Discover Metropolis: Superman and the Discovery Trail

Metropolis combines Superman attractions and recurring events with an extensive biking and walking trail. So when planning your trip, first consider what brings you here: Do you want Superman to be the focus of your stay, would you like to plan around an event, or are you looking to cover a longer distance?

Superman Sites in Metropolis

The Super Museum opened in 1993 at Superman Square in Metropolis. Superman Square is home to a 15-foot-tall bronze statue of Superman, making it a good spot for photos. Both attractions are at the same named square, so you can treat the museum and photo stop as one themed part of your itinerary. A statue of Noel Neill as Lois Lane also stands a few blocks from the Superman statue. Superman and Supergirl cutouts can be found at many locations throughout Metropolis. The visible Superman references therefore range from the named museum and the bronze statue at the square to the Lois Lane statue and cutouts distributed around town. You can decide in advance whether these different attractions will be the main focus, or whether you would also like to make room for an event and the trail.

Events and Timing Your Trip

The Superman Celebration takes place every summer in Metropolis. Each year, fans can meet film and television actors associated with Superman at the event. Every June, a classic car show takes place in Metropolis in connection with Superman Days. When planning, distinguish between the events: the classic car show is associated with Superman Days, while the actor meet-and-greets take place as part of the Superman Celebration. Since exact event dates can change, check the specific dates before setting your travel dates.

The Trail and Historical Context

The 8.7-mile George Rogers Clark Discovery Trail is a trail for biking and walking. It connects Metropolis and Brookport and runs through Massac County and Fort Massac State Park. Unlike individual Superman attractions, it connects different places: at 8.7 miles, it is a longer route that you can include in your plans on foot or by bike. Allow time based on your chosen mode of travel and your own pace. For travelers who use kilometers rather than miles, the stated total length is approximately 14 kilometers. This makes it easier to put the full length of the biking and walking trail in perspective using a familiar scale.

Getting There by Car

For travel by car, Interstate 24 Exit 37 leads directly to Metropolis via Highway 45. You can plan the drive as a separate step and decide whether to focus on Superman attractions, an event, or the trail.

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