AROUND EVERY TURN a Lot More Of

SUMMER 2021

goguideGREAT RIVERS & ROUTES OF SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS

AROUND EVERY TURN A lot more of

SLOTS TABLE GAMES

DINING Sportsbook

1 Piasa Street • Alton, IL ArgosyAlton.com • 1-800-711-GAME

Must be 21. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537). SUMMER 2021 ALTON l COLLINSVILLE l EDWARDSVILLE GLEN CARBON l GODFREY l GRAFTON MADISON l JERSEY l CALHOUN l MACOUPIN goguideGREAT RIVERS & ROUTES OF MONTGOMERY l GREENE l COUNTIES SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS

6 l PEDAL & PADDLE 10 l NATURE AWAITS 12 l ROUTE 66 KICKS 14 l STREET ART MURALS 22 l HEAR THEM ROAR 24 l TEE TIME

BLACK FUN IN 26 l HOOK, LINE & SINKER 16l VOICES 18l THE SUN 30 l A STORY OF A ROOT 32 l TASTE OF SUMMER 38 l CHEERS TO SUMMER BEERS 48 l COOL BEANS 50 l 5 WAYS TO CELEBRATE JULY 4 52 l ON THE WATER

SINGULAR EPIC 54 l FESTIVAL FUN 28l SENSATION 36l BURGERS 56 l ROOMS WITH A VIEW 60 l SWEET SPOTS 62 l FRESH PICKS 64 l TRAVEL RESOURCES

Connect With Us! facebook.com/RiversandRoutes @RiversandRoutes Instagram.com/RiversandRoutes URBAN GREAT RIVERS & 40l ADVENTURES 58l ROUTES MADE Pinterest.com/RiversandRoutes

STAY SAFE Our doors are open and restaurants, Here’s what you can do to PHOTO CREDITS: Midwest Living, lodging properties and locally owned remain safe during your visit: Mark Ahlvers, Scott Evers, Mike Cruz IN GREAT and operated businesses in the Great Photography, Andrew Dobson, Marty RIVERS & Rivers & Routes region are welcoming McKay, @creative.michael, Scott Isringhausen, @josh.burbridge, Madison ROUTES OF travelers again. County Transit, @kenzcunningham, SOUTHWEST We are working hard to keep everyone Wash Maintain Wear a Alton Main Street, Eric O’Donnell, Olivia ILLINOIS safe during visits. Businesses throughout your social face Kennedy, @myroadtripmarriage, @ the region have implemented significant hands distances mask kalahconway, Raging Rivers Water Park, of 6 feet cleaning measures. Megyme Productions

35M • 4/21 RiversandRoutes.com 3 Welcome to the Great Rivers & Routes Region of Southwest Illinois

This is the only place in America where the Great River Road meets the Mother Road of Route 66. It’s also the only place in the country where the nation’s three great rivers come together – the Mississippi, Illinois and Missouri. And it’s the perfect place to escape on a road trip where you can recharge, relax and reconnect.

Isn’t it time to rediscover the great outdoors and nature? Dip your toes in the great rivers? Take a leisurely drive on historic roadways? Savor the sensation of biting into freshly picked summer fruits, or the savory flavors of fresh fish, secret recipe fried chicken, and juicy burgers? This is the place where you can meet gentle LET’S GET INSPIRED! giants and giant pink elephants. Use this QR code to discover outdoor inspiration in the Watch brilliant colors burst across the night sky and Great Rivers & Routes region. reflect again in river waters. Munch on popcorn at a one-of-a-kind drive in movie theater. Create memories with the dip of a paddle, a step on to a trailhead, a picnic on the river bluffs. We can’t wait to see you in Great Rivers & Routes where you will find– Greatness Around Every Turn

4 Great Rivers & Routes RiversandRoutes.com 5 LISTEN CLOSELY AND YOU CAN HEAR trails that include rides through the Great American Lake Lou Yaeger is a water-enthusiasts dream THE SIREN SONG OF WIDE-OPEN Bottoms, Illinois prairie, woodlands and creeks. The trails lake. Kayaks, stand up paddleboards and corcls SPACES CALLING. IT DANCES ON are also a great hangout for native wildlife. are available for rent. THE BREEZE AND IT’S IN THE MUSIC Pocket-sized MCT Trail Maps are available by calling OF BIRDS WINGING THEIR WAY (618) 797-4636 or by email request at: [email protected] PARTY TIP: Celebrate the Alton Marina’s ACROSS THE SKIES. 25th Anniversary Saturday, Aug. 28. Food, BIRDS, BIKES & BREWS drinks and live music. Open to the public. IT’S THE SONG OF THE GREAT RIVERS The Audubon Center at Riverlands offers a two hour & ROUTES REGION IN SOUTHWEST bicycle ride through the 3,700 acre sanctuary with stops ILLINOIS WHERE OUTDOOR along the way to enjoy bird watching. At the end of ADVENTURES AND ABUNDANT the guided tour, sample local craft beer and watch the Visit OPEN SPACES ARE WOVEN sunset over the Mississippi River. Rides are limited to 10 THROUGHOUT THE LANDSCAPE. people. For dates and registration, visit: riverlands.audubon.org/events LitchfieldLitchfield SPOTLIGHT Interested in taking a guided bike tour of the region? Crossroads Bike Tours offers day trips and multi-day trip packages. Share the journey with family and friends, or make new friends as you engage in the outdoors Pedal & Paddle and experience the fun and adventure of new places and destinations from the saddle of a bicycle. For tour information visit: crossroadsbiketours.com Have a Yaeger Day! ADVENTURESPedal LAKE LOU YAEGER | 1400 ACRES | 5.5 MILES OF WATER Madison County is home to an interconnected VisitLitchfield.com Class One system of biking trails developed by 866-733-5833 Madison County Transit. More than 137 miles ADVENTURESPaddle of trails weave through diverse landscapes and connect to 20 destinations throughout the area The waters of the Mighty Mississippi including parks, landmarks and colleges. capture the imagination like no other river. MAGNIFICENT MARINA The trails feature: “The Mississippi River remains a mystery for a lot of people,” says Michelle Wiegand, Education FEATURES INCLUDE: n 10 distinct bikeways Director for the Audubon Center at Riverlands. Floating Docks n Showcase 1,600 acres of greenspace Luxury Bathrooms n Include 48 bridges That means boating is popular on the river with cruises Full Service Fuel n 22 Tunnels available on a 49-passenger excursion boat sailing Satellite TV & Wi-Fi out of Grafton Harbor and the Spirit of Peoria, an Swimming Pool & Hot Tub “The MCT Trails make Madison County authentic paddlewheel riverboat that cruises the river Laundry unique in the region,” says MCT Managing each summer and fall. Convenience Store & Deli Director SJ Morrison. Much More! Enjoying the river in a more personal way is also a The trails criss cross the region and include the highlight for water enthusiasts. Kayak experiences are Confluence Bike Trail, over 20 miles of paved trails offered through the Audubon Center and are limited to following the Mississippi River from Granite City seven people per session. to Alton and the MCT Goshen Trail which includes 10 tunnels and a 175-foot bridge connecting Troy “Not a lot of places in the region rent kayaks so there is to Edwardsville and Glen Carbon. a huge demand,” Wiegand notes. “We want to be able to provide a way for people to be able to connect with The awe-inspiring Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail the river and its eco-systems.” runs parallel to the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway from Alton to Pere The Audubon Center has Kayaking on Ellis Bay events Marquette State Park. The 20-mile paved trail running from June through July. Ellis Bay is located on hugs the base of towering limestone bluffs and the edge of the mighty river in West Alton, MO. provides breathtaking views of the Mississippi “These are very popular kayak events,” Wiegand says. and Illinois rivers. “People who have never kayaked before take part and Great Transient Rates Available there are people who enjoy it so much they Reservations Encouraged MCT has also undertaken a beautification project Contact Karen Baker-Brncic @ (618) 791-5109 on the trails adding trees and landscaping to four keep coming back.” separate trails in an effort to enhance the natural To register for the kayaking tours, visit: (618) 462-9860 l AltonMarina.com beauty of the area. There are a total of 10 separate riverlands.audubon.org/events

6 Great Rivers & Routes RiversandRoutes.com 7 AND THERE’S MORE! MORE BOATING ADVENTURES

Outdoor adventures in the region don’t stop Jet ski rentals and pontoon boat rentals with bike trails or waterways. are also available for those looking for a Experience an adrenaline rush like no other different kind of river adventure. Grafton with Grafton Zipline Adventures. The tree Harbor offers pontoon boat rentals that top canopy family-friendly adventure sits include hourly and full day rates. River high on the river bluffs above the confluence Road Water Sports, located at Grafton of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers on the Harbor, has jet skis for rent during Aerie’s Resort property. Soar from bluff to the summer. bluff with maximum speeds of 45 miles per Find yourself floating on the Illinois River hour and enjoy the views. Rope bridges, trails aboard the excursion boat, Hakuna Matata. and a surprise ending highlight the zipline. Watch the sun set over the confluence of the Want to cool off after an adventurous day? Illinois and Mississippi rivers during a Sunset Take a leisurely ride to the top of the river Cruise. Or take a weekend sightseeing bluffs with the Grafton SkyTour. Open air cruise. The Hakuna Matata sails out of chair lifts and enclosed gondolas rise over Grafton Harbor. 300-feet in the air from Grafton’s Main Street The Spirit of Peoria makes its way to the to the top of the river bluffs, a journey of Great Rivers & Routes region several times 1,500 feet. a year in the spring, summer and fall for those eager to experience the river on an TRAVEL TIP: After taking the SkyTour authentic paddle wheel boat. to Aerie’s Resort, relax and enjoy the views Visit RiversandRoutes.com for cruising from the new Tree Bar. Indoor and outside dates and ticketing information. tables provide scenic views of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. Food and a wide selection of craft beer, wine and cocktails are on tap.

5 Anchor Marina with Deluxe Amenities! Amazing Winery, Restaurant and Gift Shop Boat Rentals Riverboat Cruises: Corporate, Wine, Sunset Haunted & Fall Colors Connecting 21 Communities Wedding Ceremonies and More! Across Southwestern Illinois 137 miles of interconnected trails Come check out the Oyster Bar and our Floating Winery! 7 loops | 25 tunnels | 49 bridges

8 Great Rivers & Routes RiversandRoutes.com 9 GET LOST IN NATURE. Award Winning REALLY LOST. Award Winning NATURE AWAITS DoubleTree Hotel & Steakhouse. P E ER T T

E M A R Q U E

E B T R E N M E E C R

S A N N C T U A R Y O

B U D U A

W Located 10 minutes from downtown St. Louis A Located 10 minutes from downtown St. Louis T and home to Porter’s Steakhouse, E and home to Porter’s Steakhouse, R voted one of the Top Steakhouses in the USA! S voted one of the Top Steakhouses in the USA! H E Group rates and discounts available. D Group rates and discounts available. N A T U RE C EN T ER Who doesn’t want to leave the at Riverlands says. “Nature isn’t a habitat to the Eastern Timber worries and stresses of life behind just about what you see, it’s about Rattlesnake. Unique geological right now? And let’s face it, getting how you are feeling when you are in features include sinkholes, ravines back in touch with nature is a great a place. There’s peace. You can slow and bedrock outcrops. Discover the COLLINSVILLE - ST. LOUIS COLLINSVILLE - ST. LOUIS way to stay healthy – both physically down, unwind and connect with small streams, a waterfall, upland 1000 EASTPORT PLAZA DRIVE COLLINSVILLE, IL 1000 EASTPORT PLAZA DRIVE COLLINSVILLE, IL 618.345.2800 DOUBLETREECOLLINSVILLE.COM and mentally. the big and little things happening forest and hill prairies. 618.345.2800 DOUBLETREECOLLINSVILLE.COM “If anything, this past year has in nature.” Escape off the beaten path and taught us about the importance of The 3,170-acre sanctuary on the explore the Bremer Sanctuary open spaces,” says Edwardsville’s banks of the Mississippi River in rural Hillsboro. The 203-acre Watershed Nature Center in West Alton is designated an sanctuary is a protected area and is Consultant Megan Reichmann. Important Birding Area and home to a large bluebird population. “There are so many physical and serves as a major migratory point Reconnect with nature throughout mental health benefits to getting for spring and fall bird migrations. the oak hickory uplands, wooded back to nature. It’s fantastic to It also is a great place to get lost in ravines, transitional grasslands and reconnect with a habitat that was nature and discover native plants, wetlands areas. here before any of us were here.” animals and birds that make the Pere Marquette State Park in The 46-acre Watershed Nature region their home. The sanctuary has Grafton is described as a nature Center, 1591 Tower Ave., has recently wetlands, prairie, and bottomland lover’s paradise. Views of the nearby undergone a series of enhancements forests which provide habitats and Illinois River, surrounding river bluffs to the center’s grounds which resources for animals and birds. and woods provide an up close look includes adding a new Shoreline “Nature itself is a great guide,” at local wildlife and plants. There are Classroom and Educational Meadow. Wiegand points out. 12 miles of marked hiking trails that The meadow has a natural play area Return to nature at Godfrey’s The provide scenic views to beginner for children which includes logs, Nature Institute, 2213 S. Levis Ln. through experienced hikers alike. stumps and boulders for crawling Explore the more than 294-acre Olin Both Beaver Dam State Park, and climbing. Educational signage Nature Preserve at TNI which has near Carlinville, and Horseshoe has been added throughout the been dedicated as an Illinois Nature Lake State Park in Collinsville, Educational Meadow to identify Preserve. The protected land has offer opportunities to get in touch plant species and describe the exquisite views of the Mississippi with nature. The parks are largely importance of native plantings. River from its blufftop location. There untouched and offer a remote “Nature is a safe way to get active,” are over 300 native plant species, natural experience not far from Michelle Wiegand, Education 150 species of nesting and migratory urban centers. Director for the Audubon Center birds and the preserve serves as THE NATURECENTER

10 Great Rivers & Routes RiversandRoutes.com 11 Soulsby Service Station, Mt. Olive: Doc’s Soda Fountain, Girard: Once upon a time there were full service gas stations. This vintage Shell Station sits in Discover your perfect What started as a town drug store in the late the middle of Route 66 and provides a blast Instagram moment 1800’s morphed into a soda fountain shop to the past with original pumps and a look on Route 66 and when Route 66 slid through town. Original behind the scenes in the station itself. share it with us: hand-drawn sodas can be purchased to this #RiversandRoutes day from the vintage 1920’s soda fountain.

