Rend Lake

It's all about the water at Rend Lake, where you can swim, boat, water ski and fish. Relax at Rend Lake Resort, tee off at the 27-hole Rend Lake Golf Course or do some target practice at the Rend Lake Shooting Complex. Also located at Rend Lake is the Southern Illinois Art & Artisans Center, featuring more than 800 artists.

CITY: Benton

Rend Lake Golf Course

This 27-hole golf course, part of the Rend Lake Recreation Complex, was ranked as one of the best public courses in the Midwest by Golf Digest, which rated it 4-1/2 stars. Chicago architect Lawrence Packard designed the course with some fairways overlooking scenic Rend Lake. The on-site Seasons Lodge and Condominiums offers golf packages that let you stay close to the action.

CITY: Whittington

Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park

3,300-acre peninsula in Rend Lake. Beautiful park offering boating, camping, and picnicking with shelters. Programs include pheasant hunting, field trials, and bass tournaments. Bicycle, horse trails, and stables.

CITY: Whittington

Rend Lake Cabins in the Woods

Two cabins. Located off the southwest side of Rend Lake complete with full kitchen, two bedrooms, satellite TV, washer and dryer, front porch with swing, fire pit, barbecue grill and just 15 minutes off of Interstate 57.

CITY: Benton

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts & Mitchell Museum

Exhibitions, a children's gallery, a permanent collection and special events. Grounds include 85 acres sculpture park, nature trails and bird sanctuary. Hosts annual Cedarhurst Craft Fair.

CITY: Mount Vernon

Genkota Winery

Genkota's award-winning wines and ports feature reds, whites and blushes, from sweet and semi-sweet to dry. A full line of wine-related items and gift baskets are also available.

CITY: Mount Vernon

Southern Illinois Artisans Shop and Visitors Center

More than 25 categories of arts and crafts from fine art to the traditional crafts from more than 900 Illinois artisans. Also, home to the Southern Illinois Art Gallery. Special workshops and events throughout the year.

CITY: Whittington

Rend Lake Resort and Conference Center

Situated on Rend Lake in Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park, this modern resort offers cabins and boat rental suites, courtesy boat docking slips, restaurants and more. Guests can enjoy golfing, hiking, horseback riding, swimming and other water sports.

CITY: Whittington

Ten Mile Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area

5,800 acres vary from flat bottomlands to rolling forestlands. Fields throughout the site provide for 1,000 acres of planted food for wildlife. Game hunting for rabbit, quail and waterfowl is allowed. Fishing is available at 25 strip-pit lakes and ponds.

CITY: McLeansboro

Nu-Bowl Lanes

28-lane bowling facility with snack bar.

CITY: Mount Vernon

Ina Antiques and Collectibles

On the corner of 3rd and Rte. 3 St. Sells pottery, china, quilts, glassware, antiques, old signs, old toys, vintage clothing, old clocks, furniture, gas station memorabilia.

CITY: Ina

Inglenook Farm Bed and Breakfast

A delightful retreat on the outskirts of Mt. Vernon, this historical home has been transformed into a bed and breakfast paradise tucked away from the road on five acres complete with a pond, and old barn, and beautiful gardens.

CITY: Mount Vernon

Pheasant Hollow Winery

Pheasant Hollow Winery is located in a rustic log cabin in the woods near Rend Lake. A large tasting room, huge stone fireplace, and a wraparound deck provide a great place to sample Pheasant Hollow's award-winning wines.

CITY: Whittington

Rend Lake College Market Place

Large golf outlet store plus clothing, brass, crafts and sporting goods store. Formerly Jent factory outlet mall.

CITY: Mount Vernon

Franklin County Jail Museum

This restored 1905 jail museum features displays on General John A. Logan, the Beatles' George Harrison, actor John Malkovich and basketball star Doug Collins.

CITY: Benton

Benton Country Club

This semi-private, nine-hole course features a historic three-story clubhouse, surrounded by Lake Moses. Host of the annual Benton Gold Cup, the course also features a well-stocked pro shop, driving range, rental clubs and carts, and a golf pro on site.

CITY: Benton

Brehm Memorial Library

An extensive collection of genealogical materials offers visitors an opportunity to research local Mt. Vernon history.

CITY: Mount Vernon

Franklin County Garage and Auto Museum

This old 1910 Ford garage has been restored to its original condition and now displays vintage cars, Beatles and Charlie Binger memorabilia, and has a gift shop.

CITY: Benton

AMC Showplace 8

Movie Theatre with 8 theatres featuring special ticket pricing and traditional movie theatre concessions.

