Holidays in the Great Rivers & Routes Region
Your Guide to Unique Holiday Gifts in Great Rivers & Routes
Celebrate the spirit of the holidays throughout the year with the gift of unique local experiences.
From water parks to opera, baseball to trampoline parks, live theater to live music -- the Great Rivers & Routes region has an outside-the-box gift experience for every person on your list.
For The Kids
Let's face it -- it's tough to buy presents for kids that aren't going to be forgotten in a week or less. How about giving a gift that will keep the kids entertained for hours and hours?
![kids enjoy floating in blue and green tubes along a lazy river in a water park in the great rivers and routes region](https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Things_To_Do_Attractions_Water_Parks_Pools_1__05229558-1ae3-4477-a8ef-0d5d26c19c96.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=09343c8061a2fe59f0f268b5f0188ced 320w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Things_To_Do_Attractions_Water_Parks_Pools_1__05229558-1ae3-4477-a8ef-0d5d26c19c96.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=fffe44faa915e988e7206e5a88534ace 540w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Things_To_Do_Attractions_Water_Parks_Pools_1__05229558-1ae3-4477-a8ef-0d5d26c19c96.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=1e595fa16a95b69e289afbe300f95a2e 768w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Things_To_Do_Attractions_Water_Parks_Pools_1__05229558-1ae3-4477-a8ef-0d5d26c19c96.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=1ca5a7729e09482fff9e823719eaab1a 1024w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Things_To_Do_Attractions_Water_Parks_Pools_1__05229558-1ae3-4477-a8ef-0d5d26c19c96.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=eb787aca7fbb78da150669c1cfecaacb 1200w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Things_To_Do_Attractions_Water_Parks_Pools_1__05229558-1ae3-4477-a8ef-0d5d26c19c96.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=562eb0f1cf6882b806b1441f82c07822 1440w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Things_To_Do_Attractions_Water_Parks_Pools_1__05229558-1ae3-4477-a8ef-0d5d26c19c96.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=bbd385ff19286370a80954cd1a6fc9c2 1920w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Things_To_Do_Attractions_Water_Parks_Pools_1__05229558-1ae3-4477-a8ef-0d5d26c19c96.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=0eb9617ceba694f42cd4172e413d1633 2560w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Things_To_Do_Attractions_Water_Parks_Pools_1__05229558-1ae3-4477-a8ef-0d5d26c19c96.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=1da97ae39befa8e4a4d17a6be55aea69 2768w)
Season Passes!
Season passes to Raging Rivers Water Park in Grafton or the Collinsville Aqua Park are a great way to keep the kids busy during the summer months. Plus, there is the added benefit that you will be able to lure kids away from their gaming screens!
- Raging Rivers Water Park is perched on the banks of the scenic Mississippi River in Grafton, will have a new feature this year -- a monster water slide -- in addition to the Lazy River, Itty Bitty Surf City and other attractions. Season passes for Raging Rivers are on sale from Nov. 27 - Jan. 1.
- Collinsville's Aqua Park has Monsoon Mountain, a lazy river and leisure pools. Black Friday pricing for season passes is available now through Dec. 31 for great summer deals.
Looking for More for the Kids?
More Gift Cards & Season Passes!
- Edison's Entertainment Center in Edwardsville
- Edwardsville Children's Museum
- Altitude Trampoline Park in Glen Carbon
![kids jumping on large red and black trampolines at the Altitude trampoline park in Illinois](https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/altitude-trampoline-park-5b8ec3d25056a36_5b8ec538-5056-a36a-0921e7850137f45b.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=69f60106583fb353654dcf2c1b2b3624 320w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/altitude-trampoline-park-5b8ec3d25056a36_5b8ec538-5056-a36a-0921e7850137f45b.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=56306c9075c4959606dc55b56b985eab 540w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/altitude-trampoline-park-5b8ec3d25056a36_5b8ec538-5056-a36a-0921e7850137f45b.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=d2e8548ebf95c0f6ec3b3556267b7b2f 768w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/altitude-trampoline-park-5b8ec3d25056a36_5b8ec538-5056-a36a-0921e7850137f45b.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=70a3e11844b06091c929e8387c6a0486 1024w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/altitude-trampoline-park-5b8ec3d25056a36_5b8ec538-5056-a36a-0921e7850137f45b.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=becd0af3f43d0110a4e65eec6eae3bf5 1200w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/altitude-trampoline-park-5b8ec3d25056a36_5b8ec538-5056-a36a-0921e7850137f45b.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=7fe419f785cfc1e12a6e594b830ba4b4 1440w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/altitude-trampoline-park-5b8ec3d25056a36_5b8ec538-5056-a36a-0921e7850137f45b.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=c2532f1efd9ccaefea69ea92a7be15a9 1920w)
Sometimes the best gifts aren't boxed!
For Grown-Ups, How About Arts & Entertainment
The Great Rivers & Routes region is chock full of activities that would make great holiday gifts for the musician, artist or hard-to-buy-for person on your gift list.
Alton Little Theater
For more than 87 seasons, Alton Little Theater has been entertaining audiences with their pick of comedies, dramas and musicals. Pick up tickets for a single show or make it a season to remember with the gift of season passes to this award-winning community theater organization.
