Seasonal Itineraries

from 2023 Discover Downstate IL Visitors Guide

Seasonal Itineraries

Holiday Happenings

Tis the season to shop at a German-style Christmas market, sip on some deliciously warm coffee drinks, and drive through miles worth of holiday light displays! Make sure to take a ton of pictures, because this holiday trip is definitely one to remember.

Day One

Start your day in Columbia for breakfast or lunch at Café on the Abbey where you will find great bakery items, seasonal espresso drinks, and a unique food menu. Go shopping at the POP-UP SHOP, an initiative by the city to help local retail entrepreneurs test their brands. This shop has a large rotation which creates the chances of finding one-of-a-kind items or gifts! For wine lovers, head to the Weingarten in Belleville and enjoy a wide variety of wines from around the area and the world. Once the sun sets, head to the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows their Way Of Lights display, a tradition for thousands of folks for more than 50 years.

**Find the perfect gift at the Pop-Up Shop in Columbia.**

Accommodations

Holiday Inn, Shiloh

Right off of Interstate 64, the Holiday Inn & Suites in Shiloh is located in a shopping mecca. There are boutiques, restaurants, and national chain retailers within walking distance of the hotel.

Day Two

Explore downtown Belleville and walk through the Christkindlmarkt where you can shop from dozens of vendors boasting items from baked goods to home décor. Go back in time by watching newly released movies at the historic Lincoln Theater, followed by a great dinner at Tavern on Main in Belleville. Before heading in for the night, head to the World Wide Technology Raceway for WonderLight's Christmas, the only holiday light display in Illinois that you can experience by driving through on a NASCAR track.

Seasonal Itineraries

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