Mermet Springs

Scuba dive at this unique spring-fed stone quarry and marvel at underwater treasures such as a submerged airplane (actually used in the movie U.S. Marshals) and a cement petting zoo. Mermet Springs offers on-site instruction and equipment rental.

CITY: Belknap

Cache River State Natural Area

Nationally renowned for its ancient cypress-tupelo swamp, this natural area contains 100 threatened or endangered plant and animal species, and 11 state champion trees. Visitors enjoy birding, hunting, wildlife watching, and hiking. Bikers can access the Cache River via the Tunnel Hill State Trail.

CITY: Belknap

Rustic Hideaway Cabins

Private log cabins in a wooded setting. Hot tub on covered back deck. Full kitchen including dishes. TV/VCR. Linens and paper products supplied. Fireplace. Loft.

CITY: Jonesboro

Big Creek Cabins

Big Creek Cabins is the perfect place for a romantic weekend or quick getaway from the busy rush of daily life. The moment you check-in to our fully furnished luxury log cabin, you can’t help but to slow down and relax. Unwind and get chin deep in the hot tub on the large cover decks overlooking a private pond all situated on 20 very secluded acres. Perhaps enjoy a game a pool on the executive pool table by the fireplace with family or good friends. There are many reasons why Big Creek Cabins is quickly becoming the most popular cabin retreat in Southern Illinois, but we want to personally invite you to a place where memories are made and experience them first hand.

CITY: Dongola

Cache River Wetlands Center

The Wetlands Center provides a one-stop shop for information about the Cache River Wetlands and its recreational and educational opportunities. The center has an extensive natural and cultural history exhibit, wildlife viewing, trails and a video.

CITY: Cypress

Lincoln-Douglas Statues

Located at Lincoln Memorial Park, visitors can "Walk Where Lincoln Walked" by following the presidents footsteps from Jonesboro Square to the park.

CITY: Jonesboro

Doc's Lakeside Cabin

If you’re looking to get away from it all, you’ve come to the right place. At Doc's Lakeside Cabin we’ll give you the most spectacular view in Southern Illinois. Doc's Lakeside Cabin was built in 2012 and is located in beautiful Southern Illinois. Accommodations include: 2 bedrooms with queen size bed in each room, 1 Full Bath with Shower, Fully furnished kitchen, Living/Great Room, Spacious Hot Tub, ?and, Screened Balcony. Guest are welcome to enjoy a leisure time of fishing in our lake.

CITY: Jonesboro

Lofty Acres Bed & Breakfast

Master bedroom/bath on main floor, queen bed, whirlpool tub. 2 rooms/baths upstairs. Fireplace.

CITY: Dongola

Campground Cumberland Church

Presbyterian church in continuous operation since 1850 and the site of a winter encampment during the Trail of Tears. Only site certified by state of Illinois and Cherokee Nation.

CITY: Anna

Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge

Visit Illinois’ bayou. Yes, the bayou in Illinois. Cypress Creek Wildlife Refuge is home to incredible cypress-filled swamps and wetlands and is unlike anything you expect to find in the Midwest. The refuge protects 15,000 acres of lush wetlands and some of the oldest living trees east of the Mississippi River.

CITY: Ullin

Fort Defiance Park

Fort Defiance, known as Camp Defiance during the American Civil War, is a former military fortification, located at the awesome confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. The site offers visitors the chance to view the confluence from the old observation tower.

CITY: Cairo

Custom House Museum

This renovated 1872 Romanesque-style structure houses historical artifacts from the surrounding area.

CITY: Cairo

Hidden Lake Bed and Breakfast

Nestled amongst 12 acres of woods, gardens and water, finely appointed guest rooms and suites welcome you to first class treatment and quiet country elegance. Fireplaces, jacuzzis, private balconies and private baths are just a few of the amenities.

CITY: Jonesboro

Fragrant Fields

This 20-year-old herb and perennial plant nursery offers more than 200 varieties of common and uncommon plants. Sip a glass of lemonade as you view the gardens, feed the catfish in the pond and shop for garden items.

CITY: Dongola

Cairo Public Library

Museum quality working library of Queen Anne, Architecture on two floors built in 1884.

CITY: Cairo

Melton's Fish Camp Cabins

Fishing cabins on Horseshoe Lake. Daily and weekly rates, kids stay free and pets welcome. Boat & motor rental. Bait, tackel, hunting & fishing license available.

CITY: Olive Branch

Guest House Getaways

Two House rentals, one in the Village, and on on the farm. Fully furnished, peace & quiet, wildlife in the yard and small town life.

CITY: Dongola

Horseshoe Lake Hiking/Biking Trail

A 5.5 mile trail that takes in the beauty of Horseshoe Lake. Bike rental is available at Melton's on East Side Dr. 618-776-5504. Horseshoe Lake is just east of IL Rt 3 in Alexander Co, 7 miles north of Cairo.

CITY: Olive Branch

Super 8 Motel - Anna

Opened in 2001. Includes 43 rooms, indoor pool, fitness center and a complimentary breakfast.

CITY: Anna

Davie School Inn

This 1910 schoolhouse features spacious suites with nine-foot-tall windows overlooking Anna Park. Each guest room contains an original chalkboard and bookcase from the old school days. Located near Carbondale, the Davie School Inn makes a great base for exploring the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail and Giant City State Park.

