2020 Great Rivers & Routes Travel Guide by Great Rivers & Routes

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2020 TRAVEL GUIDE

A LOT MORE OF

MORE JACKPOTS

MORE FOOD

MORE GAMES

ArgosyAlton.com | 1 Piasa Street, Alton, IL | 1-800-711-GAME Must be 21. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537).

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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5l GREAT ESCAPES THINGS TO DO

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OUR TOWNS

MUST SEE PLACES

escapes IN SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS

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31 l HIDDEN GEMS ON ROUTE 66 33 l TRAVEL THROUGH TIME 67 l FAMILY ESCAPES 85 l SIGNATURE EVENTS facebook.com/RiversandRoutes @RiversandRoutes

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FOUR SEASONS OF FUN

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FEAST ON IT DINING

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SPEND THE NIGHT LODGING

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LOCAL LEGENDS

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WHAT'S IN STORE SHOPPING

PHOTO CREDITS: Cover Photo: Mark Ahlvers, Marty McKay, Dennis Woods/Southwestern Aerial & Megan Fairless Inside Photos: Scott Evers, Mark Meyer, Ryan Hanlon, John Locus, Dustin Thacker, Andrew Dobson, Mike Cruz, Mike Stout, Jack Rainey, Candice Watson, Ashley Scroggins, Deanna Barnes, Alex Pax, JED Photo Art, @kitty.lawrence, @mi_anor, @talia.ogliore,@Model.N.Q.Kiunoichi, @billy716, @creativemichael, @mandyb.1786, @MidwesternMeanderer 80M â&#x20AC;¢ 12/19

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DI IT’S TIME.

Time to journey to a land like no

ESCAPE

other, Great Rivers & Routes. Where

to a route where a giant pink elephant, a larger than life catsup bottle, and decadent pies welcome weary travelers along America’s Mother Road, Route 66. Break away from day-to-day routines with a retreat to a historic Mississippi River town serving up hospitality in classic bed and breakfast inns surrounded by paths less traveled to…

rivers run mighty and deep and paved roads tell a story about the past that merges seamlessly into the present. A place where legends and myths, history and haunts, come to life. Just outside St. Louis in southwest Illinois, it’s time to begin your next great…

Great Rivers & Routes

ESCAPE XPLORE DREAM ISCOVER EXPLORE

DREAM

DISCOVER

one of America’s first cities, created in 900 A.D., and now this ancient site is one of 24 World Heritage Sites in the U.S. Cross the Mississippi River on a historic Route 66 bridge that features a weird bend in the middle. Or see for yourself if ‘forest-bathing’ works at one of Illinois’ largest state parks then spend the night in a nearby cabin for a well-earned rest and …

of a relaxing getaway driving along historic Route 66 and retracing an era that harkens back to a simpler way of life. Drift along the mighty Mississippi River on a cruise or take the longer route by car and travel the 33-mile stretch of the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway, one of the most breathtaking drives in the country just waiting for you to…

Great Rivers & Routes of Southwest Illinois and the six counties and over 35 communities just outside St. Louis that illuminate the region with nature and nostalgia; history and heritage; fun and adventure. Find your next great escape here!

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GREAT OUTDOOR

Escapes

Shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t every great escape include an outdoor adventure? Imagine leaving the day-to-day world behind and soaring through the tree tops on the Mississippi River bluffs. Or picture yourself in a replica fur trader's canoe paddling along the banks of the area's three mighty rivers. Work off some stress by pedaling along lakeside trails on a bicycle leaping over fallen logs and landing safely on a bed of soft underbrush. Let the siren song of escape and its sister anthem of adventure harmonizing throughout the Great Rivers & Routes region galvanize your next great escape. Listen as it sails along the breezes and hums along the roads and rivers guiding you to unparalleled fun. Create your own album of breathtaking, exhilarating, and sure to be memorable adventures just minutes from St. Louis in southwest Illinois.

Great Rivers & Routes

UP, UP &

away

PLAN AN ADVENTURE SOARING THROUGH THE TREETOPS HUNDREDS OF FEET ABOVE THE HILLS AND HOLLOWS OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER COMMUNITY OF GRAFTON.

TRAVEL TIP: Make it an overnight adventure with a weekend getaway. Aerie’s offers overnight packages for couples and families. Go to: Aeriesresort.com for more information.

Grafton Zipline Adventures offers a 7-line, two hour canopy tour available for adventurers of all ages. Catch your breath as you ride from bluff to bluff traveling at a maximum speed of 45 miles per hour. Enjoy the Ridge Runner, Deer Hollow, Soaring Eagle (the highest cable), Crow’s Nest, TreeHouse Leap (the longest cable), Distillery Pass and Creek Hopper (the fastest cable) lines on an experience that includes stunning views, rope bridges, trails and a surprise ending.

It’s easier than ever to see the breathtaking views of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers from the top of the bluffs with the newly opened Grafton SkyTour Aerial Lift. Take a leisurely ride 300 feet high along a 1,500 foot path up the bluff from the base of Main Street in Grafton to the top and Aerie’s Resort. Open air chair lifts and enclosed gondolas are available. “People can enjoy the breathtaking views of the region while taking a relaxing ride to see all the amenities and activities Aerie’s has to offer,” according to JD Lorton, Director of Operations for Aerie’s Resort. At the top, enjoy some of the best views in the Midwest. The Winery at Aerie’s Resort perches on the top edge of the bluff and is open for dining or enjoying a beverage of choice while drinking in the views.

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BORN TO BE

Wild

THERE’S A LOT OF NOISE IN THE WORLD TODAY. CELL PHONES, COMPUTERS, TELEVISIONS, RADIOS. YOU NAME IT, IT’S OUT THERE AND IT’S LOUD.

Plan an escape to unplug and unwind. Trade in the glow of a computer screen for the glow of a sunset. Turn off the radio and turn on the sounds of leaves crunching underfoot and the calls of birds cascading through the air. Discover a natural wonderland of outdoor escapes available throughout the six county Great Rivers & Routes region. From state parks to nature centers, birding areas to nature sanctuaries, the region has the perfect natural getaway.

PERE MARQUETTE STATE PARK 13112 Visitor Center Lane • Grafton

Famous for its size and its history, Pere Marquette State Park has become a destination for those eager for a rustic retreat. More than 8,000 acres make up the park which includes bike trails, hiking trails, equestrian trails, camping, rock climbing and hunting. Named for an adventurous French missionary, Pere Jacques Marquette, who reportedly stopped off at what is now Pere Marquette State Park in 1673 during his quest to discover a route to the Pacific Ocean by way of the Mississippi River. The park sits on the edges of the Illinois River and along the Great River Road. The massive limestone bluffs along the river, formed by ancient glaciers, are now the ideal spots for rock climbers of all skill levels. A climbing area has been established in the park featuring 40 routes on highly featured limestone formations. Titanium bolts are in place for sport, traditional and top rope climbs. Crunch through the leaves and lush forests on over 12 miles of hiking trails laced throughout the park. The scenic trails are geared towards beginning and experienced hikers. Camping and picnic areas are also available throughout the park. Camp sites with electrical hook ups, tent camping, rent a camp cabins and organized group camps are available. The park is a hot spot for eagle watching in the winter months and reportedly is the site of some Native American burial mounds. RiversandRoutes.com

Despite its name, Beaver Dam State Park wasn’t built by furry semiaquatic animals creating their signature dams. In fact, it was originally established as a private fishing club by a group of local investors more than 100 years ago. It later became a private resort catering to visitors arriving by train on the defunct Chicago and Alton Railroad and was purchased by Illinois in 1947 becoming a state park. The 750-acre state park, located a scant seven miles south of Carlinville, is now a popular fishing, picnicking, hiking and camping spot for those eager to getaway. Home to a variety of wildlife including deer, fox, raccoons, wild turkeys and even a few White Squirrels, the park sits in an oak/hickory woodland.

BEAVER DAM STATE PARK 14548 Beaver Dam Lane • Plainview

Eight miles of hiking trails circle the artificial lake. For the more adventurous, there is an archery range and cross country skiing is a popular winter activity.

Along the famed American Bottoms in southwest Illinois, the Mississippi River meandered a bit and created what is now Horseshoe Lake. This oxbow lake, covering 2,400 acres, is the second largest natural lake in Illinois, eclipsed only by Lake Michigan. Surrounding the lake is another 560 acres which together make up Horseshoe Lake State Park. Camping, picnicking, hiking, cross country skiing and more are available at the park. Four miles of trails wander through the natural vegetation at the park which is known for its shorebird habitat and fishing opportunities. Horseshoe Lake State Park has connections to Madison County Transit’s Schoolhouse Trail.

HORSESHOE LAKE STATE PARK 3321 Highway 111 • Granite City

High on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River and lush with native prairie grasses, waterfalls and hiking trails sits 450 acres of land under the conservation and environmental guidance of The Nature Institute. Tallgrass prairie, oak savannas, wetlands and limestone bluffs offer dazzling views. Miles of trails, open to the public, feature small streams, a waterfall, upland forest and hill prairies. (Note: trails are closed to the public from December through March for restoration.)

THE NATURE INSTITUTE

2213 S. Levis Lane • Godfrey

Great Rivers & Routes

A bird watcher’s paradise, researchers have identified more than 150 species of nesting and migratory birds. It is a winter home to the American Bald Eagle and a den site for Eastern Timber Rattlesnakes.

Relax in a wooden porch rocker overlooking Ellis Bay and the mighty Mississippi River on the wrap around deck of the visitor center and reconnect with nature – and birds – just minutes from the hustle and bustle of nearby cities and towns. Located smack dab in the middle of the Mississippi Flyway, a superhighway for migrating birds, the center is home to 3,700 acres of protected land along the Mississippi River. More than 8 miles of hiking trails wind through the area known as the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Walk along the Mississippi River on the Ellis Island Trail or step it up a notch by kayaking, paddle boarding or canoeing on the bay itself. The center has viewing scopes inside which offer amazing close-up views of wintering American Bald Eagles and Trumpeter Swans. There is also an Avian Observatory providing intimate views of water birds. More than 300 varieties of songbirds and waterfowl either live or migrate through the sanctuary on an annual basis.

AUDUBON CENTER AT RIVERLANDS 301 Riverlands Way • West Alton

An abandoned sewage lagoon in Edwardsville has been transformed into an award-winning nature center. The Watershed Nature Center has risen from its humble beginnings as a filled lagoon, into 40 acres of forest, prairie and wetland habitats. Paved walking trails and a raised marsh walk surround the welcome center which is home to an educational and environmental classroom. The trails are open year round from dawn to dusk.

WATERSHED NATURE CENTER 1591 Tower Ave. • Edwardsville

If it’s bluebirds you want to see, Bremer Sanctuary located just outside Hillsboro is the place to go. Home to the Hickory Hills Chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society, the sanctuary is also home to scores of Eastern Bluebirds. Well-groomed trails wind through the prairie and woodlands that make up the 203 acre site. The 50-box Bluebird Trail is a great place to watch for native birds and prairie wildflowers. Guided tours via tractor-pulled wagon rides are available for groups with stops at viewing platforms.

H&B BREMER WILDLIFE SANCTUARY 194 Bremer Lane • Butler

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Escape to Lake Lou Yaeger in Litchfield, just minutes from iconic Route 66, for a relaxing outdoor experience. While the 1,357-acre lake is the centerpiece of the recreation area, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more to do than swimming, boating and fishing. The surrounding 4,641 acres of land offer access to trails, camping, a conservation area and public beach. Make it an overnight stay at the lake. Primitive tent camping to more sophisticated RV overnight sites are available along with camping cabins that sleep four and have a personal fire pit. Check out the Route 66 Hike & Bike Trail, a tribute to the road that runs through the city. A round trip walk or ride on the trail is about 6.6 miles. Just to make sure no one gets lost, trail markers and maps are handy.

LAKE LOU YAEGER

4943 Beach House Trail â&#x20AC;˘ Litchfield

For those who want to escape with their horse companions, the lake has tent and trailer campgrounds for equestrian visitors. There are also 25 miles of equestrian trails that cut through the woods and around the lake. Trails range from beginner to advanced.

TRAVEL TIP: Make sure to bring water and food if you head out on Lake Lou Yaeger trails. Bug spray, basic first aid items, binoculars and a camera are also suggested.

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Take a step back in time at the Willoughby Heritage Farm and Conservation Reserve in Collinsville. This carefully preserved city park has tractors, barns, a 1930’s Craftsman-style farm house and live animals. More than 30 acres complete the wildlife preserve with hiking trails, bridges and scenic vistas surrounding the property. Once a working farm, Willoughby Heritage Farm offers a variety of educational programming including guided tours of the Nature Walk area, Farm Animals, Beekeeping and more.

WILLOUGHBY HERITAGE FARM AND CONSERVATION RESERVE 631 Willoughby Lane • Collinsville

Nestled in the hills and valleys of rural Greene County, Doe Run Education Works is a 55 acre wooded classroom. The site has more than three miles of hiking trails featuring fresh water habitats. A picnic site and primitive camping area are also available on the property. Trails are open by appointment to the public and are free of charge. Pets on leashes are allowed. Conservation events and outdoor classroom activities are held seasonally.

DOE RUN EDUCATION WORKS 1561 N.W. 175 Ave. • Roodhouse

Litchfield

Visit

Have a Yaeger Day! LAKE LOU YAEGER | 1400 ACRES | 5.5 MILES OF WATER

VisitLitchfield.com 866-733-5833 RiversandRoutes.com

SADDLE UP! 13 Great Rivers & Routes

Kent Jackson knows the hills and valleys, streams and trails at Pere Marquette State Park better than most. You could say the park is in his blood. He also knows horses. Jackson, the owner of Pere Marquette Riding Stables, has combined those skills to give visitors a chance to see the park from a new perspective – on horseback. “I really enjoy seeing people get on a horse, sometimes for the first time, and go for a ride,” Jackson said. “There have been times when kids will start crying when they get on a horse because they’ve never done this before. By the time they come in off the ride they are smiling and happy. They are a totally different kid.”

The riding stable sits on the park’s southeastern edge. A total of 20 quarter horses are at the stable and 10 are saddled daily and ready for 45 to 50-minute trail rides that wind over 2 ½ miles. Riders have rare views of deer, turkeys and red tail hawks in their natural habitats. At the same time, riders enjoy unparalleled views of the park as horses climb trails over hills and on the edges of ravines and meandering streams. Pere Marquette State Park was Jackson’s boyhood backyard – literally. He grew up at the current riding stable location. His grandparents managed the park’s historic lodge and conference center for 15 years. And his parents started the riding stable in 1969 and left in 1979. Jackson took over the stable in 1995 and hasn’t looked back.

“Every day is different here,” he mused. “We’ve had people come out and propose to their girlfriends. And there was a film shoot for ‘Farmers Want A Wife’ here once. We have a lot of repeat riders. Families come out once and then keep coming back year after year. Some come to see the leaves in the fall and some just come out to ride the horses.”

For more information about pricing for trail rides, pony rides, evening carriage rides or hay rides, call (618) 786-2156 or go to: Graftontrailrides.com

In addition to trail rides, Jackson recently started offering horse drawn carriage rides with evening bonfires at Pere Marquette Lodge. Hot dogs, s’mores, hot chocolate and music are part of the experience as people gather around a glowing bonfire. The carriage rides are available on weekends during September and October. Carriage rides are also available by reservation at the park.

TRAVEL TIP: Trail rides are available May through early November. Reservations are strongly encouraged.

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Wanderlust Grab your hiking boots. Throw the bicycle into the car. It’s time to discover some of the best hiking and biking trails in the region. Just minutes from St. Louis in southwest Illinois, there are more than 200 miles of trails providing primitive get-back-to-nature experiences or more precisely paved paths winding through the famous American Bottoms. Abandoned railroad tracks and levees along the rivers have been repurposed into well-traveled trails throughout Madison County connecting Edwardsville, Collinsville, Alton and Grafton and extending north into Macoupin County. The scenic views of the prairies, woodlands and rivers can be enjoyed on foot or on two wheels. Take your escape to the next level and hike along rustic trails crisscrossing the nearby parks and nature centers.

Spend five days biking 200 miles on the Madison County Transit Trail system. Crossroads Bikes takes groups on one of the longest paved bike trail systems in the country. The path includes biking along the banks of the Mississippi River, a visit to the Lewis & Clark State Historic Site, and a visit to Grafton, a Mississippi River town. The tours are offered April through July and again in September and October.

For a more sophisticated experience, guided bicycle tours of the region are offered by Crossroads Bike Tours. Specialized tours spanning one to five days are available in addition to themed tours including Wine Rides, Get the Family Out to Ride, Bikes, Horses and Ziplines.

Crossroads Bike Tours grew out of Harris’s love of biking combined with the beauty found in the region. He said he wants to share his passion for both on bike rides.

“The tours are for people who want fun, beauty, relaxation and pampering while they ride,” Luke Harris, owner of the relatively new bicycle touring company says. “Our tours include specific routes, overnight stays, meals and transportation.”

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“I’ve been riding the local trails for years. I have found that people really enjoy how paved the trails are, how smooth and the fact that they go over or under major highways. Safety is a big thing for people and the trails are very safe. In fact, people can’t believe they are riding through metro areas because the trails are so scenic and tree-filled,” he points out.

Wander without purpose or reason – Anonymous Harris has found that people enjoy the short two hour tours as much as they do the rides that stretch over several days. He said people from outside Illinois have heard about the trails and contact him for a tour. “My goal is to bring people in from outside the area and show them what we have,” he says. “I really like the change of pace the bike tours have. “It’s a relaxing time and the speed is so different from the business world. Plus I have the chance to get to know people. That’s nice.

TRAVEL TIP: Bikes can be rented for large groups or people arriving from out of state. Go to CrossroadsBikeTours.com to plan your biking escape.

RiversandRoutes.com

A TRAIL RUNS THROUGH IT NATURE & HIKING TRAILS n

Off the Beaten Path

TWO RIVERS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

364 Wildlife Conservation Rd. • Brussels • (618) 883-2524

This federal refuge is an important link for migrating birds. The 3-mile Gilbert Lake trail is a gravel path along the Illinois River and a great place to see wildlife. n

MCCULLY HERITAGE PROJECT

592 Crawford Creek Rd. • Kampsville • (618) 653-4687 More than 15 miles of trails wind through the 940 acres of this Calhoun County scenic wonderland. Access to horseback riding trails is available with advance arrangements. n

GLAZEBROOK PARK

1401 Stamper Ln. • Godfrey • (618) 466-1483 Enjoy 3 miles of walking trails in this scenic city park featuring two ponds, and in the fall, the Great Godfrey Corn Maze. n

LAVISTA PARK TO CLIFTON TERRACE PARK

2421 W. Delmar • Godfrey • (618) 466-1483

Walk the 1-mile trail along the Mississippi River bluffs. The trail winds through wooded areas and alongside a creek as it makes its way down to the waters of the Mississippi River.

BIKING & HIKING TRAILS n

MCT BLUFF TRAIL New Poag Rd, Edwardsville

CONFLUENCE BIKE TRAIL Alton to Granite City

This 20.5 mile paved trail follows the Mississippi River from the river city of Alton to Granite City. Stops include the National Great Rivers Museum, Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower, and the Lewis & Clark State Historic Site.

Walk among the trickling streams of the Oriental Garden Trail or The Nature Institute’s Prairie Trail. Stop and smell the roses in the Nan Elliott Memorial Rose Garden. n

JOE GLIK PARK

710 E. Lake Dr. • Edwardsville • (618) 692-7538 The largest park in Edwardsville at 42 acres, enjoy hiking, biking or skating on the park trails. There are two lakes and recreational facilities also available. n

TRI-TOWNSHIP PARK

410 Wickliffe St. • Troy • (618) 667-6887 Nearly two miles of trails circle Troy’s signature park. The ag-lime surfaces also extend around the high school football area creating a 2 ½ mile track. n

THE GARDENS AT SIUE

6 Arboretum Ln. • Edwardsville • (618) 650-3070 Paved and mulch paths wind through the scenic 36-acre botanical gardens. A half-mile paved loop is ADA accessible. The Shade Stroll Path, a mulch trail, takes visitor through wooded areas to explore understory plantings.

TRAVEL TIP: Be sure to walk or ride across the historic Old Chain of Rocks Bridge for breathtaking views of the Mississippi River.

MCT GOSHEN TRAIL Edwardsville & Glen Carbon

Ten tunnels and a 175-foot bridge are just some of the highlights of this scenic 8-mile trail connection from Troy to Edwardsville/Glen Carbon trails. n

MCT NATURE TRAIL Edwardsville & Granite City

This well-traveled 15-mile paved trail winds through the woods, spans local creeks and is a favorite hangout for wildlife. n

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GORDON MOORE PARK

4550 College Ave. • Alton • (618) 463-3580

From the edges of historic Route 66 to the Mississippi River near St. Louis, Madison County Transit has well over 100 miles of trails designed to suit any hiking or biking requirement.

Travel the Great American Bottoms’ ancient bluff line on two miles of paved trails on the SIUE campus. n

Great hiking and biking escapes come in all shapes and sizes. Choose your next adventure from the options here.

MCT NICKEL PLATE TRAIL

New Douglas to Pontoon Beach

Stretching over 28 miles across farmland, woods and urban areas, this combination paved and limestone trail passes near Glen Carbon’s Miner Park and the Edwardsville Children’s Museum.

For more information on these hiking and biking experiences, go to: RiversandRoutes.com

MCT QUERCUS GROVE TRAIL

Staunton, Hamel, Worden & Edwardsville

Historic Route 66 communities are connected by this 18.9 mile paved and limestone trail. Start in Staunton on the north end and finish your trek in Edwardsville. Stop in at Weezy’s in Hamel or the Yellow Dog Café & Bar in Worden for refreshments. n

MCT RONALD J. FOSTER HERITAGE TRAIL

Glen Carbon

Explore the historic community of Glen Carbon along this paved 12-mile trail. Highlights include the Glen Carbon Covered Bridge and connections to local parks. n

GREAT RIVERS BIRD & BIKE TRAIL Hartford to Grafton

View migrating warblers, herons, egrets and hundreds of other birds native to the region on this Missouri Audubon endorsed trail. n

ALTON BIKE TRAIL

A short jaunt along Alton’s historic riverfront is available on this 0.78 trail located in Riverfront Park. This trail serves as a connector between the Confluence Bike Trail and Sam Vadalabene Bike Trails.

SAM VADALABENE BIKE TRAIL Alton to Grafton

An awe-inspiring 20-mile paved trail running parallel to the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway. Stretching from Alton to Pere Marquette State Park, the trail hugs the base of towering limestone bluffs and provides breathtaking views of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. RiversandRoutes.com

AHOY MATEY! IT’S NOT UNUSUAL TO SEE SAILBOATS, PONTOONS AND PLEASURE BOATS SKIP ACROSS THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER SHARING THE WATERS WITH MASSIVE BARGES AND LOCAL FERRIES. Spending time on the Mississippi and Illinois rivers has become a major recreational activity for residents and visitors alike in the Great Rivers & Routes region. Make your escape to the rivers and glide along sparkling waters taking in spectacular views of the massive limestone river bluffs and seeing the area in an entirely new light.

At the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, Grafton Harbor has boating adventures designed to fit all comfort levels. The 49-passenger excursion boat, the Hakuna Matata, sails throughout the spring, summer and fall with hour-long sightseeing and lengthier sunset dinner cruises. The boat has a 360-degree open air top deck and an enclosed mid-deck. Pontoon boat rentals are available at the harbor for longer excursions on the river. Jet ski’s can also be rented on site. Grafton Harbor, a 5-Anchor facility, floats on top of the rivers' waters. Located at Mile Marker 0 on the Illinois River, it sits directly on the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi. A gift shop, floating winery, outdoor bar, swimming pool, laundry, shower facilities and Grafton Oyster Bar restaurant complete the harbor’s river experience. Transient and permanent slips are available for boaters. A few nautical miles south of Grafton, boaters can drop their anchors at the Alton Marina. A 5-Anchor marina, the facility offers transient and permanent slips for boat owners. The marina has a scenic setting along the city’s riverfront in the shadow of the iconic Clark Bridge.

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Alton Marina is full to the gunwales with boating amenities. Both permanent and transient boaters are treated to a full concierge service, from dock to boat, for boaters. “It’s room service to your boat,” says Karen Baker-Brncic, marina manager. A large swimming pool, sundeck, convenience store, deli and outdoor patio are also part of the marina’s charm. Don’t miss the Alton Marina annual anniversary party, open to the public, and held the last Saturday in August. It boasts live music, food and drinks. For a change of pace, take a scenic Mississippi River cruise on an authentic paddlewheel river boat. The Spirit of Peoria sails into the region each year and has morning, afternoon, lunch and dinner cruises. The boat’s schedule will be limited in 2020 due to updates on Illinois River locks and dams. Or book your full Mississippi River cruise with American Cruise Lines, which makes Alton its newest homeport. The cruise line brings its replica paddlewheel boats with modern amenities to the city’s historic riverfront for boarding and deboarding passengers. Themed cruises are available for music, history and culinary aficionados. For more information, or to book a cruise, go to: AmericanCruiseLines.com

TRAVEL TIP: For a complete schedule of cruises on board the Hakuna Matata or The Spirit of Peoria, go to: RiversandRoutes.com/cruises.

MAGNIFICENT MARINA FEATURES INCLUDE: Floating Docks Luxury Bathrooms Full Service Fuel Satellite TV & Wi-Fi Swimming Pool & Hot Tub Laundry Convenience Store & Deli Much More!

(618) 462-9860

Great Transient Rates Available | Reservations Encouraged

5 Anchor Marina with Deluxe Amenities! Amazing Winery, Restaurant and Gift Shop Boat Rentals Riverboat Cruises: Corporate, Wine, Sunset Haunted & Fall Colors Wedding Ceremonies and More! Come check out the Oyster Bar and our Floating Winery!

618-786-7678 | GraftonHarbor.com | 215 West Water Street | Grafton, Illinois RiversandRoutes.com

COOL OFF

TRAVEL TIP

Check out area hotels for special deals on overnight packages which include admission to local water parks.

Trade in the four walls of an indoor office for the wide open spaces, sun and fun of two area water parks. Raging Rivers in Grafton and Collinsville Aqua Park have refreshing, relaxing and adventurous summer distractions for all ages. Make a splash at the Collinsville Aqua Park located at 10 Gateway Dr., in the city’s Convention Center District. With seven water slides, a lazy river, leisure pool and lap pool, Aqua Climb Wall and Monsoon Mountain, water fun is in store for all ages. The Aqua Park’s leisure pool has zero depth entry and a wide array of activities including two slides (one open and one enclosed that are three stories high), a water fortress play area where you can jostle waves, shoot water streams and take a 9-foot enclosed slide into 2-feet of water. Monsoon Mountain is a 50-foot tall water castle of fun. Five slides of varying shapes along with buckets and hoses for dousing friends and family are available. And the mountain unleashes its 500 gallons of water on anyone below every five minutes. While Collinsville Aqua Park does charge admission, there is free parking, free inner tubes for the lazy river and free life jackets. Concessions are available on site. No outside food or drinks are allowed. The park is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Ride a “Run Away Raft”, escape from the jaws of a shark and swirl through the Swirlpools at Raging Rivers Water Park, 100 Palisades Parkway, Grafton. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, the 28-acre water park has a Cascade Body Flume, Endless River, Itty Bitty Surf City and a wave pool. Three different concession stands operate at the park including the Casa Grande Restaurant, Riverside Grill and Sunshine Café serving up hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, salad, Mexican meals, Dippin Dots and more. The Port Of Call Gift Shop has swim suits, fun

in the sun supplies and more. No outside food or drinks are allowed in the park. Picnic areas are located outside the park in the parking areas. Raging Rivers Water Park is open Memorial Day through Labor Day.

ESCAPE THE SUMMER HEAT AT THESE AREA POOLS AND SPLASH PADS: Leon Corlew Splash Pad, Edwardsville; Edwardsville Glen Carbon Community Pool; Roxana Community Pool; Donor Pool, Jerseyville; Litchfield Memorial Pool; Central Park Pool, Hillsboro; Carlinville Public Pool.

28 acres of fun in the sun! Wave Pool • Tree House Harbor Endless River • Body Flumes SwirlPools • Itty Bitty Surf City

1-618-786-2345 • www.ragingrivers.com Located on the Great River Road in Grafton, Illinois.

