- 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.
The World Record Catfish was caught in Alton. Find out more about
the world record here.
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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