Fort de Chartres State Historic Site

This former French military stronghold has been partially rebuilt and turned into a museum. Regular living history events shed light on colonial life in Illinois, and include 18th-century crafts, food, music, hundreds of historically dressed participants, flintlock rifle and musket contests, cannon and mortar competitions, traders and much more. There are also guided tours of the 1800 Creole House, which was designed in the French-American Transitional Architecture style.

CITY: Prairie du Rocher

Laser Force Lazer Tag Zone

A 5,000 sq. ft. laser tag arena and a 2,500 sq. ft. game arcade is conveniently located by hotels and restaurants off I-64.

CITY: Caseyville

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

Illinois Caverns

There are formations of stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, and more. An underground stream flows through the cave bed, and the temperature is a relatively constant 58 degrees.

CITY: Waterloo

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

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

Casino Queen

The bright lights of Vegas have nothing on the Casino Queen, home of the loosest slots! The Queen has had the loosest slots in the entire country for six years running, plus the hottest table games in town. Hungry? The Queen has you covered from fine dining to casual. The best view in town is from the Casino Queen Hotel.

CITY: East St. Louis

Pleasant Ridge Park

Tucked back away from the street, a relaxing place to get away from it all is Pleasant Ridge Park. The centerpiece is the Kensella Log Home.

CITY: Fairview Heights

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

Prairie State Games

This multi-sport, Olympic-style festival showcases the finest amateur athletic talent in Illinois each year on the last weekend in June.

CITY: Fairview Heights

Fults Hill Prairie State Nature Preserve

The preserve consists of nearly 1,000 acres of both upland prairie and lowland wetland marshes. A variety of plants and animals can be found in the preserve, some common, and some cannot be found anywhere else in the state.

CITY: Prairie du Rocher

Main Street Jazz & Blues

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

CITY: Belleville

Ratz Memorial Park and Lincoln Park

Located in Red Bud, these parks feature picnic shelters, and plenty of playground equipment. Both are great places to take the kids.

CITY: Red Bud

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

Thomas Kinkade Gallery

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

CITY: Belleville

Broadway Center of Arts

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

CITY: Belleville

Arts & More Gallery

Arts & More Gallery offers custom framing, in-home consultations, art classes, hundreds of mats and frames, and thousands of prints. Also, original art by local, national, and international artists.

CITY: Red Bud

Rex's Museum

A Lionel train set shares space with a Li'l Abner Dogpatch Band windup toy and British toy soldiers. Antique collectibles, clothing, glassware, a mule deer antler chandelier, and many more unusual items fill the 2,000 sq. ft. "extra room" added onto the house.

CITY: Waterloo

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

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

Braeutigam's Orchards

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

CITY: Belleville

Indian Mound Golf Course

Indian Mound offers an 18-hole golf course.

CITY: Fairmont City

Marketplace Shopping Center

Marketplace Shopping Center is K-Mart, Bed, Bath, & Beyond, Borders Books & Music, Men's Warehouse, FedEx, Kinko's, and Bombay Company.

CITY: Fairview Heights

The Creole House

The house, built in 1800, is an example of French and American architecture.

CITY: Prairie du Rocher

Green Mount Crossing

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

CITY: Shiloh

Fults Hill Prairie/Kidd Lake Marsh State Natural Area

This natural area comprimises 532 acres of forest, prairie and flowering trees, with a trail and pond.

CITY: East St. Louis

Fairview Heights Plaza

Fairview Heights Plaza is Circuit City, Sports Authority, Gordman's, and a number of other shops.

CITY: Fairview Heights

Lincoln Place

Lincoln Place is Kohl's, Lowe's, Old Navy, Ultimate Electronics, Office Depot, St. Louis Bread Company, Linens & Things, Pier One, Marshall's and more.

CITY: Fairview Heights

Belle Clair Speedway

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

CITY: Belleville

Safari RV Park

Open year round with 33 camp sites

CITY: Fairmont City

Creole House

This Lower Mississippi-style house was built in the early 1800s, and has been completely restored to reflect life during this period.