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INDOOR ESCAPES Let’s face it. The weather doesn’t always cooperate. Which means you can’t always play outside. That’s just fine in the Great Rivers & Routes region where a wealth of indoor adventures await. From escape rooms to laser tag, high bouncing trampoline fun, indoor rock climbing and even edgier axe throwing, there is no shortage of options.

THE AXE COMPANY

20B Kettle River Dr. • Glen Carbon (618) 650-9053

Think you have what it takes to throw an axe at a target? The Axe Company gives guests age 12 and older that chance. You can even bring your own beverages… just not into the throwing pen. Walk in target throwing is available but reservations are recommended. Theaxecoedw.com

EDISON’S ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX 2477 S. State Rt. 157 • Edwardsville (618) 307-9020

Boutique bowling, a laser tag arena and more than 65 arcade games are just a few of the activities at Edison’s Entertainment Complex. Food and drinks are also available in casual indoor and outdoor facilities. After 10:30 p.m., Edison’s is open to guests 18 and older only. edisonsfun.com

MORE ENTERTAINING OPTIONS n

4 Erwin Plegge Blvd. • Bethalto (618) 377-2131

Jump to new heights on the wall-to-wall trampolines that make up Altitude Trampoline Park’s indoor adventures. Try out the Ninja Warrior course, play Extreme Dodgeball, Trampoline Basketball, or just take a dive – into a Foam Pit filled with 15,000 foam cubes. altitudeglencarbon.com

SAFE ESCAPE ROOMS

15 Junction Dr. • Glen Carbon 618-692-5540

BOWL HAVEN LANES

3003 Washington Ave. • Alton (618) 465-2695

CAMELOT BOWL

801 Beltline Rd. • Collinsville (618) 344-8610

COLLINSVILLE MARYVILLE TROY YMCA 1 Town Center Dr. • Maryville (618) 346-5600

EAST ALTON ICE ARENA

631 Lewis And Clark Blvd. • East Alton (618) 254-7465 n

EDWARDSVILLE YMCA MEYER CENTER

7348 Goshen Rd. • Edwardsville (618) 655-1460 n

EDWARDSVILLE YMCA NIEBUR CENTER 1200 Esic Dr. • Edwardsville (618) 656-0436

FUSION FITNESS & AQUATICS

1210 E. Tremont St. • Hillsboro (217) 532-3896 n

KNISLEY’S HILLSBORO BOWL

217 N. Main St. • Hillsboro (217) 532-9384 n

LITCHFIELD BOWLING INC. 3320 Il Rt. 16 • Litchfield (217) 250-2047

LOADING DOCK ICE RINK 401 E. Front St. • Grafton (618) 786-3494

MARVEL THEATRE 1 & 2 228 W. Main St. • Carlinville (217) 854-8016

RIVERBEND AXE THROWING

205 Eastgate Plaza • East Alton (618) 471-9050 n

SIUE COUGAR LANES

1 Hairpin Dr. • Edwardsville (618) 650-5263 n

SKY VIEW DRIVE IN THEATRE

1500 N. Historic Rt. 66 • Litchfield (217) 324-4451

BEAST ESCAPE ROOM

4517 State Rt. 159 • Glen Carbon (618) 530-7341

BING FIELD PAINTBALL AND AIRSOFT PARK 500 Bing Field Rd. • Alton (618) 692-8271

ALTON ROOM ESCAPE 319 Ridge St. • Alton (618) 876-9768

AMC EDWARDSVILLE 12

6633 Center Grove Rd. • Edwardsville (618) 659-7479

ESCAPE ROOMS There’s no pressure, but you only have 60 minutes to solve the riddles to escape themed rooms at these popular area escape rooms. Put your puzzle and riddle solving skills to the test.

AMC EASTGATE SHOWPLACE 6 625 Lewis and Clark Blvd. • East Alton (618) 254-6058

ALTITUDE TRAMPOLINE PARK 91 Fountain Dr. • Glen Carbon (618) 744-6959

AIRPORT PLAZA BOWL

TRI-COUNTY BOWL

207 Krause Dr. • Jerseyville (618) 498-5978

WESTSIDE CINEMA

1305 W. Hudson Dr. • Litchfield (217) 324-3113

RiversandRoutes.com

A-Lure-ing Fun RUMOR HAS IT THERE IS A 700 POUND CATFISH LIVING IN THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER NEAR ALTON. WHETHER THAT IS FACT OR FICTION, ANGLERS COME FROM FAR AND WIDE EAGER TO FIND OUT. Take your turn and cast a line in the Mighty Mississippi, Illinois and Missouri rivers to reel in channel catfish, largemouth bass and crappie. In surrounding lakes and ponds, there is no shortage of great places to reel in the catch of the day including crappie, bluegill, sunfish, trout and white bass. Fishing has become a popular pastime in the Great Rivers & Routes region for anglers of all ages. Here are just a few fishing ideas for a fishing getaway!

23 Great Rivers & Routes

DON’T TELL FISH STORIES WHERE THE PEOPLE KNOW YOU. PARTICULARLY, DON’T TELL THEM WHERE THEY KNOW THE FISH – Mark Twain

TWO RIVERS FAMILY FISHING FAIR

FISHING HOT SPOTS

Grafton • June

Spark a love for fishing in the kids during this day-long familyfriendly event. Held annually at Pere Marquette State Park in June. Favorites include a catch-andrelease bluegill pond, a bow-fishing station and a one-cast station where everyone is a winner. This is a free event and no license or fishing gear is needed.

FISHING DERBY AT LECLAIRE PARK Edwardsville • June

KING KAT CATFISH TOURNAMENT

Be sure to try your skills at these popular regional fishing holes:

Grafton • October

■ BEAVER

Bass Pro Shops Cabela’s presents this annual Mississippi River catfish tournament held in Grafton each October. The tournament features a weigh in, and a free fishing rodeo for kids. Teams of anglers from across the country take part. Winners have the chance to compete in the national King Kat Classic Tournament.

Let the kids try their skills at the annual Fishing Derby at Leclaire Park in Edwardsville.

LET’S GO FISHING

ALTON CATFISH CLASSIC

It’s all about fishing at this annual three day show which is dedicated to anyone who loves to fish. Check out the rods and reels, fishing boats, free seminars, live demos, kids activities and free fish pond. The highlight of the show for most is the “fishing tackle super-store.”

Alton • September

Grab your bait and test your fishing skills at this new fishing tournament. Last year’s winning catch of three fish weighed in at 96.56 pounds. A public weigh in is held on the city riverfront during the Alton Expo and includes 100 teams of up to three people per team. Grand prize is $15,000.

Gateway Convention Center Collinsville • January

DAM STATE PARK 14548 Beaver Dam Ln. Plainview (217) 854-8020 HORSESHOE LAKE STATE PARK 3321 Highway 111 • Granite City (618) 931-0270 ■

■ LAKE

LOU YAEGER 4943 Beach House Trl. Litchfield (217) 324-5832

Forgot your bait or need some new line? ■ BLUFF

CITY OUTDOORS 2813 E. Broadway St. • Alton (618) 465-6175 ■ DENNY’S

PACKAGE LIQUOR & BAIT SHOP 126 W. Ryder St. • Litchfield (217) 324-2628 LUTES BAIT & ESCAPE 1446 W. Main St. • Grafton (618) 786-4025 ■

RiversandRoutes.com

AWESOME

animals

Bobcats, pelicans, and bald eagles, oh my. ____ The Great Rivers & Routes region has its fair share of sanctuaries and animal parks for the region’s feathered and four-legged residents. And the best part? They are all free and open to the public. TreeHouse Wildlife Center, in rural Jersey County just north of the historic Village of Elsah, is a full service wildlife center committed to rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing injured and sick animals back in to the wild. During this process, many of the animals can be seen in cages and pens at the center. In situations when an injured animal can’t be released, they are trained as education ambassadors for the non-profit center. Meet Ed, a sassy White Pelican resident, and Einstein, a turkey vulture who has made a name for herself as the “diva” of the center. TreeHouse is also home to coyotes, foxes, bobcats and a variety of reptiles and amphibians. The center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donations are accepted in lieu of admission. Visit Willoughby Heritage Farm and Conservation Reserve in Collinsville and discover what life was like on a 1940’s farm. Chickens, goats, donkeys, rabbits, a pig, a steer and miniature horse make the farm their home. Visitors can see the animals up close and personal daily from 9 a.m. to dusk. Admission to the farm is free. Plan a visit in the fall or spring for Willoughby Farm Days. These day-long, family-friendly events highlight life on the farm and include vendors, music, wagon rides and more. Chonkey the Donkey. Parker the Zebu. Lily the Llama. Those are just a few of the animals that call Tri-Township Park in Troy home. The park has, among other attractions, a petting zoo open to the public. Zoo residents include swans, a turkey, peacocks, an alpaca, goats, assorted chickens, ducks and a potbellied pig. Journey along historic Route 66 and check out Henry’s Rabbit Ranch in Staunton. There aren’t as many rabbits as there used to be, but owner Rich Henry enjoys letting the bunnies greet visitors. Henry’s Rabbit Ranch also has a giant metal rabbit outside, perfect for photo memories. Admission to the ranch is free but it’s best to call ahead and make sure it’s open before stopping by. Looking for a wilder animal experience? See birds and more in their natural habitats at the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary in West Alton. Viewing platforms and bird blinds are the perfect spot to see migrating birds. Trumpeter Swans, American Bald Eagles, Canada Geese, egrets, herons and more spend their days at the sanctuary at varying times of the year. Hike along 8 ½ miles of trails through prairie and marshland to get the best views of birds and other resident wildlife. The Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge in Brussels is a bit off the beaten path but offers great opportunities to see American Bald Eagles in their natural habitat each winter. More than 500 eagles have been counted as they congregate at the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. Flocks of migrating American White Pelicans visit the center each spring and fall.

25 Great Rivers & Routes

RiversandRoutes.com

EASE ON DOWN THE S H O R T DR I V E S

Sometimes taking to the open road is one of the best ways to relax and, let’s face it, to escape. And the Great Rivers & Routes region has highways and byways ready to take you on great adventures and deliver memorable experiences. Cruise along the nation’s Mother Road, Route 66. Or take one of the most scenic roadways in the U.S – the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway. From historic to pastoral, the region has highways and byways to cover every road trip appetite. 27 Great Rivers & Routes

ROUTE 66 > 85 MILES It’s not called the Mother Road for nothing. The two-lane highway that makes up Route 66 was really the nation’s first paved roadway that allowed people to travel by car across the country. The legendary route carved a path through the southern part of Illinois on its journey from Chicago to California and brought

AUBURN

DON’T MISS ROUTE 66 SITES GIRARD: Doc’s Soda Fountain. Formerly Deck’s Pharmacy, the historic building and fountain are still a favorite with road trippers on the Mother Road. Enjoy handdrawn fountain sodas from the original 1929 equipment.

VIRDEN

GIRARD

CARLINVILLE

CARLINVILLE: Million Dollar Courthouse and the Cannonball Jail. GILLESPIE: Illinois Coal Museum. LITCHFIELD: Neon lights at the iconic Ariston Café draw in Route 66 visitors from around the world. The cafe is the oldest, continuously operating restaurant on Route 66. Be sure to visit the city’s Route 66 Welcome Center and Museum. MT. OLIVE: Visit Soulsby Service Station for great photo moments. The Mother Jones Monument, a tribute to a famous union activist, stands in the city cemetery. STAUNTON: Henry’s Rabbit Ranch.

ROAD with it musicians, miners and even mobsters. Although the original road has since been eroded by interstate highways over the years, remnants of the narrow red brick and asphalt route linger from just south of Springfield in Virden, IL to outside St. Louis. A total of 85 miles of Route 66 wind through the prairies, woodlands and American Bottoms. Take a day or two and explore all the road has to offer.

LIVINGSTON: A giant pink elephant draws visitors to the aptly named Pink Elephant Antique Mall. A 20 foot waitress, a 1960’s original Futuro House and an ice cream shop shaped like a, well, ice cream cone. That’s just the beginning. Visit the repurposed school gym filled to the gills with antiques and collectibles. A 1950’s-style diner and candy shop complete the experience. HAMEL: Weezy’s Route 66 Bar & Grill and the Route 66 Creamery. EDWARDSVILLE: Ginger Rogers, Al Jolson and Douglas Fairbanks Jr., took the stage at the iconic Wildey Theatre in downtown Edwardsville. Now the theatre is home to community events and vibrant live music on weekends. Don’t miss Dewey’s Pizza and The Stagger Inn.

LITCHFIELD

GILLESPIE MT. OLIVE STAUNTON

DECAMP STATION

HAMEL

EDWARDSVILLE

GLEN CARBON

TROY COLLINSVILLE

MADISON: Chain of Rocks Bridge. Once a major Route 66 bridge across the Mississippi River, the bridge is best known for the unusual kink halfway across. Closed since 1970, it now is a pedestrian and bike pathway. COLLINSVILLE: Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site. Ironically, the Mother Road carves through part of this ancient site which is the largest mound system created by Native American tribes north of Mexico. Be sure to stop and climb Monks Mound and walk through the Interpretive Center.

RiversandRoutes.com

S HO R T DR I V E S

MEETING OF THE GREAT RIVERS NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY > 33 MILES It’s a roadway that was carved out of a narrow strip of land between the banks of the Mississippi River and towering limestone river bluffs. Now, the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway is considered one of the Seven Wonders of Illinois and one of the most scenic roadways in the United States. That’s no small feat for what is a relatively short spur of road. But what it lacks in mileage, it makes up for in natural beauty and its relationship to America’s three great rivers. Reflecting the confluence of the Missouri, Mississippi and Illinois rivers, the road stretches from Hartford on its southern end to Pere Marquette State Park on its northern edge. It is also a link in the National Great River Road which runs parallel to the Mississippi River from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. Flowing through the riverside communities of Alton, Elsah and Grafton, the byway connects rivers and roads throughout the region. Plan a day or two (how about three?) and explore the towns and communities along the byway. Enjoy these highlights during your journey. The byway begins where explorers Lewis & Clark started their westward journey in 1804. At the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, the explorers established a camp as they prepared for their quest

29 Great Rivers & Routes

to discover a route to the Pacific Ocean. Visit the Lewis & Clark State Historic Site in Hartford for an indepth look at that journey. The Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower, also memorializing the journey, stands 150-feet tall just a mile from the museum. The confluence of the two rivers is visible from the three scenic platforms at the tower. Dive deep into the life of a river at the National Great Rivers Museum at the Melvin Price Locks & Dam in Alton. Lock wall tours are available and provide a birds-eye view into the inner workings of an active river lock. The museum showcases the environmental impact rivers have on the surrounding lands. The byway cuts along Alton’s riverfront with views of the Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater, iconic Clark Bridge, and the Argosy Casino Alton, the state’s first-ever gaming site. Alton’s place in history is highlighted by the LincolnDouglas Square debate site, just a few yards from the byway. The city is also home to the Miles Davis Statue, Lovejoy Monument, Robert Wadlow Statue and dozens of locally owned and operated restaurants and shops. Historic Elsah, where the entire village is on the National Register of Historic Places, sits on the edge of the byway. Stroll through the village, nestled between bluffs and the river. Quaint shops, bed and breakfast inns and Principia College, the nation’s only Christian Science college, are part of the scenic delights.

The Illinois and Mississippi rivers come together in the riverside community of Grafton. The best views of this confluence are available high on the bluffs at Aerie’s Resort or during an overnight stay at Tara Point Inn. Illinois’ largest state park, Pere Marquette, hugs the northern edge of the byway which travels along the Illinois River as this point. Although the byway officially ends at the park, the road itself becomes the Great River Road and continues its journey north.

TRAVEL BY FERRY There is a certain mystique about riding a river ferry. The journey is reminiscent of the days of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn riding a raft in the river and going on great adventures. Four different ferries connect the Great Rivers & Routes region. From the Brussels and Kampsville ferries crossing the Illinois River between Calhoun County and the Great River Road to the Golden Eagle Ferry and Grafton Ferry, linking Illinois to Missouri across the Mississippi River. The Brussels and Kampsville ferries are free to ride and are operated 365 days a year, weather permitting. Take the road less traveled with a side journey through Calhoun County. Miles and miles of roads range across the lush farmlands and countrysides in this peninsula of land located between the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. Take the Brussels Ferry, a free ferry operated by the Illinois Department of Transportation, from Grafton to Brussels in Calhoun County. A journey through the county includes stops at roadside stands and farms where some of the juiciest peaches and vegetables are grown. Calhoun County is also home to an extensive Barn Quilt self-guided tour. The Kampsville Ferry operates at the northern end of Calhoun County. The Grafton Ferry operates seasonally from late April through early November. There is a charge to ride the ferry between Missouri and downtown Grafton. It is a popular short cut for visitors traveling to the region from Missouri. The Golden Eagle Ferry crosses between Golden Eagle in Calhoun County to St. Charles, MO. There is a charge to ride the Golden Eagle.

RiversandRoutes.com

Route

HIDDEN GEMS ON

PREPARE TO GET LOST ON THE MOTHER ROAD. Lose yourself in acres of classic cars, or in the aisles of small antique stores. Get lost in bookstores, on bridges and in a historic log cabin. Turn back the clock in small towns that made a big impact on Route 66. Tucked away inside historic small buildings or hiding in plain sight, there are scores of hidden gems to discover on Route 66 between Virden and St. Louis in southwest Illinois.

Check out Silvernick’s, 231 E. Jackson St., Virden – a true picker’s delight. The shop, located just off Virden’s town square, has a gift shop, thrift shop and antique store. Described as an ‘eclectic shop” with antiques, furniture, home décor and more, it’s worth a visit. While it’s not exactly hidden from sight, Country Classic Cars is worth a stop if only to feast your eyes on the rows upon rows of cars. Located just off Interstate 55 on Route 66 in Staunton, visitors can enjoy an indoor showroom and a historic gift shop. Studebakers, Model T’s and Dodge Brothers cars from the early 1920’s sit side-by-side with newer 1950’s Desotos, a 1979 Alfa Romeo and classic Corvettes. Take a detour back in time to Benld and relive the music and dancing at the Coliseum Ballroom. The Coliseum was destroyed by fire in 2011, long after its heyday as ‘the place to be on Saturday night’, but a silhouette of dancing figures and a historic plaque bring the site to life again.

SOME BEAUTIFUL PATHS CAN’T BE DISCOVERED WITHOUT GETTING LOST. – Erol Ozan on Route 66.

31 Great Rivers & Routes

A one-room log cabin has become a historic stop on Route 66 in Hamel. The Hamel School Log Cabin, 400 W. State St., was constructed of white pine in the early 1800’s and has become a historic site and provides visitors with an authentic view of early pioneer life. A former Route 66 toll bridge has become a pedestrian and biking causeway across the Mississippi River, if you can find it! Located off Route 3 in Madison, IL, just north of Granite City, the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge is off the typical Route 66 path and isn’t easily found with cell phone GPS. The 5,353 foot span provides breathtaking views of the river, the St. Louis skyline on clear days and has a 20 degree bend halfway across. It’s the perfect spot for memorable photos and a great way to stretch your legs after a long Route 66 journey.

Relatively new to the Route 66 experience is Vintage 71, 813 N. Main St., Edwardsville. The shop has vintage décor, shabby chic, industrial and rustic designs under one roof. Get lost in a good book with Route 66 book stores in Edwardsville and Virden. Afterwords Books, 441 E. Vandalia St., Edwardsville, has filled a small house with books, both new and used. Browse through three contiguous buildings filled with books at Books on the Square, 154 E. Jackson St., Virden. More than 50,000 books fill the shelves in this Route 66 store.

Route 66 TRAVEL TIP: The Mother Road was used as the main rumrunning route for Chicago gangsters throughout the 1930s. Al Capone was rumored to have used Route 66 as he traveled to St. Louis and was said to have spent time at The Tarro Coliseum in Benld and the Luna Café in Mitchell.

RiversandRoutes.com

TRAVEL THROUGH TIME It’s a magical concept – the possibility of time travel. While it isn’t technically possible… yet… opportunities exist throughout the Great Rivers & Routes region to retrace the past and experience it in new and exciting ways. Explore a once vibrant Native American mound civilization or walk in the footsteps of America’s greatest explorers. Meet a young Abraham Lincoln and his entrepreneurial friend Benjamin Godfrey. Both helped shaped the face of area cities. Find the roads that created a nation and encounter the men and women who helped shape the region. Escape into the past and discover new ways to see the present. Once upon a time, more than 1,000 years ago, a great civilization spread across the American Bottoms not far from present day Collinsville. A culture and population that rivaled that of London, England, grew into what is now known as Cahokia Mounds, the largest mound civilization north of Mexico.

The mounds were named after the Cahokia tribe, a historic Illiniwek people living in the area when the first French explorers arrived in the 17th century.

Today, Cahokia Mounds is celebrated as both a state historic site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of only 24 such places in the U.S. It is home

Established in 1979 the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is a National Historic Landmark and a designated site for state protection.

CAHOKIA MOUNDS QUICK FACTS

to 80 surviving prehistoric mounds and the largest, Monks Mound, which stands at 100 feet tall. The first settlements at Cahokia occurred around 700 AD and from around 1000 AD to 1200 AD, the area was a sprawling regional Native American complex. There is no written documentation of the ancient civilization, but mounds interpreters believe that ultimately, over-farming, disease and wars with other native tribes contributed to the decline of Cahokia Mounds. Excavations have uncovered a stockade or palisade that defended the Grand Plaza. The barrier was nearly two miles long and was rebuilt four times throughout the course of Cahokia Mounds' existence. A circular sun calendar called Woodhenge, created from evenly spaced red cedar posts was also discovered on the site. It is considered an impressive example of science and engineering to this day. Woodhenge has been

33 Great Rivers & Routes

replicated not far from Monks Mound. Special sunrise services are held at Woodhenge on the Sunday morning closest to the Spring and Fall equinoxes.

Learn more about the highly sophisticated civilization at the Cahokia Mounds Interpretive Center, 30 Ramey St., Collinsville and see life as it once existed in the area. Hundreds of years after Cahokia, and in the early days of America, two young explorers established a camp at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri river, near present-day Hartford, as they prepared to explore the unknown western part of the U.S. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, along with 45 men skilled at hunting and with frontier experience, built a camp at the banks of the Mississippi River. Camp DuBois was home for the group from December

1803 until their expedition launched on the Missouri River in May 1804. The Lewis & Clark State Historic Site, #1 Lewis & Clark Trail, Hartford, sits near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and is near the place historians believe the men established a fort during the winter months of their training. The first stop on the national Lewis & Clark Trail, the interpretive center has a 55-foot cutaway replica keelboat and exhibits highlighting the training and preparations the group made for their journey. A 12-minute film, “The Journey’s Edge”, provides insight into the expedition of uncharted territory west of the Mississippi. The interpretive center, built to resemble the prow of a boat, also includes a replica fort and a settler’s cabin on the grounds. Not long after the Lewis & Clark expedition, in 1806 the federal government authorized funds to create a national road stretching from the Potomac River to the Ohio River. The National Road eventually extended into southwest Illinois carving its way through Troy and Collinsville to St. Louis and beyond. The road, originally called the Cumberland Road, RiversandRoutes.com

followed trails created by Native Americans. It became the main artery for stagecoaches, Conestoga wagons and settlers eager to settle in the western U.S. Remnants of the road can be found throughout the region along U.S. Highway 40. The Abolitionist Movement was spurred into the national spotlight in the fledgling river town of Alton with the 1837 death of Elijah P. Lovejoy. The Presbyterian minister and newspaper editor died defending his printing press from an antiabolitionist mob at a warehouse on the city’s riverfront. Lovejoy is considered the first martyr to freedom of the press and ignited the abolitionist movement nationwide. The Lovejoy Monument was erected in the Alton National Cemetery and is the tallest monument in Illinois.

35 Great Rivers & Routes

Local entrepreneur Benjamin Godfrey left his mark on the Alton-Godfrey area. He established the first women’s seminary, the Monticello Female Seminary in 1838, modeled after curriculum available to men at Yale University. Godfrey, a former ship captain, landed in the region in 1832 from New Orleans and quickly became a successful, powerful and prominent citizen. In addition to the women’s college (now Lewis & Clark Community College), he built Alton’s first church and helped charter the first railroad in the region. He also platted the Village of Godfrey (formerly called the Village of Monticello.) Follow Godfrey’s impact on the area with the new Benjamin Godfrey Legacy Trail. The trail is available at: riversandroutes.com/ GodfreyLegacyTrail.

Abraham Lincoln was no stranger to the region. He made repeated visits to southwest Illinois as a young circuit lawyer and later as a candidate for state and national office. He earned a reputation in the area as a lawyer, duelist and orator. The Lincoln & Civil War Legacy Trail was created in Alton to commemorate his impact on the area. Walk in the footsteps of Lincoln, his wife Mary Todd Lincoln and Civil War soldiers from both the North and South throughout Alton. Stops on the trail include the historic Ryder Building, Small Pox Island, LincolnShields Duel, Lyman Trumbull House, Alton Confederate Prison, the Franklin House and Lincoln-Douglas Square. At each site, interpretive panels tell the story of Lincoln and Altonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s connection to American history. For more information on the trail and trail sites, visit: riversandroutes.com.

DONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T MISS THESE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO TRAVEL THROUGH TIME IN THE GREAT RIVERS & ROUTES REGION: n Underground Railroad Tours,

Alton: Follow in the footsteps of fleeing slaves as they seek freedom in the free state of Illinois. RiversandRoutes. com/Shuttle

n 1820 Colonel Benjamin

Stephenson House, Edwardsville: Col. Stephenson helped mold the current state of Illinois from a territory into the 21st state in the Union.

Million Dollar Courthouse, Carlinville: Explore the Macoupin County Courthouse in Carlinville and find out why it was one of the most scandal-ridden projects in the region. Check out the Cannonball Jail with a tour of this building with walls built from cannonballs.

RiversandRoutes.com

History LESSONS

History is alive and well at area historical sites and museums. Escape into displays highlighting Route 66, the world’s tallest man, and the development of local communities. Indulge a passion for the past with some history lessons at these local archives.

■ 1820

COLONEL BENJAMIN STEPHENSON HOUSE 409 S. Buchanan St. • Edwardsville • (618) 692-1818

■ D.D.

