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Bellefontaine
House
709 S. Church Street
Waterloo, IL
618-939-5300 |
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The Bellefontaine House was built in the 1870’s
around the spring that gives the house its name. The restored home
now houses the Monroe County Historical Society. Visiting hours by
appointment. |
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Belleville
Labor
& Industry Museum
123 N. Church Street
Belleville, IL
618-222-9430 |
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Devoted to the history of the labor and industry
of Belleville and southwestern Illinois, the Museum chronicles the
region’s contribution in the late 19th century. Located in the
Conrad Bornman House on historic Church Street, the building,
which has undergone an extensive renovation, houses permanent and
special exhibition galleries, as well as an educational center and
archives. For more information visit the Belleville
Labor & Industry Museum website. |
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Broadway
Center of Arts
124-126-128 E. Main
Belleville, IL
618-233-0431 |
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The Broadway Center of Arts is a center for
performing and visual arts offering classes, gallery space, and a
performance stage. In the gallery new exhibits open the first
Friday of each month and on stage, a wide variety of performances
are presented throughout the year. |
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Cahokia
Courthouse
107 Elm Street
Cahokia, IL
618-332-1782 |
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Originally built about 1740 as a private residence, the
Cahokia Courthouse is an excellent example of early French log
construction known as poteaux-sur-solle, (post-on-sill
foundation.) In 1790 the building became the
administrative and judicial center for St. Clair County. During
the winter of 1803-04 Lewis and Clark used the courthouse as a
meeting place and post office. The courthouse was reconstructed in
1940 and now serves as a museum illustrating French Colonial life
and the Lewis and Clark era. |
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Gateway
International Raceway
700 Raceway Blvd.
Madison, IL
618-482-2400 |
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More than 140,000 international fans pack the
stands at the Gateway International Raceway in Madison to watch
the world's leading racecar drivers compete in the NASCAR Busch
and Craftsman Truck Series, as well as the NHRA Sears Craftsman
Nationals. The Gateway complex includes a lighted, 1.25-mile oval
and a championship drag racing facility. For more information visit the Gateway
International Raceway website. |
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Frank
Holten
State Park
4500 Pocket Road
East St. Louis, IL
618-874-7920 |
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This 1,080-acre state park is almost entirely
surrounded by the city of East St. Louis and is located within
sight of the Gateway Arch. The park features an 18-hole golf
course and facilities for fishing, picnicking, and other outdoor
recreational activities. For more information visit the park's
website provided by the Illinois Department of Natural
Resources. |
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Holy
Family Parish
Log Church
116 Church Street
Cahokia, IL
618-337-4548 |
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This
functioning Catholic Church is the second church to occupy the site
since 1699. The present
building was completed in 1799 and is an example of the dominant
French colonial post-on-sill vertical timber style of
construction. Given the importance of the church to the community
it is probable that Lewis and Clark visited, worshipped, or
attended community gatherings at this church during their stay in
the area in the winter of 1803-04. |
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Illinois
Caverns
State Natural Area
G Road
Monroe County, IL
618-458-6699 |
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Illinois Caverns is a 120-acre preserve in
southwest Monroe County that contains woodlands, prairie, and a
wild cave. An application permit and proper equipment are required
to explore the wild cave. The above ground facilities include
picnic areas and a half-mile prairie trail. |
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Jarrot
Mansion
124 E. First Street
Cahokia, IL
618-332-1782 |
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This
two-story brick house built by entrepreneur Nicholas Jarrot in
1810 is considered to be the oldest brick building in Illinois.
The interior of the mansion is well preserved to the early 19th
century period and is being continually being refurbished and
maintained by the Cahokia Historical Commission. |
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Emma
Kunz House
602 Fulton Street
Belleville, IL
618-234-0600 |
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The
Emma Kunz House, built in 1830, is the oldest Greek Revival brick
home in Illinois. This classic example of an ethnic German
"Street House" is now a museum and is completely
furnished to illustrate the hardships of early settlers. |
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Martin-Boismenue
House
2110 E. First Street
East Carondelet, IL
618-332-1782 |
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Built in the late 18th century the Martin-Boismenue
House, this French colonial style home has two large rooms on the
first floor, a basement cooking area, an attic, and two broad open
porches on the front and back, known as galleries. The building
and period furnishings provide a glimpse into the lifestyle of
local villagers at the time of Lewis and Clark. |
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National
Shrine of
Our Lady of the Snows
442 S. DeMazenod Drive
IL Rt. 15 at IL Rt. 157
Belleville, IL
618-397-6700 |
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Located on over 200 acres of rolling hillsides
and valleys the grounds feature unique architecture, imaginative
landscaping, and devotional areas. The Main Shrine features a
2,400-seat amphitheater with grassy slopes. Other features include
The Way of The Cross, Resurrection Garden, The Lourdes Grotto
replica, and Annunciation Garden. Each year at Christmas, the
Shrine features The Way of Lights, with thousands of decorative
light sculptures, decorations, and other special Holiday
attractions. |
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Peterstown House
275 N. Main Street
Waterloo, IL
618-939-4222 |
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This restored 1830s building began as a general
store, tavern, and inn for stagecoach travelers on the Kaskaskia
Trail. The Peterstown Heritage Society rescued the building from
demolition and it is now a museum furnished with antique furniture
of the mid-1880s. A pioneer log cabin was relocated to the
property in 1975. |
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Rex's
Museum
8219 Gall Road
Waterloo, IL
618-939-7810 |
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This museum features toy trains, windup toys, toy
soldiers, antiques and collectibles, clothing, and glassware. |
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The
Rock Mill
Mill Road
Maeystown, IL
618-458-6464 |
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The Maeystown Preservation Society operates this
museum on 19th century immigrant life and the history of Maeystown
in this old flourmill. |
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Saint Peter's
Cathedral
200 W. Harrison Street
Belleville, IL
618-234-1166 |
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Completed in 1866, St. Peter’s Cathedral is the
largest cathedral in the state of Illinois and is modeled after
the Cathedral of Exeter, England and its English Gothic style of
architecture, which utilizes high, pointed arches aiming towards
heaven. Prominent features of the Cathedral include sculpture and
stained glass, the north nave and baptistery, the Marian Shrine,
the south nave, and the sanctuary area. No visit to the Cathedral
would be complete without viewing and possibly hearing the
magnificent organ, which contains 49 ranks of pipes. |
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William & Florence
Schmidt Art Center
2500 Carlyle Avenue
Southwestern Illinois College
Belleville, IL
618-222-5278 |
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This new 6,800 sq. ft. privately funded art
gallery was opened in 2002 consists of a permanent and teaching
art collection more than 400 pieces. Sculptures, paintings,
photographs, lithographs and monographs from renowned artists such
as Claus Moor, Salvador Dali, Ansel Adams, Rembrandt Van Rijn, and
Robert Motherwell are included in the collection which also
features a beautifully landscaped sculpture garden and walkway.