CITY: Prairie du Rocher

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

Crossroads Center

Crossroads Center is T.J. Maxx, Hobby Lobby, Deals, and several specialty shops.

CITY: Fairview Heights

American Legion Post 58 Freedom Farm

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

CITY: Freeburg

Kaskaskia River Marina/Campground (New Athens)

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

CITY: New Athens

Winchester Plaza

Winchester Plaza is specialty shops and local restaurants like Laredo's Mexican Restaurant and Bandana's Barbeque.

CITY: Fairview Heights

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

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

St. Clair Antique Mall

200 dealers, 17,000 square feet all on one level.

CITY: Fairview Heights

Corner George Inn

The Corner George Inn is a landmark in the 150-year-old Maeystown German settlement, which is listed on the National Historic Register of Historic Places. Also visit the town's 1867 church, one-lane stone arched bridge, general store, sweet shoppe, museum and visitor's center.

CITY: Maeystown

Ben's Antique Mall

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

CITY: Belleville

Emma Kunz House

Visitors are invited to walk through this home, considered to be the oldest Greek Revival-style home in Illinois.

CITY: Belleville

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

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

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

Schorr Lake Vineyards

This secluded winery focuses on environmentally-friendly wine making methods. Relax on the deck overlooking the vineyards and enjoy these estate-grown and produced table and fruit wines.

CITY: Waterloo

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

Bellefontaine House

Meriwether Lewis is reported to have stayed here. It is home to some of the earliest settlers in Illinois (1782) and was named by the French for a spring located on the beautiful site.

CITY: Waterloo

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

Rock Mill and Museum

The entire village of Maeystown is on the historic register with much of the history preserved in the museum.

CITY: Maeystown

The History Museum of Monroe County

Anchored by items gifted by Col. Edd & Violet Kueker, this collection represents the settlement of the West, numerous U.S. wars and early transportation. There is even a display of items from the Stone Age retrieved during a local archaeological dig. Changing displays and Special Exhibits from the Museum collection and "on loan" items provide awesome journeys through the pages of history.

CITY: Waterloo

Safari RV Park

33 sites, recreation building, handicap access.

CITY: Fairmont City

Rieso Farm Museum & Antiques

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

CITY: New Athens

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

Tamarack Country Club

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

CITY: Shiloh

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

Stonewolf Golf Course

The 18-hole, par 72 Stonewolf is one of only four Jack Nicklaus Signature courses in Illinois and Missouri.

CITY: Fairview Heights

Acorns Golf Links

Acorns Golf Links is located in Waterloo, Illinois featuring 6,701 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72 . The course rating is 72.3 and it has a slope rating of 125. You will not find subdivision golf at Acorns; just nature, beautiful scenery, challenging design, and you. Making Acorns the premier public course to test your game, have fun with good friends, or to get away from your daily hussle and bussle. Acorns features zoysia fairways, five tee boxes; matching every level of golf and large bent grass greens. Designed by William Ebeler, the Acorns golf course opened in 1997.

CITY: Waterloo

The Orchards

The Orchards offers an 18-hole golf course.

CITY: Belleville

Yorktown Golf Course

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

CITY: Belleville

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

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

Annbriar Golf Course

Ranked seventh-best golf course in the state of Illinois, Annbriar is an 18-hole, par 72 course. Photo Credit-Annibriar-Golf-Course

CITY: Waterloo

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

Freedom Farm

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

CITY: Freeburg

Grand Marais Golf Course

Grand Marais includes an on-site restaurant and pro shop.

CITY: Centreville

Moody Park (formerly Longacre Park)

Lighted tennis courts, playground, sand volleyball courts, baseball, softball, and soccer fields. a 1.5 mi walking/running path, concession stands, picnic pavilions, a large lake. The Midwest Salute to the Arts is held every year here in August.

