As the waters begin to freeze at the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, the Loading Dock Ice Rink offers a place like no other to enjoy winter right on the riverfront. Embrace the cold with that special someone or friends and family, lace up a pair of ice skates and glide into…
The crisp cool air and open waters of the Mississippi Flyway are a refuge for eagles, trumpeter swans and visitors alike in Alton, Illinois. Just 25 miles north of St. Louis on the Mississippi River, the Great Rivers & Routes region has become a winter home to the eagles. Before dawn breaks on the…
The holiday spirit is alive and well at the annual Bethalto Christmas Village. This year, due to COVID, the annual holiday event will be a strictly walk through light display but will continue to feature its signature Christmas-themed glass cottages. The city's Arboretum will be decorated with…
Have a tricky person to buy for on your holiday gift list? Think outside the box this year and give the gift of travel. Be creative with gift certificates and create an escape to southwest Illinois that includes dining experiences and a packaged overnight stay. The Great Rivers & Routes region, just…
Celebrate the spirit of the holidays throughout the year with the gift of Great Rivers & Routes experiences. From water parks to opera, baseball to trampoline parks, live theater to live music -- there are plenty of outside the box gift experiences available for that hard-to-buy-for person on your…
Hear the sleigh bells jingle and see 4 million lights twinkle against the beautiful backdrop at Rock Spring Park's Christmas Wonderland. Back for another year to warm the hearts and holiday spirits of families and friends, the park will be lighting the way to another illuminating holiday season…
Have yourself a merry little Christmas this year. And make sure the holidays are bright with gifts from the Great Rivers & Routes region in southwest Illinois. Local makers are in the holiday spirit this year and ready to put a little jingle in your holiday gift giving plans. Looking for that great…
Once upon a time ... .... (really about 3 years ago), a woman named Mary and her friend Dan were looking at Grafton’s beautiful Lighthouse Park and said “We need more things for kids to do in this park! And, it has to be something that won’t float away during a flood.” Mary thought and thought, and…
Oh the fun you can have and the places you will go -- when you explore the Great Rivers & Routes region in southwest Illinois! Looking for fun? Adventure? Relaxation? The Great Rivers & Routes region (which includes six counties just outside St. Louis) has you covered. And just to make it a bit…
Great. Lodging. Here. (Tara Point Inn & Cottages, Grafton, IL) A trip to the Great Rivers & Routes region is filled with great things to do, whether visiting quirky and charming Route 66 sites or drinking in the breathtaking beauty along the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway. After…