Tales of Discovery - Southwest

The many trails of Southwest Illinois lead to unexpected, exciting discoveries, including the mysterious mounds of a vanished Native American city, the biggest state park in Illinois and hundreds of bald eagles who cozy up and nest here for the winter.

FUN THINGS TO DO

Pere Marquette State Park
Covering 8,000 acres, the largest state park in Illinois offers hiking, biking and bald eagle watching.

Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
Learn about the brave explorers who set out from Illinois on their history-making voyage, see a full-scale model of the keelboat they sailed in, and tour Camp River Dubois, a replica of the fort where the men prepared for their journey.

National Great Rivers Museum
Learn about life on the Mighty Mississippi at the National Great Rivers Museum, where fun, interactive exhibits include a virtual barge that you can steer and a look at the wildlife in and around the river.

Melvin Price Locks & Dam
The best place to watch Mississippi River boat traffic and high-flying eagles (in the winter) is from eight stories up atop the Melvin Price Locks & Dam, located next to the National Great Rivers Museum.

Eckert’s Country Store & Farms
Chop down your very own Christmas tree at this family-run farm and celebrate the holidays at the Belleville location with gingerbread house workshops, breakfast with Santa and holiday story times, Dec. 13-14 and 20-21.

Cahokia Mounds
Discover the mystical remains of an ancient Native American city at Cahokia Mounds where you can play with hands-on exhibits at the Interpretive Center. Then, head outdoors and climb 100 feet to the top of Monks Mound, one of the 68 original earthen mounds that still exist.

GOOD EATS

Pere Marquette Lodge
Share the family-style fried chicken or catfish dinner, and then play on the life-size chessboard in the giant Great Room.

Mississippi Half Step
Stop by on Sunday mornings during the winter months for the special winter bald eagle breakfast, featuring dishes that include the Pig Pen Sandwich and The Monster.

Fin Inn
Snack on seafood selections that include catfish fritters as you watch Mississippi River fish and turtles swim by in tableside aquariums - try and spot the turtle who is almost 100 years old and weighs over 100 pounds!

Tony’s Restaurant
Pick your favorite pasta or try the famous - and delicious - pepperloin steak at this downtown Alton restaurant.

Ravanelli’s Restaurant
Twirl some spaghetti or chow down on the fried chicken at this family-friendly spot.

AWESOME EVENTS

Way of Lights
Now through Jan. 4, be dazzled by this annual holiday event featuring 200 acres of outdoor light sculptures, a cool laser show, trolley rides, decorated trees, choirs, a puppet show, petting zoo and more.

Rock Spring Park Christmas Wonderland Holiday Light Display
Take a moonlit drive through Rock Spring Park, through Dec. 28, and view more than two million twinkling lights strung through the trees. Plus, see Santa Claus in the Enchanted Forest and meet new animal friends in the petting zoo.

Arrival at Camp River Dubois
From Dec. 13-14 celebrate the arrival of explorers Lewis and Clark to Camp River Dubois, where you’ll experience military camp life in early frontier Illinois and watch demonstrations of period crafts and skills.

Bald Eagle Days
Up in the sky – It’s an eagle! Take an eagle-watching expedition with Pere Marquette State Park eagle expert Scott Isringhausen, Dec. 22-24; Jan. 20-21, 24-28 and 31; Feb. 1-4, 21-23, 25 and 28; and March 4 and 8.

Eagle Meet & Greet
Get up close and personal with a live eagle at the Alton Visitors Center Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, plus pick up the All Around Alton Eagle Watcher’s Guide and head out to the Great River Road to see the wintering bald eagles in their natural habitat. Sunday Eagle Meet & Greets are held at the National Great Rivers Museum, Jan. 18 and 25, and Feb. 1 and 8.

Masters of the Sky
Learn all about eagles, falcons, owls and other birds of prey during this cool demonstration presented by the World Bird Sanctuary at the National Great Rivers Museum, Feb. 14-16.