■ ALTON

■ DOUGHBOY

■ BENJAMIN

■ DOUGHBOY

■ BETHALTO

■ EAST

■ BRUSSELS

■ EDWARDSVILLE

■ CAHOKIA

■ GLEN

MUSEUM OF HISTORY & ART 2809 College Ave. • Alton • (618) 462-2763 GODFREY CHAPEL 5800 Godfrey Rd. • Godfrey • (618) 466-3411 HISTORICAL MUSEUM 124 W. Main St. • Bethalto • (618) 975-0156 HISTORIC VILLAGE JAIL 131 E. Main St. • Brussels • (618) 883-2752 MOUNDS STATE HISTORIC SITE AND INTERPRETIVE CENTER 30 Ramey St. • Collinsville • (618) 346-5160

■ CALHOUN

COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM 204 N. County Rd. • Hardin • (618) 576-2660

■ CENTER

FOR AMERICAN ARCHEOLOGY 101 N. Broadway St. • Kampsville • (618) 653-4316

■ CHENEY

MANSION & COMPLEX 601 N. State St. • Jerseyville • (618) 535-5017

■ COLLINSVILLE

HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM 406 W. Main St. • Collinsville • (618) 344-1834

■ CONFEDERATE

CEMETERY & MEMORIAL 635 Rozier St. • Alton • (800) 258-6645

■ CONFEDERATE

PRISON William St. & Broadway St. • Alton • (800) 258-6645

■ CURIOSITY

MUSEUM 301 E. Broadway St. • Alton • (618) 465-3200

37 Great Rivers & Routes

COLLINS HOUSE 703 W. Main St. • Collinsville • (618) 346-5200 STATUE 4445 Alby St. • Alton • (800) 258-6645 STATUE 144 Center St. • Glen Carbon • (800) 258-6645 ALTON HISTORY MUSEUM 119 N. Main St. • East Alton • (618) 216-2781 CHILDREN’S MUSEUM 722 Holyoake Rd. • Edwardsville • (618) 692-2094 CARBON HERITAGE MUSEUM 124 School St. • Glen Carbon • (618) 288-7271

■ HAMILTON

PRIMARY SCHOOL 107 E. Main St. • Otterville

■ HARKEY

HOUSE 305 S. Broad St. • Hillsboro • (217)246-1121

■ HASKELL

PLAYHOUSE 1211 Henry St. • Alton • (618) 463-2235

■ HAYNER

GENEALOGY AND LOCAL HISTORY LIBRARY 401 State St. • Alton • (618) 462-0677

■ ILLINOIS

COAL MUSEUM 121 S. Macoupin St. • Gillespie • (833) 228-8603

■ JERSEY

COUNTY COURTHOUSE 201 W. Pearl St. • Jerseyville • (618) 498-5571

■ LEWIS

& CLARK STATE HISTORIC SITE #1 Lewis and Clark Trail • Hartford • (618) 251-5811

■ LITCHFIELD

MUSEUM & ROUTE 66 WELCOME CENTER 334 Historic Old Route 66 North • Litchfield (217) 324-3510

■ MACOUPIN

COUNTY COURTHOUSE 201 E. Main St. • Carlinville • (217) 854-3181

■ WOOD

■ MACOUPIN

■ WOOD

■ MADISON

■ WOOD

RIVER CAMP DUBOIS Rte. 143 & Rte. 3 • Wood River • (618) 254-1993

COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM 920 W. Breckenridge St. • Carlinville • (217) 854-2850 COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM & ARCHIVES 801 N. Main St. • Edwardsville • (618) 656-7562

■ MINER’S

RIVER MUSEUM & VISITORS CENTER 40 W. Ferguson Ave. • Wood River • (618) 254-1993 RIVER REFINERY HISTORY MUSEUM 900 S. Central Ave. • Roxana • (618) 255-3718

THEATRE • 204 W. Main St. • Collinsville

■ YANDA

LOG CABIN 148 S. Main St. • Glen Carbon • (618) 288-7271

■ MOTHER

JONES MUSEUM 215 E. Main St. • Mt. Olive • (815) 754-4750

■ NATIONAL

CEMETERY 600 Pearl St. • Alton • (800) 258-6645

■ NATIONAL

GREAT RIVERS MUSEUM 2 Lock and Dam Way • Alton • (618) 462-6979

■ OLD

MACOUPIN COUNTY JAIL 205 E. 1st St. • Carlinville • (800) 258-6645

■ PIASA

BIRD • Rte. 100 • Alton • (800) 258-6645

■ PRINCIPIA

COLLEGE 1 Maybeck Pl. • Elsah • (618) 374-2131

■ ROCKY

FORK AREA Rocky Fork Rd. • Godfrey • (800) 258-6645

■ VILLAGE

OF ELSAH MUSEUM 26 LaSalle St. • Elsah • (618) 374-2626

■ VIRDEN’S

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN SQUARE Downtown Virden • Virden • (800) 258-6645

■ WESTERN

MILITARY ACADEMY MONUMENT 2009 Seminary Ave. • Alton • (800) 258-6645

interactive exhibits

melvin price lockS & dam

2 Lock and Dam Way Alton, IL 62002 (618) 462-6979 MTRF.org

St.Louis District mvs.usace.army.mil

meetingoftherivers.org

group tours

education

FREE ADMISSION Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 7 days a week Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day

RiversandRoutes.com

Haunting Escapes

ALTON HAUNTINGS

WHEN SOMETHING STRANGE HAPPENS IN ALTON, EVERYONE BLAMES IT ON THE GHOSTS. The city has been called “One of the Most Haunted Small Towns in America” and for good reason. Alton is seriously haunted. And we aren’t talking about ho-hum run of the mill hauntings. These are the stuff of Ghost Adventures legends. Just ask Zac Bagins who spent time in Haunted Alton last year. Spectral shapes appear in the windows of stately mansions when the buildings have been empty for years. The scent of jasmine perfume wafts along the staircase and hallways of a former hotel, now a home for retail shops, after they are closed for the night. Or before they open in the morning. Strange lights appear in a pitch black wine cellar during a dark room session in a famously haunted mansion. Eerie footsteps echo around an empty underground swimming pool. It doesn’t matter if it’s day or night. The ghosts of Alton dance through the streets and buildings of the city all year long.

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And while there are no official ghost busters in Alton, there are several different haunted tour organizations dedicated to showing off the shadowy side of the city.

Renowned haunted history expert Troy Taylor takes hundreds of people on tours throughout Alton and the Great River Road during his popular Alton Hauntings Tours. The tours focus on the city’s history and how that links to current hauntings. “We take the unusual history of Alton and the Great River Road and blend it with the legend and lore that has been a part of the area for nearly 200 years,” Taylor says. Tours include stops at the Mineral Springs Hotel, home to recorded EVPs and the chilly presence of former guests; the first Unitarian Church, site of an unfortunate suicide; and the former Alton Prison where over 2,000 Confederate and Union soldiers died during the Civil War. Taylor also hosts two haunted conferences in the city each year: Dead of Winter in February and the Haunted America Conference in June. Both give ghost adventurers the opportunity to expand their ghostly expertise. Mirror scrying, encouraging dream visitation, paranormal hypnosis and more are part of the uncannily eerie schedule of events. For more information on the two conferences, go to: Americanhauntingsink.com

ALTON HAUNTED ODYSSEY

MCPIKE MANSION

Marlene Lewis has no doubt spirits walk the streets of Alton and reside in the historic buildings and homes in the city. Co-founder of Alton Haunted Odyssey Tours, Lewis and her team of committed ghost enthusiasts provide trolley tours throughout October each year. The non-walking tours take visitors past some of Alton’s most haunted buildings including the historic Ryder Building – which served as a courthouse in the 1800’s and is now home to My Just Desserts – the Piasa Masonic Lodge and McPike Mansion. Dinner tours are also offered and include a sumptuous meal at My Just Desserts before embarking on a haunted experience.

Meet Henry McPike, or at least his spectral figure, during a tour of McPike Mansion, one of the most haunted buildings in Alton, and reportedly among the 10 most haunted sites in America.

The brick home, built in 1869, was once home to the McPike Family who also owned the adjoining 15 acres. The home, located in the heart of Alton, was used as a country estate by the family. It was here that Henry McPike perfected the famous McPike Grape and created an extensive orchard. The McPike family lived in the home until 1936. Over the years, the stately mansion changed owners and eventually sat empty until Sharyn and her husband George purchased it in 1994. The building had fallen into extreme disrepair caused by weather and

Visitors to the mansion might meet Henry, his wife, mother or one of their servants during dark room sessions that take place monthly in the basement wine cellar. Tours of the house itself are unavailable. Ghost experiences at the mansion typically begin in April and run through October. Private experiences are available by reservation. For more, go to: McPikeMansion.com

ike M McouP d d s n & Cella r an G e r To ur nt Mansion

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Ha u

For a change of pace, take a Haunted Craft Beer Walk through Alton with the Alton Haunted Odyssey team. Old Bakery Beer in Alton provides 5 ounce pourings of its organic craft beer at five haunted locations throughout the city. Stops on the tour include the Ryder Building, Kendall Cracker Factory, Enos Sanitarium, and the Old Post Office. For more information, go to: Altonhauntedtours.com

According to owner Sharyn Luedke, Henry, and other members of his family, have yet to leave the home, now under renovation and uninhabited. By anything living at least.

vandals. The Luedke’s are working to restore the massive building back to its former glory.

2018 Alby Alton, IL

618.830.2179 618.462.3348

Mc PikeM

ansion.c

om RiversandRoutes.com

THERE'S NO PL THERE IS AN OLD SAYING THAT HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS. AND MORE THAN 300,000 PEOPLE CALL THE SIX COUNTY GREAT RIVERS & ROUTES

FAMILY MATTERS

REGION HOME FOR GOOD REASON.

For Tom and Sade Guarino, the decision to raise their 2 ½ year-old daughter Chloe in the EdwardsvilleGlen Carbon area was pretty simple. Both are natives of Madison County in southwest Illinois and they wanted to be close to family. “It’s comfortable here,” Sade points out. “We are close to St. Louis without being in it and we live

It’s the rivers and connections to large metropolitan areas. It’s the history and relaxed lifestyle. It’s the quirky character of towns and cities. The reasons why people choose to live in the region vary from family to family. Meet some of the families who have turned the area into their home.

five minutes – driveway to driveway – from my parents.” The couple purchased a home in Glen Carbon two years ago. The proximity to St. Louis, to major highways, and both of their jobs was also a factor, Tom notes. Sade, a nurse at St. Louis University Hospital, has an easy commute to work. Tom, co-owner of Bella Milano Restaurants in

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Here in Glen Carbon we are close to major cities. We can watch live baseball and hockey easily. And there is a tight-knit community here that I like being involved in.

Edwardsville, O’Fallon and Springfield, is 10 minutes from the Edwardsville location. “I really like the four seasons we have here in the Midwest,” Tom says. “And here in Glen Carbon we are close to major cities. We can watch live baseball and hockey easily. And there is a tight-knit community here that I like being involved in.” The Guarino’s have strong family ties to the area. Their parents and siblings live nearby and that is a major factor in their decision to remain in the area they grew up in. “We are here because of the location but the number one reason is family,” Sade says. The area is also centrally located in Illinois. Major interstate highways link St. Louis and Chicago and are easily accessible from the EdwardsvilleGlen Carbon area.

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“Really, you can go anywhere in the world from here,” Tom says.

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AC E L IK E

home

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Our life is extraordinary in its simplicity. It’s real. It’s homemade. It’s an alternative to what most people are used to; and it’s a joy sharing that experience with others through our farm.

KEEPING IT SIMPLE

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It’s all about the simple things for Regan and Christie Joehl, and the owners of Greene Fields Farm in rural Greene County want to keep it that way. That’s why they have chosen to live on a family farm midway between Carrollton and Greenfield. It’s also why they share their U-Pick pumpkin patch with visitors every fall. “We live in the country because it’s away from the crowds but near what matters to us,” Christie points out. “We have great farmland and even better neighbors. It’s a different environment than the city; very much a close community but with plenty of room to grow.”

Regan, who farms the land alongside his father and brother, and Christie, a former agriculture teacher, raise their five sons, Nathan, Caleb, Jeremiah, Ryan and Jackson on their family’s farm. Their U-Pick Farm is designed to provide real, family, farm, fun for visitors by showcasing the flowers, crops and livestock that support the family. “We are a real farm and we share our farm experience with families every fall. There are no bounce houses or carnivals. We have a corn box and straw piles, a huge log kids

play on and a field full of pumpkins and mums that we worked hard as a family to grow. When families come here, the tablets get left in the car and a slower, more wholesome gratification awaits them.” Sharing farm life with others is what keeps the Joehl’s in the region. “Our life is extraordinary in its simplicity. It’s real. It’s homemade. It’s an alternative to what most people are used to, and it’s a joy sharing that experience with others through our farm.”

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OUR TOWNS • MUST SEE PLACES LIKE THE VIBRANT THREADS IN A COAT OF MANY COLORS, COMMUNITIES IN THE GREAT RIVERS & ROUTES REGION COMBINE DIVERSITY, CHARACTER AND BEAUTY. Discover the collection of cities, towns, and villages that blend into a cohesive region in the only place in America where the Mother Road meets the Great River Road.

Alton

For almost 200 years, Alton has provided an escape for visitors with the mighty Mississippi as its front door. Four distinct and historic neighborhoods link the city with character and charm along brick and paved streets. Family owned and operated restaurants, a vibrant nightlife and strong historical heritage sets the city apart.

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Breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day so start it off with an Elvis Presley inspired Hunka Hunka Burnin Love French toast concoction with brunch at State Street Market, located in the historic 3rd Street Entertainment District. Or fill up on a more Midwestern-style meal at Joe K’s in Upper Alton or GB Grill on Broadway in downtown. For a more eclectic morning meal, visit The Post Commons, where coffee, organic food and more are served in the repurposed Old Alton Post Office building. Lunch and dinner options are plentiful. Fill up on comfort food with Castelli’s at 255 secret recipe fried chicken or homemade toasted ravioli. Tony’s in downtown Alton, the city’s original pasta house, has a famous pepperloin steak, seafood, and, or course, pasta. Tempt your pallet with Guac Bites at Bluff City Grill and Brown Bag Bistro serves up sumptuous sandwiches, salads and a delightful Crab Bisque. Soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts are always on the menu at My Just Desserts. Authentic Irish fare is available at Morrison’s Irish Pub and Shoguns has sushi and a hibachi grill for customers' enjoyment.

For antiques, there is no better place to look than the city’s Antique District in downtown. Country Meadows, Tinner’s Anvil Antiques, and Wilson’s Antiques, are all within a stone’s throw of each other. Check out hand thrown pottery, made on site at Mississippi Mud Pottery. Olive Oil Marketplace has oils, coffee beans and cooking utensils. Shop at Alton Square Mall for gourmet popcorn, clothing and more. Hand-crafted and custom order goods available at Farmstone Roots. Clothing boutiques in downtown include the independently owned Rushmore, The Grapevine (for children’s clothing), Mississippi Hippie, and JL & Co., The Mercantile.

PLAY Riverboat gaming came to Alton in the early 1990’s and hasn’t left. Argosy Casino Alton, docked on the riverfront, no longer sails, but shows off a riverboat themed interior, two floors of gaming action and three restaurants. World famous Fast Eddies Bon Air, an iconic dive bar that has cheap food, the coldest beer in town and live music every night of the week, is a must stop destination. For a great belly laugh, get tickets for a play or musical at Alton Little Theater, the state’s longest continuously operated community theater.

State Street Market • 208 State St. • statestreetmarketofalton.com; Joe K’s • 2530 State St. • joeksrestaurant.com; G-B Grill • 1858 E. Broadway; The Post Commons • 300 Alby St. • postcommons.com; Castelli’s at 255 • 3400 Fosterburg Rd. • castellis255.com; Tony’s Restaurant • 102 W 9th St. • tonysrestaurant.com; Bluff City Grill • 424 E. Broadway • bluffcitygrillalton.com; Brown Bag Bistro • 318 E. Broadway; My Just Desserts • 31 E. Broadway • myjustdessertsalton.weebly.com; Morrison’s Irish Pub, 200 State St. • morrisonsirishpub.com; Shogun Steak House • 2723 Corner Ct. • shogunsteakhousealton.com; Country Meadows • 401 E. Broadway; Tinners Anvil Antiques • 211 Langdon St.; Wilson’s Antiques • 217 E. Broadway; Mississippi Mud Pottery • 310 E. Broadway • mississippimudpottery.com; Olive Oil Marketplace • 108 W. 3rd St. • oliveoilmarketplace.com; Alton Square Mall • 200 Alton Square • shopaltonsquare.com; Farmstone Roots • 2215 Piasa St.;Rushmore • 11 E. Broadway • shoprushmore.com; The Grapevine • 2 W. Broadway • thegrapevineofalton.weebly.com; Mississippi Hippie • 301 E. Broadway • itsrainingzen.com; JL & Co The Mercantile • 300 E. Broadway; Argosy Casino Alton • 1 Piasa St. • argosyalton. com; Fast Eddie’s Bon Air • 1530 E. 4th St. • fasteddiesbonair.com; Alton Little Theater • 2450 N. Henry St. • altonlittletheater.org.

43 Great Rivers & Routes

Proud to call

The Riverbend Home

Located in historic, downtown Alton, Simmons Hanly Conroy is dedicated to our clients and our community. The firm has donated millions of dollars and countless volunteer hours to charitable organizations across the Riverbend area - a place we have been proud to call home for more than 20 years.

We stand for our clients. (618) 259-2222 simmonsfirm.com

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One Court Street | Alton, Illinois | 62002 | 618-259-2222 | simmonsfirm.com RiversandRoutes.com

OUR TOWNS • MUST SEE PLACES

Collinsville EAT

World famous for its 170-foot tall water tower shaped like a catsup bottle, Collinsville is also the horseradish capital of the world. Located just minutes from

A visit to the city isn’t complete without first stopping at Kruta’s Bakery for pastries, donuts, Danishes and more. This 100-year-old family operated bakery still uses some of the original recipes founder Frank Kruta brought with him when he immigrated from Eastern Europe. Centuries old recipes are cooked up at Ramon’s El Dorado Restaurant which has been a staple to the culinary scene for over 50 years. Casual American fried chicken is part of Ravanelli’s charm. Pair a plate of chicken with pasta and a loaf of bread and garlic butter. Uptown Collinsville is home to Old Herald Brewery & Distillery, Sloan’s Pub House, Mungos Italian Eatery, Who Dat’s Southern Food and Bert’s Chuckwagon. For a relaxed, upscale dining experience, visit Porter’s Steakhouse.

Downtown St. Louis, the city has a rich heritage, a world class convention center and a thriving culinary scene.

SHOP Stroll through Uptown Collinsville and wow your tastebuds with Code 3 Spices, the place to go for grilling spices and utensils. A portion of each sale goes to

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first responders and military non-profits. Get retro at Rich’s Record Emporium where real vinyl records are sold. Spirito’s Italian Grocery Store is a nod to the city’s Italian heritage with some great Italian food.

PLAY Live horse racing takes place every Tuesday and Saturday at Fairmount Park. The mile long racetrack is the only live thoroughbred track outside Chicago. Off track betting is available every day at the track. Cool off in the summer at Collinsville Aqua Park featuring sliding, climbing and surfing water attractions. Tour the historic D.D. Collins House, visit Willoughby Heritage Farm featuring a 1940’s farmhouse, or bowl a few frames at Camelot Bowl. From June through September, the streets of Uptown Collinsville become home to a variety of festivals including the annual International Horseradish Festival in June; Smokin’ on Main in July; and the annual Italian Fest in September.

Kruta Bakery • 300 St. Louis Rd. • krutabakery.com; Ramon’s El Dorado Restaurant • 1711 St. Louis Rd. • ramonseldorado.com; Ravanelli’s • 26 Collinsport Dr. • ravanellis.com; Old Herald Brewery & Distillery • 115 E. Clay St. • oldheraldbrewing.com; Sloan’s Pub House • 119 W. Main St.; Mungo’s Italian Eatery • 100 E. Main St. • mungosrestaurant.com; Who Dat’s • 118 E. Main St. • whodatsrestaurant.com; Bert’s Chuckwagon • 101 E. Main St.; Porter’s Steakhouse • 1000 Eastport Plaza Dr. • porterscollinsville. com.; Code 3 Spices • 302 E. Main St. • code3spices.com; Rich’s Record Emporium • 131 W. Main St. • richsrecordemporium.com; Spirito’s Italian Grocery • 228 W. Main St.; Fairmount Park • 9301 Collinsville Rd. • fairmountpark.com; Collinsville Aqua Park • 10 Gateway Dr. • collinsvilleaquapark.com; D.D. Collins House • 703 W. Main St. • friendsoftheddcollinshouse.org; Willoughby Heritage Farm • 631 Willoughby Ln. • willoughbyfarm.org; Camelot Bowl • 801 Beltline Rd. • camelotbowl.net

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Summer fun for the whole family!

www.collinsvilleaquapark.com • (618) 346-4571 10 Gateway Drive, Collinsville, IL

Willoughby Farm and Conservation Reserve

Host a Private Event Visit the Animals ~ Hike the Trails Educational Programs PARKS & RECREATION

www.willoughbyfarm.org • (618) 977-0941 631 Willoughby Lane, Collinsville, IL RiversandRoutes.com 50

OUR TOWNS • MUST SEE PLACES

Edwardsville As the third oldest city in Illinois, Edwardsville has retained its historic charm with renovations of the Wildey Theatre and neighborhood historic districts. The city is one of the fastest growing communities outside St. Louis. A thriving downtown district accents the city’s place on Route 66 and its burgeoning culinary reputation. Edwardsville is also home to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and the wildly popular Land of Goshen Community Market held every Saturday on city streets from May through October.

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EAT

SHOP

Edwardsville is known for its abundance of great restaurants. Take a walk down Main Street, home to the cozy 222 Artisan Bakery & Café where the coffee is fresh and pastries, quiche and oatmeal are made in-house daily. Nearby, Sacred Grounds Café offers food entrees all day. Check out their vegetarian breakfast items and specialty coffees – all in a coffeehouse setting filled with local art. Tucked away in downtown, A Little Taste of Heaven, a family owned bakery, is a little like walking into Grandma’s kitchen. Cleveland-Heath takes comfort food to an entirely new level with its Japanese Pancake appetizer and tender pork porterhouse. Chava’s Mexican Restaurant brings a taste of Guadalajara to the Midwest. Dine outdoors at 1818 Chophouse for lunch or dinner. Original pizza creations paired with its own craft beer sets Peel Wood Fired Pizza apart. Mike Shannon’s Grill offers progressive American food and check out Doc’s Smokehouse for down-toearth mouthwatering BBQ. For a sweet treat, go to Annie’s Frozen Custard.

Load up on great buys at the locally owned and operated stores that dot the city’s streets and shopping districts. The Gingham Buffalo has gifts, home furnishings and more. Water Sweets Soap Company makes handmade soaps and bath bombs. Visit Wildflower Shop, Seams for the Soul Boutique and What to Wear for trendy clothing. For the sports enthusiast, Good Sports Cards and Memorabilia is a good bet. Four Muddy Paws and Whisker Bones Supply Co., have everything a fourlegged pal could want. Be sure to stop at The Chef 's Shoppe to fill up on gourmet popcorn, specialty foods and kitchen supplies.

PLAY Some of the best live music in the city can be found at The Wildey Theatre every weekend. The revamped opera house is now home to top notch national and regional bands. A $2 Tuesday movie night and community events fill in the rest of the venue’s calendar. For more active entertainment, journey to Edison’s Entertainment Complex which has 12 bowling lanes, a laser tag arena and game arcade. Rock climbing, roller skating and more are on the agenda at the Edwardsville YMCA Meyer Center. Make it a movie day or night at the AMC Edwardsville 12 to see newly released films. The Edwardsville Children’s Museum has fun for kids of all ages.

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222 Artisan Bakery & Café • 222 N. Main St. • 222artisanbakery.com; Sacred Grounds Café • 233 N. Main St. • A Little Taste of Heaven Bakery • 219 Hillsboro Ave. • heavenbakery.com; Cleveland-Heath • 106 N. Main St. • clevelandheath. com; Chava’s Mexican Restaurant • 217 E. Vandalia St. • chavasmexican.com; 1818 Chophouse • 210 S. Buchanan St. • 1818chophouse.com; Peel Wood Fired Pizza • 921 S. Arbor Vitae • peelpizza.com; Mike Shannon’s Grill • 871 S. Arbor Vitae Dr.; mikeshannonsgrill.com; Doc’s Smokehouse • 6108 Shoger Dr., Suite D • docssmokehouse.com; Annie’s Frozen Custard • 245 Buchanan St. • anniesfrozencustard.com; Gingham Buffalo • 500 N. Main St.; Water Sweets Soap Company • 112 N. Main St. • watersweetssoap.com; A Wildflower Shop • 2131 IL Rt. 157 • awildflowershop.com; What to Wear • 921 S. Arbor Vitae; Seams for the Soul Boutique • 216 S. Buchanan St. • seams4thesoul.com; Good Sports Cards & Memorabilia • 1990 Troy Rd., #C; Four Muddy Paws • 2127 S. State Rt. 157 • fourmuddypaws.com; Whisker Bones Supply Co. • 138 N. Main St. • whiskerbones.com; Chef's Shoppe • 2320 Troy Rd. • chefsshoppe.com; Wildey Theatre • 252 N. Main St. • wildeytheatre.com; Edison’s Entertainment Complex • 2477 S. State Rt. 157 • edisonsfun.com; YMCA Meyer Center • 7348 Goshen Rd. • edwardsvilleymca.com; AMC Edwardsville 12 • 6633 Center Grove Rd. • amctheatres.com; Edwardsville Children’s Museum • 722 Holyoake Rd. • edwardsvillechildrensmuseum.org

Visit Campus Stop by to explore our beautiful campus with miles of scenic trails, rolling hills and lakes. Schedule a tour with the Office of Admissions to learn more about our top-ranked academic programs and student life.

siue.edu/visit

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OUR TOWNS • MUST SEE PLACES

Glen Carbon Rich in heritage and considered “One of the Best Places to Live in the U.S.”, Glen Carbon sits on the edge of major interstate highways and has easy access to St. Louis. A replica covered bridge welcomes drivers to the downtown district and the historic Yanda Log Cabin, located on Main Street, brings pioneer life front and center. Be sure to visit the Glen Carbon Heritage Museum and take a walk, or bike ride, on the miles of paved trails curving through the village.

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Take a break while exploring Glen Carbon’s noteworthy past at the Wooden Nickel Pub and Grill. Handcrafted woodwork and oak floors carry over the “rustic” past theme. Stop in for a quick drink at the Old Towne Tavern, which has been serving the community since 1890. Enjoy smoked meats, paninis, salads, sides and hoagie pizzas and some great munchies including Bacon Fat Popcorn which complement the selection of wines, specialty cocktails and rotating menu of seasonal craft beers at The Cabin at Judy Creek. Be sure to stop by the Weeping Willow Tea Room for a hearty soup, sandwich or salad.

Gently used women’s fashions line the racks at Karma on Main in downtown Glen Carbon. Pick up a piece of unfinished pottery at Pottery Hollow Painting & More and paint it on site. Planning a party? Check out the party décor at To Do’s. Stop in for new shoe styles at Allison’s Comfort Shoes & Boots.

PLAY Leap in to fun at Altitude Trampoline Park with wall-to-wall trampolines. Thousands of square feet of bouncing fun include Extreme Dodgeball, Trampoline Basketball, a Foam Pit and more. Hone your axe throwing skills at The Axe Company. Plan a great escape at The Beast Escape room or the Safe Escape Rooms. Explore the history of the village at the Yanda Log Cabin and the Glen Carbon Heritage Museum.

Wooden Nickel Pub and Grill • 171 S. Main St. • woodennickel.secure-ordello.com; Old Towne Tavern • 155 S. Main St.; The Cabin at Judy Creek • 3730 S. State Rt. 157 • thecabinatjudycreek.com; Weeping Willow Team Room • 123 Glen Crossing Rd. • weepingwillowtearoom.com; Karma on Main • 164 S. Main St.; Pottery Hollow Painting & More • 23 Junction Dr. • potteryhollow.com; To Do’s • 4215 S. State Rt. 159; to-dos.com; Allison’s Comfort Shoes & Boots • 4225 IL Rt. 159 • allison’scomfortshoes.com; Altitude Trampoline Park • 91 Fountain Dr. • altitudeglencarbon.com; The Axe Company • 20 B Kettle River Dr. • theaxecoedw.com; Beast Escape Room • 4517 IL 159 • beastescaperoom.com; Safe Escape Rooms • 15 Junction Dr. • safeescaperooms.com; Yanda Log Cabin • 148 S. Main St. • glen-carbon.il.us; Glen Carbon Heritage Museum • 124 School St. • glen-carbon.il.us

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Jerseyville Jerseyville has the distinction of being the largest city in Jersey County and is home to the annual Jersey County Fair. The historic Cheney Mansion and nearby Fulkerson Mansion, rich with Underground Railroad History, and even a bit of ghostly activity, keep the city’s history alive. A vibrant downtown district provides shopping and dining options.

EAT Espresso Yourself in the city with a stop at the aptly named bakery for muffins and classic cinnamon rolls. Stop in at the Big Boys Donuts for more sweet delights. Good times are brewing at

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George’s Local Brew, known for its cold beer, cocktails, sandwiches and classic thin crust pizza. Everything is handmade at the 1880 Pizza Pasta House. Enjoy salads, and paninis in addition to domestic and imported wines and beers. DJ’s Pub & Grill has daily lunch and drink specials. The Olive Branch Café sits at the south end of Jerseyville greeting visitors with its breakfast, lunch and dinner options. Be sure to get an ice cream at the Redbird Deli & Ice Cream Parlor or McCarry’s Dairyland.

SHOP Explore the richly decorated Lula Bells shop filled with gifts, home décor and more. Primitive and country home decorations fill the walls at Beyond the Backyard Gate. A true picker’s delight, State Street Antiques & Jim’s

Attic is the go-to shop for a constantly changing inventory of antiques and collectibles. Outdoor enthusiasts can browse through Outrageous Outdoors for a wide variety of hunting gear, magazines and more.

