24. Drive  another hour south to catch a flick at the Skyview Drive-in (litchfieldskyview.com). Visit cozydogdrivein.com.

The Tempel Lipizzans
You know the white horse that Prince Charming rides in fairytales? Tempel Farms in Lake County (17000 Wadsworth Road, Wadsworth; 847-623-7272) is home to the world’s largest privately owned herd of these rare and revered Lipizzan breed stallions. The docile horses are trained to perform in horse ballets, a form of entertainment in Europe since the 16th century—and this summer, the farm celebrates 25 years of shows. The area where the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois Rivers meet topped the tourism bureau’s list for being one of the country’s best places for seeing eagles—but can the eagles dance? Visit tempelfarms.com.

Old Carthage Jail
This jail, built in 1839, was home to petty thieves and debtors—and for a short time, the founder of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith. As mayor of the nearby town of Navoo, Smith ordered that all copies of a new anti-Mormon newspaper be burned. The decision landed Smith and his brother in the jail (307 Walnut St, Carthage; 217-357-2989), where an angry mob broke in, and shot and killed them. The founder of the Baha’i faith—to which the wonder-ful Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette is a testament—managed to make it out alive, only to be exiled to Baghdad.

Amish communities of Arthur and Arcola
The state’s Amish Country is home to windmills, farms, a cultural center and Amish-run businesses like antique stores and restaurants that serve up homemade pies. Arcola is the site of the Rockome Gardens Theme Park and the Raggedy Ann & Andy Museum—as well as the annual Raggedy Ann & Andy Festival, which is Saturday 9 and Sunday 10. Winning wonder Allerton Park and Retreat Center is a rustic retreat, but Arcola has the Hippie Memorial, reportedly the only one in the world. Visit arcolachamber.com or illinoisamishcountry.com.

Shea’s Route 66 Gas Station Museum
The Black Hawk State historic site in Rock Island might take you back 12,000 years to when the Sauk and Fox Indians once ruled the land, but this museum (2075 Peoria Rd, Springfield; 217-522-0475) will also take you back—to a time when gas didn’t cost four dollars a gallon. The Route 66 roadside stop used to be a working gas station, but it has since become a shrine to early filling stations, boasting a large collection of vintage gas pumps, signs, photos and memorabilia going back 80 years.

Popeye statue
This 6-foot bronze statue of the famous sailor man with a penchant for spinach is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year in Elzie C. Segar Memorial Park (IL Rt. 3, Chester; 618-826-2721). Segar, the creator of Popeye, was born in Chester, and rumor has it that he, Olive Oyl and Bluto were based on real Chester residents. This statue doesn’t show Popeye as buff as we remember him being, but he still looks strong enough to swim the 18,000-acre Rend Lake in Benton, one of the state’s official picks. The 28th Annual Popeye Picnic is September 7, 8 and 9. Visit chesterill.com or popeyepicnic.com.

The World’s Largest Catsup Bottle
Combine all the ketchup from all of the dispensers in Wrigley Field—one of the seven wonders—and you probably still wouldn’t have enough to fill this gigantic bottle, which is actually a 170-foot tall water tower (800 S Morrison Ave, Collinsville). Built in 1949 for the G.S. Suppiger catsup bottling plant, it was almost torn down in 1995. But thanks to the efforts of the Catsup Bottle Preservation Group, the roadside attraction was preserved and is gearing up for photo-ops with roadtrippers all summer long. Visit catsupbottle.com.

For more info on the Seven Wonders of Illinois, visit enjoyillinois.com.