Attractions in Alton and Godfrey, Illinois including West Alton, Missouri

Alton is the largest town in the Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway area and is rich in history. Although no Civil War troops clashed in this area, battles of a different nature occurred here with the Lovejoy Monument and Lincoln Douglas Square serving as monuments to the conflict. The Alton Museum of History and Art and the Koenig House are examples of the historic architecture that can be found throughout Alton and the surrounding area. Nature lovers can find refuge at the Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area or at Gordon Moore Park. There are plenty of opportunities for cyclists including the Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail, the West Alton Bike Trail, and the Confluence Bikeway. And of course there is the Piasa Bird, the adopted symbol of the region.

443 E. Broadway Alton, IL 618-465-9392		Warm weather brings the beautiful byways of Southern Illinois to life with thousands of motorcycles and scooters. Want to join in the fun but lack your own two-wheeled passport? Let Ciao Bella Scooters provide the answer with a rental of either a 50cc scooter or a 250cc automatic motorcycle.


Alton Museum of History and Art 2809 College Avenue Alton, IL 618-462-2763		Explore Alton's past! Exhibits include Robert Wadlow (the world's tallest man), the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Black Pioneers, the Underground Railroad, the Piasa Bird, the Civil War and Riverboats.

Armed Forces Museum #2 Cut Street Alton, IL 618-462-5237		The Armed Forces Museum - Alton Depot is dedicated to the preservation of military history from all services for all eras and nations. The Museum has an extensive collection of historic military vehicles, aircraft, and memorabilia.

The Beall Mansion 407 E. 12th Street Alton, IL 618-474-9100		Designed by world renowned architect, Lucas Pfeiffenberger, and completed in 1903 -today this three story, 9,100 square foot mansion serves a dual role - both as a working museum of the life of the rich and powerful of the turn of the 20th century and as the area’s premiere luxury B&B.


The Clark Bridge Connects Illinois & Missouri via Highway 367/67		Called the "Super Bridge", this new cable-stayed bridge has 2 wide bike lanes.


Confederate Memorials & Prison Site Alton, IL		There are several memorials to Confederate prisoners of war located in Alton as well as the remnants of the prison in which they were housed.


Elijah P. Lovejoy Monument Alton Cemetery at Monument Avenue Alton, IL		Dedicated in 1897, this 110 foot high monument is Illinois' largest commemorating the life of this leading abolitionist and proponent of the freedoms of speech and the press.

Benjamin Godfrey Memorial Chapel 5800 Godfrey Street Godfrey, IL 618-468-3270		Built in 1854, the chapel is an authentic copy of typical New England church architecture and is on the National Registry of Historical Places.

Gordon Moore Park Route 140 (College Avenue) Alton, IL		This 702 acre park located on the east side of Alton is the home of the Spencer T. Olin Golf Course, a native prairie grass area, a rose garden among other things.

Haskell Playhouse 1211 Henry Street Alton, IL		Unique miniature Queen Anne style playhouse. Historical marker on the site.


Jacoby Arts Center 627 E. Broadway Alton, IL 618-462-5222		This new facility in downtown Alton is located in the renovated 1899 Jacoby furniture store. The Jacoby Arts Center features an art gallery on the first floor with rotating exhibits by local artists and offers classes for adults and children.

Koenig House 829 E. 4th Street Alton, IL 618-463-1795		Victorian restored home, 1890's parlor, 1910's sitting room, 1930's kitchen. Tours by appointment.


Lincoln Douglas Square Broadway & Market Alton, IL		Site commemorates the 7th congressional debate of 1858 between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas.

McPike Mansion 20th & Alby Street Alton, IL 618-462-3348		19th century mansion under restoration. Tour of the grounds available by appointment.


Melvin Price Locks & Dam 2751 Berns Highway East Alton, IL 877-462-6979		Visitors can watch river craft use the locks and the area is a favorite site for bald eagles in the winter. Free tours are available daily.

Nan Elliott Memorial Rose Garden South Side Rt. 140 at Gordon Moore Park Alton, IL 618-463-3580		This stunning 1 acre rose garden, a doctor's memorial to his wife, contains more than 1,800 rose bushes and is an All-America Rose Selections accredited garden. For more on Gordon Moore Park.


National Great Rivers Museum Hwy 143 at Locks & Dam Way East Alton, IL 877-462-6979		This museum, located at the Melvin Price Locks and Dam, covers a variety of aspects concerning the Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois rivers.

