FALL
RIVER CRUISES
HOW FAR WILL YOU GO?
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There’s always an adventure waiting on the mighty Mississippi River. Just ask Alex Grieves, captain of the Spirit of Peoria, an authentic paddle wheel river boat that travels to southwest Illinois throughout the fall. “The river changes every day. It’s always an adventure,” Grieves says. The paddle wheeler docks in Grafton at The Loading Dock on Sept. 22 and Oct. 6 for sightseeing and lunch cruises. The brilliantly painted red and white boat stands 47 feet tall and features a calliope, steam whistle, and, of course, a massive red paddle wheel, the boat’s sole source of propulsion. Cruises also feature an onboard storyteller and musician who entertain audiences in classic riverboat style. To book a cruise go to: RiversandRoutes.com
Great Rivers & Routes
FEATURES: Old growth forests, Collinsville neighborhoods and Horseshoe Lake State Park.
FEATURES: Woodlands, access to area parks and historic districts in Edwardsville & Glen Carbon with 10 tunnels and 8 bridges.
FEATURES: Woods, prairie, Horseshoe Lake State Park, Edwardsville, Glen Carbon and Maryville.
FEATURES: Woodlands, wildlife and access to SIUE, schools, park. Edwardsville Children’s Museum, Glen Carbon Miner Park and Edwardsville Township Park.
FEATURES: Woods, wildlife, connector to Gateway Convention Center and Collinsville Aqua Park and includes Horseshoe Lake State Park, SIUE, University Park and Edwardsville High School.
FEATURES: Woodlands, wildlife and urban areas. Visit SIUE, Edwardsville, Glen Carbon and Maryville before returning to the starting point.
FEATURES: Spreading across Madison County, this loop is the longest of the seven and includes woods, farmland, historic districts, Horseshoe Lake State Park, tunnels and bridges. This loop is a great way to see the region by bicycle.
Fall color cruises are also available at Grafton Harbor on board the Hakuna Matata 49-passenger excursion boat. Spend an hour or more on the ever-changing river with specialty cruises including a Taste of Italy Sunset Dinner Cruise, Oktoberfest Dinner Cruise and Glorious Fall Sunset Cruises. Visit GraftonHarbor.com for information and to book a ride.
RiversandRoutes.com
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