l OUTDOOR DELIGHTS

from Go Guide! Fall Winter 2021

l ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE

HOW FAR WILL YOU GO?

FEATURES: Woodlands, access to area parks and historic districts in Edwardsville & Glen Carbon with 10 tunnels and 8 bridges.

FEATURES: Woodlands, wildlife and access to SIUE, schools, park. Edwardsville Children’s Museum, Glen Carbon Miner Park and Edwardsville Township Park.

FEATURES: Woodlands, wildlife and urban areas. Visit SIUE, Edwardsville, Glen Carbon and Maryville before returning to the starting point. FEATURES: Old growth forests, Collinsville neighborhoods and Horseshoe Lake State Park.

FEATURES: Woods, prairie, Horseshoe Lake State Park, Edwardsville, Glen Carbon and Maryville.

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.

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 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.

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.

LOOK UP - REALLY!

When rock climbing at Pere Marquette State Park, it’s always a good thing to look up. Not only will you be able to tell how high you are, but there are some magnificent fall colors at the top of the limestone bluffs. Famous for its size and history, and as Illinois’ largest state park, Pere Marquette has also become a rock climber’s retreat. There are 40 routes on highly featured limestone bluffs available for the rockclimbing enthusiast. There are even more high-level fall adventures in southwest Illinois. Take the Grafton SkyTour from Grafton’s riverfront to the top of the river bluffs more than 300 feet high and enjoy a leisurely look at fall colors from open air chair lifts or enclosed gondola. Or do a tree top canopy tour on the highly acclaimed Grafton Zipline Adventures. This thrilling, high speed zipline combines, views, rope bridges, trails and a surprise ending for a one-of-a-kind experience. For more fall fun ideas, visit RiversandRoutes.com