Visitors Guide to Attractions
Grafton and Elsah
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.
Brussels Free Ferry
Jersey and Calhoun Counties, Illinois
Located about 1 mile west of Grafton and 4 miles east of Pere Marquette State Park, this ferry crosses the Illinois River linking Route 100 to Calhoun County and the village of Brussels. The ferries help keep the river free of ice during the winter and the action of their propellers stun fish and help bring them to the surface. These fish become easy prey for Bald Eagles making the Brussels Free Ferry Area one of the prime bald eagle watching spots in the region.
Elsah Historic District
Elsah, Illinois
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.
Grafton Ferry
Grafton, Illinois
Located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, Grafton has been the quintessential river town since its founding in 1832. The Grafton Ferry is seasonal and is located on the Illinois side at the foot of Illinois Route 3. On the Missouri side, it terminates just off of Grafton Ferry Road alongside the St. Charles County Airport.
Pere Marquette State Park
Grafton, Illinois
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 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 Mississippi River Fish and Wildlife Area
Jersey and Calhoun Counties, Illinois
The Mississippi River Fish and Wildlife Area is comprised of 24,386 acres and includes 15 wildlife management areas and 11 public access areas scattered along 75 miles along the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. Of this total, 16,875 acres are actively managed for wetland habitat enhancement and public recreation by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
TreeHouse Wildlife Center
Dow, Illinois
The TreeHouse Wildlife Center sits on approximately eight beautiful acres near the rural town of Dow. It's become an ideal environment for injured or orphaned animals that need time to recuperate. The property features large outdoor cages for raptors such as eagles, hawks, and owls and mammals like coyotes, indoor havens for permanents residents, and a pond for waterfowl. The Center is open daily to visitors and also offers outreach programs and groups tours.
Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail
Madison and Jersey Counties, Illinois
The Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail is approximately 20 miles of level paved trail that parallels the Great River and 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, brilliant foliage in the fall, and Bald Eagles soaring over the river and bluffs, or floating down the river on chunks of ice in the winter.
Village of Elsah Museum
Elsah, Illinois
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.
Eckert's Country Store & Farms
Looking for a quiet getaway in a rural setting? Come to Eckert’s where the air is fresh, and the crops are ready for picking. Our peaceful farmland sits on scenic Mississippi River bluffs. The Field Access Pass is one of the best outdoor entertainment deals around, where kids and adults can make lasting.
Grafton Harbor
Grafton, Illinois
Whether traveling by land or water Grafton Harbor five anchor marina boasts on being “The Harbor of Hospitality.” Grafton Harbor invites you to experience marina life at its finest. Grafton Harbor invites you to experience marina life at its finest. Whether you have a small pleasure craft or mega yacht Grafton Harbor can accommodate your needs. Don’t have a boat? Grafton Harbor features boat rentals. Stop in to the Grafton Harbor Floating Winery to taste some wonderful wines and purchase a bottle or two.
Grafton Zip Line & Adventures
Grafton, Illinois
Looking for a jaw dropping, heart racing experience? Try the Grafton Zip Line & Adventures that affords those brave enough a stunning river view and hours of fun. This attraction features nine zip lines totaling 1.75 miles and takes approximately two hours to complete.
Hakuna Matata
Grafton, Illinois
The Hakuna Matata is a 49 passenger tour boat that can take you on a wonderful adventure on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers making regular cruises or available as a rental. There is seating and cafe tables on both the upper and the lower decks. The first level of the boat is fully enclosed with large windows. The upper deck is a huge open air patio offering 360 degree views of the river, bluffs, islands and historical points of interest along the way making it perfect for nature, photography and family photos. The fully stocked Tiki Bar adds to the festivities.
Loading Dock Ice Rink
Grafton, Illinois
Lace up your skates and take to the ice at The Loading Dock Ice Rink! An ice skating rink located inside the historic Boatworks building offers semi-outdoor ice skating fun for the entire family. Skate rental is available. Open from late November until early March.
Raging Rivers WaterPark
Grafton, Illinois
Along the scenic Great River Road, Raging Rivers WaterPark is cool when it's hot! From the zoomin' Cascade Body Flumes to the lazy Endless River, there's something for everyone!
Nearby Attractions
Alton Area
Northwest of the Wood River 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. Just northwest of the Alton Visitors Center is the start of the Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail.
Calhoun County
Calhoun County lies west of the Scenic Byway and 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.
Pere Marquette State Park
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 park features hiking trails and horseback riding. 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!
Jerseyville Area
To the north and east of the Scenic Byway are 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.
The Metropolitan Saint Louis Area
Metropolitan Saint Louis has a lot to offer its visitors. The area's most prominent attraction is the Gateway Arch. Saint 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 Saint 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 Saint Louis County, is home to many historical and cultural attractions including the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, a historical village, and the Saint Louis Carousel. The county is also home to Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park, Columbia Bottom Conservation Area, the Powder Valley Conservation Area.