CITY: Anna

Eagle Watching - Union County Refuge

The Union County Refuge in Union offers a popular spot for bald eagle watching. Visitors can view bald eagles and take wildlife photography off the main road, which runs down the middle of the wildlife refuge. Park rangers will be available weekdays to answer questions about the eagles and other wildlife spotted in the refuge. Admission is free. For more information on eagle watching, contact the Union County Refuge (618-833-5175).

CITY: Jonesboro

Timber Ridge Inn

A rustic retreat featuring 3 bedrooms (sleeps 6), 2 bathrooms, a kitchen with microwave and refrigerator, and a fireplace, on 80 wooded acres.

CITY: Jonesboro

Cedar Ridge Whitetails, LLC

Trophy whitetail hunts in scenic Southernmost IL. Hunts are offered September 15th through December. The farm consists of mature timber, pine and cedar thickets, thick draws and open area food plots. All hunts are with an experienced guide.

CITY: Karnak

Cache River Basin Vineyard and Winery

The winery is known for its white wine made from grapes grown in Southern Illinois. The winery and vineyard are located in a scenic setting just south of the Heron Pond turn-off.

CITY: Belknap

Dixie BBQ

Small family business specializing in real pit BBQ for dine in or carry out.

CITY: Jonesboro

Wineaux's Restaurant

Located at Cache River Basin Vineyard and Winery, Wineaux's offers American cuisine, including certified Angus Beef steaks and burgers, ribs and seafood. Specializing in food cooked with wine!

CITY: Belknap

Goddard Place

A log cabin with hot tub and gas log fireplace. Enjoy adelicious breakfast in a quiet country setting. You have to see it to believe it!

CITY: Anna

Lincoln Motel - Jonesboro

20-room roadside motel.

CITY: Jonesboro

Country Cupboard

Popular with locals and travelers alike, the Country Cupboard specializes in home-cooking, with homemade soups and pies everyday. Located in the Potato Barn Building. Local crafts and gift items. Open for lunch Monday through Saturday and dinner on Friday from 4 to 8pm.

CITY: Anna

Grand Chain Lodge & Campground

The lodge offers four spacious suites, each furnished with two queen-sized beds, a Jacuzzi bath tub, and access to the Observation Deck with a spectacular view of the Ohio River. If you want even more privacy or have a larger group. you can stay in one of our two fully equipped cabins that also offer Jacuzzi tubs, private decks overlooking the river as well as full kitchens and a loft bedroom. Each cabin sleeps six and offers not only a beautiful panorama of the Ohio but close up observation of an area teaming with wildlife.

CITY: Grand Chain

Jim and Dots Shoe Store

Sells shoes and Western clothing.

CITY: Anna

Toll House Transportation and Civil War Museum

The Confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers at Cairo has seen its share of American history travel past its banks. Now visitors can stop at that famous intersection and take time to learn about that history in the new Toll House Transportation and Civil War Museum. It's at the southernmost point of Cairo at Fort Defiance Park, where US 51 and US 60 split across the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.

CITY: Cairo

Sassafras Hill

Farmhouse rental ideal for sportsman. 3 double beds and 3 single beds, 2 baths and full kitchen, with washer & dryer.

CITY: Dongola

Anna Plaza Motel

16-room motel, restaurants within walking distance. Credit cards accepted. Pets allowed. Free local calls. Cable TV with remotes.

CITY: Anna

Ohio River Recreational Area

RV campground with bathhouse, boat ramp and country store. Restaurant and lodge also on site.

CITY: Grand Chain

Doctorman's Cache Core Hunting Preserve

Upland game bird hunting from Oct. 1 - April. Dogs & guide service available. Located 3 miles west of Jct. Hwy. 37 & Hwy. 169, or, 4 miles east of I-57 just off Shawnee College Road.

CITY: Ullin

Stinson Memorial Library

The library was named for Civil War veteran Robert B. Stinson, who left his estate for the establishment of a library. The building was the work of Walter B. Griffin, who designed it in a Frank Lloyd Wright style.

CITY: Anna

America's Best Value Inn - Cheekwood Inn

Located at exit #18 off I-57, offering 40 modern rooms with inside corridors and an indoor swimming pool.

CITY: Ullin

Olmsted Lock and Dam

View the last and largest locks and dam that was constructed on the Ohio River.

CITY: Olmsted

Horseshoe Lake Conservation Area (Alexander County)

This area is known for its large stands of tupelo, swamp cottonwood and cypress trees. Also known for its Canadian goose and bald eagle observation vantage point during the fall and winter.

CITY: Miller City

Belvedere Motel

Daily or weekly rates, kids stay free, cable TV, free local calls.

CITY: Cairo

Garden Inn Motel

Daily or weekly rates, kids stay free, cable TV, small pets welcome with deposit.

CITY: Cairo

Riverlore Mansion

This beautiful, historic 1865 mansion was once owned by the Halliday Family, and is now owned by the City of Cairo and open for tours.

CITY: Cairo

St. John's Lutheran Church

Built in 1855, this is Illinois' oldest active Lutheran church.

CITY: Dongola

Weaver's Country Market

Country market, with a specialty in handmade wooden lawn furniture.

CITY: Dongola

Days Inn - Cairo

Daily or weekly rates. Kids under 14 free. Continental breakfast. Pets welcome.

CITY: Cairo

Kornthal Church

The present church is the original structure, built in 1860. Dedicated in 1861 as Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul's Church, it features a 50-ft.-tall steeple, pews made of native yellow poplar, and balconies that span the full length of the building on both sides of the stairway.

CITY: Jonesboro

Worthington Courts

Located on beautiful Horseshoe Lake. Fishing, and goose and duck hunting available.

CITY: Olive Branch