Visit Skyview Drive In, Litchfield: Henry’s Rabbit Stop the car and take in a movie at this Ranch, Staunton: vintage drive in theater. While first run Home to bunny movies aren’t shown, you can enjoy a bucket rabbits, Volkswagon LitchfieldLitchfield of popcorn, soda and a favorite throw back rabbits and a giant film from the last couple of decades. fiberglass rabbit. This is a must-stop attraction on any Route 66 road trip. Get Your Kicks! STAY ON ROUTE 66 • 6 HOTELS AND 30 RESTAURANTS

VisitLitchfield.com 866-733-5833 ROUTEROLL DOWN THE CAR WINDOWS. 66 TURN UP THEKi RADIO. AND c ks HEAD ON DOWN HISTORIC ROUTE 66 IN SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS Illinois Coal Museum, Gillespie: FOR THE MOTHER OF ALL ROAD TRIPS. Coal was once king in this part of Illinois. There are plenty of ways to get your kicks on Route 66 in the Great Rivers & Routes Stop at this museum which brings to life the JOIN US region. The final leg of the road in Illinois, 60-miles of it in fact, meander through experiences of coal miners through the years. TO CELEBRATE the region from Virden, just outside Springfield, IL, to the old Chain of Rocks Bridge crossing the Mississippi River in to Missouri. MONTGOMERY In between those two points are some fun, kitschy and Instagrammable stops COUNTY’S on the famous Mother Road. Get ready to rock and roll – here are just a few 200TH BIRTHDAY things you shouldn’t miss. Pink Elephant Antique Mall, Livingston: Chain Of Rocks Bridge: A giant pink elephant, T Rex, alien spaceship and other fiberglass giant Once a two-lane toll bridge linking statues welcome visitors to the the Illinois side of Route 66 to its antique mall housed in a former Missouri counterpart, the bridge school gym and the Twistee Treat over the Mississippi River is limited Diner, a throwback to the ‘50’s. to pedestrian traffic only. Check out the 30 degree dog leg in the middle of the bridge! Wildey Theatre, Edwardsville: Brooks Catsup Bottle When Vaudeville was king, the Wildey www.montgomeryco.com/ Water Tower, Collinsville: Theatre was home to the likes of index.php/mc-200th Dubbed the tallest Catsup Bottle Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Al Jolson, W.C. Water Tower in the world, this catsup Fields and Ginger Rogers. Today, it bottle towers over the city and is a hosts live music every weekend and beacon for Route 66 travelers. vintage movies on Tuesdays.

12 Great Rivers & Routes RiversandRoutes.com 13 SPLASHES OF COLOR DECORATE THE AGING BRICK OF BUILDINGS. KEEP YOUR EYES SOME ARE ABSTRACT WORKS OF ART. OTHERS TELL A STORY. OPEN FOR … STREET ART MURALS AND SCULPTURES ARE BLOOMING THROUGHOUT A new street mural in Litchfield THE GREAT RIVERS & ROUTES REGION OF SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS. FROM which is anticipated to be painted ALTON, PERCHED ON THE BANKS OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, TO LITCHFIELD, in late April and early May. NESTLED IN THE ILLINOIS PRAIRIE ALONG ROUTE 66, BRILLIANT WORKS Muralist Victor Ving is expected OF STREET ART ARE WAITING TO BE DISCOVERED. MARYVILLE to paint the mural at the corner of Illinois Route 16 and State Street Baseball fans will enjoy the 18-foot (423 N. State). tall images of four major league 6 The Montgomery County

STREET ART baseball players depicted on the COLLINSVILLE Bicentennial Committee will be TROY exterior of the Maryville Heritage The exterior of the Collinsville Senior installing photographic wallpaper An homage to the evolution of Museum, 128 E. Zupan St. St. Louis Center, 420 E. Main St., received a 6 on buildings throughout the transportation in the U.S. graces Cardinal Ken Oberkfell; Brooklyn facelift in 2019 when a lively mural county depicting the history the side of the Troy Times Tribune Dodger and Chicago Cub Dwain celebrating Collinsville was created. of the county. The wallpaper newspaper building. The City of Sloat; Bob Boken, who played Students at SIU Edwardsville designed adheres to brick buildings and Troy is located at the intersection for the Washington Senators and and painted the mural. lasts up to one year. The wall Chicago White Sox; and Boston of Interstates 55, 70, 270 and U.S. photos are part of the county’s Red Sox player John C. “Buster” 40. It also was once a stop on the Bicentennial Celebration which Lucas all grew up in Maryville. historic National Road. kicks off on June 5.

ALTON 7 This city’s home Three separate outdoor murals 1 on the Mother decorate walls on buildings in this 5 Road of Route Mississippi River community. 66 is highlighted 1 Visitors arriving to the city along STAUNTON with a street Illinois Route 100 (Landmarks mural honoring Boulevard) are greeted with a five 5 Renowned artist Cbabi Bayoc the past. story tall rendition of a paddlewheel The mural is 2 painted a vibrant outdoor mural river boat cruising down the river. in downtown Staunton in 10 located at 120 S. The mural, which took five months Macoupin St. days in 2020. The Macoupin Art 7 GILLESPIE to complete was painted in 2010. Collective commissioned the The mural was designed by Mike street art at 115 E. Main St. Eckhard and painted by Euripides The mural shows the “Rip” Kastaris. interconnectedness of Staunton Pi 2 Travel along Illinois Route 3 between 3 and highlights diversity. Mc ke M Granite City and Madison to view the ed ounds & a t ion Gr Cellar n four art installations commissioned n ans Tou s u M r i by America's Central Port. a o n 3 The well-traveled intersection of H Piasa Street and 9th Street is home to a mural created by the children of Alton in 2012. Over 200 children were involved in creating scenes from life 2018 Alby 618.830.2179 on the river on this cement wall. Alton, IL 618.462.3348 4 Local artist Sarah Dupont created a mural behind Frew’s Bridal, 305 Piasa St. in 2017. The mural is frequently used in photo shoots in the region. M m cPik n.co 4 eMansio

14 Great Rivers & Routes RiversandRoutes.com 15 BLACK VOICES

THEIR VOICES The history of Black residents in the in the region which are part of the CAN BE HEARD six county Great Rivers & Routes RiversandRoutes.com website. ACROSS TIME region of southwest Illinois has left “From those in bondage seeking AND RESONATE an indelible mark on the local culture freedom to those seeking a welcome TODAY WITH and landscape. THE STORIES OF and opportunity, people came to this FREEDOM SEEKERS; Alton, with its location on the place simply to live their lives and Jazz great Miles Davis is also part of THE FREE AND Mississippi River, was a prime conduit raise their children. Generation after Alton’s heritage. Davis was born in ENSLAVED; AND, on Underground Railroad routes generation, they called this place at the Alton Visitor Center, Alton although his father, a dentist, ORDINARY PEOPLE from Missouri to the “free” state of ‘home’,” the two wrote of the 200 Piasa St. after June 1. moved the family to East St. Louis LOOKING FOR AN Illinois and beyond. Just west of alton Rocky Fork Area. The sentiment nine months after his birth. Alton ORDINARY LIFE. the Rocky Fork Area was settled by applies to several other clusters of Underground Railroad stations that has commemorated its ties to those of African ancestry as early homes and settlements throughout dotted the landscape throughout Davis with a bronze statue created by as 1816 and was a passageway for the area. the region are part of guided tours artist Preston Jackson. freedom seekers, according to local offered by Underground Railroad Rocky Fork has a place on the The statue stands on Third Street in historians Charlotte E. Johnson and historian JE Robinson. Underground Railroad National Alton’s entertainment district. It is Reneé B. Johnson. Network to Freedom. Holders For more information about local one of three Miles Davis statues in The mother-daughter team of of National Park Service passports tours or to schedule a tour visit: the world, and the only one on the historians, the Johnson’s have created can have their passport stamped RiversandRoutes.com U.S. continent. a series of essays about Black history commemorating the Rocky Fork area

UNTOLD BLACK Large-scale portraits of residents will Executive Director of the arts STORIES AT animate the city’s downtown district center says. “Through these stories with striking and novel imagery we discover a rich and often untold JACOBY ARTS as part of the exhibit which will fill history. We see ourselves in these CENTER storefront windows on Broadway stories. They help us find our way Street in Alton. QR Codes will be part back to one another and imagine a of the exhibits and will link to three- more inclusive society.” Personal stories of family devotion, minute audio excerpts of recorded Thirty conversations with faith, dedication to hard work, conversations. Black residents were created friendship, honor and more are “We want to catalyze diversity, by StoryCorps and released on part of Jacoby Arts Center’s Untold inclusivity and equity within the National Public Radio. Alton’s Black Stories exhibit which will fill downtown Alton district by honoring Untold Black Stories exhibit is a downtown Alton’s storefronts in the stories and participants in way to enhance the StoryCorps May and June. Untold Black Stories,” Rachel Lappin, project, Lappin points out.

16 Great Rivers & Routes RiversandRoutes.com 17 Grab the towels and sunscreen, pack Monsoon Mountain is a 50 foot tall water castle of fun. up the kids and head to Raging It includes five slides of various shapes and sizes, and Spending time in the sun can Rivers Water Park in Grafton. The different hoses and buckets that kids can use to squirt make you hungry! Check out park, which opens for the season each other with water. The bucket on top holds 500 these nearby local restaurants for Saturday, May 22, sits on the banks gallons of water and douses the kids or unsuspecting some after-sun dining enjoyment. of the Mississippi River and rises parents below with its contents every five minutes. naturally along the river bluffs. In Two slides at the top of Monsoon Mountain, one open addition to the magnificent views, and one tube, have a 40 inch height requirement. THE LOADING Raging Rivers is home to Itty Bitty DOCK GRAFTON “The Aqua Park is really a gem for the City of Surf City (designed for the very 401 Front St. • Grafton young), a million gallon wave pool, Collinsville,” Kim Caughran, Collinsville Park and Stunning river views. Outdoor lazy river and several thrilling Recreation Director points out. “We have a nice variety dining. Live music. Lawn games. water slides. of water activities that are great for all ages. Families The Loading Dock, located can enjoy a little getaway in Collinsville by spending “2021 will be a year unlike any other alongside the Mississippi River at Raging Rivers Waterpark,” said the day at the Aqua Park, staying overnight in a is the perfect place to wind Corporate Director of Operations nearby hotel, and then exploring the city at night.” down. The casual menu features Ken Handler. “We are adding more In Edwardsville, parents with young children can something for everyone – even twists and turns, splashes, treats spend time at the Leon Corlew Splash Pad. The the kids! and places to kick back and relax water venue is free and open to the public. However, for our guests and we couldn’t be BLUFF CITY GRILL due to on-going COVID restrictions, the Splash Pad 424 E. Broadway • Alton more excited.” will be limited to 50 percent occupancy at any time. Relax after a day of summer The 12-acre water park is adding a fun in the restaurant’s casual new water slide, 30 new cabanas for atmosphere. Check out the rent, additions to the kiddie pool signature Guac Bites, or try a and updates to food menus. The Stinger Salad, sandwich, or steak, new slide will feature three hidden WHEN THE WEATHER WARMS UP, THERE IS NOTHING seafood and pasta entrée. chambers to speed down, splashing LIKE SPENDING A DAY OR EVEN DAYS COOLING OFF AT and spraying through the enclosed SLOAN’S PUB HOUSE AREA WATER PARKS AND SPLASH PADS. tubes before the final splash down. 119 W. Main St. • Collinsville Raging Rivers will also unleash a Sea Creative burger options, salads, Lion Splash Show June 19 – 27 at fish sandwiches, pizzas and an the water park. The show features extensive beer menu are all part beached sea lions who were unable of the experience at this locally owned and operated Uptown to return to the wild. And when the Collinsville restaurant. lights come on, the sea lions put on a one-of-a-kind display of singing and dancing, acrobatics, and all manner of delightful hijinks. Water Enjoy your get-away Upscale park guests can enjoy the show Guest Lodging with a regular water park admission and leave the in Historic purchase, through season passes Downtown and by purchasing a special VIP Sea Alton Lion Package. Rest to us! Additional summer events will be on tap at the water park. Stay-up-to- date on events and purchase season passes by visiting: ragingrivers.com Collinsville Aqua Park will open with a splash on Saturday, May 29. Riverfront luxury within All units feature Nightly & Collinsville The park is home to seven water walking distance of beautiful panoramic Extended Collinsville 8 Commerce Drive slides, a leisure pool, lap pool, the 12 Commerce Drive everything Downtown river views, full kitchen Stay Rates Collinsville 618-477-8946 Alton has to o er! and en suite laundry. famed Monsoon Mountain, Aqua 7 Commerce Drive 618-803-4032 Climb Wall and lazy river. 618-346-4400

