Local Attractions
Elsah and Grafton
Jersey County, Illinois

Grafton and Elsah are real river towns tracing their roots to the 19th century. Grafton, once a town relying on boat construction, has remade itself into a tourist destination with its many amenities and local attractions. In 1973 the entire town of Elsah was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Both towns, lying in the center of the Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway area, are the sites of the area's two great seasonal attractions - Fall Colors from late September to the end of October, and Bald Eagles from late December to early March. Just west of Grafton is Pere Marquette State Park, the largest state park in Illinois.

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.
		River Ferries The advent of railroads and bridges put most ferries out of business along the Mississippi River, but the Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway area has one of the highest concentration of riverboat ferries in the country. The five ferries that cross the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers into Calhoun and Jersey Counties in Illinois and St. Charles County, Missouri can save time as well as providing scenic river views. The two ferries that cross the Illinois River are free of charge.
		Elsah Historic District Set in a valley along the Mississippi River between Alton and Grafton, Elsah is often called the "town that time forgot" and in 1973 the entire town was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Although Elsah has been described as the "New England of the Midwest," the village is not a New England prototype derived from 18th century colonial styles. Rather the architecture found in Elsah demonstrates a number of different 19th century styles. The town has put together a virtual tour that provides visitors with a unique look into Elsah’s past, with its narrow streets, limestone and brick houses, and beautiful gardens.
Pere Marquette State Park 5 miles west of Grafton on Route 100 618-786-3323		Pere Marquette is Illinois' largest state park and is famous for the beauty of its fall colors and as a home for bald eagles in the winter. The park offers its visitors diverse recreational and educational opportunities that encompass the past, present and future. The new Visitors Center provides displays that cover the region’s history and the types of environments the visitor can encounter as well as housing informative interpretative programs. The park has 10 hiking trails that traverse a variety of terrains and horseback riding is offered during the warmer months. The park has year round electric and basic campgrounds. The Lodge consists of both new facilities as well as those constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps. All this and more makes Pere Marquette State Park a great place to explore!
		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.
Village of Elsah Museum 26 La Salle Street PO Box 117 618-374-1059		Located in the Elsah Village Hall, which was erected in 1887, and operated by the Village of Elsah and the Historic Elsah Foundation, the Village of Elsah Museum covers the history of the town from its founding by James Semple in 1853. Visitors will find exhibits covering the varied architectural styles found throughout the town, Principia College, nearby New Piasa Chautauqua, and tools and other implements used by past residents. Special exhibits are held periodically. Open April through October Fridays- Sundays 1 pm - 4 pm
Principia School of Nations Museum Elsah, IL		Maybeck Place 618-374-5236
Eckert Farms Grafton, IL		Otterville Road 618-786-3445
Grafton Harbor Grafton, IL		215 W. Water Street 618-786-7678
Hurst's 3rd Generation Family Fun Park Grafton, IL		1434 W. Main Street 618-786-4653
Lazy River Trading Company Grafton, IL		1451 Water Street 618-786-2484
Mid Rivers Parasail Grafton, IL		400 Front Street 800-567-8359
Mississippi Expedition & Safaris Grafton, IL		PO Box 159 618-786-2499
R Pizza Farm Dow, IL		25873 State Highway Route 3 618-466-5950
Raging Rivers Water Park Grafton, IL		100 Palisades Parkway 618-786-2345
Ruebel Adventure Tours Grafton, IL		618-786-2315
Nearby Attractions
Alton Area		Southwest of the Grafton/Elsah area is the city of Alton, the largest city in the Scenic Byway area. Alton is the home of several Civil War related sites, as well as the Alton Museum of History and Art, Robert Wadlow (the world's tallest man,) and several historic districts. In Godfrey, visitors can find 300 acres of tall-grass prairie and woodlands at the Olin Nature Preserve. Crossing the Mississippi via the Clark Bridge leads to the Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area.
Calhoun County		West of Grafton lies Calhoun County which is almost completely surrounded by water. The 4 ferries connecting Calhoun County with the rest of the region provide an interesting mode of transportation. Sites in the area include the Brussels Historic District, the Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge, and the Center for American Archeology in Kampsville.
Jerseyville Area		Northeast of Grafton lies the towns of Jerseyville and Otterville. Visit the Historic Courthouse Square, the Fulkerson Mansion, and the Cheney House in Jerseyville. The Hamilton Primary School, the first integrated school in the country, is in Otterville.
For Travelers Heading Across The River
		Meeting the Missouri River 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.

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