365 Things To in SW Illinois 
Southwestern Illinois..
We all know most of Southwestern Illinois is part of Greater St. Louis' Metropolitan area, so we never run out of cool things to do in Saint Louis. And I love Saint Louis...
But, what about our side of the Great Mississippi? 365 Things to do in Southwestern Illinois is dedicated to documenting and celebrating all the wonderful things we can do right here in Southwestern Illinois... our side of the Great Mississippi...
We look forward to your thoughts and comments as we take a stroll through the neighborhoods of our lovely home.
There are currently 10 blog entries related to this category.
10) Visit the Confluence Tower – Hartford, IL
Tuesday, December 28th, 2010 at 1:01pm. 644 Views, 0 Comments.
See the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, where legendary explorers Lewis and Clark began their westward voyage. Tour guided and award winning attraction, three observation decks are at 50, 100, and 150 feet to provide a stunning view. The tower is also a great place to launch your exploration of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway along the Great River Road, Illinois River, National Road, and Route 66. Located near Alton and Edwardsville, just off of I-270 and Route 3.
Wednesday - Saturday:
9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Sunday:
12 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tours Wednesday through Saturday
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and
Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Last tour is at 4 p.m.
All guests of the Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower must be…
Visit a Christmas Light Display in December
Tuesday, December 7th, 2010 at 12:02pm. 268 Views, 0 Comments.
Christmas Wonderland - Rock Spring Park (Alton, IL)
Rock Spring Park in Alton features more than two million lights featuring cascading waterfalls, lighted trees, and dozens of displays. Kids can visit Santa and see live animals in the Enchanted Forest. The display is available to drive through or take a carriage ride.
- Open now until December 26
- Monday through Friday, 6:00-9:00pm; Saturday and Sunday, 5:00-9:00pm
- $7 per car, advanced reservations are required for carriage rides
Way of Lights - Our Lady of the Snows (Belleville, IL)
Religious themed light display at the Our Lady of the Snows Shrine in Belleville. You can drive through the display or take a carriage. There's also a laser show, camel rides,…
Annual Chili Cook-Off ~ Belleville, IL
Sunday, September 12th, 2010 at 8:25am. 309 Views, 0 Comments.
This years Chili Cook Off features:
- The best Chili in SW Illinois
- JR Idol Competition
- Smash Band
- Johnny Rock-ITT and the Double Wide Symphony
- A Childrens Area sponsored by Belleville YMCA
- The best Chili in SW Illinois
Walk around and check out all 65 booths or bring a lawn chair and enjoy the music. This is one event we enjoy every year.
Visit www.bellevillechili.com to learn more.
Picture compliments of www.bellevillechili.com
7.) Pere Marquette State Park - Grafton
Saturday, July 10th, 2010 at 11:16pm. 161 Views, 0 Comments.
Expansive 8000 acres, scenic views, year-round activities, this is a park that will draw you back for return visits. There’s plenty activities to do throughout the year – picnicking, camping, fishing, hiking, boating, hunting, and interpretive tours. Enjoy the fall colors, bald eagle watching in the winter, and summer camping.
For those who prefer indoor accommodations, Pere Marquette Lodge and Conference Center offers first class lodging with spacious guest rooms, indoor swimming, excellent dining, and tennis court. The lodge is worth a visit just to see the massive stone fireplace in the lobby.
Located north of Alton on Hwy 100 (The Great River Road), you’ll also find scenic drives, stops, and shops while you explore…
6.) Cahokia Mounds Historic Site
Saturday, July 10th, 2010 at 11:04pm. 131 Views, 0 Comments.
Visit the great civilization of the Mississippian people. In Collinsville off of I255/70/55, this historic site is the home of an advanced civilization that was larger than London in 1250 AD. The Mississippian people assembled the largest civilization north of Mexico.
Monk’s Mound, a ceremonial pyramid of earth, is the largest man made feature at the site and is one of the only two-tiered mounds in North America. The base is roughly the same size as the Great Pyramid in Giza but since it’s made of earth, not stone, it rises just over 100 ft high.
Archeologists have been studying the 2200 acre since 1864 and continually find new information and new questions about the life of the Mississippian people and the great civilization…
5.) Eckert's Farm
Saturday, July 10th, 2010 at 10:57pm. 114 Views, 0 Comments.