18 Great Rivers & Routes RiversandRoutes.com 19 WILLOUGHBY FARM and Conservation Reserve

Host a Private Event BE ON THE The recirculating splash pad will be located near the Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater which is located on the banks of the Mississippi River. It will Visit the Animals ~ Hike the Trails LOOKOUT! have water play activities amid nature-themed elements which will tie in Educational Programs A NEW SPLASH PAD IS Alton’s connection to the Mississippi River. Once construction is completed, COMING TO THE ALTON the Splash Pad will be free and open to the public. Concession areas and RIVERFRONT IN 2021. rest rooms will also be constructed nearby. www.willoughbyfarm.org | (618) 977-0941 PARKS & RECREATION 631 Willoughby Lane, Collinsville, IL

YOUR FINDSUMMER

SEA LION SHO New W! SUPER-SLIDE! With miles of slides & thousands of gallons of water, there are millions of ways for your family to have FUN! Plan your summer fun now!

Buy Tickets in Advance at www.collinsvilleaquapark.com June 19-27 RagingRivers.com and save! (618) 346-4571 10 Gateway Drive, Collinsville, IL 20 Great Rivers & Routes RiversandRoutes.com 21

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www.altonbaseball • 618.433.3665 • www.altonbaseball Lloyd Hopkins AugustMay - • Field Lloyd

Enjoy a taste of the new River Dragons Radler beer created just Prospect new the for Old by team League Bakery Beer in Alton. The beer will be served at the ballpark, Old Bakery Beer and local restaurants.

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OF DREAMS IN ALTON, IL. IL. ALTON, IN DREAMS OF

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ALTON RIVER DRAGONS RIVER ALTON HEAR THEM HEAR

22 Great Rivers & Routes RiversandRoutes.com 23 YOUR SCENIC DESTINATION Tee ON THE RIVER! Time TAKE A SWING AT SOME GREAT SUMMER FUN ON GOLF COURSES AROUND THE GREAT RIVERS & ROUTES REGION. SPENCER T. OLIN COMMUNITY Bring your clubs to Alton’s Rock Spring Golf Course for a GOLF COURSE quick 9-hole round of golf in a hilly park setting. Or put your golf This is the only Arnold Palmer game to the test at the professionally designed and dynamic designed course in the region. With Spencer T. Olin Golf Course, an Arnold Palmer designed facility in nearly 7,000 yards of championship Alton and Indian Springs Golf Course in Fillmore designed by layout, the course is designed to Dan Gorsage and Kyle Goalby. challenge golfers of all skill levels. Stunning views of the St. Louis skyline decorate the greens at Gateway National Golf Links in Madison. While sweeping fairways amid a winding creek highlight The Woodlands Golf Course in Alton. Godfrey’s Lockhaven Golf Club, located just off the Great River Road on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, has stunning river views along its professionally designed course. Explore the different courses available throughout the region on a week day escape with golf buddies, or a weekend getaway. For more information on golf courses in the region and to design your own golf-cation, visit: RiversandRoutes.com 2021 RIVERSIDE FLEA MARKET April 24 & 25 May 22 & 23 INDIAN SPRINGS June 26 & 27 July 24 & 25 GOLF COURSE Aug 28 & 29 Sept 25 & 26 Nestled on the Illinois prairie near the small town of Fillmore Oct 23 & 24 9 am - 5 pm in Montgomery County, Indian or endor Inormtion Springs is a true hidden gem. The OPEN YEAR ROUND! C Trdi -20 course is designed for all skill levels. “Indian Springs is actually nature Bar & Grill INDOOR SEASONAL ICE SKATING at its best and we get to have a golf course right in the middle Friday, Saturday & Sunday GATEWAY NATIONAL Live Entertainment of it,” says Natalie Fuller, General November 20, 2021 - GOLF LINKS Manager of Indian Springs Golf Created in the tradition of famous seaside golf Club. “PGA Architect Kyle Goalby Overnight Accommodations March 6, 2022 courses in the British Isles, this fearsome 7,178 par 71 took this place and kept the hills Open diy dring course has rollings links, lush pasturelands, wood-tie and valleys. He incorporated the Private Event Space Thngiing Chritm Bre bunkers and the occasional stone bridge. And, of springs and ponds and he designed course, views of downtown St. Louis. such a beautiful place of serenity.”

0 E. ront St. rton IL (618) 556-7951 graftonloadingdock.com 24 Great Rivers & Routes RiversandRoutes.com 25 n Gordon Moore Park, Alton: The pond at the park is stocked with bluegill, green sunfish, and catfish. Pick up your fishing supplies here: “The fishing spot is underrated as a bass fisherie,” HOOK, LINE & SINKER Isringhausen notes. “The bass fisheries contain several BAIT AND TACKLE SHOPS bass weighing over three pounds.” n Bluff City Outdoors • 2813 E. Broadway • Alton PICTURE YOURSELF SITTING ALONG THE BANKS OF THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI, n Belk Park, Wood River: Fish include green sunfish, n Denny’s Package Liquor & Bait Shop FISHING POLE IN HAND, YOUR LINE DRIFTING IN THE WATER AND DREAMS OF SNAGGING large-mouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish 126 W. Ryder St. • Litchfield THE PERFECT CHANNEL OR BLUE CATFISH SWIMMING AROUND IN YOUR HEAD. THE SKIES and crappie. Looking for a guided fishing experience? McMurray says ARE BLUE AND THE SUN IS WARM. IT’S ALMOST A PERFECT DAY. THEN YOUR LINE JERKS n Glazebrook Park, Godfrey: The lake is Bluff City Outdoors can provide guided fishing experiences for small groups of people. McMurray has several guides he AND YOUR DAY JUST BECAME ONE TO REMEMBER. handicapped accessible and has bank access. works with who will do both lake and river tours. Call Bluff Numerous bluegill, catfish and bass are stocked City Outdoors at 618-465-6175 for more information. Netting a trophy catfish – whether it’s a channel cat, blue are bigger fish in the Mississippi River though. There in the lake. cat or flathead isn’t that unusual in the Great Rivers & are sturgeons that are over 200 pounds but no one Fishing is available year round at Litchfield’s Lake Lou Routes region of southwest Illinois. ever gets those.” Yaeger. Catfish, crappie, bluegill and bass can be found “The Mississippi and Illinois Rivers in our region offer When McMurray heads out to fish, he goes for the lakes. in the lake. Shore fishing is free but boat fishing requires some excellent and diverse fishing opportunities,” Fred There are lakes throughout the region ideal for beginners a paid pass. Day passes and annual passes are available. Cronin, a Fisheries Biologist with the Illinois Department and experienced anglers. McMurray says good spots Bait is also available for purchase at Marina 1. Fishing of Natural Resources says. “The rivers are well known for include Hillsboro Lake, Otter Lake and Gillespie Lake. limits: Large or Smallmouth Bass: 3 per day harvest limit producing trophy sized blue catfish and flathead catfish.” with 15-inch minimum length; Channel Catfish: 6 per day Scott Isringhausen, Urban Fishing Coordinator at harvest limit; Crappie: No limit; All Fish: 2 Pole and line But catfish aren’t the only fish anglers look for. The Pere Marquette State Park recommends the following fishing only. region is full of largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, fishing spots: white bass, sauger, freshwater drum, common carp and n Pere Marquette State Park, Grafton: gar. And according to Cronin, in the early spring when An education pond ideal for kids is located near the SCOTT waters are high, there are opportunities to try your old cabin at the park Visitor Center. It is a ‘kids only’ hand at bowfishing. ISRINGHAUSEN’S pond; has a catch-and-release requirement and is FISHING TIPS Rivers, lakes and area ponds are open to anglers of all stocked with hybrid bluegill. FOR KIDS ages and skill levels. Fishing season typically starts in late n Leclaire Lake, Edwardsville: “This is an excellent March or early April, depending on the year. n Size matters when it comes to choosing a fish hook. place to catch fish. The fish you catch are small, but Small hooks are best. Remember you can catch big Kids can learn how to fish at Pere Marquette State Park’s the population is tremendous,” Isringhausen says. fish with small hooks. pond located in front of the Visitor Center. Or experienced The lake has a population of six-inch or smaller n Use small bait and a small bobber when fishing. anglers can hop in a boat and cruise the rivers in search of bluegill, has catfish and bass. the elusive ‘monster’ catfish rumored to roam the waters. n Recognize when a fish bites and set your line. n Beaver Dam State Park, Carlinville: The lake is Then again, it could be a local ‘fish tale’. This takes practice! handicapped accessible and has docks and bank n Don’t be patient. If fish aren’t biting where you are – “Every year someone pulls out a catfish that weighs access. Major fish include large-mouth bass, bluegill, move around. Find the fish! over 100 pounds,” Mark McMurray, owner of Bluff City crappie, read ear, channel catfish, large flathead catfish n Outdoors says. “The record came in at 148 pounds. There and trout. Boats with trolling motors only are allowed. Fish around structures in the water like tree stumps and large rocks. This is where fish live – so fish near their home.

