Carbondale, Illinois

The healthcare provider is located in Carbondale, Illinois, and is a noted provider of services throughout Southern Illinois. Well-known for its general care as well as its specialty services, the healthcare provider is a state-of-the-art facility. With a history that dates back more than 100 years, the provider continues to be one of the most trusted medical facilities in the state. Services offered include pediatric care, heart health, cancer treatment, and surgical.

The INA, Illinois Nurses Association, is the state organization for registered nurses. For more than 100 years, the INA has been the voice for advocacy for nurses on workplace safety, legislation, pay, and other important issues. The INA offers also events for continuing education and self-learning to help with career advancement.

Nestled at the tip of Southern Illinois, Carbondale is a thriving city and tourist destination. It's a college town with an excellent arts and culture scene, great schools, and numerous outdoor recreation activities. Niche.com has named Carbondale on its list of 10,000 Best Places to Live in America and among the top 400 cities to live in Illinois.

Carbondale is an excellent mix of quaint city, cultural destination, and college town all in one place. It's a lively and fun place year-round thanks to its abundant things to do but it also has several annual events. These festivals include the Great Cardboard Boat Regatta in April and the Lights Fantastic Parade in December. In the summer months, the city offers free outdoor concerts for all ages. Getting around the area is easy thanks to the Saluki Express bus and the Jackson County Mass Transit system.

To learn more about Carbondale, please visit the official city website and explore the area at the county website.

Carbondale's public school system is divided into several districts. Elementary and middle school students within the city limits are served by Carbondale District 95, which contains 5 schools. The high school students are part of District 165. Both districts have quality competitive curriculums and low student-teacher ratios. Carbondale Community High School is ranked above average with 42% of its students proficient in math and 40% in reading. The school is among the top 4,300 high schools in the country and 14th in the state by U.S. News and World Report's Best U.S. High Schools. There are also 3 private schools in Carbondale.

Click here to read more about public schools in Carbondale.
Click here to read about private schools in Carbondale.

Getting around the area is easy thanks to the Saluki Express bus and the Jackson County Mass Transit system.

Shopping options in Carbondale are eclectic, fun, and varied with something for every interest. Locally-owned specialty shops sell vinyl records, gifts, comics, home decor, clothing, and shoes, while familiar brands like Claire's and Old Navy can be found at the University Mall. Big-box stores such as Kohl's, Walmart, and T.J. Maxx adds to the shopping options.

Arts and cultural options abound in Carbondale with museums and live performances for everyone. For art and historical displays, you can visit the SIU University Museum, located on the Southern University Illinois campus. The collections are varied, covering the arts, sciences, and humanities with over 4,000 objects in the arts alone. It's one of the most engaging museums in the area and is a must-visit. History lovers and those interested in American heritage should stop into General John A. Logan Museum to learn about Carbondale during the Civil War. For young ones interested in science and nature, there's the Science Center. This hands-on museum features more than 50 exhibits you can climb on, touch, and play with, all in a kid-friendly space. There's even a 100-square-foot dinosaur dig area.

Several venues around Carbondale make the arts and entertainment world come alive. Artspace 304 is a space that rotates exhibits of local artists and holds special events including concerts, gallery shows, and lectures. Project Human X is a gallery and art center that encourages free expression and creativity with paint nights and exhibits. For the performing arts, Carbondale is a great place to be. Housed in a historic movie theatre, The Varsity Center is at the heart of the cultural scene as it offers live music and film screenings. The Stage Company, a community theatre company, is also part of The Varsity Center and presents several comedies, musicals, and dramas each year. Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra makes orchestra music appealing for all ages with its seasonal series of concerts, plus the annual Southern Illinois Musical Festival. This 2-day event includes concertos, jazz, classical selections for kids, and opera.

Carbondale is well-known for its outdoor recreation. It was named one of the Top 200 Towns for Sportsmen by Outdoor Magazine and is a paradise for outdoor lovers. Owned and maintained by the conservation organization Green Earth, Carbondale features 6 nature preserves. Each preserve offers daylight hiking trails around 1.0 miles long and is a perfect place to see Carbondale's beauty. You can wander through wooded trails, go bird watching, and just enjoy a relaxing experience out there. The Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge is located less than 20 minutes away and has 9,000 acres worth of water to fish. Guided tours and educational events are available to teach visitors about the various animals and their habitats that can be found here. Several smaller city parks are in Carbondale and feature sports fields, tennis courts, and playgrounds.

Cedar Lake, the city reservoir, is located just outside Carbondale and is a public beach area. Popular with swimmers, boaters, kayakers, and fishers, it's a great place to cool off in the summer months. The beach features swim, play, and floating areas, plus lap lanes are marked off for lap swimmers. If you'd rather swim in a pool, then Carbondale's Super Splash Park is for you. With an 8-lane lap pool, water slide, leisure pool, and lazy river, the park is great for water fun.

Illinois is a diverse state and Carbondale is one of its most diverse areas. Nearly 10% of all Carbondale residents were born outside of the United States, which makes the area an exciting place to live. There are a couple of international grocery stores that sell products from a variety of regions. Each year, Southern Illinois University celebrates the diversity of the region with International Fest, an event with food, demonstrations, and a flag parade.

Carbondale is safe for families. The city has 65 sworn officers who protect the city in 24-hour shifts. Carbondale Police Department offers several community programs for crime prevention as well.