GARDEN OF THE GODS/SHAWNEE NATIONAL FOREST

Step back 200 million years, hiking scenic bluffs and challenging trails through the sprawling Shawnee National Forest, which spans over270,000 acers and stretches between the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Explore the forest on horseback or grab a backpack and hike the 160-mile River to River trail. Rock climbing and rapelling are permitted in several designated areas.

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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 or tee off at the 27-hole Rend Lake Golf Course. Also located at Rend Lake is the Southern Illinois Art & Artisans Center, featuring more than 800 artists.

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CAVE-IN-ROCK STATE PARK & LODGE

Sitting high atop bluffs overlooking the scenic Ohio River, the heavily wooded Cave-in-Rock State Park is named for its 55-foot-wide limestone cave that once harbored river pirates. Stay in one of the duplex cabins at the park and soak up the river view.

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SHAWNEE HILLS WINE TRAIL/SOUTHERN ILLINOIS WINE TRAIL

The Southern tip of Illinois is one of the most established wine making regions in the Midwest. Connecting nine award-winning wineries along a 25-mile trail through the beautiful Shawnee National Forest, the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail attracts more than 100,000 visitors each year. For an extended getaway in the heart of Illinois Wine Country, many of the wineries offer cozy bed and breakfasts and suites.

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WABASH VALLEY WINE TRAIL

The Wabash Valley Wine Trail joins five wineries in the southeastern part of the state. Visitors to this area can enjoy the scenic Wabash River valley with its historical sites such as the Lincoln and George Rogers Clark Memorials. Historic towns in the area have a rich collection of local art as well as antique shops. There are some quaint bed and breakfasts in the area.

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FORT MASSAC STATE PARK

The kids can play soldier in a replica wood fort that recalls the days of the French and Indian War at this state park perched on the Ohio River. Experience nineteenth-century life at Fort Massac with period re-enactors during regularly scheduled Living History Programs.

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HARRAH’S CASINO

Harrah’s offers 1,172 classic and new slots, along with 27 table games that include a poker room. Harrah’s Riverfront Event Center presents live shows, including professional boxing matches. A 252-room hotel is located adjacent to the casino.

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TUNNEL HILL STATE TRAIL

Hop on your bike and hit this paved trail that runs along a converted railroad bed, offering riders 45 miles of spectacular scenery as they traverse the Shawnee National Forest. A highlight of the trail is a ride through a dark 540-foot-long train tunnel.

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GIANT CITY STATE PARK & LODGE

Strap on a pair of hiking shoes and trek through Giant City State Park, named for its sheer sandstone walls that create the feel of soaring city streets fit for a giant. The rustic Giant City Lodge welcomes overnight guests, and is famous for its fried chicken dinners.

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SOUTHERN ILLINOIS GOLF TRAIL

Consisting of five different acclaimed courses, with the bonus of the Shawnee National Forest as a stunning backdrop, the Southern Illinois Golf Trail begins in Marion and winds all the way down to rural Vienna.

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BALD KNOB CROSS

Built in Alto Pass in the 1960s with donations from around the world, this 111-foot-tall symbol of peace stands atop Bald Knob Mountain in the Shawnee National Forest. It’s an especially breathtaking sight when illuminated at night.

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