CITY: Mount Vernon

McGuire's Orchard

Buy apples, blueberries, blackberries, peaches, plums and nectarines in season.

CITY: Fairfield

Illinois State Museum - Southern Illinois Art Gallery

A museum gallery featuring theme-based exhibitions of works created by past and contemporary Illinois artists and artisans.

CITY: Whittington

Innstead Bed and Breakfast

Early 20th century farm house located within walking distance to historic McCoy Library with one of the oldest genealogy collections in the midwest.

CITY: McLeansboro

Rusty Nail

The Rusty Nail has a large selection of great antiques.

CITY: Salem

Halfway Tavern

In 1779 George Rogers Clark led his army from Kaskaskia through this area to Vincennes, Indiana, where they captured Ft. Sackville from the British. At the time, this building was named for being near the midpoint of the Vincennes-St. Louis Trail.

CITY: Iuka

Steve's Antiques

Steve's has a big selection of antiques and collectibles.

CITY: Salem

Hamilton County State Fish And Wildlife Area

The 1,683-acre site has a 75-acre lake where families can picnic, fish, paddle boat, camp and enjoy the good food at the on-site restaurant.

CITY: McLeansboro

Hawkins-Schwartz Orchards

This orchard features fresh-picked apples, peaches, a pumpkin patch, cider and special events for children during apple season.

CITY: Dix

Seasons Lodge & Condominiums

Provides affordably priced and beautifully furnished accommodations. Optional spa and fireplace suites. Restaurant and golf course on site.

CITY: Whittington

Joyce's Country Quilts

Beautiful hand-stitched quilt,; plus a large supply of quilt and dress fabrics and notions in a quaint country store.

CITY: Dahlgren

Salem Inn

Affordable, clean and comfortable lodging with lounge/bar and restaurant on site. Right off the interstate.

CITY: Salem

Salem Country Club

This 18-hole course has lots of character, and is open to the public from 9am-12pm Monday through Friday. Golf carts are available.

CITY: Salem

Badollet House Bed & Breakfast

National Register historic home featuring period decor with contemporary conveniences. The Badollet House is not only a bed and breakfast, but also caters to small parties, weddings, business meetings and special occassions.

CITY: Salem

Indian Hills Golf Course

This public 18-hole course offers challenges for both beginning and advanced golfers. A lighted driving range allows extended practice hours, and free group golf lessons are available every Saturday.

CITY: Mount Vernon

Best Holiday Trav-L-Park-Benton

A private, family-oriented RV campground with 120 sites from tents to huge recreational vehicles. Peaceful, wooded setting close to all the activities at Rend Lake.

CITY: Whittington

Jefferson County Historical Village

Authentic log structures. Historic memorabilia from the area are carefully preserved and displayed at the village. Open from the first weekend in May through the last weekend in October

CITY: Mount Vernon

Benton KOA Campground

Full-service campground with pool, pavilion, grocery shop, RV supplies and laundry available. Modem hookups. Shopping, golf, Rend Lake water activities (1½ mi.), 20 shaded tent sites.

CITY: Benton

Hampton Inn - Mount Vernon

101 rooms located near I-57. Indoor pool, spa and exercise room. Rooms with whirlpool tubs available.

CITY: Mount Vernon

9th Street Grill

Located in Historic Downtown Mt. Vernon (an Illinois Main Street Community), 9th Street Grill brings cosmopolitan flare and flavor to a hometown atmosphere.

CITY: Mount Vernon

William Jennings Bryan Museum

This 160-year old home has three rooms of original furniture, pictures and personal items once owned by politician William Jennings Bryan.

CITY: Salem

Okla-Tex Nick's Bar-B-Q

Located in Benton's Days Inn, this popular restaurant is open daily serving breakfast, lunch & dinner. The specialty is the BBQ, chicken, beef or pork. Lunch & Dinner specials, kids 10 & under free on Sunday, delivery, catering & carryouts. Bar with two pool tables. Karaoke Wed. and Sun.

CITY: Benton

Times Square Mall

Shopping mall with Sears, JC Penney, Peebles, and a variety of specialty shops.

CITY: Mount Vernon

South Marcum Campground

Campground open April 1st through October 31st. Activities begin in May and run through September. 147 sites with electricity and 14 tent sites. Close to Rend Lake and Visitors Center.

CITY: Benton

Green Hills Golf Club

This 18-hole, semi-private country club features lush Bermuda fairways and bent grass greens with four sets of tees (the longest over 6,500 yards). Green Hills also offers a large driving range, plus practice and chipping greens, a pro shop, lounge and restaurant.

