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.