Arthur is located in east central Illinois straddling the county lines of Douglas County on the east and Moultrie County on the west. The county line also serves as Arthur’s main business street which the locals call Vine Street and just one of the unique aspects of Arthur.

Arthur is the heart of Illinois’ largest Old Order Amish Community and the home to about 4500 Amish. The unique cultural blending of the progressive “English” community in Arthur and the conservative rural Amish forges a special blend of old and new. Horse and buggies park in rows across from autos and pickups, a massive John Deere pulls huge field equipment just across the fencerow from an eight horse hitch and a four bottomed plow, and the Amish shoppers in straight pin fastened clothing wait in line at the grocery store with those in modern clothing.

Don’t expect to find many national chain stores in Arthur-Amish Country. Arthur’s thriving shopping district, being the central shopping area for the Amish in Amish country, will remind you of an old fashioned country downtown. And, the surrounding countryside is chock full of small Amish owned shops and things to see and do.

Unlike many small towns across America, large super centers have not yet wrecked Amish County’s small town ambiance. Arthur vibrant retail, all within easy walking distance includes a major cabinet factory outlet, widely respected men’s clothing stores, Delbert’s Clothing, custom Amish furniture shops including The Wood Loft, and the Calico Workshop, cheese stores, craft and gift stores, antique shops, an old fashioned drug store soda fountain, Dicks Pharmacy with its old time soda fountain and large pop bottle collection and a music shop with enough big name guitars in the back room to impress any country picker. And most likely the person that waits on you is also the owner. This is also true of Arthur’s comfortable and affordable lodging, from a country inn to a couple bed and breakfast inns.

And then there’s the food. Once again, don’t look for chain restaurants in Arthur. Rather, enjoy the small town ambience where the downtown restaurants open at 5am and cook up 5 gallons of gravy for the home made biscuits each day. Dinner can include fried chicken and all the fixin’s, and deserts almost always call for a piece of home made pie. The eateries range from smallish grills and diners to large facilities featuring buffets and menus chock full of home cooked specialties with plenty of room for large groups and busses.

Arthur hosts several festivals during the year. The annual quilt show in April draws quilts and quilters from across the country.Arthur's Strawberry Jam starts off the summer and the Arthur Cheese festival ends it on Labor Day weekend where over 600 pounds of cheese is given away in three days. The Central Illinois Braggin’ Rights KCBS BBQ Competition caps off the fall. But you don’t want to miss the one of the largest downstate fireworks displays, usually held the Saturday before July 4th in Jurgens Park. Several benefit auctions are also held on a yearly basis along with horse and pony auctions.
Come, visit, you will find out why “You’re a Stranger Only Once!” in Arthur Illinois. For more information call 1-800-722-6474 or email us at tourismarthur@consolidated.net or visit the Arthur-Amish Country Visitor Center at 106 E Progress Street in Arthur.

Arthur Event Calendar