Metropolis is a little-known city in Massac County, Illinois.
However, it is the self-proclaimed “Hometown of Superman.”
The city has a Superman Museum, which includes a ten-foot statue of the superhero and many other related items.
Metropolis, which is almost at Illinois’ most southern point, can get frigid.
Various Native American tribes have inhabited Metropolis, sitting alongside the Ohio River.
Other points of interest include the Fort Massac State Park.
As the county seat of Massac, Metropolis has a population of about 6,465 people.
Metropolis is a great place to visit if you are a fan of Superman or want to explore a little bit of American history.
Here are the best things to do in Metropolis, IL:
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Housing more than 70,000 Superman memorabilia, the Super Museum is the perfect place to explore for fans of the comic book character.
The museum features the only George Reeves costume of Superman, the centerpiece of the museum.
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You can also find various items related to Superman’s history, including all the Superman toys ever produced.
Jim Hambrick established the Super Museum
He was a Superman enthusiast who started collecting Superman memorabilia in the 1970s.
The Super Museum opened in 1993; the family-operated Hambrick Enterprises owns and manages the building.
Enjoy the scenic beauty of Metropolis and various outdoor activities and events connected to the area’s fascinating history when you visit Fort Massac State Park.
The Fort Massac State Park is one of the most popular attractions in Metropolis, as it features a replica of the original fort.
The French built the fort in 1757.
During the French-Indian War, the British took over the fort.
This magnificent park, located at the southernmost point of Illinois, overlooks the vibrant Ohio River.
The city had maintained the park since 1908, when it became Illinois’ first state park.
The Fort Massac State Park also has an interpretive center that tells the fort’s history and a Visitors Center with a gift shop.
There are hiking trails, picnic areas, and playgrounds for children.
Every year, Metropolis celebrates its status as the “Hometown of Superman” with a festival in June.
It centers on Superman, with various events related to the comic book hero.
The event’s centerpieces are a 15-foot-tall monument of Superman, a roughly six-foot-tall figure of Lois Lane, and the vast Super Museum.
Many performers and writers from the numerous Superman movies and television programs join the festival.
You can see a parade, a 5K race, a pageant, and other activities.
The festival attracts Superman fans worldwide and is a great way to celebrate the city’s connection to the iconic superhero.
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Installed in 1993, this 15-foot Superman statue was supposed to mark the entrance of a Superman theme park.
When the theme park fell through, Metropolis’ citizens funded a seven-foot statue made of fiberglass.
They unveiled the figure in November of 1986.
Then, the 15-f00t Superman statue, weighing three tons, came and replaced the old statue, which the Metropolis citizens also bought.
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The statue cost around $120,000.
Notably, the firm that built the giant Emmy in front of the Hollywood Television Hall of Fame also created the Superman statue.
The Superman status received a fresh coat of paint in November 2020.
People anticipate that it will survive until at least 2040.
On the statue’s left boot, you can find an unpainted “Lucky Spot,” which you can rub for good luck.
The statue has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Metropolis.
Dorothy Miller Park is a great place to relax and appreciate the natural beauty of Metropolis.
Dorothy Miller Park is a charming park with a traditional riverfront city layout.
The continuous flow of the Massac Creek into Ohio has created a long and narrow grassy plain.
However, there is no dike or cliff behind it.
The Dorothy Miller Park has several species of trees scattered across a well-kept lawn, making it a typical city park.
The park is home to different plant life and sculptures.
The park also has a playground for children and a walking path.
Located inside the Massac State Park, the George Rogers Clark Discovery Trail is a great place to go hiking or riding a bike.
The trail gets its name from Colonel George Clark Rogers.
Colonel Rogers captured Fort Sackville during the Revolutionary War.
The George Rogers Clark Discovery Trail is nine miles long, starting at Superman Square, and connects the city of Metropolis to Brookport through Massac County.
The trail’s western park part offers excellent views of the historic fort and the older Ohio River.
There are many open green spaces and picnic places along the trail to rest and enjoy the scenery.
The trail is a great way to see the natural beauty of the area and ahistorical sites.
Feel your heart pound as you place your bets at the Harrah’s Metropolis Casino.
The Casino features a variety of table games, slot machines, and video poker.
The Casino also has restaurants, bars, and shops.
You can find Harrah’s Metropolis Casino in the heart of downtown Metropolis, making it easy to reach.
The Casino boasts more than 800 slot machines and live entertainment.
Go two blocks from the giant Superman statue, and you will find the Lois Lane statue at the corners of the 8th and Market streets.
The sculptors based the Lois Lane Statue on the late Noel Neill, who portrayed the iconic character in the “Adventures of Superman.”
Noel Neill saw the city unveil the statue in June 2010.
She was also an ardent supporter of Metropolis.
The statue shows Lois Lane looking up at Superman, flying overhead.
The statue stands in front of the Metropolis Planet Globe, which is fitting, for Lois Lane is a reporter herself.
