Comic book Superman fans will want to stop in Metropolis, Illinois if visiting or passing through the southern tip of Illinois across from Paducah, Kentucky. The city has the same name as the home town of Superman, so the city erected a large, 20-foot tall Superman statue in front of Massac County Court House (the local Hall of Justice there) along Market St., the main Street in town.
The city became the adopted home of Superman in January 1972, authorized by National Periodicals (D.C. Comics). It has since become a comic fan destination. Across the street from the state is the Super Museum, which is home to the world’s largest collection of Superman memorabilia. The museum features over 70,000 items from the life’s work of longtime Superman enthusiast and collector, Jim Hambrick who has amassed one of the greatest collections of Superman memorabilia in the world. Among the items showcased in the museum from the iconic superhero’s more than 75 year history are virtually every Superman toy ever produced as well as movie props and promotional materials from all the Superman movies and TV series.
Even is just passing through for some quick photos, the museum offers several props along the street, including a 1950s car, a telephone booth, the entrance door to the Daily Planet newspaper, and cut outs of Superman and Superwomen where people can stand behind and get photos with their heads on the cutouts. There is also a gift shop.
The town has some restaurants, hotels and a casino on the riverfront.
Another good place to visit in town is Ft. Massac State Park, along the Ohio River on the east side of town. It contains hiking trials, a visitors center and a restored early 1800s army fort when this town was on the edge of the far western frontier of the fledgling United States:
Here are a couple other cool places to visit nearby:
