Visitors Guide to Attractions

Alton, East Alton, and Godfrey
Madison County, Illinois

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.

Alton Federal Prison Site
Alton, Illinois
A State marker designates the remnants of a portion of a cellblock of the Alton Federal Prison as the site of the First Illinois Prison, built in 1831. Because prisoners were not kept in solitary confinement, the system was considered humanitarian for its time. In 1841 Dorothea Dix's prison reform movement had the Alton prison as one of its targets. Because of unsanitary conditions, she proposed the closing of the prison in 1847. By 1860 all of the inmates had been transferred to a new facility in Joliet and the prison was abandoned.

Alton Little Theater
Alton, Illinois
The Alton Little Theater has been entertaining audiences with quality productions continuously, since 1934. This makes Alton Little Theater one of the oldest community theaters in the state of Illinois! This live community theater with talented, hard working actors and volunteers are ready to entertain you! Each season the audience can look forward to a variety of shows filled with comedy, drama, and music.

Alton Museum of History and Art
Alton, Illinois
The Alton Museum of History and Art is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the rich heritage of Alton’s past through a variety exhibits. The Wadlow Room pays tribute to Alton’s Gentle Giant, Robert Pershing Wadlow, the tallest man on record. The Pioneer Room explores history from the Lewis and Clark Expedition to the end of the Civil War. Through the museum’s collection of art and artifacts the visitor will feel the impact of this pivotal time in American history. The Grace Monroe Classroom is dedicated to education but is also used as an art gallery where fine art of diverse media by local and regional artists is on display. Additional exhibits include a riverboat memorabilia dedicated to the local legend of the Piasa Bird.

The Clark Bridge
Connecting Illinois & Missouri
Often called the "Super Bridge," the Clark Bridge crosses the Mississippi River at Alton, Illinois. The bridge, which has four traffic lanes and two bike lanes, spans 4,260 feet across the river. The Clark Bridge was named after William Clark who, with Meriwether Lewis in 1804, commanded the two year 4,000 mile exploration of the Louisiana Purchase territory up the Missouri River into the Pacific Northwest. The Lewis and Clark Expedition set off just a few miles south of the bridge near Hartford, Illinois.

Confederate Cemetery and Memorial
Alton, Illinois
Approximately 300 prisoners and Union soldiers who died of smallpox were buried on a nearby island where quarantine was set up. Those who were not buried on the island were interred in a special plot in North Alton, known today as the Confederate Soldiers' Cemetery. In 1909 a 40 foot high granite column was erected at the site.

Confederate Memorial
West Alton, Missouri
In April of 2002, a new memorial containing the names of the of the Confederate prisoners who died of smallpox was dedicated. Located across the Mississippi River at the Lincoln Shields Recreation Area, any area of the Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area managed by the Corps of Engineers. The area is named after a famous duel between Abraham Lincoln and a man named James Shields who was offended by what Lincoln and his wife had written in their "Rebecca" letters. The duel was called off after Shields realized Lincoln possessed a clear advantage because of his stature.

The Nan Elliott Memorial Rose Garden
Dr. Robert Elliott donated the funds for this stunning 1 acre rose garden as a memorial to his wife. This All-America Rose Selections accredited garden contains more than 1,600 rose bushes and a gazebo. On Sundays at 5 pm from Memorial Day through Labor Day, bring your lawn chair or blanket to hear the caroling of the bells from the Carillon Tower. The garden is located on the south side of the park.

Benjamin Godfrey Memorial Chapel
Godfrey, Illinois
The Godfrey Memorial Chapel was built in 1854. The Illinois Department of Conservation reported in 1977 that "compared to other surviving Greek Revival churches in Illinois, the building certainly stands on its own. There is nothing like it in the state. It is one of Illinois' impressive Civil War structures." The chapel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Illinois in 1979 as "one of the six most authentic copies of New England church architecture beyond the North Eastern United States."

Gordon Moore Park
Alton, Illinois
Led by Dr. Gordon F. Moore, local clubs, organizations, businesses and volunteers built this 702 acre park on the east side of Alton. Highlights in the park include a first class golf course, a rose garden, an oriental garden, a native prairie grassland area, a 13 acre lake for fishing, a tennis center, a freedom shrine, and a monument to all the volunteers that helped create the park. In addition there soccer and baseball fields, picnic shelters and playgrounds.