26 Great Rivers & Routes RiversandRoutes.com 27 Naples, at 30 years old, has always student of history. He is more than The Blackened Chicken Pita had plans to own a restaurant. He ready to regale tavern guests with sandwich, a favorite menu choice knew from age 14, when he started historical facts and snippets. Add in from a now closed Carlinville working, that having a restaurant the fact that the Carlinville Square sits restaurant, has been pulled out of would be part of his future. smack in the middle of the Mother retirement and is a highlight of The Uptown Tavern menu. It is made “I’m not a cookie cutter kind of Road’s journey through the city, and as close to the original as possible person,” Naples says. “I like to be on the topics of conversation are endless. thanks to the help of the owner of a tractor as much as walking through “Did you know that Carlinville is that closed restaurant, Naples says. JOEY NAPLES downtown Chicago. I just like to make the only town on Route 66 where IS A LICENSED things happen.” you have to go around the square Add to those options, the Daley Street Tacos, Fish Tacos, Burgers PYROTECHNICIAN The COVID pandemic prompted completely to continue on the (creatively named Frickle, Barn-Trash, AND IS IN CHARGE OF Naples to think outside the box as he road,” he asks. “We have relatable Cowboy, Land ‘N Sea, Hot ‘N Sticky CARLINVILLE’S JULY tried to figure out ways to keep his history here.” and the Classic), gyro, the Primal 4TH FIREWORKS business open. He created themed It’s not just the history or the Ribeye and more. For kids there carry-out nights which were popular atmosphere that draws people to are the intriguing named Emelia’s and during the summer and fall he Uptown Tavern. The eclectic menu Noodle Nugs, which is actually mac THE UPTOWN TAVERN IS A was able to have Daley Street, in features seafood, burgers, chicken, and cheese bites, along with chicken FAMILY AFFAIR WITH JOEY, front of his business, closed to traffic salads and more, all with whimsical, rings, mini corn dogs and grilled HIS SISTERS KIRSTEN AND and created an open air dining area. entertaining names. MOLLY AND SOMETIMES cheese sandwiches. Tables with umbrellas dotted the “We serve bar food, but it’s elevated HIS MOM, AMY, WORKING “I try to make the menu fun. And we street and people flocked to his bar food,” Naples points out. “We ALONGSIDE HIM. make everything in house including outdoor tavern. use as much local foods as we can our sauces and marinades,” Naples “The community supported our including meats and eggs.” says with a grin. “It’s the attention dining in waves,” he marveled. CHECK OUT THE PURPLE Diners enjoy the throwback to detail that separates us from “We were able to make the tavern TRAIN DRINK – SOLD ONLY UPTOWN TAVERN • CARLINVILLE sandwiches and entrees that the others.” in to a venue and it changed the DURING THE ANNUAL Naples has spent time researching direction the business was going. As a native of Carlinville, Naples is CARLINVILLE LIONS and recreating. On weekends, the Outside dining was a big positive a proud supporter of the city. FESTIVAL! WHAT’S IN A NAME? JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING IF YOU ARE ‘Rattlesnake’, a deep-fried beef JOEY NAPLES, OWNER OF CARLINVILLE’S UPTOWN TAVERN. and we became a stopping point tenderloin popular in 1958, is a “Carlinville is a cool little town,” along Route 66.” best seller. he says. “A lot of small towns have vacant downtown districts but THE UPTOWN TAVERN Tucked away on a corner of the city’s the tavern in 1993 when he was Uptown Tavern is housed in a “It is really our biggest seller on the Carlinville is bustling. That's the HAS REPLICAS OF ITS historic square, and just mere yards contemplating moving his young building built in the late 1800’s. It’s weekends,” Naples says. “It’s fattening, big reason why I stay here.” ORIGINAL BARSTOOLS IN from the once scandal ridden Loomis family from Peoria to Carlinville. As location near the Loomis Hotel gives buttery and rich but so so good.” PLACE. JOEY FOUND ONE Hotel, Uptown Tavern has a story of a result, the building holds some it a historical cachet. And Naples is a OF THE ORIGINALS AND its own to tell and Naples is more than history for the Naples family. CONTACTED THE COMPANY ready to share it. The self-described ‘upscale dive bar’ THAT MANUFACTURED THE “People in Carlinville always say has become a destination in the four STOOL. NOW THE BAR HAS ‘uptown’ when they talk about years since Naples started his lease. ITS ORIGINAL LOOK. coming to the Square,” Naples muses. The walls are filled with memorabilia “When the tavern was started in 1946 Naples has collected over the years. it had a different name. I changed it He has neon beer signs, bar signs THE UPTOWN TAVERN IS to Uptown Tavern in 2017 after I took from the 1970’s and 1980’s, a plat JUST THE FIRST OF JOEY’S over the space. I wanted to turn it in map of Macoupin County (where PLANNED PROJECTS FOR to a brand.” Carlinville is located), a wall filled with UPTOWN CARLINVILLE. What Naples has done is put his license plates from throughout the STAY TUNED! heart and soul into creating a place country and more. The front window where guests feel at home and enjoy of the tavern features a hand-painted lingering over freshly cooked food sign giving the exterior a vintage paired with soda, beer, wine or the look. occasional mixed drink. “I would say when I saw something I “I wanted a place where people can wanted, ‘that’s going to hang in my make memories – where everyone bar one day’,” Naples remembers. is comfortable. It’s all about the “And there it is, in my bar! So when atmosphere,” he says. In a classic people walk in here it could be any twist of fate, Naples father, Jay, visited year – it’s just timeless.”

28 Great Rivers & Routes RiversandRoutes.com 29 HORSERADISH VODKA For more information on the Ever thought of trying some Horseradish Vodka? Old Herald Brewery & Distillery in Collinsville has got Collinsville Horseradish Festival, go to: Internationalhorseradishfestival.com you covered. Owner Derik Reiser has created a horseradish infused vodka using locally grown roots. “It really has an aromatic and unique flavor,” Reiser said. “We buy the root, grind it in house and put it in a botanical basket that we use to create a vapor infusion.” Horseradish Vodka is available for sale at Old Herald Brewery & Distillery • 115 E. Clay St. • Collinsville

“As much as horseradish grows well in the area with our climate and soil, it also has a lot to do with who our ancestors are,” Heepke says. Heepke’s great-great grandfather began growing horseradish on his rural It has nothing to do with horses or even Edwardsville land shortly after immigrating radishes. In fact, the pungent root that to the U.S. from Germany. Heepke currently grows prolifically in the Collinsville grows horseradish on about 200 acres of area and is harvested for national and land, a portion of his overall farm tract. international distribution is truly a ‘hot’ The horseradish root grows well in the commodity. sandy Mississippi River bottomlands around That root is officially known as horseradish Collinsville and Edwardsville. The root grows and people either love it or hate it. primarily in the warm summer months and “The number one use of horseradish is in then goes dormant in late October. sauces,” says Dennis Diekemper, manager The rule of thumb for harvesting the root, of J. R. Kelly Company, a horseradish root according to Heepke, is to harvest in any distributor. “Straight ground horseradish month that has an “R” in it. That means most isn’t as popular.” harvesting occurs in late fall through early In the U.S., an estimated 24 million pounds spring. When temperatures drop in the THE STORY STORY THE OF A ROOT of horseradish roots are ground and winter it doesn’t hurt the root in the ground. processed annually producing six million “Freezing ground is not harmful to the root gallons of prepared horseradish. Much of and when we harvest it we keep it in ‘coolers’ that comes from the Collinsville area. at a temperature of about 28 degrees,” “Horseradish can and does grow in a Heepke said. “When you harvest, you want lot of places but there is no other area the plant to be dormant. It keeps a lot better in the world that has the concentration that way.” of horseradish growers as Collinsville,” Horseradish isn’t a common crop, Heepke Diekemper notes. “That has a lot to do notes. “You can’t just buy seeds and start a with the cultural heritage of the area.” crop. What you plant in the spring comes Dennis Heepke, a fourth-generation off the root during harvest. It’s a very horseradish grower, agrees. niche industry.”

CELEBRATION OF A ROOT ZIPPY SOUR CREAM DIP COLLINSVILLE IS KNOWN AS THE INTERNATIONAL Recipe courtesy of J.R. Kelly Co., Collinsville HORSERADISH CAPITAL OF THE WORLD. Blend For 33 years, the city has hosted an annual festival devoted ingredients. 2 c. dairy sour cream to all things horseradish on Main Street in Uptown Collinsville. Chill. Serve with 1/4 c. prepared horseradish Tentative plans are to hold the festival in June this year. 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce salty crackers Vendors celebrating different ways to serve, eat and enjoy 1 tsp. celery seed – it’s especially the root are on hand. And what would the Collinsville 1/2 tsp. salt good with rye

Horseradish Festival be without a Horseradish Toss, hints on how 1/2 tsp. paprika s crackers. to prepare your own horseradish, live music, food and drinks? 1/4 c. finely chopped stuffed olive

30 Great Rivers & Routes RiversandRoutes.com 31 Meet Alexander Henry > CLEVELAND HEATH, EDWARDSVILLE

When Alex Henry was young, he didn’t go a few times a week and not break Henry said working closely with local like food very much. It wasn’t until he the bank and enjoy some great food.” farmers and growers has given him became a teenager that the flavors and Henry has been running the kitchen a different perspective on how he smells of food began tantalizing him at Cleveland Heath for two years creates his dishes. with their potential. where he has built on his farm to table Henry said he enjoys creating nuanced I AM ALWAYS LEARNING. At 31, Henry is head chef of the passion for food. food. Taking root vegetables and THERE IS SO MUCH IT award-winning Cleveland Heath “Farm to table is so important because enhancing the flavors with different WOULD TAKE MANY restaurant in Edwardsville and it’s a it leaves a lower carbon foot print on herbs. Or creating a catfish entrée MANY LIFETIMES TO position he relishes. the earth,” he says. “It supports local with braised kale and salt pork. He LEARN. THERE REALLY “Cleveland Heath is a destination,” farmers and you get a cooler variety has developed a Brussels Sprouts Kale ISN’T ENOUGH TIME FOR Henry says. “It was before I got here. of foods – not just the generic celery, salad that diners keep coming back ME TO LEARN IT ALL. And we get people from St. Louis who carrots and onions. You find new stuff, and requesting. come over and have dinner here. It’s new varieties.” “It’s a little different from ways people the kind of restaurant where you can have eaten Brussels Sprouts before,” he says.

I THINK EXPERIENCE GIVES IDEAS AND MOVING AROUND TO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS Alton and then in 2019 to Old Herald HELPED WITH MY Brewery & Distillery in Collinsville. LET’S TALK ABOUT FOOD. BETTER YET, LET’S TALK ABOUT THE CHEFS THAT CREATE THE DISHES EXPERIENCE. “Derik (the owner of Old Herald) is a THAT HAVE MADE THE GREAT RIVERS & ROUTES REGION A TRUE CULINARY DESTINATION. friend and when he started looking From a self-taught cook who found joy in the kitchen at the age of 8 to a Le Cordon Bleu trained chef who into opening the restaurant along with loves to experiment with flavors, regional chefs have developed a reputation for serving up quality meals the brewery and distillery I consulted that draw diners back again and again. a bit. Once he opened, he convinced me to come on board,” Ledford says. “The food here is upscale pub food and the best thing about the food is HEAD CHEF JEFF LEDFORD, RIGHT AND CHEF SCOTT LINKER, LEFT the quality.”

> OLD BAKERY BEER COMPANY, ALTON At Old Herald, Ledford has immersed Meet Matthew Cooper himself in the local farm to table Meet Jeff Ledford > HEAD cuisine. He sources meat from local “Cooking is a passion,” Matthew an infant, the only way his mother pepper mayo on sourdough. Many CHEF, OLD HERALD BREWERY & farmers and in the summer, Old Herald Cooper, or ‘Coop’ as he is called, says. could calm him down was by turning of the names come from television DISTILLERY, COLLINSVILLE “You have to love what you are doing on cooking shows airing on PBS. His has its own herb garden on site that shows Coop enjoys watching. Jeff Ledford has created and served to stay in the industry. There is a lot mother also let him work in the kitchen is used to flavor foods. He also likes to Like most his fellow chefs in the food to the likes of Wayne Gretzky, of pressure trying to cook food for cooking pancakes and brownies when infuse his dishes with the spirits and region, Coop works with local farmers Whoopi Goldberg and President 100 people in 30 minutes. It can he was young. beers created at Old Herald. to source fresh veggies, fruits and H.W. Bush. be challenging.” A creative cook, Coop develops “I do a lot with our spirits. The French meats when possible. Coop makes the Since 1985, he has traveled the The head cook at Old Bakery Beer signature sandwiches, soups, sauces Onion Soup is made with Printer’s Ink pickles served with meals in-house as country refining his cooking talents at Company has led the kitchen crew at and smoked meats at Old Bakery beer. I use the Tabasco Vodka to make well as the sides, salad dressings and famous venues like Churchill Downs the brewery/restaurant since it opened for seasonal menus. He doesn’t stop sauces for our wings and we infuse the the whole grain mustard served with in Louisville, KY, the 1993 World Series six years ago. He earned a bachelor’s there though. He also gives those beef with IPA beers,” he notes. soft pretzels. He also incorporates at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, degree in Hotel and Restaurant sandwiches unusual names. For Old Herald also offers four to five beer from the brewery in his dishes. as well as stints in Corpus Christi, TX; Management from Western Illinois example, a bacon, brie, turkey breast, course meals pairing foods with Old Bakery Beer Porter is used in Cincinnati, OH; Indianapolis, IN and University and had plans to run a topped with raspberry pepper jam on beverages and spirits at twice a month, chili. Golden Oat Beer is used in beer Milwaukee, WI. restaurant eventually. sourdough is called the ‘Mr. Miyagi’. cheese. Many barbeque sauces have reservation-only gatherings. He also has a sandwich named in his That journey carried him to a 20-year “I like to cook. I realized at age 8 or 9 beer which is used as a reducing “People say they can’t believe they have MY FAVORITE honor, a staple on the menu. The career as Executive Chef and Director THINGS TO COOK that I liked it,” he says. A favorite family agent in the syrups. this kind of meal in Collinsville,” Ledford Coop Special is smoked turkey, of Food & Beverages at Argosy Casino, ARE NEW THINGS. story in his home is that when he was says, “I take a lot of pride in that.” pastrami, bacon, swiss, chive and

32 Great Rivers & Routes RiversandRoutes.com 33 at Edison’s 21+ Where Adults Go To Play VENUE Live Music Fridays

EATS & I GET TO BE GAMES DRINKS AN ARTIST AND CREATE IN THE KITCHEN. Now Booking! Parties | Events | Bus Tours

Meet Chef Patrick Kelly > TheOutletEvents.com | | 618.307.9020 STATE STREET MARKET, ALTON Patrick Kelly has the 2010 economic recession to thank for sending him in to the kitchen. A graphic designer prior to 2010, he ended up losing that job in the recession and decided to enroll in St. Louis’ Le Cordon Bleu culinary school. “I had wanted to get into restaurants before I went to Le Cordon Bleu but once I graduated from there, doors started opening for me,” Kelly says. He worked at several St. Louis restaurants after graduating including Satchmo’s and St. Louis Rotisserie. He found his way to State Street Market in Alton several years ago and fell BRICK OVEN PIZZA l PEPPERLOIN in love with the potential and challenge the kitchen offered. FAMOUS ONION RINGS “When I came to State Street Market, I was really thinking LUNCH & DINNER SPECIALS about quitting work as a chef. But then a friend told me about this place. I walked in, met the owners and we sat Madison County’s Best Breaded Pork Tendeloin Sandwich around a table talking for two hours. That was it.” Family Owned and Operated Since 1979 Working in an electric kitchen, with a four burner range that Alton l 618.645.5640 l johnsonscorneralton.com adds “nice magic” to the food, Kelly has created a Thai Asian Pasta with Soba noodle dish, Pork Medallion stuffed with tomatoes, Curry Salmon, and an entrée featuring pork chop seasoned with Ras el hanout, a North African spice, paired with beets, carrots, herbed chili peanuts and drizzled with 102 WEST 9TH ST. herbed honey. DOWNTOWN ALTON, ILLINOIS “I am Irish, Italian and Hispanic so my food reflects that heritage,” Kelly notes. VOTED THE BEST STEAK Kelly says he enjoys the intimate atmosphere of State Street Market with its hints of French Bistro. “When people come here we want them to feel they are dining at their own table and can take their time and enjoy the meal. We like remembering our guests and asking how they enjoy the meals,” he says. Keeping the dinner menu fresh is a priority of Kelly’s, who acknowledges he doesn’t like to be bored, especially by food. “My whole life I have been an artist.” Kelly muses, “I’m always 618-462-8384 about change. And here the food is always about giving TONYSRESTAURANT.COM people flavors they don’t normally find themselves eating.”

