Soaring into Superman’s hometown is totally possible if you’re driving by Metropolis, Illinois. 

If you’re a Superman fan, a trip to the small town of Metropolis is practically a pilgrimage.

Known as the “Hometown of Superman,” this small city on the Ohio River is packed with superhero-themed attractions and experiences that make fans feel like they’ve stepped right into the pages of a comic book or onto the set of their favorite superhero film.

Here are the things every Superman fan must do while visiting!

Snap a Photo at the Superman Statue in Metropolis, Illinois

Standing in the center of Metropolis is the man in the red cape who started it all. The city’s most iconic landmark is a larger-than-life Superman statue that towers over the downtown square. 

Standing at 15 feet tall, this bronze figure is the perfect backdrop for a superhero selfie. Fun tip: pose with your best “flying” stance and channel your inner Clark Kent!

Superman Statue in Metropolis, Illinois

Explore the Superman Museum in Metropolis, Illinois & Grab Some Souvenirs

Located in the heart of town is the Superman Museum, which is a treasure trove for die-hard fans, boasting rare comic books, memorabilia, costumes, and even an interactive exhibit that you can check out for an extra fee. 

It’s the perfect place to celebrate the Man of Steel’s long history, while also shopping for yourself and love ones. From exclusive collectibles and apparel, grab a piece of Metropolis to take home with you. 

Superman Museum Metropolis Illinois

Grab a Superman Cookie at Sissy’s Sweet Shoppe

You’ll need fuel for your trip, and the best place to get some is at Sissy’s Sweet Shoppe right in town. Just a block from the Superman Statue, this locally owned bakery & coffee shop offers sweet treats, including a playful nod to the superhero heritage with a Superman cookie that kids will love. They’ve also got delicious soups, sandwiches and salads! 

Bonus: Take Part in the Annual Superman Celebration

If your timing is right, plan your visit around the Superman Celebration, held every June. This festival, a weekend-long homage to the hero we all love, draws fans with cosplay contests, panel discussions, live entertainment, and special guests, including comic book artists and actors from Superman adaptations.

This year, it’s taking place from June 12 through June 14, and though the talent hasn’t been revealed just yet, there’s already a carnival announcement on the page, so don’t miss it! 

Pop culture—it’s alive!

Pumpkin patches are a dime a dozen these days, but it’s hard to find one that stands out from the crowd.

Every so often, however, you find one that just has it all—pumpkin fields, apple cider donuts, hay rides, a petting zoo, plenty of attractions for kids, and, in the case of our recent visit to Harvest Tyme in Lowell, Indiana, a pumpkin glow trail that pays tribute to a wide range of pop culture icons from years past to now, which is a fun experience for people of all ages. 

About a 1.5-hour drive from the suburbs of Chicago, Harvest Tyme isn’t too far out of the way, though it’s definitely a bang for your buck. 

We went there on a Saturday afternoon, allowing ourselves enough time to get through all the daily activities before the sun set and the paths illuminated in an enchanting glow. 

Per the website, there are “thousands” of dazzling lights, along with “1000 characters” and “dozens of large and colorful displays” boasting “over a million LED bulbs.”

At this patch, it’s almost more fun to be there at night, as you’re wrapped up in the magical glow of the spookiest season. 

Once the sun set and it became dusk, which was about 6:30 pm, we were allowed to go inside the glow trail, with my four-year-old immediately bee-lining it to the Ghostbusters display. And you can’t blame him—in addition to Slimer and Stay Puft life-size characters, they also had the Ghostbusters etched into pumpkins, along with pumpkins carved with the words “Who You Gunna Call” and other key moments from the beloved franchise.  

Other lit up and carved pumpkins included heroes and villains from Harry Potter, Wednesday, Hocus Pocus, Disney classics like Lilo & Stitch, The Simpsons, Minions and more. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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