Haskell Playhouse
Alton, Illinois
This unique Queen Anne style playhouse was built in 1885 for five year old Lucy J. Haskell, daughter of Dr. William A. and Florence Hayner Haskell. It is believed Lucy's grandfather, John E. Hayner, commissioned prominent local architect, Lucas J. Pfeiffenberger, to design the playhouse. The playhouse was to be retained in memory of Lucy J. Haskell. Designated a National Register Historic Landmark in 1974

Heartland Prairie
Alton, Illinois
The Heartland Prairie at Gordon Moore Park was planted by the Sierra Club in 1977. This 27 acre oasis of native prairie is managed by The Nature Institute, which keeps the trails maintained, provides incredible trail/plant guides, and does annual and semi-annual controlled burns. At the Heartland Prairie one can find any number of the 150 forbs and 9 grasses in bloom late March through early October. The Heartland Prairie is located on the north side of the park (across IL-111 from where most of the activities take place.

Jacoby Arts Center
Alton, Illinois
Crossing the Clark Bridge to comb the antique shops or scout for eagles along the Great River Road, you will find the Jacoby Arts Center, an exciting stop to enrich your itinerary. Housed in the renovated 1899 Jacoby furniture store on Broadway this three-story, 40,000-square-foot brick building was donated to the Madison County Arts Council by C. J. Jacoby and Co., Inc. and opened as an art center in 2004. In this facility you will find a sparkling art gallery, a dynamic educational facility, and an array of exquisite artisans' crafts.

Koenig House
Alton, Illinois
The Alton Museum of History and Art maintains the Koenig House which was built in 1887 by a German American Engineer employed by the Illinois Glass Company. The house was designed by Lucas Pfeiffenberger who became a well known architect in the St. Louis area. The home was occupied by several generations of the original owner until it was given to the Museum. The home’s first floor is furnished as living quarters for a typical family of the 1900's. These rooms are available for rent to individuals for hosting teas or recitals.

Lincoln Douglas Square
Alton, Illinois
The seventh and last debate between Senatorial candidates Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas was held on October 15, 1858. With approximately 5,000 people, including state and national figures, gathered for the event which was held in front of the City Hall. Today Lincoln Douglas Square, with life sized statues of the debaters, is a monument to this historic event.

Elijah P. Lovejoy Monument
Alton, Illinois
Elijah Lovejoy was a champion for freedom of the press, freedom of speech, and freedom from slavery. He was killed by an Alton pro-slavery mob defending his printing press in 1837. Plans for a Lovejoy monument began in the 1850's but work wasn’t begun in earnest until the 1890s. The memorial centers on a 93-foot high granite column topped by a 17-foot high winged statue of Victory. The monument was dedicated November 7, 1897, the sixtieth anniversary of Lovejoy's death.

National Great Rivers Museum
East Alton, Illinois
The National Great Rivers Museum is located next to the Melvin Price Locks and Dam and features state of the art interactive displays and exhibits that help visitors understand the many aspects of the Mississippi River and how it affects our lives. A large model of the bluffs provides information local flora and fauna. An aquarium displays the various species of Mississippi River fish. Exhibits display how humans have used the Mississippi as a highway and chronicle the types of vessels used from canoes to modern day barges. The Pilot House allows visitors to see what it's like to guide a 1,000-foot tow of barges.

National Scenic Byway Audio Tour
The Alton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau has put together a self-guided audio tour of the Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway for visitors to the region. The audio tour contains the history of the many byway communities, as well as providing information on the historic sites and other points of interest along the way. The audio tour is available in either CD or MP3 format.

Olin Nature Preserve
Godfrey, Illinois
Although Illinois still is known as the "Prairie State," less than 0.01% of Illinois' original 21 million acres of prairie remains. One area that is being preserved is the nearly 300-acre tract Olin Nature Preserve. The preserve harbors 374 native plant species and provides habitat to nearly 150 species of birds at different times of the year. Marked trails give the visitor splendid views of the Mississippi River from the hill prairie, and a view of the Mississippi flood plain.

