After visiting my sister and her hubs in Carbondale, Illinois I took a spontaneous side trail through Metropolis en route home. Who wouldn’t have?
Metropolis has around 6,500 residents and is a center for archery, fishing, wildlife and game and is home of the Illinois’ First State Park, Fort Massac State Park, Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area and others. Harrah’s also has a casino franchise in Metropolis.
In the early 70s, DC Comics granted approval for Metropolis to become the official home of Superman. Each June there is a Superman festival with celebrity guests, Q&A discussion panels, puppetry workshops and others classes in the arts, live music, food vendors, and more. Check out this year’s events schedule on the website.
The center of downtown definitely appears to have been remodeled around the giant Superman statue, Super Museum, and Superman Stuff Store to enhance the draw for tourism. You can read more about Metropolis here.