PLAY History lovers delight in visiting the historic Cheney Mansion built in 1827 and once a ‘station’ on the Underground Railroad. Historical tours and paranormal investigations are held throughout the year. Prearranged tours are available at the historic Fulkerson Mansion. The 1866 mansion is rich in artifacts and antiques. Take a walk and enjoy a picnic at the Wock Family Lake and Walking Trail. Family-fun is waiting at Tri County Bowl.

Espresso Yourself Bakery • 410 W. Carpenter; Big Boys Donuts • 933 S. State St.; George’s Local Brew • 205 S. State St. • georgeslocalbrew.com; 1880 Pizza Pasta House • 208 S. State St.; DJ’s Pub & Grill • 117 W. Prairie St.; Olive Branch Café • 1668 S. State St. • olivebranchjerseyville.com; Redbird Deli & Ice Cream Parlor • 109 S. State St.; McCarry’s Dairyland • 400 W. Carpenter St., Ste. B; Lula Bells • 519 S. State St.; Beyond the Backyard Gate • 301 N. State St.; State Street Antiques & Jim’s Attic • 115 N. State St.; Outrageous Outdoors • 902 S. State St. • outrageousoutdoors.com; Cheney Mansion • 601 N. State St. • cheneymansion.net; Fulkerson Mansion • 25007 U.S. Highway 67; Wock Family Lake & Walking Trail • 206 June St.; Tri County Bowl • 207 Krause Dr. • tricountybowl.com

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OUR TOWNS • MUST SEE PLACES

Godfrey Scenic views, rolling hills and abundant nature trails are just a few of the charms of this village which spans the banks of the Mississippi River to the prairie of southwest Illinois. Named in honor of Capt. Benjamin Godfrey, a native New Englander who settled in the village, Godfrey has dozens of shops, restaurants and tea rooms. The village is also home to Lewis & Clark Community College, originally founded as the Monticello Seminary for Women.

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Start your day at the only Mister Donut shop still operating under its original name (think Dunkin’ Donuts now) and snag a cup of coffee and an original gooey glazed donut. For anyone looking for pancakes at noon, Clifton Country Inn & Bake Shop serves breakfast all day. Shop and dine at the highly regarded Josephine’s Tea Room & Gift Shops. The elegant restaurant serves lunch in a historic mansion with landscaped gardens. Don’t forget dessert! Hickory smoked hand pulled pork is just one of the regular menu choices at Carver’s Southern Style BBQ. The food consistently wins Best BBQ competitions. Farm-to-table quality paired with Midwestern comfort food highlights the menu at Bakers & Hale. Lunch, dinner, brunch and kids menus on tap. For a quick meal or to stock up for a planned picnic, stop in at Godfrey Meat Market. Watch your favorite team and game at Roper’s Regal Beagle, a relaxed sports pub and grill. Be sure to stop at Shivers Frozen Custard for a cool treat.

Browse shelf after shelf of antique glass at My Antique Store. Specializing in glass, china and flatware, there is also small furniture, art and pottery available. Dresses, shawls, jewelry along with scarves, handbags, home décor and more fill the rooms of Josephine’s Tea Room and Gift Shops. Shop for gifts, resale items and enjoy a cup of coffee at The Shoppes at Beverly Farm.

PLAY Stroll through the Monticello Sculpture Gardens at Lewis & Clark Community College. Self-guided tours are available of the grounds which have been designated by the Missouri Botanical Gardens as a Signature Garden. Discover trails and paths through a diverse landscape including hardwood forests, prairies and wetlands at The Nature Institute. Be sure to stop by Glazebrook Park, a 120-acre area with two ponds, playgrounds and three miles of walking trails. In the fall, get lost in the Great Godfrey Maze.

Mister Donut • 2720 Grovelin, Ste. A • mister-donut.com; Clifton Country Inn & Bake Shop • 3015 W. Delmar Ave.; Josephine’s Tea Room • 6109 Godfrey Rd. • josephinesltd.online; Carver’s Southern Style BBQ • 2716 Grovelin St.; Bakers & Hale • 7120 Montclaire Ave. • bakershale.com; Godfrey Meat Market • 6017 Godfrey Rd. • godfreymeatmarket.com; Roper’s Regal Beagle • 3043 Godfrey Rd. • ropersregalbeagle.com; Shivers Frozen Custard • 3318 Godfrey Rd. • shiversfc.com; My Antique Store • 1007 W. Delmar Ave. • myantiquestore.com; The Shoppes at Beverly Farm • 6133 Humbert Rd. • beverlyfarm.org; Monticello Sculpture Gardens • 5800 Godfrey Rd. • lc.edu; The Nature Institute • 2213 S. Levis Ln. • thenatureinstitute.org; Robert E. Glazebrook Community Park • 1401 Stamper Ln. • godfreyil.org; Great Godfrey Maze • 1401 Stamper Ln. • godfreyil.org

51 Great Rivers & Routes

CANCER.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal. To learn more, visit osfhealthcare.org/cancercare.

YOU CAN SEE YOUR FUTURE FROM HERE

www.godfreyil.org l (618) 466-3324 l

RiversandRoutes.com

OUR TOWNS • MUST SEE PLACES

Grafton Breathtaking views of the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers are just part of Grafton’s charm. Add in historic buildings, a growing shopping, dining, boating and adventure scene and the city comes together as a thriving riverfront community. The largest American Flag on the Mississippi waves over the city's riverfront alongside a commemorative lighthouse. Explore Grafton’s Main Street, spend the night in a variety of guest houses and bed and breakfast inns, and walk the streets outlaw Jesse James reportedly wandered.

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Weekends were made for breakfast at Abigail’s Tap Room housed in the historic Ruebel Hotel. Get a look at the restored bar from the 1904 World’s Fair while enjoying lunch and dinner. Dine out in an aquarium restaurant at Fin Inn where the fish and turtles join diners at tableside aquariums. Both O’Jan’s Fish Stand and Beasley’s Fish are no frills outdoor food stands serving up fresh fried fish. Sit beside the Mississippi River and enjoy a drink and Dock Salsa at The Loading Dock. Enjoy award winning local wines along with refreshing lunch and dinner entrees at Grafton Winery & Brewhaus or travel to the top of the river bluffs and enjoy the views at The Winery at Aerie’s Resort. Good old fashioned barbeque is on the menu at the Hawg Pit BBQ Barn. Be entertained by the décor and live music at the 3rd Chute Bar & Grill. Cajun food is served up at the Grafton Oyster Bar. For a sweet treat, stop in at Grafton Fudge & Ice Cream Shop for homemade fudge and candy. The Whole Scoop also has sundaes, cones and shakes perfect for hot summer days.

Stroll down Grafton’s Main Street and discover exciting new art at Buena Vista Art, featuring steam punk and cyber punk creations and handcrafted jewelry. Stop in at Harrison’s Gifts for whimsical décor. New To You and Treasures Past & Present are the places to go for antique hunters. Enjoy a taste of the Southwest at Pajarito. For a memento of the trip to Grafton, don’t miss River Bank Gifts. One weekend a month from April through October, the Grafton Riverside Flea Market is the place to find vintage and collectibles.

PLAY Glide along the Mississippi and Illinois rivers on the 49-passenger Hakuna Matata excursion boat. Take your adventure to the next level with a ride 300-feet high on the new aerial Grafton SkyTour. Then tour the tree canopy on the river bluffs with Grafton Zipline Adventures. In the winter months, enjoy indoor ice skating beside the Mississippi River at The Loading Dock Ice Rink. Summer fun begins at Raging Rivers Water Park.

Abigail’s Tap Room • 217 E. Main St. • abigailstaproom.com; Fin Inn • 1500 W. Main St. • fininn.com; O’Jan’s Fish Stand • 101 W. Main St.; Beasley Fish Stand • 1521 W. Main St.; The Loading Dock • 401 Front St. • graftonloadingdock.com; Grafton Winery & Brewhaus • 300 W. Main St. • thegraftonwinery.com; The Winery at Aerie’s Resort • 600 Timber Ridge Dr. • aeriesview.com; Hawg Pit BBQ Barn • 821 W. Main St. • hawgpit.net; 3rd Chute Bar & Grill • 220 W. Main St. • 3rdchute.com; Grafton Oyster Bar • 215 W. Water St. • graftonoysterbar.com; Grafton Fudge & Ice Cream Shop • 321 E. Main St.; The Whole Scoop • 222 E. Main St. • thewholescoopil.com; Buena Vista Art • 307 E. Main St.; Harrison’s Gifts • 224 E. Main St.; New To You • 315 E. Main St.; Treasures Past & Present • 1504 W. Main St.; Pajarito • 316 E. Main St. • River Bank Gifts • 225 E. Main St.; Grafton Riverside Flea Market • 401 Front St. • graftonloadingdock.com; Hakuna Matata • 215 W. Water St. • graftonharbor.com; Grafton SkyTour • 3 W. Clinton • aeriesview.com; Grafton Zipline Adventures • 14 W. Main St. • aeriesview.com; The Loading Dock Ice Rink • 401 Front St. • graftonloadingdock.com; Raging Rivers Water Park • 100 Palisades Pkwy • ragingrivers.com

53 Great Rivers & Routes

ILLINOIS

EAt

shop

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STAY

For a complete list of events and adventures visit EnjoyGrafton.com

GraftonIlChamber.com

river road THE GREAT RIVERS

CARROLLTON

COURTHOUSE SQUARE HISTORIC DISTRICT HARDIN

JERSEY COUNTY FAIR

JOE PAGE LIFT BRIDGE

JERSEYVILLE

PERE MARQUETTE STATE PARK I L LI

PRINCIPIA COLLEGE GREAT RIVERS PARK THE NATURE INSTITUTE

GRAFTON

IS R IVE R

ELSAH MI

R IV

BRUSSELS

SS MI

I SS

ISS

GODFREY IPP

I RIV

PIASA BIRD

Audubon Center at Riverlands

ALTON VISITOR CENTER ALTON NATIONAL GREA MUSEUM AT MEL LOCKS AND

WEST ALTON

TWO RIVERS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

WOOD RIVE MI

RIV

LEWIS & CLARK LEWIS & CLARK STATE HISTORIC SITE CONFLUENCE TOWER Chain of Rocks BRIDGE

HARTFOR

COLLIN

Cah Mou

MISSOURI

ILLINOIS

d route 66 THE MOTHER ROAD

VIRDEN

DOC’S SODA FOUNTAIN

GIRARD

MILLION DOLLAR COURTHOUSE

ARISTON CAFé

LAKE LOU YAEGER ROUTE 66 WELCOME CENTER & MUSEUM

SKYVIEW DRIVE IN “Cannonball” Jail

(Macoupin County Courthouse)

CARLINVILLE Square

LITCHFIELD

CARLINVILLE

HILLSBORO

ILLINOIS COAL MUSEUM HENRY’S RABBIT RANCH

AT RIVERS LVIN PRICE D DAM

NSVILLE

hokia unds

airmount Park

BENLD

STAUNTON

Decamp Station

WILDEY THEATRE

GILLESPIE

MT. OLIVE

MOTHER JONES MONUMENT Soulsby Service Station

LIVINGSTON

PINK ELEPHANT ANTIQUE MALL HAMEL

EDWARDSVILLE GLEN CARBON

BROOKS CATSUP BOTTLE

WEEZY’S DINER

BREMER SANCTUARY

OUR TOWNS • MUST SEE PLACES

Elsah Massive limestone bluffs cradle the Village of Elsah, located in a small valley along the Mississippi River and the Great River Road. As historic as it is picturesque, the entire village has been named to the National Register of Historic Places. Settled in the mid-1800’s, all of the original homes were built out of limestone quarried from a nearby site. The village is often referred to as the “village where time stood still.”

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Step back into a simpler time with a leisurely walk through the village. Be sure to stop at the Elsah General Store and pick up a bottle of vintage soda, old-fashioned candy, local honey, pottery and more. Peace Works – A Market With a Mission is stocked entirely with fair trade goods where each item has a mission and a portion of the purchase price is donated to charitable organizations. Merchant on Mill has quaint gift items and cottage inspired vintage home décor. Boho, peasant luxury and festival fashions are available at The Look Factory. Stroll through the Sisters of Elsah Art Studio for a variety of hand painted art.

Take a bike ride through the streets of historic Elsah. Or drive through the grounds of Principia College, located high on the bluffs overlooking the village. The college is the only Christian Science college in the U.S. and features architecture by Bernard Maybeck. Visit TreeHouse Wildlife Center for an up close look at animals native to the region. Wander through the Village of Elsah Museum for a look into the past.

STAY Enjoy a peaceful overnight stay in Elsah. Homemade breakfasts and afternoon snacks are on tap at the Green Tree Inn Bed & Breakfast, a bed and breakfast inn. Check out Maple Leaf Cottage Inn Bed & Breakfast for a peaceful stay, also located in the heart of the village.

Elsah General Store • 22 LaSalle St. • elshageneralstore.com; Peace Works – A Market With A Mission • 7 Mill St.; Merchant on Mill • 43 Mill St.; The Look Factory • 43 Mill St. • shopthelookfactory.com; Sisters of Elsah Art Studio • 108 Mill St.; Principia College • 1 Maybeck Pl. • principiacollege.edu; TreeHouse Wildlife Center • 23956 Green Acres Rd. • treehousewildlifecenter.com; Village of Elsah Museum • 26 LaSalle St. • historicelsah.org; Green Tree Inn of Elsah • 15 Mill St. • greentreeinnelsah.com; Maple Leaf Cottage Inn Bed & Breakfast • 12 Selma St. • mapleleafcottageinn.com

57 Great Rivers & Routes

Escape to

Est. 1853

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Elsah General Store

Green Tree Inn Bed & Breakfast

Jeremiah's Resale Shop

Maple Leaf Cottage Inn Bed & Breakfast

The Look Factory Sisters of Elsah Art Studio and Gallery Peace Works

“A Market with a Mission”

Merchant on Mill

The perfect destination for: Cottage in the Woods Weddings, Family Reunions, Suite Jane Relaxing Getaways, Elsah River House Scenic Retreats * Statewide vote by the Illinois Bicentennial Commission and the State Journal Register

escapetoelsah.com /Elsah – A Step Back in Time – Village in Illinois

OUR TOWNS • MUST SEE PLACES

Calhoun County Striking natural beauty and lush farmlands blend together in Calhoun County which is bordered on the west by the Mississippi River and on the east by the Illinois River. The location between the rivers gives the peninsula county a desirable micro-climate perfect for growing peaches, apples and other produce. Picturesque barn quilts adorn the sides and fronts of rural buildings. Migrating birds make the county home during the fall and spring. American Bald Eagles fly in for the winter months.

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Brussels: The historic Wittmond Restaurant is home to all-you-caneat, family-style meals. Fried chicken, fried catfish, burgers and roast beef are on the menu at AJ’s Bar & Grill. Hardin: Dine on a catfish sandwich or filet at the iconic Illinois Riverdock Restaurant, located on the banks of its namesake. Go to the Straight Home Bar & Grill for tasty meals and cold drinks. Pick up a burger and fries at the Hardin Drive In. Batchtown: Cedar Hill Resort offers outside dining. The Old Fill Inn Station has a diner atmosphere attached to a bar.

Brussels: Eagles, American White Pelicans and more call the Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge home. Make a stop at the Historic Brussels Jail, originally called a “calaboose” where inmates at one time had to sleep standing up. Check in to the Calhoun Visitor Center for maps and information. Hardin: Browse through the Calhoun County Historical Society Museum. Take a ride across the Joe Page Bridge, one of the few lift bridges left on the Illinois River. Kampsville: The Center for American Archeology provides a look at prehistoric history of the region.

SHOP Brussels: Stop by Village Consignments in Brussels for treasures and farm décor. Visit the wide variety of orchards and roadside stands for fresh fruits, vegetables and pumpkins including: Hagen Family Orchard, Toppmeyer’s Orchard and Odelehr’s Roadside Market; Hardin: Tom Ringhausen Orchard & Market; Golden Eagle: Eberlin’s Orchard, Jacobs Orchard and Kamp’s Orchard.

EAT – Brussels: Wittmond Restaurant, 166 E. Main St., AJ’s Bar & Grill, 124 Main St.; Village Consignment, 144 E. Main; Hardin: Illinois Riverdock Restaurant, 501 Front St., ilriverdock.com; Straight Home Bar & Grill, 1725 E.; Hardin Drive In, 207 N. Park St. Batchtown: Cedar Hill Resort, Dogtown Rd.; Old Fill Inn Station, 208 N. Main St. SHOP – Golden Eagle: J L Krafts and Flowers, 69 Rose St.; Brussels: Hagen Family Orchard, 2260 E. Brussels Ferry Rd.; Toppmeyer’s Orchard, 480 Meyer Ln.; Odelehr’s Roadside Market, 7127 Illinois River Rd.; Hardin: Tom Ringhausen Orchard & Market, Rt. 16 & Rt. 100; Golden Eagle: Eberlin’s Orchard, 1218 Two Story Hill; Jacobs Orchard, 148 Ridge Rd.; Kamp’s Orchard, R.R. 1; PLAY – Brussels: Two Rivers National Wildife Refuge, 364 Wildlife Conservation Rd., fws.gov/refuge/two_ rivers; Historic Brussels Jail, 131 E. Main St.; Calhoun Visitor Center, 133 E. Main St.; Hardin: Calhoun County Historical Society Museum, 204 N. County Rd.; Joe Page Bridge, Rt. 100; Kampsville: Center for American Archeology, 101 N. Broadway, caa-archeology.com

59 Great Rivers & Routes

Carrollton Rolling hills and farmland surround Carrollton, the county seat of Greene County and home to the historic Courthouse Square. The courthouse is a limestone Romanesque-Revival building built in the late 1800’s and occupies an entire city block. The courthouse and surrounding 12 block business district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

EAT Enjoy coffee during the day and wine and spirits in the evening at Copper Stills & Mash. A limited food menu is also available and live music is on tap just about every Saturday night. Authentic flavors and ingredients highlight the pizzas at Alfonso’s. For more casual tastes, check out the Dairy Bar of Carrollton for local ice cream and sandwiches. For cool treats on hot days, stop by Paradise Shaved Ice.

STAY Spend the night at the Farmhouse Loft, located in the heart of downtown Carrollton. The guest house is near dining and the historic county courthouse.

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Copper Stills & Mash • 430 N. Main St.; Alfonso’s • 514 N. Main • alfonsospizza.biz; Dairy Bar of Carrollton • 334 5th St.• dairybarcarrollton.com; Paradise Shaved Ice • 422 N. Main St.; Farmhouse Loft • 506 N. Main St. • fhloft.com.

RiversandRoutes.com

OUR TOWNS • MUST SEE PLACES

Hillsboro

Nestled in the hills of rural Montgomery County, Hillsboro offers a relaxed retreat from the hustle and bustle of larger cities. Abraham Lincoln spent time here as a young circuit lawyer and the

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The sign says Sweet Addictions and Street Eats, but burgers are on the menu along with the refreshing taste of hand dipped ice cream, concretes and more. The Cozy Café is just that, cozy and welcoming. Famous for its Sweet & Sour Chicken, it’s the secret recipe egg rolls and chili that brings customers back for more. For a more upscale dining experience go to the Canton Inn. Authentic Italian delicacies are on the menu at Gianni’s Pizza & Italian Ristorante. Enjoy the pub atmosphere at Half Time Bar & Grill with cold drinks, appetizers and more. Be sure to stop in at Black Rabbit Coffee Roasters where the brew is freshly ground and the flavors one-of-a-kind. Don’t miss The Opera House Brewing Company for a cold, locally crafted beer.

Take a walk down Main Street in Hillsboro and browse through Nzuri Boutique, a women’s clothing store that supports global non profits. Upscale meets upcycling at The Refinery Vintage Goods where a mix of interesting home décor lines the shelves. The Gold Pan: Record Store & Recording Studio is a haven for record collectors featuring carefully curated vinyl. Herbal teas, supplements and more are available at Sage on Sage. Hand crafted and one-of-a-kind items are available at Blackboard Mercantile.

downtown district, highlighted by a historic courthouse, is a vibrant, blossoming spot anchored by a craft brewery, coffee roaster and quirky movie theater.

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Sweet Addictions and Street Eats • 400 S. Main St.; Cozy Café • 633 S. Main St.; Canton Inn • 303 22nd St.; Gianni’s Pizza & Italian Ristorante • 1233 Vandalia Rd. • giannisitalianpizza.com; Half Time Bar & Grill • 206 S. Main St.; Black Rabbit Coffee Roasters • 313 S. Main St. • blackrabbitcoffee.com; The Opera House Brewing Company • 405 S. Main St.; Blackboard Mercantile • 227 S. Main St.; Nzuri Boutique • 305 S. Main St.; The Refinery Vintage Goods • 107 Tilson Place; Gold Pan Records & Recording Studio • 309 S. Main St.; Sage on Sage • 509 S. Main St.; Blackboard Mercantile • 227 S. Main St.; Orpheum Theatre • 316 S. Main St. • bestmoviedeal.com; Knisley’s Hillsboro Bowl • 217 N. Main St.

61 Great Rivers & Routes

PLAY The Orpheum Theatre not only brings first run movies to the big screen, it also makes movie night an experience. Walk through a lobby of sand and pretend Aladdin has come to life. Life-sized zebras and more decorate the lobby during a showing of The Lion King. Knisley’s Hillsboro Bowl has open bowling daily in a family-friendly atmosphere.

Litchfield EAT

History and heritage mingle in Litchfield which sits right on the Mother Road of Route 66 in southwest Illinois. The city is known for its outdoor recreation opportunities at Lake Lou Yaeger, its don’t miss monthly Pickers Markets, turn-of-the century architecture and Mother Road memories of neon, roadside diners and drive-in theaters. The city is located 60 miles north of St. Louis and is adjacent to Interstate 55.

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Take a break from driving down the Mother Road at the historic Ariston Café. Known for its neon signage and wide menu of food, it is believed to be the oldest café on Route 66 today. The Ariston is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Don’t miss dessert and luscious baked goods at Jubelt’s Bakery, located a hop-skip and a jump from the Ariston. Enjoy fresh burgers, fries and shakes at Highway 55 Burgers Shakes & Fries, a retro-themed soda fountain diner. Take a coffee break at the House of Sunshine Coffee Shoppe & Book Nook. Casual homestyle food is on the menu at Tosi’s Route 66 Café.

PLAY Spend an evening enjoying a great movie complete with popcorn and a soda at the Sky View Drive-In Theater, the last original operating drive-in on Route 66 in Illinois. Visit the Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center for a look at Mother Road memorabilia and a dive into the city’s rich history. Enjoy a picnic, spend the day on the beach, kayak, hike and bike at Lake Lou Yaeger. Explore the Shoal Creek Conservation Area with a camera at this home to over 700 species of plants, 70 kinds of butterflies and 74 different species of birds. From April through October the Litchfield Pickers Market takes over the streets of downtown Litchfield the second Sunday of each month.

SHOP Explore historic downtown Litchfield full of antique shops, home décor boutiques and more. The perfect antique awaits at Phyllbena’s Antiques. Nana’s Hidden Attic, the Litchfield Vintage Mall and Litchfield Indoor Flea Market also yield up treasures to the careful shopper. Stop in at Whiskey River Dry Goods a boutique specializing in women’s clothing, men's items, hand painted clothing and more. Motorcyle enthusiasts should make Niehaus Cycle Sales a must stop.

Ariston Café • 413 N. Old Route 66 • ariston-café.com; Jubelt’s Bakery & Restaurant • 303 N. Old Route 66 • jubelts.com; Highway 55 Burgers & Shakes • 1403 W. Ferdon • hwy55.com; House of Sunshine Coffee Shoppe & Book Nook • 1200 E. Union Ave.; Tosi’s Route 66 Café • 318 S. Old Route 66; Phyllbena’s Antiques • 623 N. State St. • phyllbenas.business.site; Nana’s Hidden Attic • 18395 W. Frontage Rd.; Litchfield Vintage Mall • 121 W. Ryder St. • litchfieldmall.com; Litchfield Indoor Flea Market • 110 W. Union Ave.; Whiskey River Dry Goods Company • 904 W. Union Ave. • whiskeyriverdrygoodscompany.com; Niehaus Cycle Sales • 718 N. Old Route 66 • niehauscycle. com; Sky View Drive-In Theater • 1500 N. Old Route 66 • litchfieldskyview.com; Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center • 334 Historic Old Route 66 • litchfieldmuseum.org; Lake Lou Yaeger • 4313 Beach House Trail • visitlitchfield.com; Shoal Creek Conservation Area • 1177 Yaegerlake Trail • visitlitchfield.com; Pickers Market • downtown streets • visitlitchfield.com.

Litchfield

Visit

Get Your Kicks! STAY ON ROUTE 66 • 6 HOTELS AND 30 RESTAURANTS

VisitLitchfield.com 866-733-5833 RiversandRoutes.com

OUR TOWNS • MUST SEE PLACES

Carlinville Coal mining played a large part in the development of Carlinville on the Illinois’ prairie. The rural community is best known now for its historic Sears Homes neighborhood, built in 1918 to house coal miners by the Standard Oil Company, and the Million Dollar Courthouse. A picturesque downtown square, quaint shops and restaurants and links to Route 66 provide a charming welcome to visitors. Carlinville is also home to Blackburn College, a private liberal arts school.

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For more than 100 years, Taylor’s Mexican Chili Parlor has been providing top-notch chili, tamales and butter bean soup to diners. Taylor’s has been recognized as an official “Maker” in the Illinois Made program. Fresh ingredients are key for Abella’s Restaurant, a family friendly spot serving up breakfast, lunch and dinner. Stop in at the Tangled Vine Restaurant & Lounge for any meal of the day for new and traditional American favorites. Enjoy the rustic atmosphere at Crabby’s Supper Club, a family-friendly spot. Desserts are made in-house and check out the pies made every weekend by the owner’s mother.

For those on the hunt for eclectic antiques and vintage and magical finds, stroll through Country Gypsy. More antiques, upcycled and recycled goods are available at OLDE, on the city square. Mother Road Antique Mall is open seven days a week for shoppers and has antiques of all shapes, sizes and prices. One-of-a-kind gifts and souvenirs are available at Cherry Tree Gifts & Souvenirs.

PLAY Tour the historic Macoupin County “Million Dollar” Courthouse, built at a cost of $1.3 million in 1870. It took residents more than 40 years to pay off the construction costs. The building is a working courthouse to this day. Don’t miss the historic Cannonball Jail, a fortress-style building built with Civil War era cannonballs and once a Route 66 stop.

Taylor’s Mexican Chili Parlor • 510 N. Side Sq. • taylorschili.com; Abella’s Restaurant • 127 S. Broad St. • abellasrestaurant. com; Tangled Vine Restaurant & Lounge • 531 S. West St. • tangledvinerestaurantandlounge.godaddysites.com; Crabby’s Supper Club • 18838 Route 4; Country Gypsy • 118 N. West St.; OLDE • 254 S. Side Square; Mother Road Antique Mall • 106 N. Side Square; Cherry Tree Gifts & Souvenirs • 236 E. Side Square; Macoupin County “Million Dollar” Courthouse • 201 E. Main St. • macoupincountyil.gov; Cannonball Jail • 215 S. East St. • macoupincountyil.gov.

63 Great Rivers & Routes

East Alton Adjacent to the City of Alton, East Alton has a storied past as a railway community and industrial center. Today it is home to a growing retail and culinary scene and celebrates its community history in a local city-run museum.

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Start off the day with breakfast at First Stop Bake Shop, home to a sourdough breakfast panini, bagels and lox, and French pastries. Watch planes take off and land from High Flyers Grille which sits beside the runway at St. Louis Regional Airport. A lunch buffet, daily specials and a wide variety of local craft beers are on tap. New to the East Alton food scene is J.J. Thermo’s, home to Jalapeno Belly Bombers, Pickle Fries, Popeye’s Spinach Salad and a host of aptly named sandwiches and entrees. For a quick bite, stop in at Magnum’s Bar & Grill. Airliner Bar & Grill is family-friendly and has lunch and dinner specials in addition to cocktails and beer. Super premium small-batch ice cream is made in-house at Blue Ice Creamery.

Bargain hunters enjoy shopping at Pure Bliss Home Décor. Most furniture, décor, rugs and accent pieces are up to half off ordinary retail prices. Locally owned and operated, the Community Feed and Seed has outdoor lawn ornaments and more. Wander through Sandi’s Costumes & Alterations. There’s too much to see in one day!