34 Great Rivers & Routes RiversandRoutes.com 35 JAM SESSION BURGER THADDE BURGER Old Herald Brewery & Distillery Mac’s Diner • 245 Talmadge St. EEpicEpicpic 115 E. Clay St. • Collinsville, IL 62234 Witt, IL 62094 • (217) 608-0622 (618) 855-8027 When it comes to creating distinctive Named for the Sunday afternoon BURGER OF THE WEEK burgers, Mac’s Diner in Witt has a live music jam sessions held at Old Bakery Beer Co. secret – the kitchen takes requests. HOT STICKY BURGER the three-year-old restaurant/ 400 Landmarks Blvd. • Alton, IL 62002 “We’ve taken everything every Burgers brewery/distillery, the burger (618) 463-1470 BurgersBurgers The Uptown Tavern • 33 Daley St. customer suggests and turned it in to features ½ pound ground beef Carlinville, IL 62626 • (217) 854-2337 The burger is different every week something,” Mac’s Diner owner Kim topped with pork belly, jalapeno but it never disappoints. Old McCarty says. That’s how the popular DOWNTOWN Peanut butter on a hamburger? It’s jam and Gouda cheese. The Bakery Beer’s Burger of the Week is Thadde Burger was born. The burger better than you think, according to Jalapeno jam gives it just the right always a half pound of ground beef features two patties topped with Joey Naples, owner of The Uptown amount of heat tempered by the GOOEY BURGER topped with creative jams, sauces Monterey jack cheese, coleslaw, the Tavern. Named after Def Leppard’s cheese and pork belly. and cheeses that are the brain child diner’s Boom Boom sauce served on a Sloan’s Pub House famous “Hot, Sticky Sweet” tune, the of chef Matthew Cooper. Check out bourbon pretzel bun. The burger was 119 W. Main St. • Collinsville, IL 62234 burger features a ground beef patty, the Impossible Burger, perfect for named after the father of a family that (618) 855-9100 served over crunchy peanut butter the Vegan in the group. The burger eats out at the diner every Saturday It’s ooey. It’s gooey. And oh, so and topped with pepper-jack cheese, is a 100 percent veggie burger, and has become one of its most delicious. Sloan’s Downtown Gooey jalapeno peppers, honey, jalapeno topped with white cheddar and popular burgers. AUTHENTIC Burger lives up to its name. It is ½ aioli on a brioche bun. The burger onion jam and tastes just like the pound of Hereford beef served with bun is then branded, literally, with The fresh beef. CHEESEBURGER white cheddar cheese sauce, mild Uptown Tavern signature. cheddar cheese and onion straws. You’ll th Fast Eddie’s Bon Air • 1530 E. 4 St. need lots of napkins, but it’s worth it! Alton, IL 62002 • (618) 462-5532 You can’t visit Alton and not stop in GRAFTON BURGER at Fast Eddie’s, a world-famous dive Grafton Winery & Brewhaus IRISHMAN BURGER bar known for its cold beer and cheap 300 W. Main St. • Grafton, IL 62037 food. The no frills menu features one (618) 786-3001 Morrison’s Irish Pub of the best burgers in Alton, a ½ pound 200 State St. • Alton, IL 62002 juicy ground beef patty topped with This fresh ½ ground beef burger is nearly (618) 433-8900 famous, according to the menu. And American cheese and garnished with Bring your appetite to Morrison’s a choice of toppings. (Must be 21 and it hits the spot when paired with the IRISH BURGER outdoor patio dining experience. Enjoy when you order the Irishman over to enter. Cash only) McDill’s Irish Pub • 334 St. Louis Rd., views of the confluence of the Illinois Burger. This ½ pound ground Collinsville, IL 62234 • (618) 344-9875 and Mississippi River paired with a glass beef patty is topped with corned of signature Grafton Winery wine. Channel your inner Irishman with beef, cabbage, Irish cheese and McDill’s classic Irish Burger. The ½ horseradish sauce served on a THE HANGOVER BURGER pound ground beef patty is topped dark Duke Bakery bun. If this is too Roper’s Regal Beagle PRIME BURGER RGER W much, check out the Lamburger: ½ U E with Dubliner Cheese, bacon and 3043 Godfrey Rd. • Godfrey, IL 62035 C B EK pound of locally sourced ground Moussalli’s Prime • 7415 State Rt. 143 I Guinness cooked onions and served P • (618) 466-2112 Edwardsville, IL 62025 • (618) 656-0281 E J lamb topped with melted goat R U on a Kruta Bakery bun. Or step outside O N your comfort zone and order the cheese and served on a dark Duke If you need a little burger pick-me-up F E Crispy Havarti cheese topping this ½ Bakery bun. Roper’s Hangover Burger is a great S 1 Kentucky Bourbon and Mushroom pound ground beef burger makes it 4 U

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H&B ham, bacon, cheddar and swiss tomato, onion, pickle and garlic mayo J burger topped with a generous

cheeses all topped with a sunnyside up . portion of sautéed mushrooms, Swiss on the side. Moussalli’s is a farm-to- o f egg. The burger is served on a pretzel n cheese and served on a Kruta bun. table restaurant and grows much of its R i bun with lettuce, onion, tomato and iv e produce on site or sourced from local, e r r o dill pickle chips. humane and sustainable sources. sa r m nd fo Routes.com

36 Great Rivers & Routes RiversandRoutes.com 37 TO “My goal is to sell the experience,” Marcolini says. 1,500-square-foot brewery. Enjoy Blackberry French CHEERS SUMMER BEER “What people like the most about Opera House is Toast Brianiac, White Lotus and Dreams among others. the experience and that includes good service and Although the beer at Peel is brewed in O’Fallon, the the beer.” Edwardsville location has both limited release and BAVARIAN BYLINE n OH YEAH! n GHERKING AROUND The craft brewery is housed in the former Hillsboro year-round brews. Tempt your taste buds with favorite HOT ROD HONEY n BLIMEY Opera House in the city’s downtown district. It’s corner brews like Blood Orange Wheat, Double Take Blonde location and historical roots draw customers in to and Habit Forming. Limited releases include: Pandemic sample the 11 craft brews on tap. Paradise, Belgian Chocolate Ale and Belgian Double IPA. Those aren’t some hot new buzzwords. They are just James and Lauren have put together a fun schedule of a few of the new spring/summer craft brews running beer releases for the spring/summer season. Many of the “There are hundreds and hundreds of styles of beer through the taps at regional craft breweries. beers are created using organic wheat from Cow Creek you can brew,” Marcolini says. “I am always up at night Farm in Paxton, IL. thinking about new beer. It’s a challenge and if you hit “Making craft beer is a creative process,” Lauren a good one you do really well. You always want to keep Pattan and James Rogalsky, co-owners of Old Bakery Spring and summer mean it’s lager season a good line up with light, dark and something Beer Company in Alton explain. “When we work on a at Old Herald Brewery & Distillery in the middle.” beer, we usually create the beer first and then come up in Collinsville. The three-year-old with a fun name. But sometimes it doesn’t work that brewery and distillery releases its Marcolini relies on customer way. We always knew we wanted a beer called ‘Gentle Bavarian Byline, a Bavarian style recommendations for craft brew Giant’ in honor of Robert Wadlow so we had the name lager; and Sports Page a Helles ideas. He has created a beer first and then the beer. It’s sort of like the chicken and style lager each spring. They join called “Fat and Sappy” which is the egg riddle. Which comes first – the name or the the line up of craft brews which brewed entirely from maple beer. We are always thinking of beer experiences include RePorter, an American Porter, tree sap. and that includes beer flavors paired with cool, Printer’s Ink, a dark ale, Phase 4 Saison, “I made it as a porter and it has memorable names.” a farmhouse ale and more. a hint of maple,” he says. “It’s a Old Bakery Beer, one of a handful of certified organic Notice a theme with beer names? Old nice beer.” breweries in the U.S., burst on to the local craft beer Herald Brewery & Distillery lives up to its “We have live brewing going on,” scene six years ago. Housed in the former Colonial moniker. The craft business is housed in the former he says. “I’m down in the brewery Bakery bread factory on the Alton riverfront, visitors Collinsville Herald newspaper office. with my feet wet scrubbing kegs and can watch the craft brewery process as they walk “We offer the best destination craft distillery tour people are able to watch and talk to me. I through the building on their way to the in-house in the country and we celebrate the history of the really love what I am doing.” restaurant. The scent of baked bread lingers in the brick Collinsville Herald and our city’s nearly forgotten Be sure to check out the craft brews at Recess walls of the building and mingles with the yeasty smell brewing and distilling past,” Derik Reiser says. Brewing, Edwardsville, Peel Brewery, Edwardsville, of fermenting beer. The restaurant’s seasonal menu is and Grafton Winery & Brewhaus in Grafton. created to pair with any of the beers on tap including Creating a craft beer is all about creating an the flagship Citrus Wheat and Porter. Entrees are also experience, according to Anthony Marcolini, owner, Recess is a community supported brewery located in seasoned with in-house craft beer to enhance flavors. along with his wife Jennifer, of the Opera House downtown Edwardsville. The open tap room serves up Brewing Company in Hillsboro. lagers, stouts, porters and more brewed in the adjacent

BE SURE TO RELAX OLD BAKERY OPERA HOUSE PEEL RECESS GRAFTON WINERY THIS SUMMER WITH BEER COMPANY BREWING COMPANY BREWERY BREWERY & BREWHAUS BLUEBERRY CREAM ALE HOT ROD HONEY TROPICAL DOLLOP CLOWN ASSASSIN Enjoy a variety of craft brews on CRAFT BREWS FROM a portion of proceeds from this a light crisp beer brewed a cream ale brewed with heaps a Belgian dubbel packed tap including a collaboration of LOCAL BREWERIES ale supports Vivent Health and with honey. of pineapple, and notes of with flavor including brews with Old Herald Brewery & their mission to eliminate HIV coconut and vanilla. banana, overripe pear and Distillery including a Kolsch, Porter in the world. caramelized sugar. and Hibiscus Saison.

