2013 Travel Guide
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Showing 1-69 of 69 items found in Arts & Culture
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Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
Illinois' only United Nations World Heritage Site. This 2,200-acre site preserves the central section of the largest prehistoric Indian city north of Mexico. An Interpretive Center presents a coherent account of this sophisticated prehistoric culture. Climb Monk's Mound, see the film and life-size village. Don't miss annual events that focus on Native American culture.
CITY: Collinsville
National Great Rivers Museum
Located adjacent to the Melvin Price Locks and Dam, this museum is dedicated to telling the story of the Mississippi River, from its colorful history to its modern-day role as a major transportation corridor. The museum features kid-friendly, interactive and computer animated exhibits. Steer a towboat through the locks and dam via simulator, measure your water consumption or come face-to-face with river fish in the aquarium.
CITY: Alton
National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows
The Shrine has 200 beautifully landscaped acres of gardens and devotional areas, including the Outdoor Amphitheatre, Shrine Church, Lourdes Grotto, Stations of the Cross, Millennium Spire, the Visitors Center with a restaurant and gift shop, and the Shrine Hotel.
CITY: Belleville
Alton Riverfront Amphitheater
The 4,000 seat Alton Riverfront Amphitheater hosts a variety of events from community festivals to live concerts throughout the summer months. With the Mighty Mississippi River as a backdrop, bring your blanket and spread out for an evening under the stars. Check out our website for a list of upcoming events.
CITY: Alton
Louis Latzer Homestead
Louis Latzer, the founder of the Pet Milk Company, built this homestead for his wife and family in 1901. The home had many modern features of the day, including running water pumped by hand to a holding tank in the attic, a manufactured gas light system, speaking tubes between many of the rooms and one of the first telephones in the community.
CITY: Highland
Piasa Bird Mural at Piasa Park
Located on the edge of Alton, Piasa Park is an attractive stop for motorists, picnickers and bicyclists. The park is set at the base of the giant Piasa Bird mural that is painted on the side of a huge bluff. A large granite arrowhead tells the story of the Piasa Bird, which, according to legend, Chief Ouatoga and his 20 warriors killed with poison darts.
CITY: Alton
Beall Mansion Historic Tours
Tour the mansion built as a wedding present by railroad baron and riverboat magnate Z.B. Job for his son and bride Mary Drummond, heiress to the Drummond tobacco fortune. Today this three-story mansion serves as a bed and breakfast.
CITY: Alton
Alton Little Theater
Entertaining audiences since 1934, the Alton Little Theater offers a season of great live theatrical performances from dramas to comedies to everyone's favorite musicals. The Alton Little Theater is one of the oldest community theaters in the state of Illinois.
CITY: Alton
Alton Museum of History and Art
Winged monsters, explorers, riverboats and a gentle giant. The Alton Museum of History & Art shows the crossroads of American history in Alton. The museum is located in the historic Loomis Hall across from the Wadlow statue. Loomis Hall is the oldest building in the state of Illinois continuously utilized for education. One of the most popular rooms, the Wadlow Room, pays tribute to Alton's "Gentle Giant" and the World's Tallest Man. The Pioneer Room explores the history of Alton from the Lewis & Clark Expedition to the Civil War with exhibits on Elijah Lovejoy, the Lincoln-Douglas Debates and the "Alton Route" on the Underground Railroad. Hours: Wednesday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sunday 1 - 4 p.m.
CITY: Alton
Gateway Geyser Fountain
As the world's tallest fountain, the Gateway Geyser Fountain reaches 627 feet in height, and is centered in a pond that holds five million gallons of water.
CITY: East St. Louis
Mississippi Mud Pottery
Watch the potters at Mississippi Mud spin a creation right before your eyes. The potters work daily making dinnerware, lamps, vases, planters, casseroles, pottery and custom-designed ware. Their creations are made from natural clay materials mined in the Midwest region, with lead-free glazes that are microwave, oven proof and dishwasher safe. The pottery on display makes a great gift as a beautiful piece of art, as well as practical dishes for use in the home.
CITY: Alton
Main Street Jazz & Blues
Join the group at this small intimate club featuring performers from St. Louis and the local area.
CITY: Belleville
Thomas Kinkade Gallery
The Thomas Kinkade Gallery of Belleville is full of beautiful works by Thomas Kinkade.