PLAY Lace up a pair of skates and take to the ice at East Alton Ice Arena. The city owned rink has open ice skating year round. Axe-perts come together at Riverbend Axe Throwing, a new bar and lounge that has specially designed axe throwing targets, pool tables, big screen TV’s and more. If it’s movie and popcorn time, head to AMC Classic Eastgate 6 for big screen entertainment.

First Stop Bake Shop • 611 E. Airline Dr. • firststopbakeshop.com; High Flyers Grille • 16 Terminal Dr. • highflyersgrill. wordpress.com; J.J. Thermo’s • 17 Eastgate Plaza; Magnum’s Bar & Grill • 407 E. Main St.; Airliner Bar & Grill • 573 E. Airline Dr.; Blue Ice Creamery • 127 Eastgate Plaza • blueicecreamery.com; Pure Bliss Home Décor • 935 E. Airline Dr.; Community Feed and Seed Company • 300 N. Shamrock St.; Sandi’s Costumes & Alterations • 136 E. St. Louis Ave. • itssewsandi.com; East Alton Ice Arena • 631 Lewis & Clark Blvd. • eastaltonicearena.org; Riverbend Axe Throwing • 205 Eastgate Plaza • riverbendaxethrowing.com; AMC Classic Eastgate 6 • 625 Lewis & Clark Blvd. • amctheatres.com

RiversandRoutes.com

OUR TOWNS • MUST SEE PLACES

Troy Troy has been a crossroads town

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since it was founded in the early

It may not look like much from the outside, but Kelly’s Butcher Shop & Deli is where the locals go for hot meals daily. Look for it behind the 4-0 Quick Shop at the intersection of U.S. 40 and Troy-O’Fallon Road. To satisfy a taste for Tex-Mex, check out Terra Sur. For pizza, check out Alfonzo’s Pizzeria and Joe’s Pizza and Pasta. Handmade ice cream is the perfect treat available at City Scoops Creamery.

Five different hotels offer overnight options, all conveniently located near interstate highways. Stay at the Best Western Troy Hotel and enjoy room amenities like a wet bar, jetted tubs and suites. Free breakfast bar, indoor pool and fitness center are part of any stay at the Holiday Inn Express-Troy. Enjoy a suite complete with whirlpool hot tubs, mini fridge and microwave at Red Roof Inn St. Louis – Troy. Complimentary continental breakfast and a heated indoor pool are part of the Super 8 by Wyndham Troy IL/St. Louis Area experience.

1800s. Once the site of the first stagecoach stop for travelers to and from St. Louis along the newly created National Road, the vibrant city now sits at the intersection of Interstates 55 and 70. With both small town charm and easy access to St. Louis (just 18 miles away) the city has developed a growing culinary scene and has a wealth of overnight options.

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PLAY A skateboard park, Frisbee golf course, lake, over two miles of walking trails and a petting zoo are all available at Tri-Township Park. There is also a radio controlled vehicle crawler course. Every July 4, the city presents one of the largest fireworks displays in the St. Louis Metro area. For bargain hunters, citywide yard sales are held each spring and fall.

Kelly’s Butcher Shop & Deli • 804 S. Main St. • kellysbutchershopanddeli; Terra Sur • 920 Edwardsville Rd.; Alfonzo’s Pizzeria • 611 Edwardsville Rd. • alfonzospizzeria.net; Joe’s Pizza and Pasta • 904 Edwardsville Rd. • orderjoes.com; City Scoops Creamery • 300 Edwardsville Rd.; Tri-Township Park • 410 Wickliffe St. • tritownshippark.org; Best Western Troy Hotel, 2020 Formosa Rd. • bestwestern.com; Holiday Inn Express Troy • 2011 Formosa Rd. • ihg.com; Red Roof Inn St. Louis – Troy, 2030 Formosa Rd. • redroof.com; Super 8 by Wyndham Troy IL/St. Louis Area • 910 Edwardsville Rd. • wyndhamhotels.com

65 Great Rivers & Routes

City of

TROY Iinois

TROYMARYVILLECOC.COM

CAREER/VOLUNTEER FAIR: 3/26/20 City Wide Garage Sales: 5/15/20 – 5/16/20 9/18/20 – 9/19/20

TROY FIREWORKS July 4

Fireworks start at dusk Tri-Township Park Exit #18, east, right at FCB Bank

Recycle Event: 5/16/20 & 9/19/20 BACK-TO-SCHOOL MOVIE NIGHT: 8/7/20 SRA BRADLEY SMITH 5K September 12, 2020 FALL COMMUNITY EXPO:

SrA Bradley R. Smith USAF TACP KIA 01-03-10 Operation Enduring Freedom

10/29/20 RiversandRoutes.com

SEASONAL escapes

SPRING, SUMMER, FALL, WINTER – THE GREAT RIVERS & ROUTES REGION HAS IT ALL. GREAT SEASONAL ESCAPES THAT IS!

Summer l The lazy, hazy days of summer begin on Memorial Day with the opening of area water parks, swimming pools and splash pads. Collinsville Aqua Park and Raging Rivers in Grafton welcome sun worshipers and water adventurers. The City of Collinsville ushers in the summer season with a Memorial Day celebration near the Gateway Convention Center with food vendors, music and a huge fireworks display at dusk. Don’t miss the city’s International Horseradish Festival that takes over the streets of Uptown Collinsville each June. Escape to Lake Lou Yaeger for boating, swimming and hiking fun. Summer months are perfect for overnight campouts at the lake and Pere Marquette State Park.

Spring l Throw off the winter coats and take a spring time journey throughout the six county region of Great Rivers & Routes from March through May. With the blossoming of the trees and flowers, the area dresses itself in the bright greens, pinks and yellows of the season. March is the ideal time to rediscover Route 66. Take a brisk walk across the mile long Old Chain of Rocks Bridge over the Mississippi River. Explore the Pink Elephant Antique Mall and use the visit as an outdoor photo op beside its giant elephant, alien spaceship and oversized chipmunks. The rabbits come out to play at Henry’s Rabbit Ranch along the historic road. No one celebrates March like the folks at Morrison’s Irish Pub in Alton. A St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl is held in the middle of the month and features green beer, great food and lively entertainment. In April, as gardens begin to bloom with new growth be sure to take a walk through the Nan Elliott Rose Garden at Gordon Moore Park in Alton. Visit the Watershed Nature Center in Edwardsville and walk along its raised paths. Celebrate Spring with Farm Days at Willoughby Heritage Farm in Collinsville. Celebrate May with the opening of local farmer’s markets. Downtown Edwardsville is home to the Land of Goshen Community Market which runs every Saturday from May through October. The Alton riverfront hosts the Alton Farmers’ and Artisans' Market every Wednesday and Saturday May through October. The historic Village of Elsah hosts an annual Spring Celebration each May with food vendors, crafts and live entertainment. River cruises kick off with the onset of warmer weather. Discover a new side of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers on sunset, dinner and sightseeing cruises on the Hakuna Matata in Grafton.

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Fireworks light up the night skies throughout the region in late June through early July. The Alton Fireworks Spectacular on the city riverfront is held July 3. The City of Troy has dazzling fireworks every July 4. Live music takes center stage at the Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater every summer. National performers bring their shows to the outdoor riverfront amphitheater delighting audiences. More than 20 regional food trucks are in the spotlight during the annual Alton Food Truck Festival held at the end of August.

Fall l

Winter l l

Shorter days and cooler temperatures are a sure sign that Fall has arrived in the Great Rivers & Routes region. That means the haunted season in Alton ramps up with walking and trolley tours of historically haunted sites. Fall color drives along the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway between Alton and Grafton are great escapes, as well as scenic drives through Calhoun County and Jersey and Greene Counties. Put the top down on the convertible and take a drive along the 60-mile stretch of the Mother Road from Virden to just outside St. Louis during the sunny and warm Indian Summer days of fall. Local festivals including the Edwardsville Art Fair held outside in City Park and the Collinsville Italian Fest in Uptown Collinsville return each September. The end of October means its time for annual Halloween Parades including the longest running parade in the nation – the Alton Halloween Parade. Edwardsville has one of the largest parades in the region as floats, bands and a variety of ghosts and other seasonal character roam the city’s streets.

A sure sign that winter has returned to the region is the arrival of Trumpeter Swans and American Bald Eagles to the region. Swans begin making their way from Wisconsin’s North Woods in late November while the American Bald Eagles don’t arrive until the end of December or early January. Both enjoy the relatively warmer climate and open waters of the area until February. Their return is celebrated during the annual Alton Audubon Eagle Ice Festival and meet-and-greet sessions with eagles at the Alton Visitor Center on Saturdays throughout January. Holiday events warm up the cool December days and nights. Christmas Wonderland in Alton brings the season to life with millions of holiday lights. The Light Up Parade in Uptown Collinsville kicks off the holiday season in the city. Bethalto’s Christmas Village, Jerseyville’s Downtown Country Christmas, Santa’s Chocolate Express in Grafton, Carlinville’s Holiday Market and Hillsboro’s Storybook Christmas keep the festivities going all month. Will it be a short winter or a long one? Only Murray the Groundhog knows for sure. Find out his prediction at the annual Ground Hog Day Celebration at the Alton Visitor Center Feb. 2.

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CRAFTDISCOVERIES

A historic opera house. A vacant newspaper building. A former bakery factory. Once empty buildings have new life as home to local craft breweries. The smell of ink on newsprint and the roar of printing presses has been replaced by the slightly yeasty scent of craft beer and the quieter sounds of glasses clinking and casual conversation in the former Collinsville Herald building. Derik and Whitney Reiser have brought a craft beer and distillery to town. Old Herald Brewery & Distillery, 115 E. Clay St., was born in the closed newspaper building and printing plant in Uptown Collinsville. In addition to craft brews, a full lunch and dinner menu are available in a family-friendly atmosphere. “We saw the (vacant) building and had a vision,” Derik remembers. The craft brewery and distillery opened for business in January 2019. “We are in the heart of the Metro East (St. Louis area). There is nothing like it. A lot of folks travel through the area and we are able to help bring them to Collinsville,” he adds. The couple had been experimenting with creating craft beer from their home garage since the early 1990s. And they discovered their brews tasted better than anything they could buy. Adding a distillery had been in the back of their minds at the same time. When they discovered the Old Herald building, creating a craft brewery and distillery seemed like the perfect merger of the two products. “I have worked with a lot of great distilleries in the country the last three years to make sure we get off on the right foot,” Derik says. “We developed our gin recipe during a trip to Louisville. Creating spirits is an art and a science and it’s the combination of the two that makes it fun.”

IT’S NOT JUST BEER … CRAFT DISTILLERIES HAVE ALSO BLOSSOMED IN THE GREAT RIVERS & ROUTES REGION. Mastermind Vodka in Madison County led the way when its high end ultra premium vodka was developed 9 years ago. It was a trial and error process for founder Carl Levering who built his first still in his home. The railroad engineer experimented with potatoes, wheat and sugars to develop a drinkable vodka. “I almost burnt my house down,” Levering remembers of the early days. “I finally found a formula that worked when I started using corn in the process. It took 40 tries to get it

69 Great Rivers & Routes

Now, craft beer vats sit in the basement of the building next to old newspaper printing equipment. The stainless steel distillery stills operate on the main floor. Photos of former newspaper staff and the building dot the walls. A Querty keyboard, created by Whitney, has a prime spot in the event room. And even the beer names pay homage to the building’s past. Printer’s Ink, Late Edition, Proofreader Pale Ale, Read All Over and Witty Headline brews highlight the beer menu. Clear craft spirits including vodka, gin, rum and agave are used to create signature cocktails. Old Herald’s beers and spent grains are used in the restaurant to enhance the flavors of the food. Grains are used in the batter on fish and onion rings. Beer is used in sauces and in the beer cheese dip for pretzels. During warm weather, an outdoor patio was created for customers to enjoy their meal and drinks. Live music is available on weekends. Try out your bocce ball skills on the outdoor bocce court. The former Hillsboro Opera House also has new life. The building, built in 1864 as the city’s Odd Fellows Hall, is now home to the Opera House Brewing Company, 405 S. Main St., Hillsboro, which serves up its unique take on beer. Patrons can sample beers like the German Hefeweizen Pour-a-nora or the American pilsner, Locked & Loaded while watching the brewing process through an open floor viewing platform. Enjoy beer like the Copper Rabbit, made from coffee beans roasted at nearby Black Rabbit Coffee Roasters. Small batch creative brews are produced regularly and sell out quickly. Customers are encouraged to bring their own food to eat while enjoying a beer.

Carrot Cake Brown. Check out the core seasonal beers and limited releases like Gentle Giant, a tip of the hat to Alton’s Robert Wadlow the world’s tallest man, and Cerveza con Lima, a Cinco de Mayo favorite. The City of Edwardsville has made its mark on the craft beer scene with two independent brewers. Recess Brewing Company, 307 N. Main St., and Peel Brewing (brewed in nearby O’Fallon, IL and served at the Edwardsville location of Peel Wood Fired Pizza), 921 S. Arbor Vitae. After establishing itself as the go-to place for creative, mouth-watering pizzas, the owners of Peel branched into the craft brewery field. They hit the craft beer scene with a signature Blood Orange Wheat brew and the Double Take Blonde. Peel is experimenting with its new Four Brandons-Pale Ale and the Chocolate Cherry Quad. Recess Brewing offers a relaxed, bring your own food, atmosphere that is focused entirely on its beers. The community supported brewery includes a 1,500-square foot brewery and 1,100-square foot tap room. Sample the Four Square: Nut Brown and Recess’s take on popular hefewiezen beer with Hefepotumus Rex. Grafton Winery & Brewhaus, 300 W. Main St., Grafton, keeps its craft beers simple yet hearty. Try a flight of handcrafted beer including American Pilsner, American Wheat and Colaweizen among others.

The Old Bakery Beer Company, 400 Landmarks Blvd., in Alton has repurposed the vacant Colonial Bakery building near the city’s riverfront. An organic craft brewery, one of just a handful in the U.S., head brewer and co-owner James Rogalsky has created a new take on popular American beers. Try the brewery’s Citrus Wheat; Hibiscus Tart, a farm-to-glass brew as well as Basil Pale Ale and

right.” He bottled his first batch in 2011 and sold out quickly. Levering’s vodkas have won gold medals in the World Spirits Competition and are distributed locally. Blue Stem Vodka, a distillery and tasting room in Bethalto, was created by a group of friends and scientists who designed a one-of-a-kind production process. The vodka is distilled from corn and cut with reverse osmosis water. The vodka is named after the state prairie grass in Illinois and Missouri – Blue Stem. A new Blue Stem Hard Seltzer is also available.

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WINE NOT! It’s been a long day strolling along the Madison County Transit Trails in Edwardsville. A drive along Route 66 has worked up a powerful thirst. The waters of the Mississippi River bring to mind a glass of wine. Okay, maybe that’s a stretch. But you get the idea. It is, after all, wine o’clock in the Great Rivers & Routes region.

Red, white and pink. Sweet, dry, sparkling. Chardonnay, Vignole, Cabernet. Grapes, peaches, apples. It would take days to explore all the local wineries and wine bars the region has to offer. So, wine not?

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Start your wine journey at Grafton Winery & Brewhaus and its awardwinning wines. Enjoy a glass of Apple Crisp or Harbor Red while taking in the relaxing views of the Mississippi River from the winery’s downtown Grafton location. For a more peaceful wine tasting experience, head over to The Vineyards, Grafton Winery’s four acre lakeside retreat, vineyard and production facility. Fifteen different wines produced on site are available. Bring a picnic basket or enjoy a boxed lunch. Just 25 miles north of The Vineyards, Mary Michelle Winery creates wines under its Illinois Cellars and Mary Michelle labels. The winery’s signature soft, smooth wines include Velvet Red, Rose and White wines, sparkling wines and the popular Norton, a red wine. Although the winery isn’t open to the public, wines are available at the Mary Michelle Winery tasting room at Pere Marquette Lodge & Conference Center as well as area retailers.

AND THERE’S MORE! Twelve different wineries twine across southwest Illinois. Small communities are home to scenic wineries created to celebrate wine and the beauty of the region. Here’s a list of wineries to check out during your Wine Not journey. ■ THE

#5 MINE WINERY 413 E. Central Ave. • Benld 217-835-3555 ■ HALF

WITT WINERY 240 N. Hirst St. • Witt • 217-594-7151 ■ FORSEE

VINEYARDS & WINERY 18165 N. 4th Ave. • Coffeen 217-534-6347 ■ VIXEN

HILL WINERY 7331 Palmyra Rd. • Palmyra 217-691-4331 ■ WILD

PICKINS WINERY 14223 Rte. 111 • Chesterfield 618-753-3833 ■ THE

WINERY AT SHALE LAKE 1499 Washington Ave. • Staunton 618-637-2470

■ GRAFTON

WINERY & BREWHAUS 300 W. Main St. • Grafton 618-786-3001 ■ GRAFTON

WINERY THE VINEYARDS 21028 Eckert Orchard Rd. • Grafton 618-786-3004 ■ GRAFTON

ICE HOUSE WINERY 214 W. Main St. • Grafton 618-786-2737 ■ MARY

MICHELLE WINERY 13653 Lodge Blvd. • Grafton 618-786-2331 ■ GRAFTON

HARBOR FLOATING WINERY 215 W. Water St. • Grafton 618-786-7678 ■ THE

WINERY AT AERIES RESORT 600 Timber Ridge Dr. • Grafton 618-786-7477

WINE BARS ■ COPPER BAR AT STATE

STREET MARKET 212 State St. • Alton • 618-462-8800 ■ SOLERA

212 W. 3rd St. • Alton 618-433-9655

WINE TASTING - LIVE MUSIC MICROBREWERY - PATIO SEATING EVENTS & PARTIES - KITCHEN OPEN DAILY 300 W MAIN ST GRAFTON, IL 62037 WWW.THEGRAFTONWINERY.COM 618-786-3001

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GREAT COFFEE STOPS

BLACK RABBIT COFFEE ROASTERS 313 S. Main St. • Hillsboro

There’s nothing like the smell of freshly roasted coffee. Or better yet, the first sip of a bright, lively cup of a special blend of beans. For coffee lovers, or those who can’t start the day without a fresh cup of Joe, a trail of locally owned and operated coffee shops dot the Great Rivers & Routes landscape. Have your first cup of coffee of the day… or your second… or third at one of these great local coffeehouses.

73 Great Rivers & Routes

Tucked into downtown Hillsboro, Black Rabbit Coffee Roasters offers a relaxed atmosphere where people gather in the industrial chic building to enjoy a cup or two of their uniquely roasted coffee. Owners Bailey and Isaac Reynolds work with coffee traders throughout the world to find the best beans available. They then roast the beans in a 10 kilo drum roaster housed in the coffee shop’s basement. “It’s more interesting if we do one small lot at a time,” Isaac says. Isaac grew up in Guatemala where coffee is king. It’s where he also developed a love for good coffee.

SACRED GROUNDS CAFÉ 233 N. Main St. • Edwardsville (618) 692-4150

What was once a bank in downtown Alton has been transformed into a specialty coffee house and craft beer taproom. Germania Brew Haus has become the go-to spot for a cup of coffee serving up Crimson Cup coffees including award winning Armando’s Blend. Enjoy a cup of hot coffee, coffee over ice, frozen and espresso inside or on the scenic outdoor patio overlooking the Mississippi River.

Conveniently located on Main Street in Downtown Edwardsville, Sacred Grounds Cafè embraces its coffeehouse vibe with special brews, lattes, and great baked goods in a casual, family-friendly atmosphere. A vegetarian breakfast and lunch menu is available as well.

COPPER STILLS & MASH

430 N. Main St. • Carrollton (217) 702-4803

VERONA COFFEE COMPANY 101 E. Main St. • Collinsville (618) 696-1522

GERMANIA BREW HAUS 617 E. Broadway St. • Alton (314) 667-4751

AND HERE'S A FEW MORE: ■

■

Relax at Verona Coffee Company in Uptown Collinsville with a White Mocha Espresso or an Iced Caramel Macchiato. The coffeehouse sits inside Bert’s Chuck Wagon restaurant and serves up Kaldi blend coffee. Pair your brew with a homemade scone, energy bite or bar cookie.

■

POST COMMONS

■

STARBUCKS

■

STARBUCKS

6680 Edwardsville Crossing Dr. Edwardsville • (618) 692-7817

■

STARBUCKS

STARBUCKS IN TARGET

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AERIE’S GROUNDS & GIFTS 600 Timber Ridge Dr. • Grafton (618) 786-8438

HOUSE OF SUNSHINE COFFEE SHOPPE & BOOK NOOK 1200 E Union Ave. • Litchfield (217) 324-6215

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DUNKIN’

819 Edwardsville Rd. • Troy (618) 667-9931

6133 Humbert Rd. • Godfrey • (618) 466-1187 ■

BIG BOY'S DONUTS

933 S. State St. • Jerseyville (618) 498-8715

MISTER DONUT

THE SHOPPES AT BEVERLY FARM

ESPRESSO YOURSELF BAKERY 410 Carpenter • Jerseyville (618) 639-2877

2720 Grovelin St. • Godfrey • (618) 466-6327 ■

MAGIC BEANS COFFEE HOUSE

101 S. 2nd St. • Girard • (217) 556-8842

TEASPOONS CAFE

2125 State Rte. 157 • Edwardsville (618) 655-9595

UGLY MUGS COFFEEHOUSE 125 W. State St. • Nokomis (217) 630-2138

2350 Troy Rd. • Edwardsville • (618) 659-3200

1077 Collinsville Crossing Blvd. Collinsville • (618) 343-9062 ■

COFFEE XPRESSO

6105 Center Grove Rd. • Edwardsville (618) 659-8690

GOSHEN COFFEE COMPANY 206 E. Linden St. • Edwardsville (618) 659-0571

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WEEPING WILLOW TEA ROOM 123 Glen Crossing Rd. Glen Carbon • (618) 205-8557

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LUCIANNA’S PASTRIES 607 E. Broadway • Alton • (618) 433-9395

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514 W. Union Ave. • Litchfield (217) 324-4009

300 Alby St. • Alton • (618) 433-8871

BE SURE TO STOP BY:

222 ARTISAN BAKERY & CAFE 222 N. Main St. • Edwardsville (618) 659-1122

MAEVA’S COFFEE

1320 Milton Rd. • Alton • (618) 581-7510

Copper Stills & Mash is a coffee shop by day and a wine and spirits bar by night. The split personality ends there, however. This downtown Carrollton spot is a great place to gather with friends, grab a cup of coffee (or tea) and read a book or just soak in the ambiance of the historic building. Take your pick of teas, Italian sodas and coffee including the aptly named “Black Eye”, a brew coffee with a double shot of espresso.

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WOOD RIVER DONUT SHOP 102 S. W. Edwardsville Rd. Wood RIver • (618) 251-5331

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ALL IN THE FAMILY The Great Rivers & Routes region has more than its share of family-friendly adventures along the rivers and roads that connect its six counties. Spend days in the sun at area water parks. Pick-your-own produce at local orchards and fields. Roast marshmallows over an open fire after tromping through miles of woodland trails. Have a family photo taken with the World’s Tallest Man in Alton. Create a new family tradition exploring the Mother Road, Route 66, which stretches from Virden to just outside St. Louis. A stop at Litchfield’s Lake Lou Yaeger for an overnight camping trip or a day kayaking and swimming in the lake is sure to delight all members of the family. Be sure to bring marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate to make s’mores.

Enjoy some vintage fun with an outdoor movie at the Sky View Drivein Theatre in Litchfield. Watch first-run films from the comfort and privacy of your car. This is a great escape for families with small children who like to talk during shows. Kids of all ages, and that includes mom and dad,

❝

Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places. You’re off and away! Dr. Seuss

❞

PACK UP THE KIDS. YOU CAN EVEN BRING THE DOG. IT’S TIME TO CREATE A FUN FILLED FAMILY VACATION.

are delighted by a visit to Henry’s Rabbit Ranch. Meet the resident bunny rabbits and walk through the Volkswagen Rabbit Stonehenge. Climb aboard the giant metal rabbit outside the building for a one-of-a-kind photo op. A giant pink elephant, baby T-Rex and a group of smiling chipmunks greet visitors to the Pink Elephant Antique Mall on Route 66. Meet the giant statues, get lost in the gymnasium-sized antique mall and top off the visit with a bag of candy from the adjacent Pink Elephant Candy Shop. Or better yet, enjoy an ice cream cone served from – wait for it – a giant ice cream cone at the Twistee Treat Diner. Blend a history lesson with a climb up a prehistoric Native American mound at Cahokia Mounds. Bring a sack lunch and enjoy a picnic at the 2,200-acre UNESCO World Heritage Site. A climb up the 100-foot Monk’s Mound provides vistas of the surrounding area and nearby St. Louis. Be sure to visit Willoughby Heritage Farm in Collinsville and meet the resident farm animals and take a hike on miles of trails. No family-friendly trip is complete without a stop at the Edwardsville Children’s Museum or $2 movie night at the historic Wildey Theatre. The museum is a hands-on

75 Great Rivers & Routes

destination for children and includes a play area for toddlers. Every Tuesday is $2 movie night at The Wildey and families can enjoy a popular older movie, along with a bag of the theatre’s famous popcorn at family friendly prices. Take the clan to cool off at local water parks including the Collinsville Aqua Park or Raging Rivers Water Park in Grafton. Or let the little ones splash and play at Edwardsville’s Leon Corlew Splash Pad.

For more information on family-friendly escapes throughout the region, visit: RiversandRoutes.com

Let the kids see how they measure up against the World’s Tallest Man, Robert Wadlow, at the outdoor bronze Robert Wadlow Statue. Called Alton’s Gentle Giant, Wadlow suffered from an overactive pituitary gland that resulted in his 8-foot 11.2 inch height at

his death in 1940. Walk over to the nearby Alton Museum of History & Art for an in-depth look at Robert Wadlow’s life. The Legend of Alton’s Piasa Bird is sure to delight children of any age. Stop by the Piasa Bird petroglyph on the limestone bluffs just north of Alton on the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway. The story of the man-eating dragon is re-told underneath the massive painting. There is nothing like spending the day outside picking fresh produce, and, let’s face

it, snacking on it while you pick! Journey to Eckert’s Grafton Farm and head in to the fields to pick some of the best peaches, berries, apples and pumpkins around. Take a wagon ride to the fields and after gathering your fruit of choice let the kids go free in the play area where they can visit farm animals, play miniature golf and more. Unplug at Greene Fields Farm in Greenfield. The rural working farm offers U-Pick-Em pumpkins and gourds during the fall. Kids can play on straw piles, a corn box and more.