38 Great Rivers & Routes RiversandRoutes.com 39 Visit Campus Stop by to explore our beautiful campus with miles of scenic trails, rolling hills and lakes. Schedule a virtual or in-person tour with the Office of Admissions to learn more about our top-ranked academic programs and student life.

siue.edu/visit DOWNTOWN. DOWNTOWN ALTON UPTOWN. Built on the banks of the mighty sidewalks. Abraham Lincoln walked GREAT URBAN Mississippi River, Alton blends the streets of downtown Alton EVERY COMMUNITY history, entertainment and the arts starting in 1842 and his impact HAS ONE: A into a vibrant downtown experience. on the city is memorialized in the Antique stores, restaurants, small Walk with Lincoln mobile app. BUSY, BUSTLING (Download the app at: https:// BUSINESS retail shops, an art gallery and more line Broadway and Third Streets in explore.riversandroutes.com) Adventures DISTRICT FULL OF Buildings where Lincoln practiced Alton. And what is most compelling RETAIL SHOPS, is how the buildings, many built in law and spent time are highlighted RESTAURANTS, the 1800’s, are now home to thriving throughout the city. BAKERIES, businesses in striking displays of Antique stores also dot the HISTORIC adaptive reuse. downtown business district BUILDINGS AND An 1880’s bank building now houses including Country Meadows and Germania Brewhaus, a coffee J & P’s Edelweiss, both located on MORE. WHAT IT’S Broadway Street. Local makers, Chad CALLED, WELL, shop and small craft beer taproom. A 1904 World’s Fair building, aptly Nelson and Felicia Breen, create THAT DEPENDS ON named the 1904 General Store, is functional, yet artistic clay pieces at WHERE YOU ARE. now a small retail shop and offers Mississippi Mud Pottery. Wander overflow seating for the adjacent through Picture This And More, a No matter whether Brown Bag Bistro restaurant. The new frame and gift shop, and enjoy your road trip takes you majestic U.S. Post Office is now local photographers’ and artists’ uptown or downtown – home to The Post Commons where work available for sale. the communities in the residents and visitors alike enjoy Downtown Alton comes alive after Great Rivers & Routes coffee, breakfast and lunch in the dark with live music. Check out region of southwest casual and spacious building. And The Lodge at The Lovejoy each Illinois are perfect places the historic and, reportedly haunted, weekend for live music and drinks. to snag a morning cup of Mineral Springs Hotel is now home Or head down Broadway to the coffee, enjoy a leisurely to several local shops and the kitschy newly opened The Conservatory, walk or indulge in retail Curiosity Museum/Historic Museum a music-centric bar with a late night therapy at locally owned of Torture Devices. food menu. Stop in to Argosy and operated small Framed by the Mississippi River on Casino Alton for gaming fun or to businesses. one side and rolling hills and bluffs place bets with the new SportsBook. on another, it is easy to glimpse the For more nightlife options, visit: Enjoy crowd-free riversandroutes.com experiences amid small history of the city from downtown community business districts throughout the region. Take a peek at some urban adventures UPTOWN available. COLLINSVILLE Uptown Collinsville is home to roots But there’s more to this thriving (of the horseradish kind), champion business community than annual pit masters and all things Italian. It’s events. The streets are chock full of also the perfect place to explore the historic buildings representing the city’s history, discover new dining city’s growth from its incorporation delights and indulge in locally in 1872 through the present day. brewed craft beverages and spirits. Dominating the streetscape is the historic Miner’s Theater, currently Horseradish aficionados, top notch being renovated. Or browse through pit masters and everyone with the Collinsville History Museum to Italian heritage converge on Uptown see local artifacts dating from 1767 Collinsville during annual festivals. through the present day.

42 Great Rivers & Routes RiversandRoutes.com 43 DOWNTOWN the next level with a visit to Dewey’s DOWNTOWN Take a walk down Main Street to EDWARDSVILLE Pizza. Watch the cooks hand toss GRAFTON the Grafton Winery & Brewhaus, the pizza dough and top the pizzas It’s all about the views in home to the only wine production Downtown Edwardsville is the through the front window. Be sure facility in the city. Enjoy a glass of place to go for locally owned and downtown Grafton. The waters to stop in and order one of your local wine alongside a charcuterie operated shops, dining, live music of the Mississippi River lap at own to enjoy. tray on the outdoor patio. And did at downtown taverns as well as the edges of the city and the we mention the views? legendary entertainment at the Downtown Edwardsville businesses downtown district is the heart historic Wildey Theatre. Located have developed a strong sense of of this quaint river community. on the Mother Road of Route 66, community and that is visible all Located along the Meeting of Edwardsville retains its small along Main Street. the Great Rivers National Scenic town charm enhanced by its “Personally, what I enjoy most about Byway, the bustling downtown walkable downtown. having a business in downtown is is full of antique stores, specialty “Customers come in to (Chava’s the comradery that exists among shops, dining and guest houses Mexican Restaurant) before a show the restaurant owners,” Bohannon with scenic views. at the Wildey to have dinner and notes. “It is a true community in every sense of the word.” The new Grafton SkyTour sits in then walk over to the Wildey,” said the middle of the shopping district Lisa Bohannon, owner of Chava’s. Spend a day shopping along In a great example of adaptive and transports people to Aerie’s “Events often bring in people who Edwardsville’s portion of Route 66 reuse, the former Collinsville Resort which sits on top of a nearby have been here before and now they with stops at Vintage 71, Restore Herald newspaper building is now limestone bluff. There the views of will come back.” Décor and Gingham Buffalo for home to the three-year-old Old the confluence of the Mississippi great gifts, interior design ideas Herald Brewery & Distillery. A must stop for a cup of local coffee and Illinois rivers dominate along running the gambit of rustic to Paying tribute to the building’s and fresh pastries is 222 Artisan with dazzling displays of bluffs, upscale, and more. There’s even a former life as a print shop and Bakery & Café. Locals consider sunrises and sunsets. Enjoy a glass, place to pick up treats for your four- newspaper, owners Derik and it a landmark café and drop in for legged friend at Whisker Bones or two, of wine at The Winery at Whitney Reiser, celebrate that the gigantic fresh baked cinnamon Supply Co. Looking for specialty Aerie’s Resort. history by naming their craft rolls and breads or to simply enjoy cooking oils? Stop in at Olive Oils beers with newspaper terms like a leisurely lunch. Healthy food Grafton Harbor offers and More for gourmet oils, infused ‘Printer’s Ink’, ‘Camera Ready’, ‘Hazy options are available at the Source weekend river tours aboard the olive oils and specialty vinegars. Late Edition’ and more. In-house Juicery with its cold pressed 49-passenger Hakuna Matata distilled spirits and a full lunch and juices, smoothies, smoothie bowls Enjoy a day at the races in excursion boat. Or rent your own dinner menu are also available. and salads. Enjoy a farm-to-table Downtown Edwardsville during pontoon or jet ski at the harbor. Craft distillery tours are also on tap. lunch or dinner at the renowned the Aug. 21 Edwardsville Rotary After a day on the water sit back “I have a lot of love for Uptown Cleveland-Heath restaurant. Criterium. Bicyclists from around and relax at the Arrr Bar or at the While strolling along the Uptown Collinsville,” Shane Giger, owner of Traditional Mexican cuisine is the country race through the Grafton Oyster Bar, both located streets, take your pick of dining The Sandwich Shop says. “I spent available at Chava’s Mexican streets of the city and spectators at the harbor. options including Sloan’s a lot of time here as a kid and in Restaurant which should, of course, enjoy food, drinks and live Pub House – a great place for Enjoy a drink or a meal at The high school and remember all the be paired with a signature Chava’s entertainment. There is also a race burgers and more; Bert’s Chuck Loading Dock, the only restaurant sidewalk sales, Italian Fest and the margarita. Take your pizza craving to for kids and a foot race. Wagon – tacos, chili, BBQ; The cool shops. Uptown has been a big in Grafton that actually sits on the Sandwich Shop – soup, salads and part of my life.” banks of the Mississippi River and sandwiches in a diner atmosphere; has outdoor dining options. The Uptown is the perfect place to Friday’s South – home to thin family-friendly venue also has live indulge in a bit of retail shopping crust pizzas; Who Dat’s – Cajun music on the weekends. with stops at Rich’s Record food; and Mungo’s – classic Emporium with its stock of over Italian entrees. 10,000 vinyl records. Be sure to Enjoy the vibe of Uptown visit Spiritos Italian Grocery for TRAVEL TIP: Collinsville during one of its annual authentic Italian spices and foods summer festivals held on Uptown’s Make plans to visit along with a deli case full of meats, Main Street. All things horseradish Downtown Edwardsville olives, peppers and more. Pick up are celebrated during the annual on Saturday mornings an Italian sub sandwich – a local Horseradish Festival in June from May through October favorite. Code 3 Spices, a local and grilled meats take center to enjoy the wildly maker of authentic BBQ spices and stage at the Smokin’ On Main popular Land of Goshen more, serves up a wide range of BBQ Competition and Festival Community Market. their own spice blends and others planned for July 24-25. Fresh fruits, vegetables, in addition to everything needed to baked goods, crafts and create the perfect backyard grill fest. more are available.

44 Great Rivers & Routes RiversandRoutes.com 45 Don’t Miss HISTORIC ELSAH Welcome to the Riverbend From All of Us at Simmons Hanly Conroy

Explore the historic village of Elsah, nestled in the Mississippi River bluffs along the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway between Alton and Grafton. The charming streets are perfect for leisurely and scenic strolls From scenic river views, historic small alongside buildings constructed town vibes and local brews, there’s a lot › from locally sourced limestone, UPTOWN to love about the Riverbend area. These CARLINVILLE all of which are on the National reasons and more are why Simmons Hanly hotel, built by Judge Thaddeus Register of Historic Places. Stop There is no lack of surprising Conroy, one of the nation’s largest plaintiff finds along the Mother Road of Loomis in 1869. The building, in at the Elsah General Store for Route 66 in Illinois. And one of and others, have been on the penny candy, vintage sodas and law firms, is proud to call the Riverbend them is the historic Carlinville National Register of Historic a chat with owner Blair Smith. home for more than 20 years. Square located in the heart of the Places since 1976. Browse through Peace Works – A We invite you to experience the beauty city’s Uptown District. Take a stroll around the Square and Market with a Mission and the Red brick streets, a charming enjoy shopping at Cherry Tree Elsah Galleries. Journey back of historic, downtown Alton for yourself gazebo and brightly painted Gifts & Souvenirs, or the aptly in time with a visit to the Elsah by participating in our firm’s annual Alton named Mother Road Antiques. Route 66 planters decorate Museum. Capture an Instagram Miles for Meso 5K Race and 3K Fun the square, one of the few Be sure to stop in Whiskey River moment at the picturesque Elsah Run/Walk. The event takes place Saturday, roundabouts on Route 66 where Dry Goods Co. which brings a September 25 at our national headquarters drivers have to follow it around to bit of Nashville and Texas-style United Methodist Church. Make remain on the highway. There’s apparel to the Midwest. plans to spend a relaxing night or and includes a virtual run. This year marks two at the Green Tree Inn Bed the 13th year of the race, which raises a bonus though: a chance to After shopping, enjoy a taste of stop and explore the historic world famous chili at Taylor’s & Breakfast or Maple Leaf funds for charities that support our clients buildings and charming shops and Mexican Chili Parlor. Or stop Cottage Inn. whose lives have been devastated by restaurants lining the four sides of in at The Uptown Tavern for Historic Principia College asbestos exposure. the town’s business district. some buttery cheese curds and a overlooks the timeless village Brick buildings built in the 1800s refreshing drink. Learn more at with breathtaking views of the have been converted into shops www.simmonsfirm.com/about-us/giving-back Mississippi River and surrounding and restaurants along the square. TRAVEL TIP: Probably the most famous is the bluffs. Driving tours of the Stop by Carlinville on the first college grounds are available. Loomis House, a former 50-room Saturday of each month and enjoy Carlinville Market Days Visit www.principia.edu on the square. for more information. Alton Chicago Los Angeles New York San Francisco St. Louis 618-619-0014 | One Court Street | Alton, Illinois | 62002 46 Great Rivers & Routes RiversandRoutes.com 47 Johnson says he creates small Goshen Coffee Company started its bold coffee blends and unique the basement of the Black Rabbit batches by hand in order to be in roasting beans in 2002. Known for pastries, toasts and salads. coffee shop in a small drum roaster. its year-round blend, single origin touch with the beans and roasting Black Rabbit Coffee in downtown “It’s more interesting if we do one relationship and unique exclusive process. Roasting at night allows him Hillsboro was created by Isaac and small lot at a time,” Isaac said of the “Secret Stash”, their air roasted to smell the beans as they roast and Bailey Reynolds in 2015. Isaac, who roasting process. hear what is going on. It’s a creative coffee is available in grocery stores, grew up in Guatemala knows his The Post Commons in Alton began process he believes in. local coffee shops, businesses and coffee beans. Coffee is king there, roasting its beans, sourced from restaurants. Goshen opened its own “We create coffee that is 100 percent after all. He roasts small batches in Seeds Coffee Co., in late Fall 2020. Cool Goshen Coffee Café in 2020 featuring natural with natural flavors. There are hints of cherry wood in the coffee and fresh harvest. I have found that small is simple and it offers the biggest rewards,” Johnson Beans points out. AHHHH … THE AROMA OF FRESH BREWED COFFEE. Bunkhouse Joe coffee is available THERE’S NOTHING LIKE IT, RIGHT? EVEN NON-COFFEE at 10 locally owned and operated DRINKERS ADMIT THE SCENT IS OFTEN ALLURING. stores throughout the region including Jerseyville, Elsah, Alton and Carrollton. He also is the ‘coffee Did you know there’s an art to U.S. when it was started 12 years shop’ at the Alton Farmers & Artisans creating the perfect cup of coffee? ago. “It’s a very unique approach,” Market in Alton every Saturday from It’s a lot like making a great bottle of Johnson notes. May through October. He created an wine – it takes time, patience Icey Joe coffee for the market which Johnson purchases small batches and creativity. has since become an iconic summer of coffee beans from small farmers drink in the region. “We are pretty particular about in Ethiopia, Peru, El Salvador and coffee and drinking a good cup of Mexico. He then roasts them over “Icey Joe has become a thing for coffee,” says Steve Johnson, owner wood coals – at night. summer,” he says. “I think 90 percent of Bunkhouse Joe Coffee, a local of my customers that buy on a “I use local wood – cherry, oak, coffee roaster located in Fieldon. “It’s regular basis discovered us because apple. And I roast the beans over the LOCALLY ROASTED COFFEE, HAND CRAFTED DRINKS, not as easy as you would think. I had of our Icey Joe drink.” coals at night. It’s better then. No to go searching for the best coffee HOUSE MADE PASTRIES, TOASTS AND MORE! interruptions. It’s a quiet time and it Joining Bunkhouse Joe’s on the and our passion is to create a fresh, gives me time to be passionate about coffee roasting circuit are Goshen woodfired roast that stays true to my roasting,” he says. “There is a Coffee in Edwardsville, Black Rabbit our organic approach.” magical element to roasting outdoors Coffee in Hillsboro and the 6120 Shogen Drive l Edwardsville, IL l Monday - Saturday 7 AM - 5 PM l Sunday - 7 AM - 2 PM Bunkhouse Joe’s was one of the first and that infuses the good and perfect Post Commons in Alton. woodfired coffee roasters in the things of that into the beans.” 618.650.9086 l goshencoffee.com l follow us on

