- Shopping:
This seems to top everyone's list! The area is anchored by two large
shopping malls: St. Clair
Square Mall in Fairview Heights and Alton Square in Alton.
Both rival the large shopping malls of St. Louis, with St. Clair
contending for the busiest anywhere. There are naturally a wide
variety of specialty stores and boutiques, specialties for almost
every occasion. Of course the major malls of St. Louis are
only minutes away, too!
- Our
Lady of the Snows Shrine:
This 200 acre setting is the largest in the country. During
the six weeks before Christmas, almost 400,000 people visit the
shrine to see the spectacular "Way of Lights". There is a
gift shop and a motel, an apartment community for seniors and a
very good restaurant.
- Cahokia
Mounds Museum: Cahokia is a 2000 acre site where the Mississippian
indian culture thrived for over 1,000 years. The 65 man-made burial
mounds and wooden sun calendar are some of the finest existing examples
of high native American indian culture in the country. A recently
completed interpretive center explains the world of Cahokia in an
astonishing way. It also offers year-round craft classes, tours
and lectures. 346-5160
- Eagle
Watching...
 especially in
the Alton area and north. Feeding on fish, large numbers of
bald eagles are wintering along the river, especially at Alton.
Contact the Alton Chamber of Commerce for details. A few stay
year-round.
-
Apple Picking...and pumpkins, and raspberries, and strawberries
and peaches. There are a large number of fruit farms in southwest
Illinois that cater to families wishing to pock their own fruit,
and enjoy a family picnic on best fall days. The season is
short, starting around Labor Day and running into November. The
Jonathan is the most prominent apple, but most varieties are available.
There are a large number north and east of Alton, at Marine and
around Belleville. Prominent are Mills at Marine, 887-4732
(which includes wagon rides, fresh baked goodies and a restaurant),
Eckert's, 786-3445 (at Grafton and Belleville), Schlueter's and
many many others.
- Antique
Hunting...everywhere! There are lots of shops around, in most
country towns, many in Belleville, and several blocks along Broadway
in Alton, more than 50 stores in the same neighborhood. We
know of families that make money at it, and have a good time, too.
- Auctions...Be
careful how you use your hands, but you'll find bargains and fun
at hundreds of auctions. The most fun are the farm sales.
- Craft
Fairs...There are many of these, too, along with a couple of monsters
at Belleville Fairgrounds and the Campus at SIUE. A little
farther to drive, but Branson, Missouri has all kinds of crafts,
almost all year long. There's an all-season craft mall at
Rend Lake (90 minutes).
- Ferries...There
are at least three remaining river ferries that offer a different
experience...at Winfield, Golden Eagle and north of Grafton.
All enter Calhoun County, a journey back into time itself!
-
 Fishing...There
are a thousand ponds and a hundred lakes for Bass, Bluegill, and
Crappie...but don't miss Catfish fishing. Locals do jugs,
trout-lines, floaters and a variety of techniques to outwit this
Midwestern phenomenon. Even bullheads are fun, but "channels"
even better...and good eating, too. And you could even learn
to appreciate Carp at one of the great restaurants at Grafton.
(The "Fin Inn" even has a freshwater aquarium with river fish, including
a rare albino catfish.) There are commercial fisherman at
Grafton in fact...great fun to watch and talk to.
- The
Great River Road Country: Truly a national treasure! Running
alongside the Mississippi to the west and the great limestone bluffs
to the east is so much more than a pleasant Sunday drive in the
country. The area, tretching north from Alton
to Grafton and Elsah, is chock full of historical significance and
natural beauty. It's a superb day trip for an historical lesson
and taking in nature's wonders. The area was first viewed
in the late 17th century by Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet.
Marquette recorded seeing the Piasa Bird, an indian creation of
a bird-like monster painted on a cliff. The historic village
of Elsah is an important stop, and in the winter especially, you
need to look for eagles who winter here, fishing for food in the
river...one of their dives for fish is memorable! There are
several bed and breakfasts along the way...one in Elsah and one
high on the bluffs overlooking simply everything! Antique
shops are found in Alton, Elsah and Grafton. The Alton Marine
hosts hundreds of pleasure boats that ply Alton Lake, created by
Lock and Dam #27, a marvel in itself. Across the lake you'll
see "Our Lady of the Rivers Shrine", where an annual blessing of
the boats place in spring. Paralleling the river road is a
paved bike trail, (Vadabalence Bike Trail"...a name pointedly significant
to the author...ask Merrill about it.) At the road's north
end is a ferry across the Illinois River to Brussels and Hardin
and beautifully remote Calhoun County. At Alton is the just-opened
Clark Bridge, featuring a one-of-a-kind suspension system where
cables are suspended from just two concrete pilons...gorgeous!
At the north end is Pere Marquette State Park...a lodge on 8000
rustic acres with views of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers,
a great restaurant featuring a 700 stone fireplace and the world's
largest chess set. The area also offers commercial and private
fishing of all kinds, and the area is on the Mississippi flyway...geese
and ducks abound near round...and all kinds of wildlife! The
following are related:
- Sailing...That's
true...on various lakes within driving distance, including Carlyle,
Alton, Holiday Shores, Lake of the Ozarks, Crab Orchard and others.
- Power
Boating, Too...same places!
- Cycling...There
are many places to go besides Vadabalene Trail, obviously, but country
roads everywhere. The Katy Trail in nearby Missouri is super.
So are "Bluff Roads" near Columbia, and in front of SIUE, and they
are flat.