The Schmidt Art Center and Gallery regularly features special
exhibitions and is open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays. |
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Stone
Bridges Tour
Monroe County, IL |
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The landscape of Monroe County is dotted with a
number of European-style stone arch bridges. greatriverroad.com has put
together an easy driving tour to see five of these structures. The
scenery along this route winds its way through scenic farmlands,
colorful forests, through the historic town of Maeystown, and beneath
the bluffs along the American Bottom lowlands. This stone bridge
route is especially nice during autumn. |
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Victorian Home
Museum
701 E. Washington Street
Belleville, IL
618-234-0600 |
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Built
in 1866 by a successful German immigrant, the St. Clair County
Historical Society has furnished this Victorian Greek Revival
house in the manner of a typical upper class Victorian family. On
display are 19th century furnishings by local craftsmen, changing
displays of vintage clothing, quilts, and other artifacts from St.
Clair County. |
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Skyview Drive-in
5700 North Belt West
Belleville, IL
618-233-4400 |
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Belleville is lucky to have one of the few drive-ins left in the
country. The drive-in offers multiple new releases on its two
screens so pack your coolers and snacks and head off early to
insure a great spot! The Skyview also features a concession
stand and a kids’ playground. For more information visit the
Skyview Drive-in website. |
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Eckert's
Country
Store and Farms
Belleville, IL |
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Route
15 & S. Green Mount Road
618-233-0513 |
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Eckert's
Fun Farm
Millstadt, IL |
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2719
Eckert Orchard Lane
618-233-0513 |
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The
EDGE!
Belleville, IL |
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701 S.
Belt W
618-236-2102 |
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Family
Sportsplex
Belleville, IL |
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2346
Mascoutah Avenue
618-277-7111 |
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GCS
Ballpark
Cahokia, IL |
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1403
Nickel Avenue
618-337-3000 |
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| Nearby
Attractions |
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Ste.
Genevieve County, Missouri
Ste. Genevieve has the largest concentration of French Colonial
architecture in North America and includes the Bolduc House, the
Amoreaux House, and the Maison Guibourd- Vallé. The influence of
the American expansion into the area in the 19th century can be
seen at the Felix Vallé State Historic Site. Nearby Hawn State Park and Pickle Springs
Natural area offer nature lovers unique hiking opportunities. |
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Randolph
County, Illinois
Located across the Mississippi River from Ste. Genevieve, Randolph
County is where Illinois began. Attractions include Fort de
Chartres, the Pierre Menard Home and the Fort Kaskaskia State
Historic site. |
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Jefferson
County, Missouri
Visitors to Jefferson County
can explore the prehistoric lifestyles
of Native Americans at Mastodon State Historic Site and Washington
State Park. Other attractions include one of the last remaining
covered bridges in Missouri at Sandy Creek Bridge State Historical
Site and the Anheuser Estate in Kimmswick. |
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For Travelers Heading Up River |
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St. Louis Area
Metropolitan St. Louis has a lot to offer its visitors. The
area's most prominent attraction is the Gateway Arch, which is
part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial complex that
also includes the Museum of Westward Expansion. St. Louis has a
number of outstanding public institutions that are free to visit
including the Zoo, Art Museum, History Museum, and the Science
Center. The St. Louis region has a number of green spaces for
nature and outdoor enthusiasts. Forest Park is one of the
largest urban parks in the United States. Faust County Park, in
St. Louis County, is home to many historical and cultural
attractions including the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, a
historical village, and the St. Louis Carousel. The county is
also home to Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park, Columbia
Bottom Conservation Area, the Powder Valley Conservation Area. |
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Meeting
of the Great Rivers
Scenic Byway
The Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway area is one of
America’s newer scenic byways. With over 20,000 acres of forest
and wetlands at the heart of the Mississippi Flyway, it is a
nature lovers paradise. Visitors will find spectacular colors in
the fall and bald eagles in the winter. History abounds in the
region ranging from the prehistoric Cahokia Mounds to sites on the
National Register of Historic Places. |
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