48 Great Rivers & Routes RiversandRoutes.com 49 COLOR HAS ITS OWN ALTON FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR EDWARDSVILLE SOUNDTRACK DURING FIREWORKS Every year on the 4th of July Eve (July 3), the City of Alton THE JULY 4 HOLIDAY. AND – a Mississippi River community - holds a major birthday Bring a lawn chair, picnic blanket THERE’S NOTHING LIKE party for the nation. People gather early along the city’s and your favorite food and drink to WATCHING THE SUMMER Edwardsville for the annual July 4 riverfront, on city streets and at nearby restaurants, SKY LIGHT UP WITH festivities. The event is held at the bars and craft breweries to celebrate. Festivities for BRILLIANT REDS, WHITES, city’s American Legion grounds, AND BLUES ACCOMPANIED families at Riverfront Park take place and have included 58 S. State Route 157. Celebrate the BY THE SOUND EFFECTS bounce houses, food, drinks and live entertainment old fashioned way with concessions OF WHISTLES, POPS AND although those plans have yet to be finalized. Both Bluff available and activities for the kids. BOOMS. LAYER IN THE BUZZ City Grill and Old Bakery Beer Company hold fireworks After the sun goes down the light OF OOOHHHS AND AHHHS viewing parties. The main star of the day, however, is show begins. The grounds open at 5 p.m. FROM WATCHING CROWDS the fireworks blasted off over the Mississippi River. The AND INDEPENDENCE DAY brilliant colors reflect in the waters of the river making it TROY FIREWORKS FIREWORKS ARE THE one of the most popular fireworks events along Illinois’ FIREWORKS AT LAKE LOU HILLSBORO FIREWORKS PERFECT SYMPHONY OF Great River Road. Immediately following the fireworks, One of the largest fireworks show YAEGER, LITCHFIELD in the Great Rivers & Routes region Will a cardboard boat really float? SIGHTS AND SOUNDS. the party continues at Mac’s Time Out in Alton’s Third takes place on the Illinois prairie Spend July 4th kayaking, swimming, Find out during the annual Hillsboro Street Entertainment District with live music often or fishing at Lake Lou Yaeger, Cardboard Boat Regatta that kicks While the impacts of the in Troy. This city, located at the featuring a national talent. Fireworks begin at dusk. 4943 Beach House Trail, Litchfield. off the Hillsboro July 4 festivities. COVID pandemic might intersection of Interstates 70 and 55, holds a spectacular light display Then settle in for a stunning Live music and more abound at the resonate throughout the Great GRAFTON FIREWORKS at Tri-Township Park, 410 Wickliffe fireworks shows over the lake in the Sherwood Forest Campground, 920 Rivers & Routes region, there St., on July 4. Gather the kids, evening. Enjoy live music. Fireworks City Lake Rd. Fireworks start at dusk. are plenty of ways to safely Enjoy a brilliant fireworks display over the confluence grandparents and friends, and lawn begin at dusk. of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers in Grafton. Perched celebrate July 4 and enjoy chairs for a breathtaking display of on the north end of the Meeting of the Great Rivers some good old-fashioned lights. Concessions are available. There are even more fireworks to view around the Great Rivers & Routes region. fireworks fun with family and National Scenic Byway, Grafton offers small town charm Fireworks begin at dusk. For a complete list and up-to-date information, go to RiversandRoutes.com friends. (Remember to practice and unparalleled views of the rivers. From the top of the social distancing as needed) limestone river bluffs at Aerie’s Resort to Main Street at river level, there is no bad place to see the annual light (Note: River flooding has canceled show. This year, the city will hold its fireworks show on the fireworks events along the Friday, July 2. Restaurants and stores in downtown rivers in the past as did the Grafton offer special sales. Stay the night at any COVID pandemic in 2020. Visit number of guest houses, Aerie’s Resort, Tara Point Inn RiversandRoutes.com for up-to-date information on all or Pere Marquette Lodge and make it a long weekend fireworks events.) adventure. Fireworks begin at dusk.

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50 Great Rivers & Routes RiversandRoutes.com 51 WEDDING RECEPTIONS - TASTING ROOM FORGET THE BRIDGES, USE AREA DIRECTIONS : FERRIES TO CROSS BOTH THE ILLINOIS From Hwy 370 in Missouri, turn North onto Rt 94, take RT. 94 to Route B. Follow Route B to Golden AND MISSISSIPPI RIVERS IN THE Eagle Ferry Rd. Turn right onto Golden Eagle Ferry 21028 ECKERT ORCHARD RD GREAT RIVERS & ROUTES REGION Rd. and take to the ferry landing. OF SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS. GRAFTON, IL 62037 From Brussels, IL take Ridge Rd. to Mississippi River The leisurely ferry rides across the rivers Road to the town of Golden Eagle, then Ferry Rd. to have become an exciting experience for the landing on the river. travelers of all ages. And they are even a HOURS OF OPERATION: throwback to a bygone era when bridges Monday – Thursday 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.; GRAFTON didn’t exist and the only way to cross the Friday – Saturday 5 a.m. to 2 a.m.; river was by ferry boat. Sunday 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. WINERY Four ferries operate along the Mighty GRAFTON FERRY: Journey across the Mississippi Mississippi and Illinois rivers. Take your River from St. Charles County, Missouri to downtown THE pick of a ferry adventure: Grafton from April 30 through early November. The Illinois side of the ferry landing is located near the BRUSSELS FERRY: The Illinois Grafton Lighthouse and public boat ramp on Market VINEYARDS Department of Transportation operates this St. in Grafton. The landing on the Missouri side is at ferry which crosses the Illinois River from Grafton Ferry Road just off Missouri Highway 94. The Route 100 in Grafton to Brussels in Calhoun ferry decreases travel time between Missouri and WWW.THEGRAFTONWINERY.COM County. The ferry is free and operates 24 Illinois by about 30 minutes. hours a day, seven days a week year round. HOURS OF OPERATION: WINE PRODUCTION - CORPORATE EVENTS The ferry is occasionally closed due to unsafe Friday & Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; river conditions including river flooding and Sunday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; ice floes during winter. The Grafton Ferry is closed Monday – Thursday

KAMPSVILLE FERRY: Also operated by the Illinois Department Transportation, the ferry FEES GRAFTON FERRY & carries Illinois Route 108 across the Illinois GOLDEN EAGLE FERRY ONLY: River to connect with Route 100 (the Great Vehicles – One way $8; Round-trip $15 River Road). This ferry is free and operates 24 • Bicycles – One way $4 hours a day, seven days a week year round. • • Foot Passenger – One way $3 Motorcycles – One way $5; Round-trip $9 GOLDEN EAGLE FERRY: This ferry • • Trailers – One way $1 per axle connects Calhoun County with St. Charles, Dual Over 1 Ton - One way $9 MO across the Mississippi River. Drive • through scenic Calhoun County. Be sure to stop at local farmstands and orchards to pick up homemade jellies, honey and fresh fruits and vegetables. The ferry operates year round, but can close during river flooding and if dangerous ice floes develop in winter months.

52 Great Rivers & Routes RiversandRoutes.com 53 For more event information, please visit: riversandroutes.com

CELEBRATE THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF SUMMER THROUGHOUT THE GREAT RIVERS & ROUTES REGION AT FESTIVAL FUN THESE REGIONAL FAIRS, FESTIVAL AND CONCERTS.

INTERNATIONAL HORSERADISH ROUTE 66 FESTIVAL June 12 PEACH FESTIVAL Aug. 8 FESTIVAL June 4-5 • Uptown City Park • Downtown Edwardsville Pere Marquette Lodge • Grafton EVERY THURSDAY AT 9PM Collinsville on Main Street Get your kicks at the annual Route 66 Sample some of the best peaches All things horseradish are exalted festival featuring classic cars, great in the region at this annual family JUNE 3 - SEPT. 9 during the annual festival which is food and family fun. Live music, festival that features all things held on Uptown Collinsville’s Main trolley rides and kids activities are peachy. Pick up a bushel of fresh Street. Live music, vendors offering also on tap. peaches from local growers, browse horseradish infused foods along with craft vendors and take part in peach- horseradish products fill the streets. JERSEY COUNTY FAIR July 11-18 centric games and more. Jersey County Fairgrounds • Jerseyville MUSIC IN THE PARK Enjoy an old-fashioned county fair BUSEY BANK EDWARDSVILLE June 3 – Aug. 26 • Downtown Grafton complete with a midway, 4-H shows, ROTARY CRITERIUM Bring a lawn chair each Thursday carnival rides, grandstand shows and Aug. 21 • Downtown Edwardsville evening to Grafton’s The Grove all the great fair food everyone loves. Have the need for speed? Or how Memorial Park and enjoy local about simply watching speeding musicians playing honky tonk SMOKIN’ ON MAIN bicyclists race through the streets country, classic rock, Motown, Blues July 24-25 • Uptown Collinsville of downtown Edwardsville? Either and more. Concerts are free and If barbeque is your thing, then way, make plans for this year’s Rotary begin at 7 p.m. Uptown Collinsville is the place to be Criterium with its road and foot races during this two-day festival that pits through town. New this year is an GODFREY FAMILY FUN FEST backyard and professional grillers in entertainment area with live music, July 4 • Robert E. Glazebrook a competition and fills city streets food and drinks. Community Park • Godfrey with the aroma of tangy barbeque. Blast off your Independence Day Come hungry! celebration with an evening of (Please note the events listed above may be family-focused events at Godfrey’s rescheduled if state COVID mitigation efforts annual Family Fun Fest. restrict large gatherings)

54 Great Rivers & Routes RiversandRoutes.com 55 Welcome to The Premier Life® Rooms Wit h A View

IMAGINE WAKING UP TO SWEEPING VIEWS OF THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI FROM Best Western Premier A ROOM HIGH ATOP THE RIVER BLUFFS. HOW ABOUT ENJOYING A LUXURIOUS Alton-St. Louis Area Hotel OVERNIGHT STAY IN A HISTORIC MANSION. 3559 College Avenue

The Great Rivers & Routes region in southwest Enjoy the views of the scenic Clark Bridge and Alton IL 62002

Illinois is filled with guest houses, bed and Mississippi River from private balconies. Bring High Speed WIFI breakfast inns, and hotels that can check almost along some friends and make it a group escape 618-462-1220 Breakfast Buffet any box on an overnight stay wish list. by booking the Eagle’s Nest Penthouse. Grill out on the expansive deck and BYOB for a relaxing Indoor Heated Pool Check in to the historic Beall Mansion, located getaway experience. Free Onsite Parking just a few blocks from Downtown Alton, and Restaurant & Bar Onsite enjoy top-notch service, a 24-hour chocolate Escape to Elsah, a quaint historic village along bar and optional breakfast in bed. the Great River Road between Alton and 24 Hour Fitness Center Grafton and enjoy a getaway at the Green Tree Convention & Meeting Space Perched high on the river bluffs overlooking the Inn Bed & Breakfast. Afternoon snacks and Catering & Banquet Services confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, made from scratch breakfasts are served daily. 25 Minutes From St. Louis Tara Point Inn & Cottages in Grafton is a Hop on one of the inn’s bicycles and explore destination all on its own. From guest rooms in AAA and TripAdvisor Award Recipients Elsah and its shops and galleries. the main house with its sweeping views of the rivers, to cozy cottages on the property, Tara Experience more by visiting: Each Best Western® branded hotel is independently owned and operated. www.bwpremieralton.com Please note due to COVID some amenities may not be available at this time. Please inquire for the most current information. Point offers a get-away-from-it-all experience. RiversandRoutes.com for great places to Restaurants, nightlife, boating and more are stay. Be sure to check out the Deals tab on the available in Grafton, just minutes from Tara website to find overnight deals and packages. Point. 2021 marks Tara Point’s 30th anniversary. Enjoy an urban getaway complete with stunning views at the Alton Cracker Factory (Please note that due to the COVID pandemic, all overnight lodging properties are taking extra in Alton’s riverfront district. Walk to nearby precautions to ensure safe and clean stays for all guests. restaurants, coffee shops, shops and more. Check with individual properties for specific methods.)