CITY: Belleville
The Mermaid House
The beautiful house is an example of an 1830s hotel. Charles Dickens once visited there in 1842 while researching a book he wrote on prairies in America.
CITY: Lebanon
Alton Stained Glass Works
Visit this working studio to shop for hand-crafted works of art - lamps, window panes, ornaments, sun catchers, glass beads and more. From decorative items to window panes, make a purchase from the floor or have Lynne custom design a piece for you and your home. Classes are also available. Hours: Tuesday 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. or by appointment.
CITY: Alton
Beall Mansion - An Elegant Bed & Breakfast Inn
Welcome to the mansion built as a wedding gift. Designed by Lucas Pfeiffenberger and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this elegant mansion features 18 ionic columns, eleven and a half foot ceilings, crystal chandeliers and marble and bronze statuary throughout. Let us pamper you with sumptuous feather beds, whirlpools for two, 24 hour "all you can eat" chocolate buffet, and optional gourmet breakfast in bed. Free wi-fi. In room massage, spa, golf and corporate packages available.
CITY: Alton
Jacoby Arts Center
Jacoby Arts Center is dedicated to creating opportunities for individual artists in their pursuit of artistic excellence and economic success. The stunning gallery presents works of regional and national artists and the retail shop, known as The Artist Shop, showcases items in a variety of media while providing artists a retail outlet to their audiences.
CITY: Alton
Broadway Center of Arts
Groups regularly perform at the "Black Box" Main Stage theatre.
CITY: Belleville
Main Street Gallery
The Main Street Gallery was created to display the works of juried artist. The art is professionally shown and is available for sale. Blown glass, pottery, paintings, drawings, metalwork, and jewelry are just a few of the art pieces available.
CITY: Edwardsville
The Wildey Theatre
Opened in 1909 as an opera house and a meeting hall for the Independent Order of Oddfellows, the Wildey has undergone many transformations through the years. The most recent one is a $2 million renovation inside and out.
CITY: Edwardsville
Calico Moon
Calico Moon features primitives, dry goods, rug hooking, primitive stitch, supplies, and classes.
CITY: Lebanon
Old Fire Engine Museum
Learn how firemen fought fires throughout history. See all of the antique firefighting memorabilia.
CITY: Granite City
National Lampoon's Vacation - Poplar Street Bridge
In this wacky comedy a Chicago family takes a hysterical road trip across country to reach a theme park on the West Coast. Illinois scenes include Buckingham Fountain in downtown Chicago's Grant Park (seen spouting its famous cascades of water in the background as the family leaves Chicago) and the Poplar Street Bridge that spans the Mississippi River in East St. Louis (where the family gets lost).
CITY: East St. Louis
Architectural Ceramics
Architectural Ceramics has a great selection of ceramics for home decor, gifts, and more.
CITY: Edwardsville
Benjamin Godfrey Memorial Chapel
Originally called Monticello, the village of Godfrey was named for a Massachusetts sea captain, Benjamin Godfrey who founded the Monticello Seminary in 1838. One of the more rapidly growing Illinois community colleges, Lewis & Clark Community College, now calls the Monticello campus home. Located on the campus, the Benjamin Godfrey Chapel, built in 1854, has become a landmark in the community. This church has been designated as one of only six churches outside of the northeastern United States that are authentic copies of New England church architecture and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
CITY: Godfrey
Collinsville Historical Society Museum
Local and world histories are combined in these exhibits.
CITY: Collinsville
Coal Museum
A quilt from the Civil War, coal mining memorabilia, and more are located in the Marissa Academy Building, formerly a two-year prep school built in 1867.
CITY: Collinsville
Patchwork Corner Crafts
Patchwork Corner Crafts has a wide variety of quilting and craft supplies.
CITY: Mascoutah
Edwardsville Children's Museum
The museum focuses on expanding young minds through a variety of educational programs. It is available for birthday parties and field trips.
CITY: Edwardsville
Old Six Mile Museum in the Emmert-Zippel House
This 158-year-old home has displays of historic items including Civil War artifacts, a Native American collection, and 1830s furnishings.
CITY: Granite City
Clinton County Showcase
The Showcase performs at the historic Avon Theatre. Call for a schedule of plays.
CITY: Breese
Three Sisters Crafts & Gifts
Three Sisters Crafts & Gifts offers handmade crafts, beads, jewelry-making supplies, home decor, scrapbook and quilting supplies, and much more.
