Visitors witness massive reptile migration at Shawnee National Forest

Illinois is no stranger to deer crossings, but did you know that twice a year, one of the largest snake migrations in the United States takes place in Illinois as well?  For two months in spring and fall every year, Forest Road 345, more commonly known as ‘Snake Road’ is shut down for a nearly three mile stretch to allow up to 23 species of snakes to migrate between their winter habitat in the forest’s limestone bluffs and their summer base at LaRue Swamp.

Like many wildlife species, snakes face a dangerous obstacle when crossing trafficked roads. Snakes are particularly vulnerable because of their cold-blooded nature. Black asphalt is good at holding on to heat from the sun, and in the cooler early morning and twilight hours, snakes often like to lie out and bask in the warmth, rather than dart across the road quickly like other animals. This can have a deadly impact on snake populations; researchers estimate that up to 25% of all snakes are killed by drivers.

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The Pumpkin Capital of the World – Morton, Illinois

Located in Central Illinois, Morton is a small town with a big claim to fame: it is the Pumpkin Capital of the World. Known for its pumpkin patches, festivals and rich agricultural history, Morton has earned its title serving as the headquarters of the world’s largest pumpkin processing company – Libby’s.

Each year, Morton produces more pumpkins than any other place in the U.S. The town’s fields and surrounding areas yield millions of pumpkins, providing 95% of the canned pumpkin in the country and 85% of the canned pumpkin worldwide. Libby’s has been a major player in Morton’s identity since the 1970s when the factory began exclusively processing pumpkins.

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Bone chilling movies filmed in Illinois

October is the perfect time to celebrate Illinois’ chilling connection to the silver screen. From haunted Chicago streets to quiet suburban settings that turned sinister, Illinois has long been a favorite backdrop for filmmakers.

Chicago has played a starring role in some of the genre’s most memorable moments. “Candyman” (1992), filmed primarily in and around the Cabrini-Green housing complex, transformed real Chicago locations into symbols of urban legend and fear. The movie has become a classic of psychological horror while preserving a snapshot of Chicago’s architectural history. The 2021 sequel, also filmed in Chicago, revisited those same streets to explore how mystery can linger in a city that continues to change.

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Famous Haunted Houses in Illinois

• Illinois History
• halloween
• Holidays

With the weather getting cooler and leaves changing color that can only mean one thing… spooky season is right around the corner. Whether you and your friends looking for a terrifying tour or are you interested in Illinois horror lore, this list is for you.

Old Joliet Prison

Famous for its cameo in Blues Brothers and a staple in Joliet, the Old Joliet State Prison becomes haunted on select nights throughout the fall. Featuring storied prisoners such as John Wayne Gacy and Baby Face Nelson, the prison still holds a lot of dark energy. This haunted experience claims to be the only haunted house within a real abandoned prison in the Chicagoland area and is not one you will forget anytime soon.

13^th Floor Haunted House

This Chicago experience includes a haunted house, shattered skyline, immersive experiences and more. Founded in 2002, this is a classic Halloween experience with high quality production that remains a staple of Illinois’ spooky season. With over 30,000 feet this haunted house is run by the country’s largest professional haunted house production company. Learn more about this haunted house here.

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