Located in Belleville, Milstadt, and Grafton; Eckert’s Farm is a year-round attraction. You and your family can harvest all the favorite crops that the seasons produce.
Fruit harvesting starts in spring with the freshest strawberries – all the way through Fall with pumpkins (harvest schedule is online).
Great amenities, restaurant and facilities, Eckert’s has events throughout the year. Learn about cooking, wine, fruit tree orchards, flowers, and just about everything your grandma told you, but forgot. Seasonal appropriate, you’ll also find classes about canning, preserving, Thanksgiving dishes, and more throughout the year. The ‘Mommy-and-Me’ sessions are a great time to learn and share with your children…
4.) World's largest Catsup Bottle
Saturday, July 10th, 2010 at 10:24pm. 237 Views, 0 Comments.
This is a drive by photo opportunity. 
View the world’s largest catsup bottle, (al-la water tower) in Collinsville, take I-64 to Rte 159 North just minutes from Fairview Heights and Saint Clair Square.
Built in 1949 for the GS Suppiger bottling plant, this is really a novel attraction the youngsters will love. Tell them that’s where all the catsup in the world comes from and you’ll see the imagination kick in. Or you can tell them it’s just a water tower. But even us grown-ups like the idea of a 170 foot tower full of catsup.
Named in 2002 to National Historic Register of Historic Place, it is worth a quick visit. Why not, you’re going to the Drive-in Theater (number 3) and have time to spare, right? See…
July 4th Celebrations & Fireworks 2010
Thursday, July 1st, 2010 at 12:01pm. 135 Views, 0 Comments.
Wednesday, 6/30 - Sunday, 7/4
Granite City, Wednesday, 6/30 - Sunday, 7/4, Wilson Park ~ carnival rides, concerts, carriage rides, food and entertainment, Fireworks at dusk Sunday at Coolidge Middle School grounds, 3231 Nameoki Road. 877-3059.
Friday 7/2- Sunday 7/4
Alton, Mississippi River Fireworks Festival on Friday, July 2. Starts at 5 p.m., Alton riverfront. Food, beer tent, entertainment, fireworks 9 p.m. 465-6676.
Steeleville, Celebration. Fireworks start 10pm 7/5, 618-965-3134
Saturday, 7/3 - Sunday 7/4
East St. Louis, Independence Day Celebration, 4:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park,Features face painting, magic shows and more.</p>
Saturday, 7/3
Carlyle Lake, Carlyle.…
1 ) Raging Rivers ~ Grafton, Illinois
Wednesday, June 30th, 2010 at 3:50pm. 433 Views, 0 Comments.
On hot humid days here in SW Illinois, jumping into a cool pool, lake or even running through the backyard sprinkler is just enough to make it a perfect day and floating down a lazy river with the kids or shooting through a never ending water slide is just plain old fun.
*Picture compliments of RagingRivers.com
Located in Grafton, IL on the Great River Road. Not only do they offer
a perfect view of the Mighty Mississippi, Raging Rivers offers a giant
wave pool, body flumes, Endless River, Tree House Harbor, and a family
interactive play area.
*Picture compliments of RagingRivers.com
Contact Raging Rivers for more information, directions and hours. You can find them at 100
Palisades Parkway,…
2) Carlyle Lake ~ Carlyle, Illinois
Wednesday, June 30th, 2010 at 3:45pm. 143 Views, 0 Comments.
Carlyle Lake offers four beaches for swimming, many many camping spots,
great hiking, boating, fishing and hunting. Go for a day or spend a
few... there is definitely something for everyone at Carlyle.
Our families favorite place to camp and swim at Carlyle Lake is McNair
Campground which offers just 33 campsites and a cozy beach area. The
kids also enjoy fishing for fun along the tailwaters, crossing the
General Dean Suspension Bridge and hiking along the river towards the
Spillway.
Other Carlyle Lake Facts:
~ The largest man-made lake in Illinois
~ Plenty of boat docks and marina's
~ Houseboats, pontoon boats, and sailboats can be rented at the marinas
~ Great fishing, hunting, camping areas, and many…