Great Girlfriend Getaways
Girlfriend Getaway Itinerary
Isn’t it time to gather your besties and create a weekend to remember? Head to the Great Rivers & Routes region of southwest Illinois for top notch adventures in the only place in America where the Mother Road meets the Great River Road!
Day 1
Stop 1: Old Bakery Beer Company
Fuel up for your first day of fun with brunch at Old Bakery Beer Co., in downtown Alton. The menu features classic brunch entrees, sweets and more. Add a bit of booze with a mimosa, beermosa or a Fuddle Duddle coffee flavored with spirits. For a more laid back drink experience, try the sparkling herbal teas flavored with local herbs. Be sure to pick up a six pack for evening refreshments.
Stop 2: Bike Trails
Enjoy the great outdoors with a ride along the scenic and fun bike trails found throughout Madison County in Alton, Edwardsville, Collinsville and more. Rent a bike at the Covered Bridge Bike Rentals in Glen Carbon and get ready to explore the area.
Stop 3: Peel Wood Fired Pizza
Stop for lunch at Peel Wood Fired Pizza in Edwardsville. Conveniently located along the bike trails, the restaurant specializes in pizzas which are also works of art! Find pastas, wood-fired wings, shared plates, crisp salads and more.
Stop 4: EXO Nail Bar, Med Spa & Lounge
Ready to recharge your body and your senses? Make EXO Nail Bar, Med Spa & Lounge your next stop. Relax with some self-care spa treatements with your friends. The spa offers a full array of services that will leave you feeling refreshed and relaxed. Plus, you can enjoy a specialty cocktail throughout the experience.
Stop 5: 1818 Chophouse
When it’s time for dinner, make 1818 Chophouse your destination. The restaurant combines creative cuisine with elegance and provides an upscale dining experience. House butchered steaks, chops, and fresh seafood are just some of the options.
Stop 6: The Cracker Factory
At the end of the day, it’s time to relax with friends in your upscale loft at The Cracker Factory in Alton. Featuring private bedrooms, upscale bathrooms, a full kitchen and an outside deck overlooking the Mississippi River, it’s the perfect place to end the day.
Stop 1: State Street on LaSalle
Adventure is calling so make sure you start your day with a relaxing brunch at State Street on LaSalle in the quaint Village of Elsah. Rustic charm meets modern taste at this restaurant housed on an historic Elsah building. The menu is full of local and visitor favorites.
Stop 2: Aerie’s Resort
Fly high at Aerie’s Resort in downtown Grafton. Take the Grafton SkyTour up the rolling limestone bluffs to the resort. Enjoy the best views in the Midwest from 300-feet above the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Ride the Aerie’s Alpine Coaster. Sip a cocktail from the deck of The Terrace at the resort.
Stop 3: Pere Marquette State Park
Put on your hiking shoes and follow the trails at Pere Marquette State Park where the views and nature sparkle. A variety of hiking trails wind through the park providing scenic river views and possible glimpses of American Bald Eagles. After a hike, sit back and relax at the Pere Marquette Lodge & Conference Center. Sit around the 700-ton limestone fireplace and then take a seat at the adjacent restaurant for lunch or dinner.
Stop 4: Hakuna Matata
Book a cruise on board the Hakuna Matata, a 49-passenger excursion boat sailing out of Grafton Harbor. The boat travels the Mississippi and Illinois rivers from May through October and has themed cruises in addition to sightseeing adventures.
Stop 5: The Loading Dock
Sit beside the Mississippi River and enjoy a cocktail and dock salsa (a local favorite) at The Loading Dock. In the winter months, the adjacent Boatworks Building is transformed into an indoor ice skating rink complete with firepits for s’mores roasting.
Stop 6: Grafton Winery & Brewhaus
End your day with dinner at Grafton Winery & Brewhaus in downtown Grafton. Sip a glass of locally produced wine and experience casual dining featuring crisp salads, juicy burgers and more.
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