Pomona and Alto Pass are home to famous views and memorable wines.
It's the kind of place where you can taste blueberry wine in a farmhouse tasting room, watch hawks circle over sandstone ridges, and hear Swedish spoken in a converted peach barn. There aren't many other places that can claim that.
These Shawnee Hills towns run to an orchard time rhythm, dictated by the ripening of fruit, the changing of seasons, and vintners pouring tastes of last year's harvest. A short forest walk will bring you to a sight that will drive Instagram envy. A drive up the ridge will put half of Southern Illinois within your gaze. Fireflies blinking in summer valleys, apple harvests in fall, wine glasses catching the last light of the afternoon, hills rolling on forever. It's not really about what's here: it's about how you'll feel when you arrive.
Activities in Pomona and Alto Pass
Sandstone and sweeping views
Scrolling social media, chances are you'll have seen a photo of someone striding across a natural sandstone bridge amid woodland surroundings. Now you know where and what it is: the Pomona Natural Bridge.
Once you get your perfect picture there's plenty more to explore. Cliff View Park offers just what the name suggests: sweeping views of Mississippi bluffland. The Bald Knob Cross sits at 1,000 feet with more amazing views. Little Grand Canyon offers up some adventure with its rocky trails. And of course, there's wine: lots of wine.
Where to Eat and Drink in Pomona and Alto Pass
Wine is the priority
Wine is the true star of the show in these parts, but you've still got a couple of outstanding food options. There's a daily lunch menu at Von Jakob's, plus dinner on the weekends, and pizza and sandwiches at Blue Sky. You might find yourself some treats among the winery shops, too. For cocktails, Havisham has your back.
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Von Jakob Vineyard & Brewery
A variety of award winning Illinois wines, craft beer and delicious hard apple cider. Read more about Von Jakob Vineyard & Brewery -
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Havisham House Bourbon Bar
Bourbon bar in Alto Pass, IL. Charm, history, bourbon, wine, beer, cocktails & mocktails with soft Nola jazz. Read more about Havisham House Bourbon Bar -
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Pomona Winery
Specializing in wines made from locally grown fruits other than grapes, we offer seven table wines and two fortified dessert wines, each of which has received… Read more about Pomona Winery