The SuperBowl Metropolis is the premier bowling alley that serves the city of Metropolis.
The Bowling Alley is a family-friendly establishment that offers a variety of activities, such as bowling, laser tag, and arcade games.
The SuperBowl Metropolis also has several restaurants and bars that offer sandwiches, pizzas, and other snacks.
You can find it in the heart of downtown Metropolis.
SuperBowl Metropolis is available for reservation and is an excellent venue for parties and other events.
In Metropolis downtown, buildings along Ferry Street and Market Street have six murals painted.
Scenes from Metropolis’s historical past are shown in the murals.
Each mural tells a unique tale and brings Metropolis’ history to life via imaginative depictions of relevant historical moments.
History-related plaques explain the significance of each mural in Metropolis City’s history.
All six murals are a true sight to behold any day of the week, thanks to their vivid colors.
The Defenders of Freedom mural in Metropolis, which stands across the street from the Massac County Courthouse, shows military events in which Metropolis residents play a crucial role.
The Fire Rescue Mural on the outside wall of the Happy Hearts Senior building depicts the 1923 fire in the city’s business district.
If you’re interested in learning more about the city’s history, the murals of Metropolis are a great place to start.
Established in 1977, the Dale Bremer Orchard is a great place to go if you’re looking for fresh fruit.
Located on Orchard Road, the Dale Bremer Orchard’s most popular items are the nectarines and peaches.
The family-owned Orchard grows tree-ripened nectarines and peaches, which produce the sweetest and most flavorful fruits.
Dale Bremer Orchard has different varieties of peaches, such as Westhaven and pearl, while its nectarine variant fantasia is a customer favorite.
Dale Bremer Orchard is one of the remaining orchards operating traditionally without pesticides or herbicides.
They take great pride in the work and love that produced their food, and you can indulge in some of the area’s sweetest, juiciest fruits.
If you’re in the mood for a fresh and juicy peach or nectarine, swing by Dale Bremer Orchard.
The 30-foot tall Metropolis Lighthouse has a modern beacon and is constructed to look like an actual lighthouse.
The Metropolis Lighthouse, also known as the Hope Light, is a beautiful and tranquil place to visit.
The Metropolis Lighthouse lighthouse stands specifically to fight cancer.
Likewise, the beacon symbolizes hope for cancer patients and their families.
You can find the Lighthouse near the West entrance of Dorothy Miller Park, which overlooks the Ohio River.
The Lighthouse is also a popular place for photography.
The Metropolis Lighthouse is a great place to relax and enjoy the view of the river.
The 606 Market is an upscale antique store and a great place to find some unique treasures.
Three sisters-in-law–Chasida, Amy, and Monica–own the vintage store.
They went into business by joining Vintage Market fairs.
The 606 Market is one of the most popular antique stores in Metropolis.
Likewise, the 606 Market offers various antiques, including furniture, dishes, jewelry, and more.
It also offers workshops and classes on various topics, such as furniture refinishing and jewelry making.
They also sell gourmet food items, such as jams, jellies, and sauces.
Built in the 1870s, the Elijah P. Curtis House is a beautiful example of Italianate architecture.
They built the house a few years after Major Elijah P. Curtis went home after the Civil War.
Major Curtis was a local businessman and civic leader who commissioned Joseph P. Farrell to build the house.
Farrell himself was a renowned artisan who built a solid reputation for the quality of his work.
Most of the woods used in the house came from the nearby Curtis Family Farm.
The Elijah P. Curtis House is now a museum open to the public.
Visitors can tour the house to see what life was like in the 19th century.
At least ten miles North of Metropolis, Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area is perfect for swimming, fishing, and canoeing.
You can find it in Belknap, Illinois, roughly 20 minutes from Metropolis.
Several hiking trails lead to some beautiful lookout points.
Authorities created Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area mainly for duck hunting.
During winter, Canada and blue and snow geese gather there.
You can also check out the archery range at Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area.
It hosts the Illinois National Archery Tournament.
This preserve is also the perfect place to take some photos of wildlife.
Different animals live in the Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, which include beavers, freshwater mussels, otters, and white-tailed deer.
The 105-acre Kincaid Mounds Archaeological Site has a significant role in the prehistory of the North American continent.
The Kincaid Mounds are a group of 11 earthen mounds built between 950 and 1400 AD by the Mississippian culture.
During this period, the Mississippians developed agriculture, specialized community labor, and built sophisticated mound systems for ceremonies and burials.
Native American communities in the Cumberland and Tennessee river valleys and the city of Cahokia most likely traded through the Kincaid site.
The mounds are still there today, although access to them is restricted.
They built an overlook platform for visitors.
Likewise, interpretative panels explain the meaning and historical significance of this Native American site.
Metropolis is a charming city full of history and things to do.
The city is famous as the home of Superman, but other attractions make Metropolis worth visiting.
From museums and historic homes to outdoor activities and a theme park, there is something for everyone in Metropolis.
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