CITY: O'Fallon
Yanda Log Cabin
An authentic log cabin located in the heart of Glen Carbon, it has the original ceiling rafters and attic floor. The sidewalks are made from a 1912 school building. The Cabin is used for group activities and community events. Tours by appointment.
CITY: Glen Carbon
Scrapbook Factory
The Scrapbook Factory offers all the supplies you need to create the scrapbook of your dreams.
CITY: O'Fallon
Jarrot Mansion
The subject of intensive historical interest, the Mansion is probably the oldest brick house in the state of Illinois. It was built in 1810 by Nicholas Jarrot, who was a native Frenchman and landowner in Cahokia.
CITY: Cahokia
Log Cabin Museum
In the park next to Hamel School, this building was built between 1820 and 1852 and moved to Hamel in 1980. Artifacts from the period are displayed inside.
CITY: Hamel
Limelight Players
This talented troupe can be found at a variety of venues from dinner theater at Fischer's Restaurant to stage shows at Southwestern Illinois College.
CITY: Belleville
Berger-Kiel Log House
The log house gives a glimpse into local life in the 1800s. While at the park, visit the refurbished caboose and passenger train.
CITY: Mascoutah
St. Clair County Historical Society Museum
This Victorian adaptation of a Greek Revival home was built in the early 1800s. In addition to period furniture and vintage clothing, artifacts, and quilts, the museum contains an extensive research library and gift shop.
CITY: Belleville
Gateway Classic Cars & Museum
Car enthusiasts are tempted by every make from Model T's to muscle cars. Shop the Antique Mall for Collectibles or attend their monthly sales and auctions.
CITY: Fairmont City
The Hett Theater
Distinguished speakers, concerts, and drama are all part of the playbill at The Hett, McKendree College's showcase Center for the Arts.
CITY: Lebanon
Labor & Industry Museum
The Labor & Industry Museum is the only public institution devoted to the history of the labor and industry of Belleville and southwestern Illinois. The centerpiece is Jumbo, a 19th-century steam engine along with coal mining, carpentry, and stove-making exhibits.
CITY: Belleville
Mascoutah Heritage Museum
The museum focuses on the businesses that helped the city grow, particularly milling.
CITY: Mascoutah
Emma Kunz House
Visitors are invited to walk through this home, considered to be the oldest Greek Revival-style home in Illinois.
CITY: Belleville
Katherine Dunham Museum
Katherine Dunham is probably best known as a legendary dancer who propelled the awareness of the cultures of the African Diaspora via her choreography. Her famous dance technique reflects a fusion of many cultures. Miss Dunham was a true renaissance woman. She was an artist, anthropologist, author, activist, manager, movie star, producer, educator, wife, mother, and so much more. The world needs to know about her wonderful life story and there's no better learning environment than the Museum and Centers for Arts and Humanities she created. The museum houses Miss Dunham's outstanding collection of symbolic and functional art, including more than 250 African and Caribbean art objects from more than 50 countries.
CITY: East St. Louis
Madison County Historical Society Museum & Archives
The 1836 Weir House is filled with an amazing display of artifacts representing local and county history, in addition to a historic research library.
CITY: Edwardsville
Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House
This two-story brick home is a wonderful example of Federal-style architecture from 1820. Col. Stephenson, who was a contemporary of Lewis & Clark, moved there in 1809.
CITY: Edwardsville
SummerStage
SummerStage is an amateur thespian organization that began in 1981. The group presents five programs a year including dramas, comedies, and musicals.
CITY: Granite City
Looking Glass Playhouse
The Looking Glass Playhouse was started in 1972 by a small group of volunteers to raise money for McKendree College by directing and producing a musical play. The play was a success and they have been putting on performances ever since. Drama, musicals, and comedy performances are on the bill.
CITY: Lebanon
Skyview Drive-In
Open from April to October, this theatre shows first-run movies, and is one of only 200 drive-inns left in the United States.
CITY: Belleville
The Palace Theatre
The 60-seat facility is complete with a restored 1928 Barton 12-rank theatre pipe organ. It was originally built to perform popular music and to accompany the silent movies of the 1920s. Group tours available.