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77 Great Rivers & Routes

All the info you need for a Great Rivers & Routes wedding is available on RiversandRoutes.com/Weddings

WEDDING TIP: Expecting out-of-town wedding guests? Wedding welcome bags are available to help your guests experience all the Great Rivers & Routes region has to offer. For more information go to: RiversandRoutes.com/

Weddings

WEDDING RECEPTIONS - TASTING ROOM

21028 ECKERT ORCHARD RD GRAFTON, IL 62037

GRAFTON WINERY THE VINEYARDS WWW.THEGRAFTONWINERY.COM WINE PRODUCTION - CORPORATE EVENTS RiversandRoutes.com

MORE LIVE ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS ■ ALTON

MUNICIPAL BAND Performs at Riverview Park and Haskell Playhouse 101 E. Third St. • Alton

■ ALTON

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 5800 Godfrey Rd. • Godfrey

ENTERTAINING

escapes

Travel to the magical, mystical land of Brigadoon led by the actors from a community theater. Let the vintage rock sounds of the Grateful Dead wash over you during a live concert surrounded by 300 fellow fans. Enjoy the sounds of music shimmying along the surface of the Mississippi River at an outdoor riverfront amphitheater. Live music … live theater … it’s all about the live performances in the Great Rivers & Routes region. Take a seat at the historic Wildey Theatre in downtown Edwardsville for great weekend entertainment options. Once a hot spot for Vaudeville performers like W. C. Fields and Al Jolson, the theatre now welcomes national and regional tribute bands, legendary rock bands, comedians and more. The Wildey is also the home theatre for Opera Edwardsville where twice a year international opera stars take the stage. Community bands and events also call the theatre home. (And every Tuesday night is $2 movie night at the Wildey. It’s not live entertainment, but it is fun!) WildeyTheatre.com Let the cast of characters at Alton Little Theater take you on a sometimes hysterical, sometimes poignant, and always entertaining journey. Celebrating its 87th season of bringing the world of live theater to audiences, productions include Broadway favorites and classic comedies. The 2020 season includes the compelling classic play, ‘Inherit the Wind’; the comedy ‘Holy Laughter’ and Lerner & Loewe’s classic musical, ‘Brigadoon’. AltonLIttleTheater.org Warm summer evenings were made for outdoor entertainment and the Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater is the perfect place for open air concerts. The amphitheater season typically runs from June through September and has hosted national talent including Nelly, The Steve Miller Band, Kenny Rogers, Travis Tritt, the Beach Boys and more. Seasonal festivals are also part of the excitement at the amphitheater and include the Alton Expo, Alton Food Truck Festival and the Jazz & Wine Festival. LibertyBankAmphitheater.com

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■ ALTON

YOUTH SYMPHONY 5800 Godfrey Rd. • Godfrey

■ CALHOUN

ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY (618) 576-9237

■ GREAT

RIVERS CHORAL SOCIETY 1212 W. Homer M. Adams Parkway Godfrey • (618) 401-1450

■ GREATER

ALTON CONCERT ASSOCIATION 5800 Godfrey Road • Godfrey (618) 468-4222

■ HATHEWAY

CULTURAL CENTER AT LEWIS & CLARK COLLEGE 5800 Godfrey Road • Godfrey (618) 468-3220

■ GOSHEN

THEATRE PROJECT Edwardsville

■ CARLINVILLE

MUNICIPAL BAND

■ CURTAIN’S

UP THEATER COMPANY (618) 530-5822

■ EDWARDSVILLE

MUNICIPAL BAND (618) 973-7318

■ SIUE

THEATER AND DANCE Dunham Theater

■ JACOBY

ARTS CENTER 627 E. Broadway • Alton (618) 462-5222

Boutique Bowling | Laser Tag | Arcade Restaurant & Bar | Giant TV Screens | Party Rooms The Outlet at Edisonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Event Center

ALL-ACCESS PASSES STARTING AT JUST BOWLING LASER TAG ARCADE

$18

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MAKE YOUR ESCAPE TO LEGENDARY PLACES V isionaries l Entrepreneurs l Ar tist s l Places BUILDING A LEGENDARY DESTINATION RELIES ON TRANSFORMING BOLD DREAMS INTO PASSIONATE REALITY. The Great Rivers & Routes region flows with the spirit of our local legends. Meet our local legends on these pages. Better yet, come see them in person.

WILDEY THEATRE EDWARDSVILLE If the walls of the Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville could talk, oh the stories they could tell. Tales of vaudeville star Al Jolson playing craps for money in the basement of the theatre – minus his trousers – which hung neatly nearby. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. taking the stage in front of more than 1,000 fans. The first-ever ‘talking’ movie projected onto the big screen in 1927. The commotion the 1939 movie “Gone With the Wind” caused. And Edwardsville resident Joan Evers has seen it all. Ever since she was a tiny child toddling along beside her father, her life has been closely entwined with the historic building. “My father was a printer by day and the Wildey projectionist by night,” Joan Evers remembers. “My father’s true love was this theatre and as soon as I was big enough, I was allowed to run everywhere I wanted to at the Wildey.” That meant Evers mingled with stars and workers alike throughout the building. She also developed an intimate knowledge of the theatre and what it took to keep it running.

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AL CANAL

Built in 1909 as an opera house, the theatre boasted the largest stage south of Chicago, which put it on the highly-prized vaudeville circuit. The building was also used as a meeting hall for the Independent Order of Oddfellows. Almost immediately after the theatre opened, it was upgraded to provide a movable screen and projection booth for silent films. It was enhanced again to allow for “talking movies” and then remodeled in 1937 replacing the Victorian décor with an art deco styling.

In its early years, an upper floor of the three story brick building doubled as a boxing ring for young men, Evers says. Young girls often took dance lessons when the boxing ring was removed. “What people don’t realize about the Wildey is at one time it had two balconies and could hold almost 1,000 people,” Scott Evers, Joan’s youngest son, notes. “It even had side boxes for ticket holders. As a kid, I came here all the time for movies. It was such a vital spot for such a long time.”

“I had connections with agents and bands and knew that if we had a good thing here they would come,” Canal says. “Now we have an amazing venue and the acts call us.” Canal changed up the focus of the theatre from a movie house to more live performances. He keeps the place packed every weekend and now the community enjoys $2 Tuesday movie night. The theatre is also operating in the black and has a reputation for providing quality entertainment at affordable prices. “It is rare to have this kind of a facility in any community,” Walker adds. “The renovation of the Wildey is really part of a bigger rebirth of the Edwardsville community at large and the region as a whole.” MIKE GASSMAN AND JUDY DEMOISEY • WORLD'S LARGEST CATSUP BOTTLE INC.

Joan Evers, her father, and later her two sons worked at the theatre until it was shuttered in 1984, the victim of a crumbling structure and a tornado that blew down part of the building during a showing of ‘Footloose’. The building sat empty and an idea floated around the city that it should be torn down to make way for a city parking lot. That’s when Rich Walker, an Edwardsville City Alderman at the time, entered the picture and decided to save the legendary building. “My first experience with the Wildey was walking down Main Street with my wife and talking about needing more parking and here is this old abandoned theatre. I looked in the windows and said ‘This isn’t right. It needs to be saved for the future’,” Walker remembers. “My journey with the theatre started that night.” Walker spearheaded a fundraising effort alongside Joan Evers to purchase the building and fund much needed renovations.

“It was a fascinating, exciting, grueling and painful process,” Walker says of the 12 years it took to raise the needed $3 million. “While there were a lot of hills and valleys, there were also a lot of things to celebrate.” The City of Edwardsville purchased the building and it reopened in 2011 as a movie house, live performance venue and home for community events. The theatre portion of the building was reduced to 300 seats, including a balcony area creating a more intimate performance setting. The first few years of the reawakened building were rough, Walker says. It operated in the red for several years. In 2014, the city hired Al Canal as the manager/director of the theatre. Canal brought his experience as a comedy club manager and talent booker to Edwardsville, snagging top-notch live performers including bands, comedians and singers. He also turned the two upper level rooms into private event space which is highly prized for receptions and community events.

Canal agrees. “The Wildey is still being defined. That is true of every venue,” he points out. “We have only ticked off 20 to 30 percent of what we can be doing. The vision for this place is for it to continue to grow.”

WORLD’S TALLEST CATSUP BOTTLE WATER TOWER • COLLINSVILLE A 170-foot water tower shaped and painted like a catsup bottle is now a legendary Collinsville roadside attraction. “The Catsup Bottle is really an iconic piece of roadside architecture,” Mike Gassman, President/CEO and ‘Big Tomato’ of the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle Inc. says. “There’s a lot of nostalgia, history and design qualities all rolled in to one here.” Built in 1949 by the W.E. Caldwell Company for the G. S. Suppiger catsup bottling plant in the city, the massive structure was a childhood landmark for Gassman, a Collinsville native. “When we were kids, the catsup bottle was here and it was a part of our growing up. It was really awesome,” he remembers. Located right next to the plant that bottled RiversandRoutes.com

Brooks old original Rich & Tangy Catsup, the structure was really a touchstone for the city. Once the plant closed in the early 1960s, the water tower began to show its age and lack of care. When Judy Demoisey, known now as the Catsup Bottle Lady, first saw the rusty landmark in the early 1990’s she was struck by its architecture and, of course, its stature. “It was kind of like looking at the Eiffel Tower and knowing where you are. When you see the Catsup Bottle, you know you are in Collinsville,” she says. “It is a riveted steel water tower and they don’t even make those anymore. The cap of the structure alone is 8-feet across.” Demoisy learned the structure was going to be demolished and decided she couldn’t let that happen. She joined a group of 14 community volunteers who spent two years raising funds to save the landmark. “I just couldn’t believe it was just sitting there. It was this piece of art in the middle of a two lane road,” she says. The group raised $80,000 over a two year period, $5 at a time, Demoisy says and were then able to restore the structure. It became recognized as a local landmark and in 2002 was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Since then, the Catsup Bottle has become a global phenomenon attracting travelers from around the U.S. and world. “It really has taken on a life of its own,” Gassman says. Nearly every Route 66 itinerary includes a stop at the Catsup Bottle, even though it’s location isn’t precisely on the Mother Road. It misses by about two blocks. “All roads lead to Collinsville and the Catsup Bottle,” Gassman jokes. “Route 66, the National Road, and the Great River Road all go through the city.”

MEET THE REST OF OUR LOCAL LEGENDS:

Mac Lenhardt of Mac’s Downtown

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Fred & Sherri Whitworth of Josephine’s Tea Room & Gift Shops

Jan & Joe DeSherlia of Grafton Harbor

ARISTON CAFÉ LITCHFIELD When Will Law became co-owner of the Ariston Café in Litchfield in 2018, he thought he was just buying a restaurant. Turns out he was part owner of a legend.

“A restaurant is a restaurant is a restaurant,” Law says with a chuckle. “We thought we would come in and run a restaurant. We thought it would be super simple … but the Ariston isn’t a restaurant. It’s an iconic destination not only for locals but for people around the world.” Dressed in neon lights, the yellow brick building that houses the Ariston has achieved fame as one of the oldest American restaurants on the Mother Road of Route 66. It opened in 1924 in Carlinville on Illinois Route 4. The original building was moved to the Route 66 alignment in Litchfield in 1935 where it remains 85 years later. Law had worked for more than 25 years at Litchfield’s Maverick Steak House and took some time off to catch his breath from the chaos of the restaurant industry. When he heard that the owners of the Ariston were ready to retire, he

Ben & Trudi Allen of The Loading Dock

Ann Badasch of My Just Desserts

says he realized that being part of a restaurant was his passion. Law and the other co-owners decided they wanted to carry on the history of the restaurant and even create a little history of their own. So they took a leap and bought the Ariston. “I didn’t really know much about Route 66 before the Ariston,” Law says. “Now Route 66 is our life. Thousands of people travel this road each day and I am trying to learn the history and become a storyteller for the road.” A wide range of classic entrees fill the Ariston menu from classic hamburgers to steaks and spaghetti. Souvenirs of Route 66 are also available at the restaurant. But what Law has discovered is it’s not so much the food that draws people in as much as it is Route 66, its stories and souvenirs. “We thought we would serve burgers and cook steaks but what we discovered is everyone who walks in here wants a story, wants the history. And you never know who is going to walk through the door. It could be someone from Australia on their honeymoon along Route 66. Or Europeans … it’s cool how so in love Europeans are with Route 66. It’s neat to see and to hear their stories and their passion for the road.”

Felicia Breen & Chad Nelson of Mississippi Mud Pottery

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signature events EVERYONE ENJOYS A GREAT CELEBRATION. From eagles to horseradish, barbeque to peaches, rivers to roads, there is no end to the variety of signature events and celebrations held across the Great Rivers & Routes region. PLAN A WEEKEND ESCAPE AROUND THESE FESTIVALS AND FAIRS:

JANUARY

FEBRUARY WORDI GRAS You’ve heard of Mardi Gras. Well, welcome to Wordi Gras, the Village of Worden’s redneck take on the famous New Orleans celebration. A parade winds through the small town streets featuring, naturally, redneckstyled floats and trucks. Enjoy food and refreshments. The parade is appropriate for all ages, but the 21 and over crowd will enjoy the live music at local bars later.

MAY ELSAH SPRING FESTIVAL The historic Village of Elsah celebrates the return of Spring to the region with its annual spring festival. Live music, craft and food vendors are on tap during this two day event.

JUNE ALTON AUDUBON EAGLE ICE FESTIVAL The first Saturday in January is a celebration of the return of American Bald Eagles to their winter homes in the region. The free festival is held jointly at the Alton Visitor Center, 200 Piasa St., Alton and the Audubon Center at Riverlands, 301 Riverlands Way, West Alton. See American Bald Eagles up close and personal, enjoy live ice carving and wood carving, games and eagle hot spot tours. It’s the relatively mild winter temperatures and the open waters of the Mississippi, Illinois and Missouri rivers that draw the eagles from Minnesota and Canada to the region from late December through mid-March.

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EDWARDSVILLE ROUTE 66 FESTIVAL Celebrate all things Route 66 related at this all day festival held in City Park. This free event includes live music, children’s activities, an art show, food vendors, beer tent and more.

INTERNATIONAL HORSERADISH FESTIVAL Did you know that horseradish is a 3,000-year-old plant that has been used as a treatment for rheumatism as well as a flavoring for food? This potent and mysterious root is celebrated in Collinsville, arguably the Horseradish Capital of the World, during a two day festival on the streets of its Uptown district. Horseradish ice cream, horseradish flavored vodka and more are on the menu along with live music, crafts and kids activities.

GLEN CARBON HOMECOMING Father’s Day weekend is homecoming weekend in Glen Carbon. Enjoy carnival rides, food and refreshments during this two day, small town festival.

For more information on these and other events, go to RiversandRoutes.com/events

JULY

AUGUST

ALTON FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR

PEACH FESTIVAL AT PERE MARQUETTE LODGE

Independence Day comes early in Alton when fireworks explode over the Mississippi River on July 3. A fullscale celebration is held on the city’s riverfront including live music, food vendors and more. A grand fireworks display takes place at dark.

Peaches are the toast of the town in the summer months in Madison, Jersey and Calhoun counties. So why not have a Peach Festival? Pere Marquette Lodge hosts the event which features all things peach-related, peach pit-pitching contests and more.

EDWARDSVILLE ART FAIR National and regional artists display their work in City Park for three days during this end of summer extravaganza. The juried show features the work of 100 artists along with great food and refreshments.

OCTOBER

EDWARDSVILLE ROTARY CRITERIUM FESTIVAL

JERSEY COUNTY FAIR For over 150 years, Jersey County residents have celebrated farm life with the Jersey County Fair. Today the fair features a rodeo, tractor pull, demolition derby, midway carnival and, of course, livestock, baked goods and more.

SMOKIN’ ON MAIN It’s barbeque time on the streets of Uptown Collinsville when Code 3 Spices holds its annual Smokin’ on Main BBQ contest and festival. Grillers from throughout the country vie for top barbeque honors. And then the party really begins when festival goers begin sampling the food.

The streets of Downtown Edwardsville becomes a high speed racetrack for bicyclists. Enjoy an afternoon of high speed bicycle races complemented with foot races, free kid’s races and an art tent for kids. There is a Food Zone featuring food from local restaurants and an open container perimeter.

SEPTEMBER MISSISSIPPI EARTHTONES FESTIVAL Celebrate the Mississippi River through art, music and conservation on the streets of downtown Alton during this annual festival. Live music, food, drinks and craft vendors.

GRAFTON RENDEZVOUS History comes to life on the banks of the Illinois River when the annual Grafton Rendezvous sets up camp. Fur traders tents, Native American teepees, archery demonstrations, tomahawk and knife throwing and a trading camp are part of the fun.

NOVEMBER

ITALIAN FESTIVAL The city’s Italian heritage comes to life on the streets of Uptown Collinsville for two days every September. The family friendly event includes a pageant for the title of Mr. and Miss Italian Fest, a Bocce Ball Tournament, live music, Italian food, drinks and more.

CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND More than 4 million holiday lights transform Alton’s Rock Spring Park into a Christmas Wonderland from the day after Thanksgiving through the end of December. Discover the holiday spirit during a drive through the park which is open every night.

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feast

ON IT

WHEN ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TIME TO EAT THERE IS NO BETTER PLACE TO DISCOVER THE TANG OF NEW FLAVORS, CLASSIC FAVORITES AND JUST DOWN RIGHT UNUSUAL MEALS THAN IN THE GREAT RIVERS & ROUTES REGION OF SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS. Locally owned and operated restaurants, many in business for five decades or more, serve up their versions of comfort food and cutting edge cuisine. From the velvety texture of chicken salad sandwiches, the deeply satisfying crunch of secret recipe fried chicken and the smooth blend of beer and bacon into a special sauce, take your pick of delightful breakfast, lunch and dinner meals served up daily.

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escape THE ORDINARY Just about anyone can cook a burger or fries. But what about a Japanese pancake or crispy deviled eggs? Ever want to tantalize your taste buds with snoots or fried kool-aid? STEP OUTSIDE THE BOX AND TRY SOME OF THESE UNUSUAL FOODS THAT HAVE BECOME LOCAL FAVORITES AT AREA RESTAURANTS.

SNOOTS > Add a snoot to your order of hot wings and fries. Lovett’s Soul Food, 2512 College Ave., Alton, exploded onto the local restaurant scene with its rare blend of soul food, fried food and desserts. And, of course, its snoots. Snoots, for the uninitiated, aren’t really the nose of the pig as most people imagine. Instead, it is the bridge of the pig’s nose, prized for its tenderness and flavor. Lovett’s cuts the snoot into fine pieces and adds their own sauce which makes this entrée stand out from the crowd. Lovett’s fries pickles, corn on the cob, oreos and twinkies. They also fry kool-aid which has become a local favorite. They look like donut balls and taste like your childhood, co-owner Brandon Lovett says.

CRISPY DEVILED EGGS > Who knew you could fry up deviled eggs? The cooks at The Tangled Vine Restaurant, 531 S. West St., Carlinville, have perfected their crispy deviled egg appetizers combining the crunch of fried food with the velvety smooth texture of the egg. Bet you can’t eat just one.

JAPANESE PANCAKE > Order the Japanese Pancake appetizer when dining at Cleveland-Heath, 106 N. Main St., Edwardsville, and you won’t be disappointed. The appetizer blends wild caught shrimp, bacon, cabbage, Kewpie mayo, barbeque, green onion and bonito flakes into a hot, crispy food that continues to cook, and yes, tremble like a freshly caught fish at the table. BIG ELWOOD ON A STICK > Fast Eddie’s Bon Air, 1530 E. 4th St., Alton, is world famous for serving the coldest beer in town and cheap food. And the food includes The Big Elwood on a Stick, a marinated tenderloin wrapped with peppers. The cash-only establishment is open only to those 21 and over.

DOGGIE MENU > Just to prove that your four-legged best bud deserves to eat well, Who Dat’s Southern Food, 118 E. Main St., Collinsville, has a menu just for dogs. Order a Soup Sucker (chicken broth, peas and carrots frozen on a milk bone), a Barkin Bowl entrée and top it off with a Beef Cocktail.

GUAC BITES > There’s nothing quite as addictive as the Guac Bites at Bluff City Grill, 424 E. Broadway, Alton. The fresh, spicy guacamole is wrapped in a won ton and fried until it’s golden brown. Served with your choice of Cajun ranch or sweet chili sauce. BACON POTATO PIZZA > Creativity and originality require great amounts of imagination and the chefs at Peel Wood Fired Pizza, 921 S. Arbor Vitae, Edwardsville, have that in bucket loads. Unusual blends of ingredients are added to crispy pizza crusts on an almost weekly basis. A menu staple thoughout is the Bacon Potato Pizza which uses fingerling potatoes, cheddar, parmesan cream, fresh chives and sour cream. And, of course, bacon.

BACON FAT POPCORN > It’s pretty simple really: pop some popcorn, add bacon, sea salt and pepper and serve it up as an appetizer. That’s what the folks at Old Herald Brewery & Distillery, 115 E. Clay St., Collinsville did and it has become a staple on their menu. RiversandRoutes.com

FEAST ON IT

HOP ON BOARD THE BBQ TRAIN IT STARTS WITH THE SMELL. You know … that sweet aroma of wood smoke mingling with the sizzling scent of chicken, pork or beef on the grill. The whiff of barbecued meat is enough to make your mouth begin to water and intoxicate your senses. The search for the perfect barbecued meal really starts with the aroma of meat smoked “low n slow.” Creating the perfect barbecue has become a skilled craft. Think of it as Barbecue-ology. No one knows that better than the owners of area restaurants that specialize in these slow cooked meats … and the sauces that make the food explode with flavor.

For 20 years, Jeff Carver owner of Carver’s Southern BBQ, 2716 Grovelin St., Godfrey has slow cooked chicken, pork and beef over a sweet hickory fire in a wood burning pit behind the restaurant. The secret to Carver’s barbecue success lies in hand cutting the meat, seasoning with a dry rub and cooking each meat to Carver’s required tenderness. All of the meats are cooked without sauce. Carver’s specialty is hickory smoked pulled pork which is always served with sauce on the side. Stop in and try the St. Louis Ribs, naked or dipped, or sample it all with the Sampler platter. Carver’s is a favorite with local residents and consistently wins reader’s choice awards. Winner of the National Barbeque News’ 2019 Best of the Best barbeque restaurants in America, Doc’s Smokehouse, 6108 Shoger Dr., Suite D, Edwardsville, has been serving up its signature sauces, rubs and meat

since 2014. Owner Doc Richardson uses a slow smoke competition-style cooking process to perfect his meats. Doc’s signature menu item is a twist on a classic, a slow smoked sliced brisket. Treat yourself to the slowsmoked burnt ends and the pork steak which sell out quickly. Big Boys Q, 301 E. Broadway, Alton, blends the tang of barbecue with a soul food bite. From burgers topped with burnt ends, a pulled pork philly cheesesteak sandwich, or mac and meat, owner Ron Boles delights in creating one-of-a-kind custom dishes. Be sure to take your meal with a side of sweet potatoes, collard greens or southern fried potatoes. For a more laid back barbecue experience head over to the Hawg Pit, 821 W. Main St., Grafton, for some ‘cue beside the Illinois River. This open air restaurant is a favorite stop for motorcyclists and car clubs. Ribs, pulled pork sandwiches and smoked chicken breasts top the menu.

MORE BARBECUE STOPS: Red Top Barbeque and Chili • 605 Vandalia St. • Collinsville; Bandana’s Bar-B-Que • 4 Commerce Dr. • Collinsville; D.J.’s Pub and Grill • 117 W. Prairie • Jerseyville; Sugarfire Smoke House • 2323 Plum St. • Edwardsville; Jackson’s Fox & Hound BBQ • 113 W. Main St. • Hettick; Fire-N-Smoke Wood Fired Kitchen • 914 Edwardsville Rd. • Troy; Fire-N-Smoke Wood Fired Kitchen and Frozen Custard • 1800 Vaughn Rd. • Wood River.

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PUT A FORK IN IT

PUT AN EGG ON IT

STEAK & PASTA

Everything is better with an egg, right? That’s the idea behind the porterhouse pork chop topped with a sunny side up egg at Edwardsville’s Cleveland-Heath. The restaurant, a James Beard finalist two years in a row, is all about comfort food. From its grass-fed beef burger to Coq Au Vin and Vegetable Curry entrees, the food is consistently top-notch. Make sure you try dessert. Old fashioned cherry pie and Beignets with milk jam are favorites.

Find the perfect pasta and deliciously tender steaks at a variety of different restaurants. 1818 Chophouse prides itself on its 30-day wet aged steaks and Mike Shannon's Grill, has both steaks and burgers on its menu. Both are located in Edwardsville. Tony’s Restaurant in Alton has been serving up a famous Pepperloin Steak for over 60 years. Porter’s Steakhouse in Collinsville, known for its steaks, has a casually chic atmosphere for diners. The steakhouse has been named one of the Top 100 Steakhouses in America.

There’s a certain sense of comfort that comes with the first bite of a piece of hot, juicy, freshly fried chicken. The crunch of the golden brown skin. The pungent explosion of flavor from the comingling of juice, meat, oil and spices. It’s that, “Oh yes. That’s What I’m Talking About” moment.

One of the most popular burgers at Sloan’s Pub House in Collinsville is the Sloan's House Burger. A thick ½ pound beef patty is topped with American cheese, lettuce, onion and a fried egg. Sloan’s is also famous for its Downtown Gooey Burger which includes white cheddar cheese sauce, mild cheddar cheese and onion straws.

Make your escape and discover a culinary comfort food scene in Madison, Macoupin, Jersey, Calhoun, Montgomery and Greene counties in southwest Illinois.

Who knew creating a great burger was a craft? The chef at Roper’s Regal Beagle in Godfrey does. The signature, ‘over the top’ Hangover Burger is a one-of-a-kind treat with a beef patty, ham, bacon, cheddar cheese, Swiss cheese and a sunny side up egg. Enjoy it on a toasted pretzel bun. It’s tough to eat it all at one sitting so be prepared to take home a doggie bag.

FRY IT UP Home cooked fried chicken is considered a major comfort food. And area restaurants have perfected the golden, crispy and slightly greasy entrée. Take a trip to Pere Marquette Lodge and Conference Center in Grafton for the famous fried chicken dinner. Served family-style with potatoes, vegetables and rolls, there’s no doubt the crispy golden chicken is the star of the show. Castelli’s Restaurant at 255 in Alton has served up its crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside fried chicken for nearly 80 years. Chicken is king at Ravanelli’s in Collinsville. Daily specials feature variations of fried chicken paired with fried cod, shrimp, pasta and Italian Beef.

For plates piled high with pasta dripping with homemade sauce and topped with meat and cheese, both Bella Milano in Edwardsville and Mungo’s Italian Eatery in Collinsville are famous for their Italian entrees. 1880 Pizza Pasta House in Jerseyville has pizza, pasta and sandwiches. For a new farm-to-table culinary experience, visit the newly opened Moussalli’s Prime. Located on five acres on the outskirts of Edwardsville, the restaurant serves up angus beef steaks, seafood and more.

DESSERTS It shouldn’t be all about the desserts, but sometimes … well it just is. Order dessert first at Alton’s My Just Desserts, a soup, salad and sandwich restaurant, that specializes in homemade pies, brownies and cheesecakes. Josephine’s Tea Room and Gift Shop in Godfrey specializes in hearty lunch fare. But leave room for the desserts created daily in the kitchen. Rural Grantfork is home to Diamond Mineral Springs and its foot high banana, chocolate, coconut crème and lemon meringue pies.

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FEAST ON IT

Shhhhh…

IT’S A SECRET

ASK ANY RESTAURANT OWNER FOR THE RECIPE FOR A SAUCE OR DISH AND THEY WILL LIKELY JUST SMILE AND SAY, “IT’S A SECRET.” Area restaurants closely guard the recipes for their salad dressings, pasta meat sauces, fried chicken, grilled steaks and egg rolls. It is, after all, what keeps them special. “You can’t come to Bella Milano without having our salad,” Tom Guarino, co-owner of the popular Edwardsville Italian restaurant says. “It’s what we are best known for.” The dressing is sought after by diners and Guarino won’t release details of its ingredients. “Our dressing is a sweet Italian vinaigrette. It blends perfectly with the cheese and prosciutto in the salad. It has its own flavor,” he adds.

TRAVEL TIP: Check out more secret-recipe dishes including the fried chicken at Castelli’s at 255 and the Pepperloin Steak at Tony’s Restaurant, both in Alton.

sauce. We use high end ingredients in everything we do. Everything is made from scratch. That’s what sets us apart.” Guarino says the Bella Milano restaurant, which opened in 2003, has been successful in part due to the food but also because of the people who work at the restaurant. “We strive to be better each day and we instill that in our staff. We have a nice family atmosphere at the restaurant where you can come on a first date or just hang out with the bartender. We care about the food but we also make friends in the restaurant,” he says. The Cozy Café in Hillsboro makes world-famous egg rolls from scratch daily. In fact, owner and chef Lum Clayton makes 30 dozen egg rolls daily.

Another sought after recipe is Bella’s Sicilian-style sweet meat sauce used in a number of the entrees. Tempt your tastebuds with the Pasta Three Way, Spaghetti and Meatballs or the Baked Mostaccioli and you will be hooked.

“I make them from a Vietnamese recipe that has been passed down in my family for years,” he says. “Basically I use a 50-50 ratio for them: 50 percent meat and 50 percent cabbage. The seasoning is what makes them special.”

“We pay close attention to the ingredients we use,” Guarino notes. “We use Altacucina tomatoes in our house made meat

And that’s the secret he won’t divulge: what goes into the seasoning. “I get a lot of requests to have my egg rolls shipped to Florida and Texas but I don’t do it,” Clayton says.

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For a complete list of local bakeries and sweet shops, go to: RiversandRoutes.com

SWEET TREAT TRAIL IMAGINE BITING IN TO A CRUNCHY ON THE OUTSIDE, VELVETY SMOOTH ON THE INSIDE CRÈME HORN.

