Carlyle Lake

The largest man-made lake in Illinois (26,000 acres), is a premier location for outdoor sports. We known to sailors, it is one of the best and most challenging for sailboats. There is also boating, fishing, hunting, bird watching, sand beaches, and camping areas. Hotels, cabins and golf courses make the area a true outdoor lover's playground.

CITY: Carlyle

Bob's Civil War Fort

Tucked away in the rolling hills of Germantown is a Civil War Fort. There is a jail, civil war cannons, a stage coach, a livery, log cabins, and much more.

CITY: Germantown

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

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

Rainbow Ranch Petting Farm

Meet the wide range of animals at this real working farm. Bottle feed kids and lambs. Pet the goats, camels, chicks, rabbits, camels and even two zebras.

CITY: Nashville

Hidden Lake Winery

Walk the trails around the five-acre lake, or sit and enjoy the waterfall and views of the Silent Forest as you sip a glass of wine.

CITY: Aviston

Belle-Clair Fairgrounds & Exposition Center

Home to the annual St. Clair County Fair, several craft shows and monthly flea markets, the complex also includes the Belle-Clair Speedway, with stock car races and demolition derbies.

CITY: Belleville

Dr. Poos Home - Heritage House Museum

Built in 1888, this home was occupied by Dr. Robert Poos, a local practitioner and druggist. Dr. Poos was also the staff physician at the Springs Hotel and Bath House, later known as the Okawville Original Springs Hotel.

CITY: Okawville

The Edge

The largest laser tag arena in the region also includes mini-golf, a big video arcade with the coolest games on the market, and food at D.S.Vespers Sports Pub and Eatery.

CITY: Belleville

Foundation Park

Home to the Balloon Fest, Foundation Park has many walking trails, nature areas, and gathering places.

CITY: Centralia

J-H Bison Ranch

Tours of this family-run bison ranch include baby bison feeding, herd tours, and photos with baby bison, llamas and horses.

CITY: Trenton

Marissa Academy Museum and Coal Miners Monument

Memorabilia celebrating the city's growth from a coal mining town to the present makes this an interesting stop.

CITY: Marissa

Schneidewind Barn Museum

Hundreds of interesting items amassed over a lifetime are housed in this unique gallery that was formally a working farm barn.

CITY: Marissa

Centerfield Park

Spend the day tackling go-karts, miniature golf, batting cages, bumper boats and a video arcade.

CITY: O'Fallon

Main Street Jazz & Blues

Join the group at this small intimate club featuring performers from St. Louis and the local area.

CITY: Belleville

Fairview Park

With 45-acres of recreation, Fairview Park features a swimming pool, baseball and softball fields, Skateboard Park, several picnic shelters, and a variety of playground equipment.

CITY: Centralia

General Dean Suspension Bridge

Located just outside the city of Carlyle, this historic 130-year-old bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the area. The original bridge served as a crossing over the Kaskaskia River.

CITY: Carlyle

Scheve Park

This expansive park features picnic areas, baseball and softball fields, playgrounds, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, and sand volleyball courts. The centerpiece of the park is an old train depot, a full-size caboose, and a train car that can be reserved for groups.

CITY: Mascoutah

Knotty Pine Motel

10 rooms, credit cards accepted, cable television available, small meeting rooms, pets accepted, restaurant within walking distances, and lounge/bar on premises.

CITY: Breese

Melvin Price Memorial Park

The 24-acre park has a pavilion, walking trails, and many other amenities. It is also the site of the Veterans of All Wars Memorial and the September 11 Memorial.

CITY: Swansea

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

Thomas Kinkade Gallery

The Thomas Kinkade Gallery of Belleville is full of beautiful works by Thomas Kinkade.

CITY: Belleville

Clinton County Historical Museum

This building was the former home of Judge Sidney Breese, who came to Illinois from New York. He studied law here and became Assistant Secretary of the State of Illinois.

CITY: Carlyle

Green Mount Crossing

Green Mount Crossing is lodging, restaurants, Target Store, Dierbergs, World Market, Chocolate Company, Beauty Brands & Spa, and Michael's.

CITY: Shiloh

Broadway Center of Arts

Groups regularly perform at the "Black Box" Main Stage theatre.

CITY: Belleville

Calico Moon

Calico Moon features primitives, dry goods, rug hooking, primitive stitch, supplies, and classes.

CITY: Lebanon

Braeutigam's Orchards

Blackberries, peaches, apples, pumpkins, tomatoes, and eggplant are the specialties at this orchard.

CITY: Belleville

Coyote ATV Trail Riders & Junkyard International Raceway

Fifty to 60 trucks carrying ATVs pull in every weekend to ride through the 10 miles of trails. You can also race go-karts on the track.

