Recreation
Rend Lake, with 162 miles of shoreline and 19,000 acres of water area offers the Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park. This facility offers a restaurant, marina, boatel, convenience store, cabins, and bait and tackle store.
Visitors can enjoy boating, water skiing, and swimming while in the water. In addition, there are camping, picnicking and restroom facilities provided at different locations around the lake. Spectacular fishing, hunting, and golfing are also available.
Benton offers theatres, bowling, skating, and a number of activities at the Benton Community Park. The park district was formed in July 1974, when 109 acres of land, in the southwestern part of town, adjacent to I-57 were purchased. The entire park is lighted including ball fields, tennis courts, public restrooms, and shelters. The park has a very active summer program for all age levels with 500 participants in various ball leagues.

Hunting & Fishing
Hunting & Fishing licenses may be purchased at several sporting-good shops and other locations in the area. For specific information regarding licensing, open seasons, limits, and legal areas contact the Department of Conservation--Division of Fish and Wildlife at (618) 435-8138 or Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park in Whittington, IL at (618) 629-2320.

Accommodations
Benton has four motels within the city limits. Just north of town there is a resort, boatel, townhouses and cabins overlooking Rend Lake. Camping is available at several facilities also.

Tourist Attractions
The Franklin County Historic Jail and Museum, at 209 West Main Street in Benton, serve s as a tourist information center and headquarters for the Franklin County Tourism Bureau. This 1905 structure represents a metaphor of the gang and prohibition era which existed in Franklin county during the 1902's era. There is also a tribute to General John A. Logan. A "Hall of Fame" features former Benton natives such as actor John Malkovich, NBA basketball star Doug Collins, and Beatles music star George Harrison.
Built in 1910 as a Ford Garage, the Franklin County Garage, at 211 North Main Street in Benton, has been faithfully restored to its original condition. On display are vintage cars and the belt driven machinery used in their repair. The museum also depicts items and events with historic connections to the Jail Museum. Also housed in this building is the Chamber of Commerce office.
Benton Community Park District is one of the most beautifully landscaped public parks in Southern Illinois. Activities abound from spring through fall. Located at 600 S. DuQuoin Street, make this a must see stop.