CITY: Highland
Governor Coles Memorial
This memorial in Valley View Cemetery honors Edward Coles, the second governor of Illinois (1822-1826). A former slaveowner from Virginia, Coles became an abolitionist and won the 1822 gubernatorial election as the candidate of anti-slavery forces.
CITY: Edwardsville
Greater Saint Louis Air and Space Museum
Learn about the history of aviation in the St. Louis area. The Museum is located at the St. Louis Downtown Parks Airport and has Gus Grissom's flight suit, a collection of TWA artifacts, and a 1941 Meyers O.T.W. Bi-plane on exhibit.
CITY: Cahokia
Arts of Fire
Arts of Fire has a pottery painting studio, ceramics painting, silver jewelry, and parties.
CITY: Edwardsville
Hard Road Theatre Productions
Hard Road Theatre Productions is a non-profit community theater organization committed to providing the Highland area with high-quality, affordable, live theater productions.
CITY: Highland
The Lemming Armada Theatre Co.
Performances throughout the year include music, drama, and comedy.
CITY: Belleville
The Schmidt Art Center and Gallery
Over 350 permanent works, including a beautifully landscaped and sculptured garden, are on display.
CITY: Belleville
Belleville Philharmonic Society
The nation's second oldest continuously performing symphony orchestra (1867-2005) gives concerts throughout the year.
CITY: Belleville
Martin/Boismenue House
Built in the 1790s, the house is designed in the French vertical-log style rather than the more familiar horizontal-log style. This is the oldest known residence in Illinois.
CITY: East Carondelet
Our Common Ground
Our Common Ground is a nonprofit organization dedicated to growing local art by organizing mixed media shows in rural communities.
CITY: Lebanon
13 - 23
Alton Little Theater: Sex, Please, We're 60
Mrs. Stancliffe's Rose Cottage Bed & Breakfast has been successful for many years because her guests (nearly all women) return year after year. Her next door neighbor, the elderly, silver-tongued "Bud the Stud" Davis, believes they come to spend time with him in romantic liaisons. The prim and proper Mrs. Stancliffe steadfastly denies this, but reluctantly accepts the fact that "Bud the Stud" is good for business. Her other neighbor and would-be suitor, Henry Mitchell, is a retired chemist who has developed a blue pill called "Venusia" to increase the libido of menopausal women. The pill has not been tested until Bud gets his hands on some and the fun begins. The women mix up Bud's Viagra pills with the Venusia, and we soon discover that it has a strange effect on men: it gives them all the symptoms of menopause, complete with hot flashes, mood swings, weeping and irritability! When the mayhem settles down, all the women find their lives moving in new and surprising directions. This production is scheduled for March 13 - 16 and March 20 - 23, 2014.
CITY: Alton
Lincoln Theatre
The historic theatre features first-run movies, organ concerts, puppet shows, and other special events. Tours are available by appointment.
CITY: Belleville
Children's Museum of Edwardsville
Toddlers to 12-year-olds can enjoy the unique interactive exhibits and seasonal events at this fun children's museum.
CITY: Edwardsville
O'Brians Top of the Town
Piano bar and entertainment lounge. Dinner and cocktails, wine dinners, tastings and live music.
CITY: Staunton
Feb 2
Alton Little Theater: Moonlight and Magnolias
Legendry Hollywood producer David O. Selznick has a problem. He has just fired the director of Gone With the Wind and the script is on its umpteenth version. He desperately needs a new director and writer -- immediately! However, the writer he wants, Ben Hecht, has never read the novel and his director of choice, Victor Fleming, is not sold on the success of the storyline; but Selznick believes in this movie so much that he locks the three of them in his office for five days, with bananas and peanuts as their only food, to pull together a new script. As work begins, Selznick and Fleming attempt to act out all the characters in the novel while Hecht types. Take a fun, farcical look at the behind-the-scene birth of one of the most beloved films of all time. This production is scheduled for Jan. 23 - 26 and Jan. 30 - Feb. 2, 2014.
CITY: Alton
The Music Theatre Company
The Music Theatre Company explores the musical in the interest of expanding the canon of musical theatre through fully-staged productions, commissions of new works and musical experiments.
CITY: Highland
Sacagawea Statue
A beautiful sculpture of Sacagawea graces the campus of Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey, Illinois. The piece was crafted by Glenna Goodacre who also designed the image on the Sacajewea $1 coin.
CITY: Godfrey
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