CITY: Coulterville

St. Louis Street Shopping

St. Louis Street in Lebanon is paved with brick and lined with many unique antique boutiques and specialty shops. Several of the stores specialize in Victorian and country collectibles, distinctive gifts, music, foods, fine glassware, and books. Shoppers can find a little bit of everything here.

CITY: Lebanon

Heritage House Museum

Three properties -- Dr. Poos Home & Medical Museum; the Frank Schlosser Home, which includes a turn-of-the-century house, barn, harness shop, and commercial laundry; and the Joseph Schlosser Home -- make up the Museum complex.

CITY: Okawville

Belle Clair Speedway

Stock car races, drag races and demolition derbies are regular events at this speedway.

CITY: Belleville

Centralia Historical Society Museum

Centerpieces of the collection are newspapers and memorabilia from the coal mining days with tributes to railroad history.

CITY: Centralia

Black Diamond Vineyards

This winery offers a quiet, relaxing setting and great wine. Be sure to check out the gift shop that features handmade truffles by Heavenly Sweets, lotions, oils and candles. Special events are held throughout the year.

CITY: Nashville

Roscoe Misslehorn Art Gallery

This gallery features the works of renowned Southern Illinois sketch artist Roscoe Misslehorn, as well as exhibits by contemporary artists. The building is the GM&O railroad depot that was used as a location for the 1967 movie, In the Heat of the Night.

CITY: Sparta

Ben's Antique Mall

For over 17 years, Ben's Antique Mall has offered furniture, antiques, and Belleville items.

CITY: Belleville

Patchwork Corner Crafts

Patchwork Corner Crafts has a wide variety of quilting and craft supplies.

CITY: Mascoutah

Eckert's Country Store & Farms - Belleville

This Eckert's location has a greenhouse, restaurant, Country Store, and fruits and vegetables to pick in season.

CITY: Belleville

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

Club Escapade

In business since 1998, this Belleville gay bar features karaoke on Wednesdays, and dancing to live DJs on select Saturday nights.

CITY: Belleville

Clinton County Showcase

The Showcase performs at the historic Avon Theatre. Call for a schedule of plays.

CITY: Breese

Centralia Area Historical Museum

Artifacts, pictures of coal mining, railroading, business, farming in and around Centralia. A work in progress by the Centralia Area Historical Society to preserve the past of Marion County.

CITY: Centralia

Scrapbook Factory

The Scrapbook Factory offers all the supplies you need to create the scrapbook of your dreams.

CITY: O'Fallon

McIlwain Mansion B&B

3 room bed and breakfast with private bathrooms.

CITY: Okawville

Timmerman House

3 room bed and breakfast, credit cards accepted, breakfast, deposit required, cancellation policy, private bathrooms.

CITY: Aviston

Nuff-Stuff Retail Antiques

Antiques, collectibles, glassware, oak furniture, and fireplace mantels.

CITY: Central City

Centralia Illinois Downtown Theatre

This former vaudeville and movie theatre has been restored to its former glory. The Playbill for the 2008 season includes Chapter 6, an acapella group that started at Milliken University in Decatur, IL and now tours worldwide and the touring company of Second City in Chicago. Don't miss the excitement.

CITY: Centralia

Julius J. Knobeloch State Nature Preserve

Beautiful. untouched nature preserve which way originally purchased by the Knobeloch family in 1874. After a family disagreement, the land was auctioned off to the nature conservancy and then sold to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

CITY: Freeburg

Aunt Bea's Attic Antiques

Unique antiques and collectibles from all over the world.

CITY: Lebanon

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

Kim's Little Shanty Antiques

Kim's has a wide variety of unique antiques.

CITY: Carlyle

American Legion Post 58 Freedom Farm

40 sites, recreation building, lake swimming and fishing, boating, tent camping, handicap access.

CITY: Freeburg

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

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

Whitey Herzog Field

Citizens Park's 45 acres are home to some of the area's best ball diamonds. Whitey Herzog Field features a lighted baseball complex with batting cages, concessions, and grandstand seating for 300.

CITY: Belleville

Alfred Brown Museum

This museum has a large collection of post cards from the 1904 World's Fair, a drum from the civil war, Native American artifacts, old uniforms, and school artifacts.

CITY: Sparta

Kaskaskia River State Fish and Widlife Area

One of the largest state-owned and managed sites in Illinois, located 35 miles southeast of St. Louis. The land and water area total more than 20,000 acres of river and bottomland. It contains 36 miles of river.

CITY: Baldwin

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

Cholera Cross

The original wooden cross was erected in 1850 by a farmer in thanksgiving for his family being spared during a cholera epidemic. Subsequent owners of the property have repaired and replaced it.

CITY: Breese

Carlyle Dam East Spillway Campground

Swimming, fishing, boating.