The Heartland Prairie North Side Rt. 140 at Gordon Moore Park Alton, IL 618-467-2254		27 acres of tall-grass prairie located in Gordon Moore Park. Visitors can find prairie wildflowers blooming from late March through early October. For more on Gordon Moore Park


Olin Nature Preserve S. Levis Lane Godfrey, IL 618-467-2254		Nearly 300 acres of Illinois of woodlands and hill prairies along the Mississippi River bluffs.


Piasa Bird 1 mile north of the Alton Visitors Center on the Great River Road		This 48-by-22 foot replica of a Native American petroglyph is situated on a 100-by-75 section of the Mississippi bluffs.

Piasa Creek Access Area 6 1/2 miles north of the Alton Visitors Center on the Great River Road		Piasa Island Wildlife Management Area consists of two islands, Piasa and Eagles Nest, and includes the Piasa Creek Boat Access Area. This access area was completely refurbished in 1992 and offers the only free public boat access between Alton and Grafton.


Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area 301 Riverlands Way West Alton, MO 636-899-2600 or 1-888-899-2602		1200 acres of wetland area managed by the Corps of Engineers across the Clark Bridge from downtown Alton. The Riverlands Environmental Demonstration is noted for bald eagles in the winter and migratory birds such as the American Pelican.


Robert P. Wadlow World's Tallest Man Memorial Statue Across from Loomis Hall 2809 College Avenue Alton, IL		Life sized statue of the 7' 10'' Alton native who is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the World's Tallest Man.

Robert P. Wadlow World's Tallest Man Gravesite Upper Alton Cemetery 1205 E. 5th Street Alton, IL

		The Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail The Vadalabene Trail is approximately 20 miles of level paved trail that parallels the Great River Road and the center portion of the Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway. The trail is named after Sam M. Vadalabene, an Illinois State Senator and proponent of the trail and begins in Alton, travels through the river towns of Elsah and Grafton, and ends at Pere Marquette State Park. Riders, walkers, and joggers will see prairie wildflowers along the trail as well as flowering trees during the spring. Brilliant reds, yellows and oranges compliment the scenery in the fall. For those willing to brave the elements in the winter months should be able to see Bald Eagles soaring over the river and bluffs, or floating down the river on chunks of ice.

West Alton Bike Trail West Alton, MO		Two mile long paved trail links Missouri's KATY trail with Illinois biking routes.

Argosy Casino Alton, IL		#1 Front Street 1-800-711--4263

Alton Marina Alton, IL		1 Henry Street 618-462-9860

Antoinette's Haunted History Tours Alton, IL		PO Box 10 618-462-4009

Bluff City Tours Alton, IL		3002 Godfrey Road 618-466-8693

Great Rivers Tour Boat Co. Godfrey, IL		Piasa Harbor Marina, Route 100 618-466-1855

Greenery Garden Flowers, Trees and Shrubs Godfrey, IL		1021 W. Delmar Avenue 618-466-8475

Morgenroth's Nursery Godfrey, IL		7511 Godfrey Road 618-466-1840

J.E. Robinson Tours Alton, IL		618-462-5590

Summerfield Farms Godfrey, IL		1704 W. Delmar Avenue 618-466-1840

Nearby Attractions

Wood River Area		Southeast of Alton, along the Great River Road, is Lewis & Clark country. These great explorers made camp in the Wood River/Hartford area in the winter of 1803-1804. There are numerous projects scheduled for completion before the expedition's Bicentennial. Before you get to Wood River and Hartford is the town of East Alton, home of the Melvin Price Locks and Dam and the National Great Rivers Museum. Visitors will also find several local history museums telling the tales of their communities.

Elsah and Grafton		Northwest of Alton, the Scenic Byway travels to the river towns of Elsah and Grafton. The entire town of Elsah has been designated a historic district and is home to a number of Bed and Breakfasts. Grafton is situated at the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers and is known as "The Winter Home of The Bald Eagle" due to the number of good eagle watching sites in its proximity. Just west of Grafton is Pere Marquette State Park.

For Travelers Heading Across The River

		Meeting the Missouri The two longest rivers of the United States, the Missouri and the Mississippi, meet at St. Charles County, Missouri. The Historic St. Charles downtown area offers visitors a variety of attractions including the Lewis and Clark Boat House and Nature Center, The Foundry Art Centre, and Missouri’s First State Capitol. Nearby is Confluence State Park and the Daniel Boone Home.

		St. Louis Area To the east of the Southern Madison County area lies metropolitan St. Louis. Easily accessible by 1-70, I-44, I-64, and I-55 the region offers an abundance of activities that cover the interests of almost any visitor.