- Indian
Lore...We've spoken of Cahokia
Mounds, but other remnants of Indian cultures remain everywhere.
You might even look for arrowheads in farm fields...we'll direct
you to a couple of experts. Dixon and Kampsville have "digs"
of importance, within driving distance.
- General
History...History seems to have been funneled in and out of the
area, and it has the footprints of huge numbers of significant people
and events. There are great museums in Edwardsville and Belleville,
and at Southern Illinois University. And it's not too far
to Springfield, and of course, St. Louis where the City Museum,
and the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial are all great experiences.
And don't miss Fort du Chartres, the Perrot Mansion, the Kaskaskia
Court House...origins of French culture in Monroe county.
- Lincoln
Learning...The Lincloln story is fascinating as he prepared himself
for the Presidency during the Civil War in Illinois. It's
concentrated in Springfield...about 90 minutes by car. Lincoln's
home, the Old Capital, New Salem (a country town where he first
lived,) his tomb and the State of Illinois Historical Museum are
all there. But he was known to have also been in Edwardsville
and Alton, and probably Belleville. The last Lincoln-Douglas debate
was in Alton. Lovejoy's experience in Alton ties in.
- Mark
Twain Country, at Hannibal
isn't that far and fascinating!
- Wine
Country Tours...in nearby Mid-Missouri are fascinating. There
are a number of wineries that make great fall tours. Hermann,
St. James, Augusta and others. And the scenery getting there
is marvelous. Hermann, Missouri is a delight in itself, has
a Maifest and an Oktoberfest...and the German traditions and food
there are superb.
- Daniel
Boone's Home...and Kimmswick, both in Missouri are very close by,
and delightful day trips for the family. Christmas scenes are special.
- Bridges...Two
bridges you must see: The old Eads Bridge, (walk below it
and on it, if possible...) and the new Clark
Bridge at Alton, (one of a kind design...incredible! The
supports for the Eads Bridge are made of cut stone and absolutely
massive! They go to bedrock, (deeper on the Illinois side),
and the story of construction (using cassons far below the water
line) is incredible. Steel was also new! And it's still
used. It played a part in history, too, focusing the railroads
east instead of northeast...bypassing Alton for the moment.
- The
Lock and Dam # 26...offering tours of the single biggest Corps of
Engineers project ever! Brand new and awesome! Eagles
look for fish below the dam in the winter.
- Raging
Rivers Water Theme Park: Open in the summer, it's the first
phase of "The Palisades" development in Grafton. The 1,200
acre tract will also include a hotel, condos, a golf course and
a tennis court. Kids love it.
-
 Golf
is everywhere...along with tennis and swimming. Ask for directories.
- Singing
and Playing...Adults are welcome at several community chorales,
especially at SIUE. There are a couple of barbershop choruses,
too. And many municipal bands.
- The
Museum of Transport...old trains...some of which work! In
west St. Louis County...Barrett Station Road.
- The
July 4th Spectacular...at
the Arch and in most towns.
- Ethnic
Celebrations...There are a hundred locations in two states celebrating
German traditions. And German buildings and history in Belleville,
and in Maeystown and many many other places still exist. Collinsville
has an Italian Fest.
- Amtrak
to Chicago, or Springfield: This is a fun trip, just to ride
the train, and see downtown Chicago or history at Springfield.
Great for kids.
- The
Flood of '93: While our "market" high on the bluffs wasn't
affected, the bottoms lands along the Mississippi, Missouri and
Illinois Rivers was, and there are several exhibits of photos and
memorabilia recognizing this major event.
- Professional
Sports...also prevail...TheCardinals,
the Rams, the Blues,
and the Ambush.
- Participating
Sports...There are little leagues of all kinds for boys and girls,
especially baseball and soccer...and big boy and girl leagues for
softball, baseball and soccer. There are swimming teams at
several pools.
- Country
Clubs...exist in several towns, usually include golf and a restaurant
and outstanding courses are touted at Alton, Edwardsville and Belleville.
- Branson
Missouri...within driving distance for stay overs, is a new nationwide
mecca for country music and big time entertainers, and crafts of
all kinds. And it's near major lakes, discount shopping and more.
- Illinois
Dining...is spectacular and generally very good. And all of
the St. Louis spots are also available on any given evening.
Of special note are Andria's, the Black Swan, Char's, Elsah Landing,
Fischer's, Michael's, The Stock Pot, Rusty's, and many many more!
- State
Parks...of Missouri and Illinois are all available...lots of woods
and trails and lots of water. Ask us for a list. There
are probably 30 within easy driving distance.
- Church
Activity...of all kinds, in all denominations. Most of the
congregations are extremely active.
- Clubs
and Organizations...There are over 500 clubs of various kinds in
Belleville alone...it would be impossible to catalog all of the
offerings in the area, but we bet it would span every interest!
- And
so much more...Sky diving at Sparta...Gliders at Highland...private
flying at several local airports...flying power model airplanes
at SIUE...horseback riding in lots of places...swimming...hiking...on
and on.
- The
Fabulous Fox Theater...314-534-1111
Originally opened in 1929, the Fox has been restored to a classic
performing arts center. The city’s most ornate and fabulous performing
arts venue hosts the Muny’s winter season including Broadway hits
and top entertainers.
- The
St. Louis Arch ...314-425-4465... At
650 feet, this is the nation’s tallest and most elegant memorial.
It contains exhibits of the American West as a frontier. Each leg
of the Arch has a passenger tram to carry visitors to an observation
deck at the top.
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