Did you know that Superman himself was born and raised here in Illinois? If you’ve never visited the small town of Metropolis, you’re in for a treat! Take some time to enjoy an Illinois day trip to a charming small town in Massac County, where you’ll find the spot where the Boy of Steel spent his childhood.
Metropolis was founded in 1839 near the busy Fort Massac. The two founders envisioned that the town’s location on the Ohio River would lead to it being a hub of transportation and commerce.
Flickr / Karen Montgomery Over the years, the town became an agricultural hotspot, and a riverboat casino was opened right on the water. Lots of people visit Metropolis for the casino, but plenty more stop in to see just why it’s considered to be the Home of Superman.
If you’ve read the comics, you’ll remember that the hero’s (fictional) city is Metropolis, and the state of Illinois took this fact and ran with it. In 1972, the State Legislature passed a resolution declaring the town to be the Hometown of Superman.
Flickr / Brent Moore The town paper is even called The Metropolis Planet, after the paper in the comics called The Daily Planet.
One of the town’s most famous landmarks is a pair of statues commemorating the hero. There’s a 15-foot-tall bronze statue of Superman outside of the courthouse, and a similar statue of Lois Lane is just a short walk away.
Flickr / Geoffrey Bonnefoy
If you’re a fan of comics and superheroes, you’ll want to visit during the Superman Celebration every June. It’s a four-day celebration that brings fans and celebrities to town.
Flickr / Geoffrey Bonnefoy Along with comic book celebrities and industry legends, vendors sell all sorts of goods. There’s fair food, craft vendors, collectible merchandise, and costumes. Multiple events coincide with the weekend, including a costume contest and discussion panels. It’s been happening every June since 1979!
Now, of course, the “real” Metropolis in the comics is a large city, but that fact doesn’t get in the way of anyone’s fun here in this town of 6,000 people. In fact, the comics themselves paid a nod to the little Illinois City once!
Flickr / David Wilson In “Superman #92,” a villain finds himself in Metropolis, Illinois, and hijinks ensue while he tries to find the true city where the real Man of Steel makes his home.
Whether you visit during the annual celebration or just come down for a day trip, this unique small town in southern Illinois is sure to be a fun spot to spend some time for any comic book lover or superhero fan.
Flickr / Silly America
Plan a visit to Metropolis and you’re sure to have a super time!
Flickr / Karen Montgomery
Over the years, the town became an agricultural hotspot, and a riverboat casino was opened right on the water. Lots of people visit Metropolis for the casino, but plenty more stop in to see just why it’s considered to be the Home of Superman.
Flickr / Brent Moore
The town paper is even called The Metropolis Planet, after the paper in the comics called The Daily Planet.
Flickr / Geoffrey Bonnefoy
Along with comic book celebrities and industry legends, vendors sell all sorts of goods. There’s fair food, craft vendors, collectible merchandise, and costumes. Multiple events coincide with the weekend, including a costume contest and discussion panels. It’s been happening every June since 1979!
Flickr / David Wilson
In “Superman #92,” a villain finds himself in Metropolis, Illinois, and hijinks ensue while he tries to find the true city where the real Man of Steel makes his home.
Flickr / Silly America
Superman isn’t the only famous person who called Metropolis home, by the way. While he certainly gets most of the attention, other noteworthy celebrities born here include Christopher Jackson (George Washington in the original cast of Hamilton), MLB pitcher Moxie Manuel, MLB first basement Ben Taylor, MLB catcher Hawk Taylor, and groundbreaking filmmaker Oscar Micheaux. Read about more famous people from Illinois.
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Address: Metropolis, IL, USA
