Alton, Illinois: A Trip through Culture, History and Nature

First on your itinerary is Pere Marquette State Park. In this 3,240-hectare park, not only can you enjoy spectacular views of the Illinois River, but you can also participate in lots of fun-filled activities. During autumn, beautiful fall foliage covers the trees.

Named for Jacques Marquette, who was the first European to map the mouth of the Illinois River, the park includes evidence of its early Native American inhabitants – approximately 150 Native American burial mounds are scattered throughout the area. Begin at the visitors’ center, where you’ll get information about the plants, animals and trails you’ll see in the park, helping you appreciate all it has to offer.

Hike on the park’s well-marked trails – about 20 kilometers of trails accommodate everyone from beginners looking for a leisurely stroll to advanced hikers seeking an escape from everyday life. Home to 230 species of birds, the protected area is excellent for birdwatching. From December to March, you might catch a glimpse of bald eagles – majestic birds with a wing span of about 2 meters. Horseback riders will enjoy riding along 32 kilometers of equestrian trails on a horse from Pere Marquette Stables, which operates from May through October.

The park also offers lots of opportunities for fishing for bluegill, carp, catfish, crappie and largemouth bass. There are launch ramps and plenty of parking for your fishing party. Looking to hunt squirrel, turkey or deer? You’ll find an 809-hectare public hunting ground as well, with an additional 526 hectares eight kilometers north of the park. You must obtain a free permit at the visitor center during approved hunting season.

Take a journey back to the time of the Lewis and Clark expedition, the trip that helped shape the course of American history. Stop at the Interpretive Center of the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site, just outside Alton, where you can see a full-scale replica of the expedition’s keelboat as well as other captivating exhibits documenting the explorers’ historic trek into the wilderness west of the Mississippi River. Check out the reconstruction of Camp Dubois, Lewis and Clark’s 1804 winter camp where they trained the men who would join them on their expedition, and the launch site where it all began. Local volunteers regularly perform reenactments that bring this period of history to life.

In Collinsville, you'll find a historical site that will immerse you in centuries-old Native American history: the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, once a thriving city of 20,000 Native Americans who lived here from 700 to 1400 A.D. Of the original 120 mounds at the site, 80 remain today, including the largest man-made earthen mound in North America, called Monks Mound. At the interpretive center, take a self-guided tour and learn more about this fascinating place, which is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Use your device to download audio tours for convenient, on-the-go information. Note that if you want to see the entire site, it’s fairly expansive, and you’ll want to plan your day accordingly. Pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic on the grounds less than a kilometer from the Interpretive Center.

The last 160 kilometers of Route 66 in Illinois are filled with amazing stops, including classic diners, town squares, old-time gas stations, antique shops and roadside attractions – including pink elephants and the world’s largest catsup bottle.

A stop in Litchfield will welcome you to the longest-running restaurant on Route 66, the Ariston Cafe. Litchfield also boasts the oldest original drive-in theater on the route, the Sky View Drive-In, where you can stop in for some summer movie fun.

Route 66 comes alive at memorabilia-rich places like Henry’s Rabbit Ranch in Staunton. Be on the lookout for elephants – pink elephants, specifically. The Pink Elephant Antique Mall in Livingston has roadside attractions and photo opportunities galore, with a number of giant statues and oddities dotting the property. Stop for a bite, beverage and more memorabilia at Weezy’s Route 66 Bar & Grill in Hamel.

History itself is on display with stops like Edwardsville’s Wildey Theatre. Another larger-than-life attraction along the route is the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle in Collinsville. Finally, walk across the Chain of Rocks Bridge, where Route 66 crosses into Missouri. Be sure to leave time to experience all there is to see and do on this stretch of the majestic Mother Road.