![Wildey Theater in the Great Rivers & Routes region](https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Wildey-Theatre-lights.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=e0057def7894a7b2823949f5651e605f 320w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Wildey-Theatre-lights.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=d5fcd1e4ebf20de7420a837c3fe4a117 540w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Wildey-Theatre-lights.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=02a51c64d3e520095a2fb9e7140bb164 768w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Wildey-Theatre-lights.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=9f783e4eb89e3118ac6f7e9e208d2a48 1024w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Wildey-Theatre-lights.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=8d4496de223013444d2c5579e450cdc9 1200w)
Live Music
Live musical performances don't get any better than those at Edwardsville's Wildey Theatre. From John Waite to Wishbone Ash and tribute bands turning the spotlight on classic rock performers, there are plenty of shows to pick from for the music aficionado on your gift list. If musical tastes lean towards the classics, make sure season passes to Opera Edwardsville's eclectic performances are on the list.
Hands-on Experiences
Some people enjoy a more hands-on experience. Jacoby Arts Center in Alton offers dance and yoga classes in a classic art gallery setting. Give the gift of art with a class from Edwardsville Arts Center. Let the beauty of glass come to life at Alton Stained Glass Works which has classes for all skill levels.
Good Old-Fashioned Fun
Fun comes in all shapes and sizes in the Great Rivers & Routes region. From river cruises to axe throwing, escape rooms to horse racing, just pick your flavor of fun.
Season tickets are on sale now for the inaugural season of the Alton River Dragons Baseball Team. See some of the best collegiate baseball players in the country this summer at Alton's Gordon Moore Park.
Rise high in the sky over the Mississippi River with the Grafton SkyTour aerial lift, which carries passengers from Grafton's Main Street to the tops of the river bluffs at Aerie's Resort. Get a season pass so you can enjoy it year round.
![Hakuna matata river cruise on the Mississippi](https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/hakana-matata-cruise.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=0efcd4ef18c6336802495e1818d019e4 320w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/hakana-matata-cruise.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=a498bc49c392463f8222faf9516ac6b7 450w)
Cruising & Riding
River cruises are a great way to kick back and relax while enjoying the water and the views. The Spirit of Peoria offers full day cruises, morning, lunch and a special dinner theater cruise in the region. Themed river cruises are available on Grafton Harbor's excursion boat, the Hakuna Matata. From May through early November, enjoy a sunset cruise, fall color cruise or dinner cruise.
Saddle up the horses at Pere Marquette Riding Stables. Give the gift of a trail ride through Illinois' largest state park and then follow it up with a day at Fairmount Park Racetrack. Live racing takes place Tuesdays and Saturdays with the 2021 racing season beginning April 27.
![kids horseback riding along a dirt path next to a field at Pere Marquette State Park](https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/kids-horsebackriding.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=41b4249029cc45b7f33b50c5efd20228 320w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/kids-horsebackriding.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=01ef99ad8c0500a62d19a59d784e5cf5 540w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/kids-horsebackriding.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=4a37516ab4ff7989dd0c3d741b4783ca 600w)
More Unique Great Rivers & Routes Experiences
Give the gift of gaming and dinner on the Mississippi River with vouchers from Argosy Casino.
Let that special someone work off some stress and hone their axe throwing skills with a gift certificate to Riverbend Axe Throwing in East Alton. Or pick up a gift certificate to local escape rooms like Alton Room Escape, Safe Escape Rooms, and Beast Escape Room.
Share the joy of ice skating with gift certificates to The Loading Dock Ice Skating Rink or East Alton Ice Arena.
![Riverbend Axe Throwing in East Alton](https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/20200712_175157_083c2a88-5ccf-4d40-a306-8f14c86db0c6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=fc116a079946ef7ddfd7340b1a9b30ab 320w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/20200712_175157_083c2a88-5ccf-4d40-a306-8f14c86db0c6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=773ec177cb689810c6eb1c165e2a906b 540w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/20200712_175157_083c2a88-5ccf-4d40-a306-8f14c86db0c6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=a18ef70558609193afc8283a5d7ea54c 768w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/20200712_175157_083c2a88-5ccf-4d40-a306-8f14c86db0c6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=388ef855247b49c44fa8b00ba36393b2 1024w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/20200712_175157_083c2a88-5ccf-4d40-a306-8f14c86db0c6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=40eaeb4464496a41a1326d08dbc1b875 1200w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/20200712_175157_083c2a88-5ccf-4d40-a306-8f14c86db0c6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=9b6a5342a152d5595b20379b2bbf09f9 1440w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/20200712_175157_083c2a88-5ccf-4d40-a306-8f14c86db0c6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=829a28409adb874d7a3c9eb5be97ad1a 1920w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/20200712_175157_083c2a88-5ccf-4d40-a306-8f14c86db0c6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=c015351988d381b32fcd46d9a20b0bcc 2560w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/20200712_175157_083c2a88-5ccf-4d40-a306-8f14c86db0c6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=8a24fc03c77d535c7d6c82e7495128ea 3840w)