CITY: Fairview Heights

St. Genevieve Modoc Ferry

Ride the ferry across the Mighty Mississippi the next time you visit historic St. Genevieve and Randolph County. The ferry travels between St. Genevieve, Missouri and Modoc Illinois, and holds approximately nine vehicles.

CITY: Modoc

Capitol Theater

The Monroe Actors Stage Company (MASC) offers plays from September through June.

CITY: Waterloo

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

Open House Theater

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

CITY: New Athens

Peterstown House

Built in 1830, this is the only stagecoach stop still intact along the 60-mile Kaskaskia-Cahokia trail.

CITY: Waterloo

The Schmidt Art Center and Gallery

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

CITY: Belleville

GCS Ballpark

GCS Ballpark is home to the Gateway Grizzlies, a professional baseball team in the Frontier League. This 6,000-seat venue plays host to nearly 50 home dates from late May through early September.

CITY: Sauget

Lincoln Theatre

The historic theatre features first-run movies, organ concerts, puppet shows, and other special events. Tours are available by appointment.

CITY: Belleville

The Lemming Armada Theatre Co.

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

CITY: Belleville

The Happy Cow

The Happy Cow offers homestyle cooking in a cozy, homelike atmosphere, and served with a smile from their friendly staff.

CITY: Caseyville

Frank Holten State Park

A great place to spot water birds, fish, boat, or play a round of golf. The park covers 1,125 acres, including two lakes and a wetlands area.

CITY: East St. Louis

Everett Moody Park at Longacre

This park is a ball player's dream with two lighted diamonds, including one with grandstand seating and a concessions stand. In the late 1990s this park hosted the Pan-American Games Junior Baseball Tournaments.

CITY: Fairview Heights

Maeystown

The entire 150-year-old German settlement is on the National Historic Register. Restoration includes a church from 1867, a one-lane stone arched bridge, Corner George Inn, general store, sweet shops, museum, and a visitor's center.

CITY: Maeystown

Antique House Restaurant

Antique House offers delicious cuisine and drinks at a great price.

CITY: Belleville

Kaskaskia River Marina

The marina on the Kaskaskia River is the site of drag boat races in September. Next to the marina, enjoy batting cages, ball fields, and roller hockey in the park.

CITY: New Athens

Kaskaskia River Marina Campground

100 sites, recreation building, cable TV, swimming, fishing, tent camping, handicap access.

CITY: New Athens

Grizzlies Baseball Academy

The Grizzlies Baseball Academy is located at the U.S. Cellular Kid's Zone at GCS Ballpark, and features a three-cage setup for hitting and pitching instruction. On site is the Pro-Batter PX2 Professional Baseball System, a top-notch pitching machine.

CITY: Sauget

King's Point Sports Club

This sports club offers resistance training, aerobics classes, cycling, tennis courts and aquatics.

CITY: Belleville

U.S. Ice Arena

This ice arena features two NHL rinks, a snack bar, pro shop and meeting rooms.

CITY: Fairview Heights

Three Springs Park

Three Springs Park is a multi-purpose facility with a lighted softball and baseball field that can be converted in to smaller fields for a total of six. Also at the park are tennis courts, soccer fields, basketball courts, and volleyball courts. a half-mile walking trail and playground equipment round out the amenities.

CITY: Shiloh

Hy-Ho Cafe

Hy-Ho offers great food, affordable prices, and excellent service in a cozy atmosphere.

CITY: Belleville

U.S. Ice Sports Complex L.C.

An ice arena offering hockey leagues open skate and entertainment for all ages. The facility offers two rinks, a game room and concession area.

CITY: Fairview Heights

American Legion Post 58 Freedom Farm

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

CITY: Freeburg

Clinton Hill Golf Club

Boasting some of the largest greens in the Midwest, the 18-hole Clinton Hill has matured into one of the finest public golf courses around, with a great blend of par 3s, 4s and 5s.

CITY: Swansea

Krause Elk Farm

Tour this farm where the elk roam on 55 acres of the 600-acre spread.

CITY: Evansville