CITY: Mount Vernon

McLeansboro Golf Club

This nine-hole, semi-private club offers a pro shop.

CITY: McLeansboro

Badollet House Bed & Breakfast

This 4 room bed and breakfast is located in downtown Salem just minutes from the Mariona County Fairgrounds.

CITY: Salem

Comfort Suites - Mt. Vernon

Conveniently located near I-64/I-57 Interchange with 24-hour indoor pool, fitness center, free hot breakfast, and business center

CITY: Mount Vernon

Gray Plaza Motel Benton

Modern motel off I-57 featuring free Continental Breakfast, restaurants next door, cabel TV, free HBO & ESPN, golf, hunting and fishing nearby, close to Rend Lake.

CITY: Benton

Gibby's on the Green

Located on the Rend Lake Golf Course, Gibby's restaurant opens 30 minutes before the first tee time every day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served. Sandwiches, steaks and seafood are on the menu.

CITY: Whittington

McCoy House Memorial Library

This majestic four-story Victorian home, built in 1884 by banker A.G. Cloud, sits next to the old bank of similar architectural style. The house is now a memorial library and museum decorated with beautiful furnishings and paintings.

CITY: McLeansboro

Agave

Great Mexican restaurant with authentic Mexican food and a great atmosphere.

CITY: Mount Vernon

Sharon's Cafe

Family atmosphere with home cooked meals. Full menu. Two banquet rooms.

CITY: Salem

Continental Motel

25 rooms, pets allowed

CITY: Salem

Enchanted Crest Bed and Breakfast

Bed and breakfast located in Belle Rive, IL.

CITY: Belle Rive

Days Inn - Benton

Quality rooms with competitive prices located off I-57. Close to all the activities at rend lake with restaurant and lounge on premises.

CITY: Benton

Glass Door Inn

A newly constructed bed & breakfast nestled in a serene rural setting. Private bath, outdoor spa, and porches. Fishing in samll lake and outdoor enjoyment.

CITY: Fairfield

Mt. Vernon Veterans Park

86 acres of shaded playgrounds, tennis courts, swimming pool, in-line skating area and walking path around the lake. Fishing is allowed with proper license.

CITY: Mount Vernon

Continental Motel

Spacious, quiet, clean and affordable lodging, with free in-room coffee, free continental breakfast. Enjoy 25" remote color tv-hbo and cable. Just minutes from I-57.

CITY: Salem

Restwell Motel

Low daily, weekly rates, located near fast food, stores, and laundry mat.

CITY: Salem

Comfort Inn & Suites

Conveniently located off Interstate 57 on U.S. Route 50 the hotel is less than 3 miles from Bryan Memorial Park. Carlyle Lake and Forbes Lake are minutes away and offer swimming, hiking, boating, hunting and fishing. Stephen A. Forbes State Park is about 20 minutes from the hotel. The birthplace of Miracle Whip and the GI Bill of Rights, Salem is also the birthplace of William Jennings Bryan, one of the greatest politicians in United States history. This hotel offers many amenities including free breakfast, wifi, 24hour coffee & juice and free local calls. Enjoy the relaxing in the indoor heated pool. Travelers appreciate conveniences like computer hook-ups and copy/fax services. All guest rooms have coffee makers, hair dryers, irons, ironing boards & cable tv. For families, the hotel has special family rooms with three queen beds and separate rooms with a television for mom and dad. Smoking and non-smoking rooms are also offered.

CITY: Salem

Marion County Fairgrounds

20 sites, big rigs welcome.

CITY: Salem

GuestHouse Inn

A Comfortable and Affordable Lodging Experience The Guesthouse Inn & Suites Salem IL hotel offers the convenience of a Denny's Restaurant and Cocktail lounge on site. Our Salem Hotel offers a 24 hour front desk service, free local calls, parking, USA Today Newspaper, coffee, hot chocolate, tea, and complimentary popcorn. We are a pet friendly Salem Inn, pet fee apply.

CITY: Salem

Season's at Rend Lake

At Season's enjoy either casual or semi-formal dining at its best. Full service bar, seasonal favorites and specials with a beautiful view of Rend Lake golf course. Meeting and banquet rooms for up to 250.

CITY: Whittington

Windows Restaurant

Located at the Rend Lake Resort, this friendly restaurant offers fine regional cuisine with a waterfront view. Try the Sunday afternoon all-you-can-eat fried chicken buffet.