WEEKENDS = BRUNCH

Can you taste the powdered sugar and rich vanilla flavors? Or maybe your taste buds lean more towards the just cooked yeasty flavors of a glazed donut. There are dozens of options in the Great Rivers & Routes region to satisfy any sweet tooth.

WEEKENDS WERE MADE FOR LEISURELY MORNINGS AND THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL OF THE DAY – BRUNCH.

Visit Kruta Bakery in Collinsville for donuts, pastries, pies and more baked from family held Eastern European recipes. Kruta’s has been satisfying yens for sweet treats in the region for over 100 years and has been named an Illinois Maker. Duke Bakery in Alton has been baking up its cookies, pies, cakes and oh so wonderful glazed donuts for over 40 years. For a cinnamon roll that tastes like it came from Grandma’s kitchen, head over to The Cookie Factory in Alton Square Mall. And pick up a dozen melt-in-your mouth butter cookies at the same time.

Start your Saturday with friends and a tribute to Elvis Presley at Alton’s State Street Market’s brunch. Feast on a Hunka Hunka Burnin Love French toast meal or crunch on a basket of bacon. At Abigail's Tap Room in Grafton, breakfast takes center stage on the weekends with fresh from the farm eggs, bacon and more. Mac’s Downtown in Alton is known for its breakfast on Saturdays and Sunday brunch. Sweet and savory or traditional, 1818 Chophouse in downtown Edwardsville has a range of brunch delights. Be sure to try the Crab Cake Benedict.

Award-winning cupcakes topped with made-from-scratch buttercream frosting highlight a visit to Edwardsville’s The Cup. Try a cakewich, gooey butter cake, cake in a cup or a buttercup – a miniature sweet treat. Visit A Little Taste of Heaven Bakery in Edwardsville for treats that taste like they came out of Grandma’s kitchen. The Chef’s Shoppe, also located in Edwardsville, can satisfy that need for sweet yet salty craving with its flavored popcorn. Enjoy candy coated, caramel or salty and buttery style corn. Poputopia in Alton is another salty, yet sweet, stop for popcorn. Return to your childhood with vintage treats at local candy stores. Sherry’s Snacks in downtown Edwardsville has jars and jars loaded with taffy and old fashioned candy. The Pink Elephant Antique Mall on Route 66 in Livingston also has a full-fledged candy shop attached with creamy homemade fudge and vintage candies that sell by the pound. While in Grafton, be sure to stop at the Grafton Fudge & Ice Cream Shop for fudge, hand dipped ice cream and more.

For breakfast and brunch options, go to: RiversandRoutes.com

Enjoy your get-away and leave the

Rest

to us!

Collinsville Collinsville

12 Commerce Drive

7 Commerce Drive

618-803-4032

Collinsville 8 Commerce Drive 618-477-8946

618-346-4400

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FEAST ON IT

celebrate

LOCAL CUISINE

ALTON RESTAURANT

WEEK

2020 ALTON RESTAURANT WEEK JAN. 17 - 26

COLLINSVILLE RESTAURANT WEEK • FEB. 28 – MARCH 8

ALL STAR RESTAURANT WEEK • JULY 10 - 19

Dig in to some great comfort food in January during the annual Alton Restaurant Week. More than 23 restaurants throughout Alton, Godfrey, Grafton, Bethalto and East Alton feature the best of their menus with $10 lunch and $25 (or two can dine for $25) dinner specials. Be sure to collect the commemorative pint glass special when you bring your Restaurant Week receipt to the Alton Visitor Center. Glasses are available while supplies last.

Celebrate Leap Year with the first-ever Collinsville Restaurant Week. Six restaurants will showcase their lunch and dinner menus with specials entrees. Lunch is $10 and dinners are $25 per person. Participating restaurants include: Mungo’s Italian Eatery, Old Herald Brewery & Distillery, Carisilos Mexican Restaurant, Friday’s South, Fazzi’s and Sloan’s Pub House.

Hit a homerun during All Star Restaurant Week held in Alton, Grafton, Godfrey, Bethalto and East Alton. The baseball-themed 10 day dine out includes fixed price lunch and dinner specials. More than 20 restaurants throughout the area participate each year. Be sure to collect the commemorative pint glass special when you bring your Restaurant Week receipt to the Alton Visitor Center. Glasses are available while supplies last.

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 11 A.M.– 4 P.M.

FRESH DAILY!

SOUPS & SALADS SANDWICHES HOMEMADE PIES.

31 E. BROADWAY, ALTON

618-462-5881

WWW.MYJUSTDESSERTS.COM

93 Great Rivers & Routes

CELEBRATE THE TASTES OF THE REGION DURING RESTAURANT WEEK EVENTS IN ALTON, COLLINSVILLE AND EDWARDSVILLE. Locally owned and operated restaurants in the participating communities showcase their signature fare with lunch and dinner fixed price specials.

A new initiative highlighting the growing culinary landscape in Edwardsville is underway. “Edwardsville – A Foodie Kind of Town” promotes the delicious destinations and trendy menu creations developed in the city.

SAVOR – EDWARDSVILLE TBA Each September, Edwardsville’s trendy culinary scene is spotlighted with the annual SAVOR Restaurant Week. The 10-day event salutes the restauranteurs, cuisine and diners of the area. Fixed price breakfast, lunch and dinner specials are available at participating restaurants. Enjoy a meal at a favorite restaurant or try out a new spot.

EDWARDSVILLE A FOODIE KIND OF TOWN For more information on Edwardsville and its restaurants, go to: RiversandRoutes.com

Edwardsville, located just 30 minutes from St. Louis, has become a vibrant destination for food connoisseurs over the last decade. With James Beard finalist restaurants like Cleveland-Heath, and popular favorites Bella Milano, Peel Wood Fired Pizza, Chava’s Mexican Restaurant and Doc’s Smokehouse, the variety of dining options is rapidly expanding with the addition of Thai, Asian, Fusion and more each year.

1 0 2 W E S T 9 T H S T. DOWNTOWN A LT O N , I L L I N O I S

VOTED THE BEST STEAK

618-462-8384 TONYSRESTAURANT.COM RiversandRoutes.com

delicious DESTINATIONS

FEAST ON IT

ASIAN. ITALIAN. IRISH. GREEK. SOUL FOOD. CLASSIC AMERICANA. YOU NAME IT, THE GREAT RIVERS & ROUTES REGION HAS IT WHEN IT COMES TO GREAT DINING.

CASTELLI’S AT 255

GREAT RIVERS TAP & GRILL

MORRISON’S IRISH PUB

Secret recipe fried chicken, made-fromscratch toasted ravioli and more highlight the menu of the family-owned and operated restaurant that has been in business for over 80 years.

Enjoy tasty dishes like the cornmeal dusted and fried fish tacos, house made soft pretzels and the mouthwatering Big Cheese sandwich. Lunch and dinner served daily.

Everyone is a little bit Irish at this family owned and operated pub/restaurant. Eat, drink and sing with your favorite pint of Guinness or Irish whiskey paired with authentic Irish fare.

3400 Fosterburg Rd. • Alton (618) 462-4620 • Castellis255.com

BELLA MILANO

1063 S. State Route 157 • Edwardsville (618) 659-2100 • Bellamilanos.com

Made from scratch, classic Italian entrees highlight any visit to Bella Milano. Located near Edwardsville hotels and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Private dining rooms available for special events.

3559-B College Ave. • Alton (618) 462-1220 Greatriverstapandgrill.com

JOHNSON’S CORNER RESTAURANT 2000 State St. • Alton • (618) 465-5640 Johnsonscorneralton.com

A neighborhood restaurant famous for its pork tenderloin, wood fired pizzas, salads and cheese dip, find a new favorite here. Open daily.

BLUFF CITY GRILL

JOURNEY STEAKHOUSE AT ARGOSY CASINO ALTON

424 E. Broadway • Alton • (618) 433-8288 Bluffcitygrillalton.com

1 Piasa • Alton • (800) 711-4263 Argosyalton.com

Enjoy a relaxed, casual dining experience in downtown Alton with a menu that ranges from salads and sandwiches to steaks and pasta. Watch your favorite game on the 14 TV’s in the lounge & sports bar.

Enjoy views of the Mississippi River and Alton’s iconic Clark Bridge while dining on this docked riverboat restaurant. Steaks, seafood, specialty appetizers and more are available including an extensive wine list.

GRAFTON WINERY & BREWHAUS 300 W. Main St. • Grafton • (618) 786-3001 Thegraftonwinery.com

Pair a glass of award-winning wine with spectacular views of the Mississippi River and a full menu ranging from appetizers to salads, Grafton Burgers and more.

95 Great Rivers & Routes

200 State St. • Alton • (618) 433-8900 Morrisonirishpub.com

MY JUST DESSERTS

31 E. Broadway • Alton • (618) 462-5881 Myjustdessertsalton.weebly.com

Downright famous for its homemade pies, ½ pound chicken salad sandwiches and Toll House Brownies, the menu changes daily based on the daily cravings of the kitchen. Homespun and hearty atmosphere.

OLD BAKERY BEER COMPANY

400 Landmarks Blvd. • Alton • (618) 463-1470 Oldbakerybeer.com

Family-friendly restaurant and bar with seasonally-rotating sandwiches, salads and soups designed to pair with the brewery’s organic beer. Daily food specials and the menu has vegan and gluten-free options.

PERE MARQUETTE LODGE RESTAURANT

13653 Lodge Blvd. • Grafton (618) 786-2331 • Pmlodge.net

Famous for its family-style fried chicken dinners, the restaurant, part of the historic Pere Marquette Lodge, also has seasonal weekend brunch specials and more.

Oﬀering a diverse menu, a relaxing lounge & sports bar. Our banquet hall seats over 400 guests.

STATE STREET MARKET

208 State St. • Alton • (618) 462-8800 Statestreetmarketofalton.com

Relax in the New Orleans-inspired outdoor courtyard with a soup, salad or made from scratch sandwich or quiche. Stop by for Saturday brunch or lunch and dinner throughout the week .

THE LOADING DOCK

401 Front St. • Grafton • (618) 786-3494 Graftonloadingdock.com

Sip your favorite drink, enjoy a serving of Dock Salsa and let the waters of the Mississippi River take your cares away at this riverfront restaurant/bar.

THE WINERY AT AERIES RESORT 600 Timber Ridge Dr. • Grafton (618) 786-7477 • Aeriesview.com

Breathe in the views from 300 feet above the Mississippi River while enjoying a menu designed with the winery’s private label wines in mind. Sandwiches, soups, salads and small plate meals available for lunch and dinner.

Voted One of the Top Stea Thursdays are

Porter’s is a classical steakhouse Thursdays are Prime Rib Night at with a seasonal menu, extensive Prime Rib Night at Porter’s Steakhouse. wine list, casually chic atmosphere Porter’s Steakhouse. andsteakhouse amazing dining A classical with aoptions. seasonal menu, A classical steakhouse with a seasonal menu, extensive wine list, casually chic atmosphere and extensive wine list, casually chic atmosphere and juicy prime rib special with live music juicy prime rib special with live music every Thursday night. every Thursday night.

1000 EASTPORT PLAZA DRIVE | COLLINSVILLE, ILLINOIS | 61

TONY’S RESTAURANT

1000 Eastport Plaza Drive | Collinsville, Illinois |618

102 W. 9th St. • Alton • (618) 462-8384 Tony’srestaurant.com

Considered the region’s original Pasta House, Tony’s Restaurant has served its famous pasta and Pepperloin Steaks for over 65 years. Family recipe pasta, Italian dressing and more highlight the menu.

1000 Eastport Plaza Drive | Collinsville, Illinois 1000 Eastport Plaza | Collinsville, Illinois 618.345.2800 | Drive PortersCollinsville.com 618.345.2800 | PortersCollinsville.com

RiversandRoutes.com

BATCHTOWN: Cedar Hill Resort, Old

FEAST ON IT

Fill-Inn Station

RESTAURANT LISTING BY CITY

BENLD: JoDanni's Amore, Pamey's Chill N Grill

ALTON: 3rd Chute II, Alton Sports Tap,

BETHALTO: Eagle's Nest Restaurant,

Applebee's, Big Boys Q, Bluff City Grill, Bossanova Restaurant & Lounge, Brown Bag Bistro, Captain's Table Buffet - Argosy Casino Alton, Castelli's Restaurant at 255, CC's Icees Galore, Chez Marilyn, China King, Chinese Buffet, Chubby's Bar & Grill, Cookie Factory Bakery & Cafe, Copper Bar at State Street Market, Decaro's, Don & Penny's, Fast Eddie's Bon Air, Frank's, G-B Grill, Gentelin's on Broadway, Golden Corral, Great Rivers Tap & Grill, Hops House - Argosy Casino Alton, International House of Pancakes, Joe K's Family Restaurant, Johnson's Corner Restaurant, Journey - Argosy Casino Alton, Lovett's Soul Food, Mac's Downtown, Morrison's Irish Pub, My Just Desserts, New D.J.'s Bar & Grill, Old Bakery Beer Company, Olga's Kitchen, Panera Bread Co., Post Commons, Ragin Cajun Piano Bar, Red Lobster, Riviera Maya, Sammi's Sandwiches, Santino's Steak & Pasta House, School House Grill at Senior Services Plus, Shogun, Spectators Bar & Grill, State Street Market, Tony's Restaurant, Town Club of Alton, Inc., Village Inn Pancake House

97 Great Rivers & Routes

El Mezcal, Geno's 140 Club, Imo's Pizza, Laux Brickhouse Grille, New China Buffet, Roma's Pizza

BRUSSELS: AJ's Bar & Grill, Wittmond's Restaurant BUNKER HILL: Sage House, Village Drive-In

CARLINVILLE: Abella's Restaurant, Carlinville Plaza Cafè, Crabby's Supper Club, Little Italy's Pizzeria, Nick's Pizza, Panda Chinese Restaurant, Reno's Italian Pizzeria & Ristorante, Sol De Mexico, Tangled Vine Restaurant & Lounge, Taylor's Mexican Chili Parlor, The Uptown Tavern, The Wood Duck Bar & Grill

CARROLLTON: Alfonso's Pizza, Brass Door Restaurant, Copper Stills & Mash, Goetten Oasis Restaurant, Sol Mexican Restaurant

CHESTERFIELD: Joker's Wild Sporting Clays & Restaurant, Wild Pickins Winery COLLINSVILLE: Applebee's Grill & Bar, Asia Garden, Bandana's Bar-B-Que, Bert's

Chuckwagon, Bob Evans, Cafè Agape Express, Carisilos Mexican Restaurant, China Lin Restaurant, Colton's Steak House & Grill, Denny's, Fazzi's Bar & Grill, Friday's South, Horseshoe Lounge & Restaurant, Hurricane's Bar & Grill, Joe's Pizza and Pasta, Lottie's Cafè, McDill's Irish Pub, Mungo's Italian Eatery, New China, Old Herald Brewery & Distillery, Peking Garden, Porter's Steakhouse, Ramon's El Dorado Restaurant, Ravanelli's, Ruby Tuesday, Sloan's Pub House, Spring Garden Family Restaurant, St. Louis Bread Company, The Red Bar & Grill, Waffle House, Who Dat's, Zapata's Mexican Restaurant

COTTAGE HILLS: Cottage Hills Bar, Grill & Market, Doc Holliday's Saloon & Steakhouse, Polly's Restaurant, The Pork Barrel

DORSEY: Prairie Inn Bar & Grill DOW: Do Drop Inn EAST ALTON: Airliner Bar & Grill, Casa Romero Restaurant, China Star, High Flyers Grille, J. J. Thermo's, Magnum's Bar & Grill, Mr. Pancho's Mexican Restaurant and Grill

EDWARDSVILLE: 1818 Chophouse, 54th Street Bar & Grill, Bann Thai, Bella Milano, Big Daddy's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chava's Mexican Restaurant, Chicken Salad Chick, China King, Clean

Eatz, Cleveland-Heath, Crushed Red, Crystal Garden Banquet & Event Center, Dewey's Pizza, Doc's Smokehouse & Catering, EdgeWild Edwardsville, Edison's Entertainment Complex, El Maguey, Foundry Public House, Gilliganz Bar and Grill, Global Brew Tap Room, Gulf Shores Restaurant & Grill, Hotshots Sports Bar & Grill, Imo's Pizza, Joe's Pizza and Pasta, Kyoto Sushi Steakhouse, La Casa Mexicana, La Fonda Mexican Restaurant, McAlister's Deli, Mike Shannon's Grill, MOD Pizza, Moussalli's Prime, Mr. Curry's India Restaurant, Nori Sushi & Japanese Grill, North Main Diner, Obar Cafe, Oriental Spoon, Panera/St. Louis Bread Co., Pantera's Pizza, Peel Wood Fired Pizza, Queen's Cuisine Tea Room, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Sacred Grounds Cafè, Sgt. Pepper's Cafè, Shangri-La, Stagger Inn Again, Sugarfire Smoke House Edwardsville, Sugo's Spaghetteria, Taj Indian Cuisine, Taqueria Z, Teaspoon Café, Texas Roadhouse, The Corner Tavern, The Orient, The Orient Wok & Chop Suey, The Pasta House Co., Viva La Fiesta, Wang Gang Asian Eats , Wasabi Sushi Bar, Wiggler's Bar and Grill, Zapp Thai

FARMERSVILLE: Caddyshack Sports Bar & Grill

GILLESPIE: Black Diamond Sports Bar

& Grill, China Garden, Lumpy's Bar and Grill, Mi Casita, Miner's Family Restaurant, Rocco's Italian Pizzeria

GIRARD: Doc's Soda Fountain GLEN CARBON: Applebee's

GRANTFORK: Diamond Mineral Springs HAMEL: Route 66 Creamery, The Other Place On The Hill, Weezy's Route 66 Bar & Grill HARDIN: Hardin Drive In, Illinois Riverdock Restaurant, Straight Home Bar & Grill

Neighborhood Grill, Denny's, IHOP, Old Towne Tavern, The Cabin at Judy Creek, Weeping Willow Tea Room, Wooden Nickel Pub & Grill

HETTICK: Jackson's Fox & Hound BBQ HARTFORD: R.J.'s Place

GODFREY: Alton-Wood River Sportsmen's Club, Bakers & Hale, Carver's Southern-Style BBQ, China Wok, Clifton Country Inn & Bake Shop, El Mezcal, Godfrey Meat Market, Imo's Pizza, Joe's Pizza & Pasta, Josephine's Tea Room and Gift Shops, Lockhaven Golf Club & Banquet Facility, Roper's Regal Beagle, Round Table, Shang Hai House Chinese Food, Sunset Bar & Grill, Tony's Ranch House Restaurant & Lounge

GRAFTON: 3rd Chute Bar & Grill, Abigail's Tap Room, Drifters' Eats & Drinks, Fin Inn, Grafton Oyster Bar, Grafton Pub, Grafton Winery & Brewhaus, Hawg Pit BBQ Barn, Pere Marquette Lodge & Conference Center, The Loading Dock, The Winery at Aerie's Resort , Whalen-Hill American Legion Post 648

HILLSBORO: Canton Inn, China Wok, Cozy Cafe, Gianni's Pizza & Italian Ristorante, Half Time Bar & Grill, Hillsboro Garden Family Restaurant, Lomas del Sol, Main Dish, Mulligan's Lakeside Restaurant

IRVING: Grandma's Kitchen JERSEYVILLE: 1880 Pizza Pasta House, Canton Restaurant, Casa Tequila, Dj's Pub & Grill, Fran & Marilyn's, George's Local Brew, Imo's Pizza , Los Tres Amigos, Nick's Pancake House, Olive Branch Cafe, Pig on a Wing, QQ Buffet, Redbird Deli & Ice Cream Parlor, The Diner Bar & Grill

For more information on local restaurants, go to: RiversandRoutes.com/Restaurants

“I’m the best in the west and all the rest”

DINE IN | CARRY OUT | GIFT CARDS

618.462.4620

3400 Fosterburg Rd. Alton castellis255.com RiversandRoutes.com

QUICK BITES

FEAST ON IT

ALTON: Burger King, Captain D's

Bamboo Garden Restaurant, Cavataio's Restaurant & Pizzeria, El Indio Mexican Restaurant, Little Italy's Pizzeria, R & B Family Restaurant, Rooster's Pub

Seafood, CC's Icees Galore, China King, Chong Chop Suey, Epicurean Fare, Fast Eddie's Fried Chicken, Fazoli's Restaurant, Firehouse Subs, Hong Kong House, Jack In The Box, Jimmy John's, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Kentucky Fried Chicken/Taco Bell, Little Caesars Pizza, McDonald's, Mini Corral Hamburgers, Papa John's Pizza, Pizza Hut, Popeye's Fried Chicken, Rally's, Shake Rattle & Roll Drive In, Steak 'N Shake, Subway, Taco Bell, Wendy's, White Castle

TROY: Alfonzo's Pizzeria, Cracker Barrel

BETHALTO: Arby's, Burger King,

LITCHFIELD: Ariston Cafe, Chinatown, Gianni's Pizza & Italian Ristorante, Huddle House, Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries, Jubelt's Bakery & Restaurant, La Casita, Los Rancheros - Litchfield, Maverick Steaks & Spirits, Nancy's Pizzeria, Pizza Man & Ice Cream Man, Ruby Tuesday, Sakura Hibachi Sushi Bar, Tosi's Route 66 Cafe, Steak 'n Shake

LIVINGSTON: Country Inn Cafe, The Twistee Treat Diner

MARINE: Jade Garden Chinese Restaurant, Mariachi's, Millie's Diner

MARYVILLE: Boogie's Restaurant & Bar, Red Apple Family Restaurant, The LakeHouse at Buffalo Park MT. OLIVE: Little Italy's Pizza, RT 138 Cafe, Tilley's Tavern

NOKOMIS: Arturo's Pizzeria ROXANA: Dee-Lux Diner SHIPMAN: Sixteen Bar & Grill SOUTH ROXANA: Sparky's ST. JACOB: The Lucky Rooster Pub & Eatery

STAUNTON: Asian Bistro By Olette,

Old Country Store, Fire-N-Smoke Wood Fired Kitchen, Joe's Pizza and Pasta, Terra Sur, Time Out Bar & Grill

WOOD RIVER: Applebee's Grill & Bar, Best Buffet Inc., Chico's Bar & Grill, China King, Fiona's Family Restaurant, Fire-NSmoke Wood Fired Kitchen, Franchise Sports Bar & Grill, Los Tres Amigos, Madison's Tea Room, Mama Mia's Italian Restaurant, O'Ryans Bar & Grill, Pump House Bar & Grill, Refinery Bar and Grill, Sukey's China Restaurant

WORDEN: Yellow Dog Cafe & Bar

Domino's Pizza, DQ Grill & Chill Restaurant, Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Rally's, Subway, Taco Bell

CARLINVILLE: Dairy Queen, Hardee's, McDonald's, Subway CARROLLTON: Dairy Queen, Subway COLLINSVILLE: Arby's, Burger King, Culver's, Dairy Queen, Domino's Pizza, Firehouse Subs, Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Hardee's, Jack in the Box, Jimmy John's, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Little Caesars Pizza, Long John Silver's / A&W, McDonald's, Papa John's Pizza, Penn Station East Coast Subs, Pizza Hut, Popeyes, Qdoba, Red Top Barbecue & Chili,

AWARD WINNING FARM TO TABLE RESTAURANT

99 Great Rivers & Routes

Sonic Drive-In, Starbucks, Steak 'n Shake, Subway, Taco Bell, Wendy's, White Castle

EAST ALTON: China Star, Domino's

Pizza, McDonald's, Sonic Drive-In, Subway, Taco Bell, The Salad Shop

EDWARDSVILLE: Arby's, Captain D's, Chick-Fil-A, China King, Crazy Bowls & Wraps, Culver's, Dairy Queen Grill & Chill, Domino's Pizza, Fazoli's, Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Green Earth Grocery & Deli, Jack In The Box, Jimmy John's, McAlister's Deli, McDonald's, Northside Dairy Haven, Panera/St. Louis Bread Co., Papa Murphy's, Penn Station East Coast Subs, Pizza Hut, Qdoba , Quiznos, Sonic Drive-in, Smoothie King, Source Juicery, Steak 'n Shake, Subway, Taco Bell, Teaspoons Cafe, Wendy's, Wingstop FARMERSVILLE: Champs Chicken,

Pizza Hut Express, Subway

GILLESPIE: Subway GIRARD: Whirl-A-Whip GLEN CARBON: DQ Restaurant,

Hardee's Red Burrito, Jack in the Box, Jimmy John's, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Papa John's Pizza, Subway

GODFREY: Arby's, Domino's Pizza,

DQ Grill & Chill, Godfrey Meat Market, Hardee's, Little Caesars Pizza, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Subway

GRAFTON: Beasley Fish Stand, Grafton

BP Hot Stuff Pizza, O'Jan's Fish Stand, Ruebel Deli & Ice Cream Parlor

HAMEL: McDonald's HARDIN: Subway HILLSBORO: Casey's Carry Out Pizza,

Dairy Queen, Hardee's, McDonald's, ParkN-Eat, Subway, The Korner Store

JERSEYVILLE: Arby's, Burger King,

Domino's Pizza, DQ Grill & Chill, Hardee's, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Redbird Deli & Ice Cream Parlor, Subway, Taco Bell, Wok Restaurant

LITCHFIELD: A&W Litchfield, Arby's, Burger King, Casey's Carry Out Pizza, Dairy Queen Grill & Chill, Denny's, Domino's Pizza, Jack In The Box, Jimmy John's, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Long John Silver's, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Subway, Taco Bell, Wendy's MARYVILLE: Casey's Carry Out Pizza, Subway

NOKOMIS: Dairy Queen Grill & Chill, Subway

RAYMOND: Subway

Stone Creamery, Culver's, Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Glazy Squares Donuts, Jilly's Cupcake & Ice Cream Bar, Northside Dairy Haven, Smoothie King, Source Juicery, Strange Donuts, The Cup, Tropical Snow

GIRARD: Doc's Soda Fountain, Whirl-A-Whip GLEN CARBON: Annie's Frozen Custard GODFREY: Clifton Country Inn & Bake Shop, Mister Donut, Shivers Frozen Custard

Chill, Subway

GRAFTON: Grafton Fudge & Ice Cream, Ruebel Deli & Ice Cream Parlor, The Whole Scoop

TROY: Burger King, Dairy Queen Grill &

HILLSBORO: Sweet Addictions

STAUNTON: Dairy Queen Grill &

Chill, Dunkin', Imo's Pizza, Little Caesars Pizza, McDonald's, Taco Bell

WOOD RIVER: Charlie's Drive-In, China King, DQ Grill & Chill, Hardee's, Hing Wah Chop Suey, Jack In The Box, Jimmy John's, King Louie's Drive-In, Little Caesars Pizza, Long John Silver's, McDonald's, Papa John's Pizza, Pizza Hut, Subway, Taco Bell, Wendy's

SWEET TREATS ALTON: CC's Icees Galore, Cookie Express, Cookie Factory Bakery & Cafe, Duke Bakery, Germania Brew Haus, Ketchum's Corner Kreem, LuciAnna's Pastries, My Just Desserts

BETHALTO: Donut Express, Weather Vane Ice Cream

CARROLLTON: Dairy Bar of Carrollton COLLINSVILLE: Dairy Freeze, Glazy Squares Donuts, Kruta Bakery

EAST ALTON: Blue Ice Creamery, First

& Street Eats

JERSEYVILLE: Big Boys Donuts, Espresso Yourself Bakery, McCarry's Dairyland, Redbird Deli & Ice Cream Parlor

HAMEL: Route 66 Creamery LITCHFIELD: Coffee Xpresso, Jubelt's Bakery & Restaurant, Pizza Man & Ice Cream Man

LIVINGSTON: Mother Road Fudge-nCandy Shop, Twistee Treat Diner

MARINE: Millie's Diner MARYVILLE: Bobby's Frozen Custard, Gluten Free at Last!, Silly Grandma's Sweet Creations

NOKOMIS: Cake It On Corner Cakery, Ugly Mugs Coffeehouse ROXANA: Cone Barn STAUNTON: Blackbird Bakery & Cafe, Dawg House Creamery TROY: City Scoops Creamery, Dairy

Stop Bake Shop

Queen Grill & Chill, Dunkin Donuts

EDWARDSVILLE: 222 Artisan Bakery & Cafe, A Little Taste Of Heaven Bakery, Annie's Frozen Custard, Bailey Cakes, Cold

WOOD RIVER: Good Knight Cupcakes and Cookies, Wood River Donut Shop

RiversandRoutes.com

100

SPEND THE

night

ALTON CRACKER FACTORY

COMFORT INN

205 E. Broadway • Alton • (618) 917-4466 Altoncrackerfactory.com

11 Crossroads Ct. • Alton • (618) 465-9999 Choicehotels.com

Sweeping views of the Mississippi River, balconies suitable for cookouts, full kitchens and more are part of these upscale loft lodging options located in the heart of Downtown Alton.