CITY: Carlyle

Crooked Creek Winery

Enjoy fine handcrafted Illinois wines served with a personal touch in a relaxing country atmosphere. Experience the outdoor beauty of Southwestern Illinois' rolling farmland or sip wine indoors by a cozy fire.

CITY: Centralia

Civil War Fort

Visit an exact replica of a Civil War Fort complete with a jail, one-room home, livery, and log cabins.

CITY: Germantown

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

Schwartz Farms

You can find berries, apples, peaches, pears and watermelons in season here.

CITY: Centralia

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

Washington County Historical Museum

Built in 1871 as a private residence, this building now holds hundreds of artifacts from the country including a display of period wedding dresses.

CITY: Nashville

Rieso Farm Museum & Antiques

There is a large collection of machinery and primitives dating back to the 1800s.

CITY: New Athens

Tamarack Country Club

This 18-hole golf course was designed by Pete Dye.

CITY: Shiloh

The Orchards

The Orchards offers an 18-hole golf course.

CITY: Belleville

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

Flying M Ranch Golf Course

This public nine-hole, 32 par course also offers a driving range, rental carts and clubs. Miniature golf, camping and fishing are also available for a fee.

CITY: Centralia

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

Mariachi's Mexican Restaurant

Mariachi's offers delicious, authentic Mexican food in a great atmosphere. Mariachi's is family owned and will make you feel like part of the family with their fast and friendly service.

CITY: Belleville

Centralia Carillon

Centralia's resident carilloneur performs on the town's 65-bell carillon, one of the few in the country. The surrounding park also features a museum and tours of the 165-foot-tall tower.

CITY: Centralia

Freedom Farm

40 sites, lake swimming and fishing, tent camping, handicap access.

CITY: Freeburg

Washington County Nature Preserve (Nashville)

Enjoying the out-of-doors is easy with tent and trailer spaces readily accessible. Electricity and disposal are available for trailers. A shower building is also located in the camping area.

CITY: Nashville

Yorktown Golf Course

Designed by golf legends Pete Dye and Bob Goalby, Yorktown offers an 18-hole lit par 3 golf course.

CITY: Belleville

Bretz Wildlife Lodge & Winery

Bretz Wildlife Lodge & Winery offers a relaxing dining atmosphere. They serve lunch and dinner, with breakfast on Sundays. With a twist on the normal steak and eggs, the Lodge serves prime rib or smoked brisket and eggs along with pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and omelet’s. Lunch offerings include salads, smoked sandwiches, hamburgers as well as many appetizers. Dinner includes, but not limited to rib eye steaks, surf-n-turf, succulent pulled pork, seafood, and awesome baby back ribs. The Lodge offers inside and outside dining options. A variety of dinner specials are available throughout the week. A breakfast and brunch buffet is available on Sundays. Each visit to Bretz Wildlife Lodge and Winery is a new experience for you to enjoy.

CITY: Carlyle

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

Spring Valley Golf Club

Spring Valley offers a par 18 golf course.

CITY: Okawville

Old GM&O Depot Roscoe Misselhorn Gallery

Two thousand original drawings, paintings, and woodcuts by Roscoe Misselhorn, the Norman Rockwell of the Midwest, are displayed in the depot. Much of the work is in black and white and depicts historic sites throughout the area.

CITY: Sparta

The Lemming Armada Theatre Co.

Performances throughout the year include music, drama, and comedy.

CITY: Belleville

General Dean Suspension Bridge

Located just outside the city of Carlyle, this historic 130-year-old bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the area. The original bridge served as a crossing over the Kaskaskia River.

CITY: Carlyle

Kaskaskia River Marina/Campground (New Athens)

100 sites available year round, recreation building, cable TV, swimming, fishing, tent camping, handicap access

CITY: New Athens

The Schmidt Art Center and Gallery

Over 350 permanent works, including a beautifully landscaped and sculptured garden, are on display.

CITY: Belleville

Boulder Recreation Area

Swimming and fishing, boating, tent camping

CITY: Carlyle

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

Open House Theater

Shows are performed at the Turkey Hill Grange, Progressive Grange, and The New Athens Senior Center.

CITY: New Athens

17th Street Bar & Grill

17th Street Bar & Grill offers a variety of award-winning barbeque and American favorites.

CITY: O'Fallon

Coal Miners Monument

Joseph Koch, who along with eight other local miners died in a mine explosion in 1947, is depicted here.

CITY: Beckemeyer

Bosshard Monument

The monument is a tribute to Swiss poet Heinrich Bosshard, who wrote Semparcherlied here in the 1850s.

CITY: Highland

O'Fallon Family Sports Park

This world-class facility sits on 200 acres, and features four lighted baseball/softball diamonds, 12 ball diamonds and soccer fields.

CITY: O'Fallon