Cultural, Historic and Natural Southern Illinois Attractions

Day 1

Morning

Your Southern Illinois adventure starts in the morning in historic Mt. Vernon. Fuel up at the Farmhouse Bakery & Café for delectable scratch-made pastries and rich caffeinated beverages. Your group sojourn commences at the Cedarhurst Center for the Arts, a magnificent pastiche of culture and art spanning more than 80 acres. Marvel at over 70 striking works of art on your group tour through the Goldman Kuenz Sculpture Park and immerse in the diverse styles and media. Afterward, head to the 33,000-squarefoot heritage center and explore its four galleries and performance hall.

Afternoon

Grab lunch at Aneil’s Restaurant, serving the most tender smoked BBQ, burgers, catfish, ribs and other Southern favorites. If BBQ isn’t your jam, share a pie at Joe’s Pizza & Pasta for classic Italian American cuisine.

Groups can make a short drive to the Centralia Area Historical Society Museum in downtown Centralia. It features two floors that are filled with railroading, mining, oil industry, agricultural and Civil War artifacts. Groups can also travel west to Carlyle and stop at Ten Pin Antique Mall, where thousands of items are for sale in a repurposed bowling alley that still has the old signage, bowling lanes and scoring monitors.

There’s more history to be had at the Jefferson County Historical Village, where your group can take a self-guided or docent-led walking tour of this unique Mount Vernon attraction. Explore a true community-inspired and -built showpiece based on life in the 1800s. Over several decades, generous monetary donations, gifting of historic and other buildings, land contributions, and thousands of local artifacts collected have made the village a popular Southern Illinois attraction.

Breathe in the calming aroma of lavender when your group explores the vibrant purple fields of Lavender Falls. This family-owned U-Pick farm has everything your group needs to unwind, like essential lavender oils, sprays, soaps, honey, lavender bundles and more.

Evening

A tasty option is St. Nicholas Brewing Company in Du Quoin, a brewpub housed in a former hotel dating from 1879. Menu favorites include catfish with hushpuppies and fries, gourmet mac & cheese and barbecue pork.

Day 4 Day 2

Morning

Venture out on a tasting tour at some of the finest local vineyards and breweries in Southern Illinois. Start in Ava at the Scratch Brewing Company, a farmhouse microbrewery located five miles from the pristine Shawnee National Forest. Stop in for lunch and a hand-crafted beer that will awaken your taste buds.

Afternoon

Travel 30 minutes southeast to Carbondale and walk off those liquid calories at the University Museum at Southern Illinois University (SIU). Opened in 1874, the museum represents the whole of humanity through stories, history, cultural arts and science with a focus on Southern Illinois heritage.

Just 10 minutes away at Kite Hill Vineyards in the Shawnee Hills, relax with a glass of local wine and enjoy the postcard views. Plan a visit to their tasting room by appointment for a unique group activity. Located along the Ponce Wine Trail, Monte Alegre Vineyard/Cellars invites guests to tour the impressive wine cellar and enjoy a glass of their red or white. Sold exclusively from their vineyard, Monte Alegre wines are a true taste of the area. Both vineyards offer relaxation for something to do in Southern Illinois.

Evening

While in Carbondale, enjoy a robust dinner at Flame, serving up char-broiled steaks, Southern-style catfish, slow-cooked prime rib and more comfort cuisine, including an extensive beer and wine menu. After dinner, head down the street for an evening show at The Varsity Center, a performance arts venue originally home to the historic Varsity movie theater, before ending your night.

Day 3

Morning

Check into the historic Giant City Lodge in Makanda and enjoy quaint cabins or lodge accommodations specializing in Southern hospitality. Once your group is settled, make your way to the Makanda Boardwalk in the charming downtown area.

Those who wish to stretch their legs and explore can visit Shawnee National Forest, which abounds with wilderness recreation areas across the state’s southern tip. A group visit to Giant City State Park, located within Shawnee National Forest near Makanda, can include a hike on the one-mile Giant City Nature Trail, known for the narrow passageways threading through huge sandstone walls. Explore natural outdoor Illinois attractions on the Red Cedar Hiking Trail Twin Falls or the Giant City Nature Trail.

Enjoy a scenic drive to the eastern side of Shawnee National Forest, where the more adventurous can explore the Garden of the Gods , the region’s most popular recreation site. Observation Trail, a quarter-mile stone path, weaves through massive boulders affording spectacular overlooks of the pristine woodlands.

Afternoon

It’s time to relax and refuel with a glass of wine and lunch at Blue Sky Vineyard, a few miles southeast of the park. Share a pizza, order a deli sandwich from the café and savor hand-crafted vintages surrounded by a grape paradise.

Morning

Wake up refreshed and grab a warm breakfast at the lodge before exploring Goreville and Marion. Both towns boast unique Southern Illinois attractions that will keep your group entertained.

Afternoon

Pack the water bottles before you leave Makanda and head southeast to Goreville and the magnificent Ferne Clyffe State Park. Take the Bork Falls Waterfall Trail for spectacular photo opportunities and breathtaking scenery.

Spend a few hours enjoying the pristine natural surroundings before heading to the Longhorn Café in Goreville for lunch. They serve classic Southern staples like okra, pork fritters, catfish and fried chicken.

Another option is a visit to Metropolis, which is known as the “Home of Superman.” Pay a visit to the Super Museum, which contains one of the world’s largest collections of memorabilia relating to the TV, movie and comic book hero. Across the square, pose with the 15-foot-tall bronze Superman Statue by the Massac County Courthouse.

Drive to Marion and see a live show like standup comedy, a tribute band and dance performances at the Marion Cultural & Civic Center (MCCC).