56 Great Rivers & Routes RiversandRoutes.com 57 THE GREAT RIVERS & ROUTES REGION IS FULL OF LOCAL MAKERS, CREATORS AND ARTISANS WHO HAVE SPENT YEARS REFINING mississippimudpottery.com THEIR CRAFTS AND TURNING THEIR PASSION INTO A LIVELIHOOD.

MEET THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CREATING FINE POTTERY, WINE, CRAFT BEER, DISTILLED SPIRITS, SPICES, BATH PRODUCTS, FURNITURE AND MORE STORES HOURS THROUGHOUT THE SIX COUNTY Sun. & Mon. Noon-4pm Tues. Closed Wed.-Sat. 10am-5pm

REGION OF SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS. 310 E Broadway Alton, IL 62002 • 618.462.7573 Great Rivers & Routes Made WATER SWEET SOAPS • EDWARDSVILLE Water Sweets Soap Company in Edwardsville is no ordinary bath and body retailer. All of its products are created locally in a 2,000-square-foot facility in Madison County. And every bit of it is pure-vegan. “We specialize in preservative free, chemical free items,” said Water Sweets Soap Store Manager Alex Sutterfield. “Our company philosophy is to use no glycerins or chemicals. We CODE 3 SPICES • COLLINSVILLE want a higher quality soap, bath bomb, sugar scrub. There is a Hot, tangy and sweet seasonings were DAVID STINE FURNITURE • DOW need in this industry for our products.” created by partners Chris Bohnemeier Each piece of custom crafted furniture created by Sutterfield and his mother Lisa, came up with the idea for and Mike Radosevich when they joined artisan David Stine has its own character and flavor. Water Sweets Soaps in 2015. Alex says he was interested forces as a BBQ competition team. The Stine uses traditional craftmanship and sustainable in starting a business and Lisa “had a good idea.” They two developed five different seasoning practices in his workshop. Using wood grown and began creating their products and opened the Edwardsville blends during their competitive years harvested on the family’s 500-acre wooded property, storefront in 2016. “We realized that Edwardsville had a need that they perfected and began selling Stine creates magic in his workshop. for a store like ours,” Alex notes. from their storefront in Collinsville. Walking in to the store is more like a trip to a spa than a retail experience. Aromas from the varying products which CROCKER & SPRINGER TAYLOR’S MEXICAN range from soaps to sugar scrubs, solid lotions to shower POTTERY • ELSAH CHILI PARLOR • CARLINVILLE aromatherapy bombs drift around the retail space. The Jonathan and Jan Wright founded brightly lit store has products packaged in whimsical designs. Crocker & Springer Pottery in 1987 and Got a yen for homemade, TWO LOCATIONS Bath bombs are wrapped to resemble unicorns and fish. have refined their high quality, early secret-recipe chili? Head to 401 E. BROADWAY 413 E. BROADWAY Shower aromatherapy bombs are decorated with ribbons and American style salt-glazed stoneware Taylor’s Mexican Chili Parlor ALTON, IL ALTON, IL iridescent cellophane. and redware. Each piece is historically in Carlinville for a cup or bowl Water Sweets products have developed a faithful client base, inspired and hand thrown by Jonathan of their chili made from a Sutterfield says. “We had a customer come in during COVID and decorated by Jan using painting, 100-year-old recipe. Chili is and purchase 100 individual lip balms for all the people who slip-trailing, sgraffito-carving and available by dining in at the HOURS live at her father’s nursing home. She realized they needed sculpting. The pair’s pottery has received restaurant or can be purchased something special during COVID and because she knew we national recognition. by the can or fresh quart. MONDAY  SATURDAY SUNDAY have good lip balm she came here,” he recalls. 11:00 A.M.  4:30 P.M. NOON  4:30 P.M. Meet More Local Makers Local More Meet

58 Great Rivers & Routes RiversandRoutes.com 59 JOIN US FOR EPIC ICE CREAM WEEK AUG. 9 – 13. More info at RiversandRoutes.com

GREAT FOOD! SWEET TREATS! ANNIE’S FROZEN BLUE ICE BOBBY’S FROZEN CITY SCOOPS ROUTE 66 SHIVERS CUSTARD CREAMERY CUSTARD CREAMERY CREAMERY Full menu including sandwiches, fries, pizza, salads & wraps! ANNIE’S FROZEN CUSTARD ROUTE 66 CREAMERY Ice cream, frozen 245 S. Buchanan St. • Edwardsville/11 Illini Dr. • Glen Carbon 11 South Old Route 66 • Hamel yogurt, hand-dipped For nearly 25 years, Annie’s Frozen Custard has delighted Get your kicks at the Route 66 Creamery this summer & much more sweet customers with a variety of frozen custard flavors and be sure to treat your four-legged friend to a free including Cake Batter, Mint Chip and seasonal favorites pup cup. While you are at it, pick up a cone, sundae Cotton Candy and Pumpkin. Check out the two locations or concrete for everyone else. in Edwardsville and Glen Carbon. DRIVE-THRU! SHIVERS 618.786.CONE (2663) spots BLUE ICE CREAMERY 3318 Godfrey Rd. • Godfrey 222 East Main • Grafton, IL 127 Eastgate Plaza • East Alton Ever thought about having a ‘cow’? Not a real one www.thewholescoopil.com WHEN IT COMES TO FINDING THE Twenty-four flavor options are available daily so take your – the frozen variety available at Shivers. The Shivers PERFECT TREAT FOR A HOT SUMMER pick of Bordeaux cherry chocolate chip, turtle, cookie ‘cow’ is a shake-like drink made with frozen custard DAY COOL OFF WITH LOCALLY MADE dough and more. Blue Ice Creamery specializes in super- blended with your favorite soda flavor. Shivers also has ICE CREAM, FROZEN CUSTARDS AND premium, small batch ice cream created by the in-house frozen custard for cones, sundaes and concretes. Pick ice cream chef. your topping and flavoring. SNO CONES AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE GREAT RIVERS & ROUTES REGION. BOBBY’S FROZEN CUSTARD SWEET ADDICTIONS AND STREET EATS 2525 N. Center St. • Maryville 400 S. Main St. • Hillsboro Famous for its Turtle Sundaes, Bobby’s Frozen Custard The motto here: “Life is short. Eat dessert first.” So is a local favorite frozen treat stop. The frozen custard is check out the 12 different flavors of hand scooped ice created fresh hourly from a special recipe. Create your cream, shakes, coffee shakes, concretes and sundaes. SWEET own cone, concrete, sundae and shake from a long There is also Tropical Sno cones available and Sno THE ADDICTIONS menu of toppings and flavors. Shakes – a 50/50 mix of Tropical Sno and Shake. AND STREET WHOLE EATS SCOOP CITY SCOOPS CREAMERY THE WHOLE SCOOP 1100 S. Highway 157 • Edwardsville/ 222 E. Main St. • Grafton 300 Edwardsville Rd. • Troy Just a stone’s throw from the Mississippi River in Refreshing sorbets, dairy-free ice cream and over 30 historic Grafton, The Whole Scoop has created river- flavors of hard scoop premium and super premium themed ice cream treats, perfect for devouring outside ice cream are a sweet treat lovers’ dream. Tempt your on a warm summer day. Try the Mississippi Mud Pie – tastebuds with the Superman featuring sweet lemon, vanilla soft serve caked with hot fudge, crushed oreos rich cherry and tasty blue moon ice cream swirled and gummy worms. Or how about the Sandbar together for ‘super’ flavor. with vanilla soft serve buried in smores, chocolate syrup and whipped cream?

For more great places to find cool treats, go to RiversandRoutes.com

60 Great Rivers & Routes RiversandRoutes.com 61 fresh picks

AHHHH THE AROMAS! THE FRAGRANCE OF NEWLY PICKED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. FRESH BAKED BREADS AND BAGS OF KETTLE CORN. THE LIVELY CHATTER OF FOLKS ENJOYING A SUNNY SATURDAY OR SUNDAY MORNING WANDERING THE STALLS AT REGIONAL FARMERS MARKET.

DISCOVER YOUR ADVENTURE IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY • ILLINOIS AREA FARMERS’ MARKETS n ALTON FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET Landmarks Blvd. & Henry St. • Alton 8 a.m. to Noon • Every Saturday from Discovering local food producers May 8 through Oct. 16 and crafters has become a favorite n LAND OF GOSHEN activity for residents and travelers COMMUNITY MARKET alike in the Great Rivers & 100 St. Louis St. • Edwardsville Routes region. 8 a.m. to Noon • Saturdays from BEYOND FARMERS Mid-May through Mid-October Looking for a walking/hiking stick? MARKETS n JERSEYVILLE Handmade sticks are available n FARMERS MARKET GRAFTON RIVERSIDE at the Alton Farmers & Artisans Outrageous Outdoors Parking Lot FLEA MARKET Market. Want to enjoy some 902 S. State St. • Jerseyville 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the last quality time with your four- 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. weekend of each month legged friend? Pets are welcome Tuesdays beginning in June April – October at Edwardsville’s Land of Goshen n MARYVILLE 400 E. Front St. • Grafton Community Market. Sweet, tender FARMERS MARKET The Boatworks Building corn on the cob? Looking for a 2520 N. Center St. n bushel of famous Calhoun County (Fireman’s Park) • Maryville LITCHFIELD PICKERS MARKET peaches? All on hand – depending Thursdays • April through October on the time of year, of course! n BETHALTO MARKET 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. the second IN THE PARK Sunday of each month from The enjoyable part about visiting a Central Park • 213 N. Prairie St. May - October farmers’ market? The vendors can Bethalto • 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Downtown Litchfield vary each week. Sundays May 9 through Oct. 10 400 N. State St. 217.851.4332 • www.montgomerycountyillinois.org/tourism RiversandRoutes.com 63 IT’S NOT SO DIFFICULT TO FIND YOUR WAY TO THE GREAT TRAVELER RIVERS & ROUTES REGION OF SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS. LOCATED JUST MINUTES FROM ST. LOUIS AND LITERALLY 20 MILES AND ENJOY RESOURCES ONE STOPLIGHT FROM LAMBERT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, GETTING TO, AND AROUND THE REGION, IS A BREEZE.

Galena

Chicago, IL Quad Cities 245 mi/ 394 km Joliet GRAFTON

Bloom ington Quincy Kansas City 258 mi/ 415 km The Great River Road Alton Indianapolis Grafton Edwardsville Collinsville 245 mi/ St. Louis 394 km

Louisville Branson 278 mi/ 274 mi/ 447 km 441 km Memphis 307 mi/ Here are some transportation 494 km options to help plan your visit:

TRAIN TRAVEL n AMTRAK RAIL SERVICE #1 Golf Rd., Alton • (618) 462-1879 Amtrak stops in both Alton and Carlinville during its multiple daily travels through the region. SIP SAMPLE WITCHES ON AIR TRAVEL STROLL May 15 – THE WATER Enjoy food, music Oct. 23 Both the Litchfield Municipal and shopping in Airport and St. Louis Regional downtown Grafton. FIREWORKS ON Airport provide runways and Tickets required. THE MISSISSIPPI flight services for small planes. RIVER July 2 & SANTA’S Dec. 31 Celebrate CHOCOLATE St. Louis’ Lambert International MUSIC IN THE PARK June 3 – Independence Day EXPRESS Dec. 4 is the region’s main air hub. Aug. 26 Free weekly and New Year’s Eve concerts on Thursdays in Grafton n LITCHFIELD MUNICIPAL at Grove Memorial SANTA CON MISSISSIPPI AIRPORT Park. Independence Dec. 11 weekend concert on MASTERS GOLF 1202 U.S. Route 66 South WATER TRAVEL TOURNAMENT Friday, July 2. (217) 324-4731 Boat travelers can fuel up or use transient slips at either Grafton Harbor or Oct. 8 the Alton Marina during a journey along the region’s mighty rivers. Ferry n ST. LOUIS REGIONAL AIRPORT 8 Terminal Dr. • East Alton service is also available for vehicle, bicycle and foot traffic across rivers. GREAT PLACES TO DINE • STAY • PLAY (618) 259-2531 n ALTON MARINA n GRAFTON FERRY n LAMBERT INTERNATIONAL 1 Henry St. • (618) 462-9860 (season late April – early November) AIRPORT Rt. 100 • (800) 258-6645 10701 Lambert International Blvd. n GRAFTON HARBOR n GOLDEN EAGLE FERRY (314) 890-1333 Rt. 100 • (618) 786-7678 Ferry Road. • (618) 535-5759 n BRUSSELS FERRY Rt. 100, Grafton • (618) 786-3636 n KAMPSVILLE FERRY River Front Drive • (618) 653-4518

64 Great Rivers & Routes www.GraftonILChamber.com • www.EnjoyGrafton.com