Charleston
Around Charleston
Illustration made for Popchat
Town and around · Illinois · 46k people
Charleston
Locals say Coles County
Charleston · Mattoon
Small-town warmth under endless skies.
Eastern Illinois BlueGray
Welcome to Coles County, where the cornfields meet the campus. Whether you're here for a Panthers game or just passing through, the small-town squares and friendly folks make it feel like home.
Clubs for Charleston
No clubs for Charleston yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Charleston. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Charleston. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Eastern Illinois University Home of the Panthers, a hub of local life.
- Fox Ridge State Park Hiking trails and scenic overlooks.
- Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site The last home of Abraham Lincoln's father.
- Lake Charleston Popular for fishing and boating.
- Peterson Park Community pool and sports fields in Mattoon.
- The Little Theatre on the Square Professional summer stock theater in Sullivan.
- Outdoors hiking at Fox Ridge State Park
- Outdoors fishing at Lake Charleston
- With kids Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site
- With kids EIU's Tarble Arts Center
- Evenings college bars near EIU
- Evenings live music at local venues
- Locals love small-town squares
- Locals love farm stands
Through the year
- Bagelfest July Mattoon's celebration of the bagel.
- Coles County Fair July County fair with livestock and rides.
- Arcola Broom Corn Festival September Celebrates the area's broom corn heritage.
- EIU Panthers football Fall Home games at O'Brien Field.
- Little Theatre on the Square season Summer Professional theater productions.
Humid continental with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Best: Spring and fall are ideal—mild temps and clear skies.
Talk like a local
- “EIU”
- Eastern Illinois University
- “The Square”
- Downtown Charleston's main square
- “The Lake”
- Lake Charleston
- “tenderloin”
- The pork tenderloin sandwich
Getaways
- Champaign-Urbana Big city amenities, dining, and the University of Illinois.
- Effingham Outlet shopping and the Cross at the Crossroads.
- Terre Haute Historic sites and the Wabash River.
- Decatur Lake Decatur and the Scovill Zoo.
Local flavour
Teams
- Eastern Illinois Panthers NCAA Division I (Ohio Valley Conference)
Also rooting for Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Blackhawks
Eat and drink
- Pork tenderloin sandwich A Midwest staple, often served breaded and fried, found in local diners and taverns.
- bagels Mattoon's claim to fame, celebrated at Bagelfest.
- sweet corn Summer staple from local farm stands.
- apple cider Fall favorite from nearby orchards.
Where people go
- Small-town squares Each town has a classic courthouse square with local shops, diners, and a sense of history.
- Farmlands Vast fields of corn and soybeans define the landscape, especially along the rural roads.
- Lake Charleston Recreation area with fishing and boating.
- Fox Ridge State Park Hiking and nature trails.
- Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site Historic farmstead and visitor center.
Heritage and traditions
Coles County takes pride in its small-town heritage, the legacy of Abraham Lincoln's family, and the vibrant Amish community that shapes its culture.
This time of year in Charleston
- Apple cider pressing Fall Local orchards press cider in the fall, sold at markets and roadside stands.
- EIU Homecoming October University tradition with a parade, football game, and alumni gatherings.
Say it like a local: “Amish country” — A reference to the Amish community, often used in 'Amish country.'
Festivals
- Bagelfest July Mattoon's signature festival celebrating its bagel heritage with food, music, and a parade.
- Coles County Fair July–August Traditional agricultural fair with livestock shows, carnival rides, and local exhibits.
- Arcola Broom Corn Festival September Celebrates the region's historic broom corn industry with demonstrations, crafts, and food.
- Arthur Mennonite Relief Sale June Auction and food event supporting international relief, featuring homemade pies and quilts.
- Arthur Cheese Festival September Showcases local cheese and dairy products with tastings and a farmers market.
- Summer Concert Series in Mattoon June–August Free outdoor concerts in the park, a summertime staple.
Landmarks with a story
- Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site Preserved farm of Abraham Lincoln's father, Thomas Lincoln, with a visitor center and living history.
- Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center In Arthur, tells the story of the Amish and Mennonite communities in the area.
- Arcola Broom Corn Museum Dedicated to the broom corn industry that shaped the town.
- Coles County Courthouse Historic courthouse in Charleston with a distinctive clock tower.
- Mattoon Amtrak Station A historic train station that still serves passengers, reflecting the railroad's role in the region.
- EIU Old Main The oldest building on Eastern Illinois University's campus, a symbol of the university's history.
Food traditions
- Pork tenderloin sandwich A breaded, fried pork cutlet served on a bun, a staple at local diners and taverns.
- Bagels Mattoon's heritage as a bagel town, celebrated at Bagelfest and still enjoyed fresh.
- Sweet corn Local farms produce abundant sweet corn, often boiled and slathered with butter at summer gatherings.
- Apple cider Pressed from local orchards, a fall favorite at markets and festivals.
- Amish shoofly pie and whoopie pies Sweet treats from the Amish community in Arthur, found at bakeries and roadside stands.
Music and arts
- Little Theatre on the Square Professional summer stock theater in Sullivan, a cultural hub.
- EIU music and theater programs University performances in music, theater, and dance open to the public.
- Amish quilting and furniture Handcrafted quilts and furniture reflect a strong folk art tradition.
- Tarble Arts Center EIU's art museum with rotating exhibits and community workshops.
A little history
- 1831 County founded
- 1837 Thomas Lincoln moves to the area
- 1860s Broom corn industry booms
- 1895 Eastern Illinois University founded
- Late 1800s Amish settlement in Arthur area
Rivalries
- Charleston vs. Mattoon Friendly high school sports rivalry.
- EIU vs. other OVC teams Conference matchups, especially basketball.
- Game day EIU Panthers football
- Game day High school football Friday nights
- Outdoors Hiking at Fox Ridge State Park
- Outdoors Fishing at Lake Charleston
- With kids Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site
- With kids EIU's Tarble Arts Center
Residents speak with a typical Midwestern accent, though the Amish and Mennonite communities in Arthur speak Pennsylvania Dutch among themselves. Common phrases include 'pop' for soda and 'you guys' for a group.
Only here
- Bagelfest, a festival dedicated to bagels, is held in Mattoon.
- The Arcola Broom Corn Festival celebrates a crop that once dominated the local economy.
- Arthur is home to one of the largest Amish communities in Illinois.
- Lincoln Log Cabin preserves the farm where Abraham Lincoln's father lived.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the small-town pace — don't be surprised if people wave to you on the street.
- Try a pork tenderloin sandwich at a local diner; it's a regional staple.
- Visit the Amish community in Arthur, but respect their customs and avoid taking photos without permission.
- Attend Bagelfest in July to experience the town's signature celebration.
- Be prepared for hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters; pack accordingly.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Nearby
Every areaTuscolaIllinoisWhere the harvest is golden and the welcome is warm.ParisIllinoisHeart of the Illinois prairieEffinghamIllinoisWhere the highways meet and the heartland beats.ShelbyvilleIllinoisWhere the prairie meets the lakeTerre HauteIndianaWhere the Wabash flows and the Sycamores grow.RobinsonIllinoisWhere the Wabash winds through prairie and oil fieldsChampaign–UrbanaIllinoisCornfields, campus, and the Illini roar.DecaturIllinoisWhere the prairie meets the heartland
Charleston-Mattoon, IL. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.