Indoor pool, on site laundry facilities and hot breakfast are just a few of the perks offered. Suites are also available which include pull out sofas and whirlpool tubs.

BEALL MANSION – AN ELEGANT BED & BREAKFAST INN

THE GREEN TREE INN OF ELSAH

407 E. 12th St. • Alton • (618) 474-9100 Beallmansion.com

History and luxury combine in this turn-of-the-century mansion. Amenities include a Chocolate Bar, a glass of champagne upon arrival and whirlpool tubs. Continental and full breakfast available upon request.

Escape to the historic Village of Elsah while enjoying the comforts of home. Home cooked breakfast and afternoon snacks highlight any visit. Take advantage of the screened in porch, firepit in the garden or fireplace in the great room. Located near historic museums, shopping and more.

BEST WESTERN PREMIERE – ALTON/ST. LOUIS

HAMPTON INN & SUITES ST. LOUIS/ALTON

YOU’VE SPENT THE DAY EXPLORING THE ROADS AND RIVERS AND NOW IT’S TIME TO GET SOME HARD EARNED REST. RELAX IN A CABIN OVERLOOKING THE CONFLUENCE

15 Mill St. • Elsah • (618) 374-2821

OF THE ILLINOIS AND MISSISSIPPI RIVERS. OR MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME IN RIVERFRONT GUEST HOUSES. ENJOY THE INDOOR SWIMMING POOL AND MADE TO ORDER BREAKFAST AT HOTELS AND MOTELS.

3559 College Ave. • Alton • (618) 462-1220 bwpremieralton.com

1904 Homer Adams Pkwy. • Alton (618) 433-8999 • Hamptoninn3.hilton.com

Enjoy an indoor heated pool, full service on site restaurant/bar, in-room microwaves and refrigerators. Check out great seasonal deals on overnight stays.

A short walk from the Alton Amtrak Station, the hotel is also located near restaurants and shopping. Indoor heated pool and fitness center on site. Don’t forget your hot cookie when you check in.

BEST WESTERN PLUS PARKWAY HOTEL 1900 Home Adams Pkwy. • Alton (618) 433-9900 • Bestwestern.com

Conveniently located near shopping, restaurants and the Amtrak Station, the hotel has king and queen rooms and is pet friendly.

101 Great Rivers & Routes

LOADING DOCK GUEST HOUSES 313 E. Front St., 311 E. Water St. & 311 E. Front St. Grafton • (618) 786-3494 Graftonloadingdock.com

Located in the heart of historic Grafton, these three guest houses are close to dining and shopping. Perfect for family getaways or staycations.

LUCY MAE’S GUEST HOUSE 312 E. Main St. • Grafton • (816) 249-3279 Lucymaes.com

Nestled in the heart of Downtown Grafton, this two story home retains its early American charm. Near restaurants and shopping. Just a short walk from the banks of the Mississippi River.

MAPLE LEAF COTTAGE BED & BREAKFAST INN 12 Selma St. • Elsah • (618) 374-1684 Mapleleafcottageinn.com

Enjoy a quiet, relaxing stay in the historic Village of Elsah. Three main buildings house five charming rooms perfect for overnight stays. An outdoor fire pit complements the surrounding garden area. Available for weddings, family gatherings and more.

PERE MARQUETTE LODGE & CONFERENCE CENTER 13653 Lodge Blvd. • Grafton • (618) 786-2331 Pmlodge.net

Play a game of chess on a life-sized chess board, relax in the Great Room, enjoy a glass of wine at the Mary Michelle Winery Tasting Room. The Lodge has a full service restaurant and sits in the middle of magnificent Pere Marquette State Park.

TARA POINT INN & COTTAGES 1 Tara Point Dr. • Grafton • (618) 786-3555 Tarapoint.com

Stunning views are part of any stay at this upscale inn. Located high on the bluffs overlooking the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, cabins are available for overnight stays. Guest rooms in the main house are also available.

SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM ALTON

AERIES RESORT

1800 Homer Adams Pkwy. • Alton (618) 465-8885 • Wyndhamhotels.com

14 W. Main St. • Grafton • (618) 786-8439 Aeriesview.com

Corporate and king suites available and a Super Start breakfast is available daily. Microwaves, refrigerators and hair dryers in all rooms.

Plan a staycation at Aeries Resort. Suites, cottages, riverfront or bluff top stays are available.

For more information on lodging, go to: RiversandRoutes.com/Hotels

HEARTFELT HERITAGE AND GOOD FUN FOR EVERYONE!

WHISKEY FOOD

SLÁINTE

200 State Street Alton, IL 618.433.8900

MUSIC EVENTS

HAPPY HOURS Tues.-Thurs. 4-6pm Friday 3-5pm

morrisonirishpub.com RiversandRoutes.com

102

SLEEP ON IT

HOTELS & MOTELS

GUEST HOUSES

CABINS

ALTON: Best Western Plus Parkway

ALTON: Alton Cracker Factory - Great

GRAFTON: Aerie's Resort, Pere Marquette Lodge & Conference Center, Tara Point Inn & Cottages

Hotel, Best Western Premier Alton-St. Louis Area Hotel, Comfort Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites St. Louis/Alton, Super 8 by Wyndham Alton

CARLINVILLE: CarlinVilla Motel COLLINSVILLE: America's Best Value

Inn, Comfort Inn , Days Inn St. Louis Collinsville, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Collinsville, Drury Inn Collinsville, Fairfield Inn St. Louis Collinsville, Hampton Inn Collinsville, La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Collinsville-St. Louis, Super 8 by Wyndham Staunton

EDWARDSVILLE: Comfort Inn

Edwardsville, Country Hearth Inn & Suites, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Edwardsville, TownePlace Suites By Marriott-St. Louis Edwardsville

GLEN CARBON: Hampton Inn & Suites GOLDEN EAGLE: Kinder's No Wake Inn GRAFTON: Aerie's Resort, Pere Marquette Lodge & Conference Center, Ruebel Hotel HAMEL: Innkeeper Motel HILLSBORO: Countryside Inn JERSEYVILLE: Jerseyville Harvest Inn, Super 8 by Wyndham Jerseyville

LITCHFIELD: America's Best Value

Rivers Lodging, George Street Suites, Haagen House, WOW on Broadway

CARLINVILLE: The Campground House CARROLLTON: The Farmhouse Loft

KAMPSVILLE: Watkins House at McCully Heritage Project

ELSAH: Suite Jane

LITCHFIELD: Country Bend

GODFREY: The Lane House

Campground

GOLDEN EAGLE: Poolside Mansion

MICHAEL: White Tales Lodge

GRAFTON: Aerie's Resort, Anchors Inn Guest House, Cedar Grove, Count Me Inn, DaVine Guest House , DeSherlia Landing Suites, End of the Trail Inn, Gold Digger, Gold Nugget, Grafton Homestead Retreat, Grafton Inn, Heaven's Gate, Hilltop, Jacob Riverfront Retreat, Lagniappe Place, Loading Dock Guest House: The Fish Market, Loading Dock Guest House: The Riverside Cottage, Loading Dock Guest House: Tree Top, Lucy Mae's Guest House, Lutes Bait & Escape, Moonshiner, Pebble Creek, River Point Guest House, River Port Guest House, River View Guest House, Rowling Ridge Guest House, Rustic Main, Rustic Red, The Beach House, The Cottage at Dagget Hollow, The Loft at The Whole Scoop, The Stone Cottage, The White Pelican Inn

NEBO: Harpole's Heartland Lodge/

HARDIN: Riverside KAMPSVILLE: Watkins House at McCully Heritage Project

Inn, Baymont Inn & Suites, Hampton Inn Litchfield, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Litchfield West, Quality Inn Litchfield Route 66, Super 8 by Wyndham Litchfield

BED & BREAKFAST INN

LIVINGSTON: Country Inn Cafe & Motel

and Breakfast Inn, Tiffany Inn

ALTON: BEALL Mansion an Elegant Bed

RAYMOND: Magnuson Grand Hotel & Conference Center

ELSAH: Green Tree Inn Bed & Breakfast, Maple Leaf Cottage Inn

STAUNTON: Super 8

GRAFTON: Tara Point Inn & Cottages

TROY: Best Western Troy Hotel, Holiday

MITCHELL: Along The Way B & B

Inn Express Troy, Motel 6 Troy, Red Roof Inn St. Louis-Troy, IL , Super 8 by Wyndham Troy IL/St. Louis Area

WOOD RIVER: Bel-Air Motel

103 Great Rivers & Routes

WHITE HALL: Greene Gables Inn

Heavenly View Cabin

STAUNTON: The Cabins & Cottages at Shale Lake

CAMPGROUNDS BETHALTO: Town & Country Lakes GRAFTON: Pere Marquette State Park KAMPSVILLE: Village of Kampsville Campground, Watkins House at McCully Heritage Project LITCHFIELD: Country Bend Campground, Kamper Kompanion, Lake Lou Yaeger Campgrounds, Lazy Days

11 Cross Roads Court Alton, Illinois (618) 465-9999

1800 Homer Adams Parkway Alton, Illinois (618) 465-8885

1900 Homer Adams Parkway Alton, Illinois (618) 433-9900

Conference Center

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YOUR SCENIC DESTINATION ON THE RIVER!

2020 RIVERSIDE FLEA MARKET April 25 & 26 June 27 & 28 Aug 22 & 23 Oct 24 & 25

May 23 & 24 July 25 & 26 Sept 26 & 27 9 am - 5 pm

OPEN YEAR ROUND!

For Vendor Information Call Trudi (618) 593-2103

Bar & Grill

INDOOR ICE SKATING

Entertainment

Friday, Saturday & Sunday November 23, 2019 March 8, 2020

Overnight Accommodations Private Event Space

Open daily during Thanksgiving & Christmas Breaks

400 Front St. • Grafton, IL • (618) 786-3494 • GraftonLoadingDock.com

ALTON MARINA GIFT SHOP 1 Henry St. • Alton • (618) 462-9860 Altonmarina.com

WHAT'S

Everything you need for a day on the boat, or a day in the sun can be found at the marina gift shop. Shop for the latest trends in jewelry, hats, bags and more. Adjacent deli has sandwiches and great mixed drinks.

in store? HAND-THROWN POTTERY. CYBERPUNK LAMPS. LOCALLY DESIGNED AND CRAFTED CLOTHING. PRIVATE LABEL OILS AND BALSAMIC VINEGARS. SPEND YOUR TIME MEETING THE MAKERS, NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED CREATORS AND SHOP

COUNTRY MEADOWS 401 E. Broadway • Alton • (618) 465-1965

Searching for antiques, collectibles, or vintage pieces? This long-time Alton antique store has an ever-changing collection of classic items.

OWNERS WHO PROUDLY SELL THEIR WORK THROUGHOUT THE GREAT RIVERS & ROUTES REGION. Updating your wardrobe? Browse through locally owned and operated clothing boutiques. Adding a new spark to your home decor? Shop rows of antique and vintage goods stores. Seeking a souvenir of your visit? Gift shops dot the regional shopping districts.

GRAFTON HARBOR GIFT SHOP 215 W. Water St. • Grafton (618) 786-7678 • Graftonharbor.com

Clothing, nautical gifts, liquor, wines and children’s gifts are available at the gift shop attached to the floating harbor.

MISSISSIPPI MUD POTTERY 310 E. Broadway • Alton • (618) 462-7573 Mississippimudpottery.com

Handmade pottery is created right in front of your eyes at this shop named an Illinois Maker. Durable bowls, mugs, plates and more are created. Be sure to check out the artistic and authentic leaf and fish designs. RiversandRoutes.com

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WHAT'S IN STORE

ELSAH: Elsah General Store

SPECIALTY SHOPS

GILLESPIE: The Village Toy Chest

ALTON: 1904 General Store, 5 A’s Thrift

GODFREY: My Antique Store

SHOPPING DIRECTORY

GRAFTON: Golden Eagle Antiques,

ANTIQUES

Grafton RIverside Flea Market, Treasures Past & Present Resale Shop

ALTON: 1904 General Store, Alton

HILLSBORO: The Refinery Vintage Goods

Exchange Mall, Country Meadows, George Street Antique Mall, J & P’s Edelweiss, Mineral Springs Mall, Refabuloused Relics, Tinner’s Anvil, Wilson’s Antiques

JERSEYVILLE: State Street Antiques & Jim’s Attic

LITCHFIELD: Briar Rose, Litchfield

BRIGHTON: Corky’s Emporium,

Indoor Flea Market, Litchfield Vintage Mall, Nana’s Hidden Attic, Ooh La La Decor & More, Phyllbena’s Antiques

Rusty Rhino

LIVINGSTON: Pink Elephant

BETHALTO: Craft & Antique Mall

CARLINVILLE: It Is What It Is Resale,

Antique Mall

Mother Road Antiques, OLDE, The Silver Owl

RAYMOND: Twisted Whiskers Antiques VIRDEN:Tattered Treasures

DONNELLSON: Loose Caboose,

WOOD RIVER: Country

Wayside Antique Mall

Meadows Antiques

EDWARDSVILLE: The Doll Corner,

WORDEN: The Chirping Frog

Vintage 71

For more local shopping, go to: RiversandRoutes.com/Things-to-do

TWO LOCATIONS 4 0 1 E . B R O A D WAY A LTO N , I L

4 1 3 E . B R O A D WAY A LTO N , I L

HOURS M O N D AY  S AT U R D AY 1 1 : 0 0 A . M .  4 : 3 0 P. M .

107 Great Rivers & Routes

S U N D AY N O O N  4 : 3 0 P. M .

Shop, Alton Stained Glass, B & B Custom T’s, Baxters Distributing Company, Inc., Bluff City Outdoors, By Design, Caravan Resale Shop, Christian Science Reading Room, Dick’s Flowers, Dora’s Spinning Wheel, Farmstone Roots, Frew’s Bridal, Golden Road Organics, Grapevine, Hansen Meat, Indigo Moon, It’s Raining Zen, Jacoby Arts Center, JL & Co., The Mercantile, Making Darrin Deals, Merle Norman Cosmetics Salon & Spa, Mineral Springs Mall, Mississippi Hippie, Mississippi Mud Pottery, Mom Said No Gifts, My Just Desserts, Mystical Journeys, New Frontiers Home Furnishings, Olive Oil Marketplace, Party on Broadway, Piasa Photo, Picture This & More, PopUtopia Gourmet Popcorn and Sweets, Refabuloused Relics, Rushmore, Score! Records, Second Reading Book Shop, Slacker’s CD’s & Games, Something Different, Tangled Tinsel Christmas Tree Farm & Gift Shoppe, Ted’s Motorcycle World, The Cyclery and Fitness Center, The Gift Box, Three Charming Chicks, White Birch

BETHALTO: Bethalto Party World, Homestead Flea Market, Round 2 Relics, Sweet Ashley’s Cottage

BRIGHTON: Corky’s Emporium, Rusty Rhino, The White Door Cottage

BRUSSELS: Brussels Lumber & Hardware, Village Consignment CARLINVILLE: Catholic Charities Thrift Store, Cherry Tree Gifts & Souvenirs, Country Gypsy, Deb’s Ceramics, Main Street Bridal, Main Street Florist and Gifts, My Sister’s Closet, Starr’s Primal Meats & Package Liquor, The Silver Owl

COLLINSVILLE: Biegert’s Jewelry, Code 3 Spices, Collinsville Sports Store, Cullop-Jennings Florist, Dean’s Liquor & Tobacco Store, Dizzy Dugout, Evolution Cycles, Habitat for Humanity ReStore Resale Shop, Jim’s Pawn and Jewelry, Lux Boutique Uptown, Monster Vinyl, Rich’s Record Emporium, Spiritos Italian Grocery Store, Swing City Music EAST ALTON: Community Seed & Feed, Pure Bliss Home Decor, Sandi’s Costumes, Fabric & Alterations

EDWARDSVILLE: A Wildflower Shop, Afterwords Books, Bagley Farms Meat Market, Big Frog Custom T-shirts and More, Bike Surgeon Outpost, Bin 51 Wine & Spirits, BingShop, BJ’s Printables, Bridal Couture, Chef’s Shoppe, Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate, Courage & Grace, Doll Corner, Edible Arrangements, Edwardsville Flea Market, Elegant Brides, Epic Ink, Evermore Gallery Tattoo, Four Muddy Paws, Frames By 3, Gingham Buffalo, Good Sports Cards And Memorabilia, Good Weather Gallery, Goshen Coffee Company, Green Earth Grocery, Happy Up, Inc., Heroic Adventures, Hudson Jewelers, Innovative Sports Nutrition, Joe’s Market Basket Edwardsville, Kettle River Furniture, Massage Luxe, Milo’s Tobacco Road, MOD on Trend, Mojo’s Music, My Treasure House, Olive Oils & More, Otherside Games, Restore Decor, Revival Boutique & Gifts, RunWell, Seams for the Soul Boutique , Sherry’s Snacks, Swing City Music, The Bike Factory, The Cyclery & Fitness Center, Tot Spot Resale, Trusty Chords Record Shop, Underground Artworks, Water Sweets Soap Company, What To Wear, Whisker Bones Supply Co

ELSAH: Crocker & Springer Pottery, Ltd., Elsah General Store, Merchant on Mill, Peaceworks: A Market With A Mission, Sisters of Elsah Art, Studio and Gallery, The Look Factory GILLESPIE: The Village Toy Chest GLEN CARBON: Allison’s Shoes, Karma On Main, Pottery Hollow Painting & More, To Do’s

GODFREY: Cleta’s Nutrition, Godfrey Meat Market, Joe’s Market Basket Godfrey, Josephine’s Tea Room and Gift Shops, The Shoppes at Beverly Farm

GOLDEN EAGLE: J.L. Krafts & Flowers GRAFTON: Aerie’s Grounds & Gifts, Buena Vista Art, Eckert’s Country Store & Farms, Grafton Fudge & Ice Cream, Grafton Harbor, Grafton Winery & Brewhaus, Harrison’s Gifts , Knotty By Nature, Lutes Bait & Escape, New to You, Pajarito, River Bank Gifts, The Wood Artisan a custom clock shop and more, Wild N Crazzy Biker Apparel HAMEL: Flowers by Glenda, Sandy’s Seasonals & More, LLC

Luc y M a e’s

gu e st house

ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS & PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES

WITH GIANT STATUES

Victorian Charm near the banks of the Mississippi. Adorable two unit guest house for up to six adults.

TWISTEE TREAT DINER ICE CREAM FRESH FUDGE CHOCOLATES & TAFFY RET RETRO CANDIES

Reservations: (816) 249-3279

908 VETERANS MEMORIAL DRIVE

lucymaes.com

618-637-2366

LIVINGSTON, IL

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WHAT'S IN STORE HILLSBORO: Blackboard Mercantile, Diamonds and Dogs, Edgemont House of Flowers, Nzuri Boutique, The Dressing Room, The Gold Pan: Record Store & Recording Studio, The Holiday Shop, The Refinery Vintage Goods JERSEYVILLE: 2nd Time Around, Beyond the Backyard Gate, Dance Things & More, Good Buddy’s Meat Market, JCH Hope Chest Resale Shop, Lula Bells, Nature Kist Nutrition Center, Outrageous Outdoors, Peg’s Flower Cottage, Rosa Linn’s Creations, Sweet Pea’s Floral & Designs

TROY: Cracker Barrel Old Country Store,

GLEN CARBON: Cato Fashions,

Grimm & Gorly Too, Joe’s Market Basket of Troy, LLC, The Style House

Lowe’s, Office Max, Sam’s Club, Slackers, Walmart Supercenter

VIRDEN: Books on the Square, Silvernicks, The Sly Fox

GODFREY: Factory Connection,

WOOD RIVER: Dick’s Flowers,

HARDIN: Calhoun Lumber Do-It Center,

Patchwork Plus, Riverbend Resale, Rustic Roots, The Dress Shop, Von Dell Gallery & Studios

Hardin Packaged Liquor, Northside Family Foods

Rose, Family Video, GameStop Prestige, House of Sunshine Coffee Shoppe & Book Nook, Litchfield Vintage Mall, Maurices, My Formals, Nana’s Hidden Attic, Niehaus Cycle Sales, Ooh La La Decor & More, Rural King, Whiskey River Dry Goods Company

Jerseyville Carpet & Furniture, Walmart Supercenter

ALTON: Alton Square Mall, Cato

LITCHFIELD: Action Powersports,

CARLINVILLE: Walmart Supercenter COLLINSVILLE: GameStop, Kohl's, Rural King, Walmart Supercenter EDWARDSVILLE: Ashley Homestore,

MARYVILLE: Sew Time Embroidery

Beauty Brands, Best Buy, Books-A-Million, Carter’s OshKosh B’gosh, Elliott Fine Jewelers Inc., Famous Footwear, First to the Finish, Friar Tuck Beverages, Glik’s, GNC, Hibbett Sports, Home Depot, HomeGoods, Jan’s Hallmark, Kirkland’s, Kloss Furniture, Kohl’s, Mattress Firm, Maurices, Men’s Wearhouse, Michael’s, Old Navy, Petco, Ross Dress for Less, RP Lumber, Sally’s Beauty Supply, Shoe Carnival, Target, TJ Maxx, Vallow Flooring, Wild Birds Unlimited

MT. OLIVE: Cristal Lantern NOKOMIS: New 2 You Consignment Boutique RAYMOND: Creekstone Kettle Works, Ltd. STAUNTON: Country Classic Cars, Henry’s Rabbit Ranch, Itch’n to be Stitch’n, Route 66 Storage & Markets, Vintage Station

JERSEYVILLE: Cato Fashions,

RETAIL STORES Fashions, GameStop, Hibbett Sports, J.C. Penney’s, Jan’s Hallmark, Kohl’s, Ross Dress For Less, Target

LITCHFIELD: Action Powersports, Briar

Walmart Supercenter

Family Video, GameStop Prestige, Glik’s, Hibbett Sports, Maurices, My Formals, Overstock Shop, Rural King, Shoe Sensation, Sullivan’s Health Mart Pharmacy, Walgreens , Walmart Supercenter

MICHAEL: Herren Hardware & Sporting Goods WOOD RIVER: Cleary’s Shoes & Boots, Walmart Supercenter

mississippimudpottery.com

HELPING TO OPEN DOORS

in the Riverbend

ALTON | 200 HOMER ADAMS PKWY. 618.465.5656 STORES HOURS

Sun. & Mon. Noon-4pm

Tues. Closed

Wed.-Sat. 10am-5pm

310 E Broadway Alton, IL 62002 • 618.462.7573

109 Great Rivers & Routes

www.cnbil.com

1904 Homer Adams Pkwy

(618) 433- 8999

CONVENIENTLY LOCATED NEXT TO THE NEW

MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORTATION CENTER!

Free Hot Breakfast Free High-Speed Internet Indoor Pool Fitness Room JUST MINUTES FROM NATIONAL GREAT RIVERS MUSEUM, ALTON ANTIQUE DISTRICT & LIBERTY BANK ALTON AMPHITHEATER.

•High Speed WIFI •Indoor Heated Pool •Restaurant & Bar •24 Hour Fitness Center •Free Onsite Parking •Breakfast Buffet •Conventions/Meetings •25 Minutes From St. Louis

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We offer the latest in state-of-the-art innovations and technology in many areas of care while maintaining a hometown feel that provides the warmth and convenience our neighbors have been familiar with for more than 80 years. Our Services

is close to home

• Cancer Care (Member of the Siteman Cancer Network) • Cardiology • Diabetes Management • Digestive Health • Emergency Services • Imaging

• Laboratory Services • MRI Services • Neurology • Nutrition Counseling • Orthopedics • Pain Management • Senior Care • Sleep Disorders • Surgical Services

111 Great Rivers & Routes

IN THE KNOW Useful information for your visit to the Great Rivers & Routes region of southwest Illinois.

GREAT RIVERS & ROUTES

SNOW

Just outside St. Louis in Illinois, three mighty rivers converge alongside the Great River Road and Route 66. The region includes more than 30 cities, towns and villages and covers six counties: Madison, Macoupin, Jersey, Calhoun, Montgomery and Greene. Two major interstates, I-70 and I-55, connect the region to St. Louis, Chicago, Indianapolis and beyond. Amtrak Rail Service has stops in both Alton and Carlinville. A municipal airport in Litchfield and the St. Louis Regional Airport in East Alton provide runways and flight services for small planes.

On average the region gets about 16-inches of snow each year. Typical snowfalls don’t stay on the ground for long though. Accumulating snow can fall as early as November and as late as March.

VISITOR CENTERS ALTON VISITOR CENTER 200 Piasa St. • Alton • (618) 465-6676 Open Mon. – Fri. 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m Sat. & Sun. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, Easter GRAFTON VISITOR CENTER 950 E. Main St. • Grafton • (618) 786-7000 Open Fri. – Sun. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

RAIN The region receives about 42 inches of rain each year. April and May are typically the rainiest with between 4 and 5 inches falling each month.

WHAT YOU SHOULD PACK SUMMER: Lightweight clothes, your favorite bathing suit, flip flops and tennis shoes. SPRING + FALL: Light jackets, raincoats, sweaters, flannels, jeans. Maybe a pair of shorts for those Indian Summer days and early Spring-feels-like-summer days. WINTER: Insulated boots, gloves, scarves, flannels, heavy coats, snow hats.

PETS Many lodging properties allow small pets. Dogs are allowed at most restaurants that have an outdoor patio.

POPULATION

MARIJUANA

Nearly 380,000 people call the six county region home. The largest cities by population are:

In 2019, the Illinois legislature legalized recreational marijuana use for adults. Many cities in the state DO NOT allow sales within their locales. At the time of this publication, no announcements have been made on the location of marijuana shops in the region.

ALTON – 27,175 EDWARDSVILLE – 25,044 COLLINSVILLE – 24,855

CLIMATE The region’s Midwestern locale near St. Louis results in mild winter temperatures and hot summer weather. SPRING: Ave. Temps 38° – 77° F SUMMER: Ave. Temps 67° – 90° F FALL: Ave. Temps 39° – 81° F WINTER: Ave. Temps 23° – 45° F

AND SOCIAL MEDIA!

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HOW TO GET HERE FROM THERE!

Galena

Chicago, IL

245 mi/394 km

Quad Cities

GETTING HERE n

Joliet

Bloomington Quincy

Kansas City 258 mi/415 km

Springfield Alton

Grafton St. Louis

Litchfield Edwardsville Collinsville

Indianapolis 245 mi/394 km

Branson 274 mi/441 km

Lambert International Airport 10701 Lambert International Blvd. St. Louis, MO • (314) 890-1333 St. Louis Regional Airport 8 Terminal Dr. • East Alton • (618) 259-2531

MARINAS & FERRIES n

Louisville 278 mi/447 km

Amtrak Rail Service #1 Golf Rd. • Alton (618) 462-1879 • Amtrak.com

Alton Marina 1 Henry St. • Alton • (618) 462-9860

Memphis 307 mi/494 km

113 Great Rivers & Routes

Brussels Free Ferry Rt. 100 • Grafton • (618) 786-3636 Grafton Ferry (seasonal) Rt. 100 Grafton • (800) 258-6645 Grafton Harbor 215 Water St. • Grafton • (618) 786-7678 Golden Eagle Ferry Ferry Rd. • Golden Eagle • (618) 535-5759 Kampsville Free Ferry River Front Dr. • Kampsville • (618) 653-4518

TAKE THE

GOLDEN EAGLE FERRY

Come Aboard for a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unique River Experience!â&#x20AC;?

E-WAY ON

$15

U N D T RI

Mon - Thu 5am - 9pm P

Calhoun Ferry Company

Fri - Sat Sunday 5am - 2am 8am - 9pm

75 Ton Load Limit | Open All Holidays 8am - 9pm

CALL US TODAY! 618-535-5759 calhounferrycompany.com