CITY: Whittington

Burton's Cafe

This little roadside restaurant is known for its country home cooking and sinful white pie, heaped with whipped cream and pecans. Family-owned business for 59 years. Famous for white and about 10 flavors of homemade pie daily. Plate lunches, ham & beans. Friday and Saturday catfish dinners. Call ahead for groups. Seating for 86.

CITY: Whittington

Super 8 Motel - Benton

Located just off I-57 at Benton Exit, this modern motel extends the traveler 48 clean rooms, free morning coffee and convenient restaurant and lounge on premises. Special packages for hunters and fishermen.

CITY: Benton

Martin's Restaurant & Catering

Family atmosphere. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Daily specials. Everything's homemade. Large variety of sandwiches available. Call ahead for group, seating for 65.

CITY: Benton

Memories Antiques-Collectibles

We have a very large selection of fine glassware, vintage and antique furniture, and the latest in collectibles.

CITY: Benton

Jack Russell Fish Company

Fish with an "old Tavern recipe". Upscale decor with mid scale prices. Tropical theme with crawdads once a month & other fish dinners plus chicken and pork.

CITY: Benton

Fairfield Country Club

At this 18-hole, semi-private golf club Wednesday and Friday afternoons are open to the public. The club features a fully stocked pro shop, plus electric golf carts and clubs for rent.

CITY: Fairfield

Fairfield Uptown Motel

Large clean rooms with color cable television, free local calls and low room rates.

CITY: Fairfield

Silver Streak Inn

Bar & grill.

CITY: Mount Vernon

Fairfield Inn & Suites

Close to Interstate 57/64

CITY: Mount Vernon

America's Best Value Inn

Conveniently and centrally located the Americas Best Value Inn proves to be a great starting point for those visiting historic Mt. Vernon. Our property is a four story, exterior corridor facility with spacious guestrooms.

CITY: Mount Vernon

Comfort Inn - Salem

Newest motel with friendly, clean, and quiet lodging.Good service plus a good nights sleep.

CITY: Salem

China Pagoda

Chinese Buffet 7 days a week, featuring the best Hunan, Szechwan & Mandarin Cuisine in the area. we also offer carry out, buffet to go, lunch specials, and a seafood buffet on Friday & Saturday. Located on the beautiful Benton Square.

CITY: Benton

Briarwood Inn of Fairfield

Clean, reasonable rates, restaurant nearby, fitness center nearby. Close to town activities.

CITY: Fairfield

Taylor's Mini Mall - Book Daddy

Amazing collection of over 40,000 books, old and new. Historical, western, romantic novels, children's, and local lore. Also, CDs, music, some antiques, Nascar collection, and more.

CITY: Fairfield

Cozy Inn

78 rooms located near I-57 on frontage road. Free coffee in the morning. Special parking lot for trucks.

CITY: Mount Vernon

America's Best Inn

America's Best Inn is a part of a national chain specializing in easy, comfortable and affordable hotels. This hotel is conveniently located just off I-57/64 and includes free breakfast. Pets ok.

CITY: Mount Vernon

Super 8 Motel - Salem

Clean, neat, quiet and close to I-57 with complimentary continental breakfast in the morning.

CITY: Salem

Rend Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

Anglers looking for crappie, catfish and bass drop their lines at this area, located on the 18,900-acre Rend Lake. A comprehensive management program provides habitat for a variety of wildlife, including great blue herons and many species of shorebirds.

CITY: Bonnie

El Rancherito - Mount Vernon

Mexican Restaurant. See other locations.

CITY: Mount Vernon

Chili's Grill & Bar - Mt. Vernon

Mexican food.

CITY: Mount Vernon

Quality Times R.V. Park

Shady drive-thru spaces for RVs, with water, sewer, electric hookups, tent sites, picnic tables. Close to the visitors complex.

CITY: Mount Vernon

Bob Evans - Mt. Vernon

Country cooking.

CITY: Mount Vernon

Sidwell Friends Bed and Breakfast

This B&B is housed in a classic 1920s Colonial decorated with antiques and fine art. Sidwell Friends is located just blocks from Cedarhurst Center for the Arts, which features the Mitchell Museum and an impressive sculpture park.

CITY: Mount Vernon

Wilkey's Cafe

Buffet style restaurant inside Mt. Vernon Airport

CITY: Mount Vernon

Bugsy's Chicago Dog

Bugsy's is Mt. Vernon's only authentic Chicago-style food! Menu includes real Chicago-style dogs, as well as a Greek menu, and much much more!

CITY: Mount Vernon