Piasa Bird
Alton, Illinois
On their exploratory trip down the Mississippi River in 1673, Pere Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet recorded seeing a Native American petroglyph (a prehistoric carving, usually pictorial, gouged into a rock surface) reputedly depicting a bird-like creature of such great size that it could easily carry off humans and was killed by warriors. The modern rendition is a 48-by-22 foot painting situated on a 100-by-75 section of the Mississippi bluffs just north of Alton.

Piasa Creek Access Area
Jersey & 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.

Melvin Price Locks & Dam
East Alton, Illinois
Every year, millions of tons of commodities pass through the Melvin Price Locks and Dam. Located just south of the Clark Bridge near Alton, the Melvin Price Locks and Dam is the only facility that in the Middle Mississippi River Valley that accessible to the public. Visitors can watch river craft use the locks and free tours are conducted daily. Picnic tables and bird watching platforms are located along the entrance drive. The National Great Rivers Museum is located on the property and the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary is just across the river.

Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary
West Alton, Missouri
The Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary illustrates a balanced management approach between sustaining the Mississippi river as a national transportation corridor and recognizing the environmental attributes of the area. The project utilizes the river's continuing influence to create bottomland wet prairie and marsh akin to that which existed prior to the introduction of European settlers.

Sacagawea Statue
Godfrey, Illinois
The Lewis and Clark Community College is the site of a statue honoring Sacagawea, the 15-year old Shoshone Indian who joined the Corps of Discovery in the Mandan villages of what is now North Dakota. The statue was sculpted from a manganese, copper and bronze mixture by Glenna Goodacre who also crafted the design of the new Sacagawea dollar.

Robert P. Wadlow World's Tallest Man Memorial Statue
Alton, Illinois
Alton's "Gentle Giant," Robert P. Wadlow, grew to an enormous height due to an overactive pituitary gland. At the time of his death in 1940 he was 8', 11.1" tall making him the world’s tallest person in history, according to the Guinness Book of Records. A life-size bronze statue of Wadlow was unveiled in 1985 on the grounds of SIUE’s Dental School across the street from the Alton Museum of History and Art.

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.

Argosy Casino
Alton, Illinois
Argosy Casino Alton is your place to play and win. From the hottest multi-denomination slots to video multi-games and table games from blackjack to poker and roulette, our property offers many ways to elevate your play. When your gaming has your stomach growling, stop and savor their tantalizing dining options.

The Alton Marina
Alton Illinois
The Alton Marina is the finest marina on the upper Mississippi River, located just north of the Melvin Price Lock and Dam. You will find exceptional hospitality with the added convenience of being within walking distance of Argosy Casino, various services, restaurants, shopping and many attractions of historic downtown Alton, Illinois.

Alton Hauntings Tours
Alton, Illinois
Based on the book Haunted Alton by Troy Taylor, Alton Hauntings Tours offers an entertaining and spine-tingling trip into the unknown, taking visitors to the most authentic haunted places in Alton. Uncover the eerie folklore, ghostly tales and documented haunted spots on a three-hour walking tour of the city's most haunted sites. Visitors will see sites that have become nationally known.

Big Muddy Adventures
Big Muddy Adventures offers guided canoe trips along the great rivers ... including the Illinois, Mississippi, and Missouri. They offer trips in eight person canoes, Big River Canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and even dugout canoes. The flagship vessel is a 30-foot wooden voyageur canoe which resembles the voyageur canoes of the fur trading era. Full moon canoe trips, classic river day trips and more are available.

Bluff City Tours
Alton, Illinois
The mother and son team of Pat and Greg Gelzinnis have been providing Destination Management Services for the River Bend Region since 1986. “We have strived to provide each client with the personal touch that we built our business on for almost 3 decades.”

Lincoln & Civil War Legacy Trail
Alton, Illinois
Walk in the footsteps of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln, and Civil War soldiers from both North and South and experience Alton's lasting legacies that shaped the history of America as you visit 10 Lincoln and Civil War sites in Alton. Trail guides are available at the Alton Visitors Center at 200 Piasa Street in Downtown Alton.

McPike Mansion
Alton, Illinois
When just about any native of the Alton area thinks of a haunted house, normally one name comes to mind - the infamous McPike Mansion. Thousands of visitors and paranormal investigators have visited the grounds of the notorious McPike Mansion claiming spirits still roam this property. Tours are given on a seasonal basis, and reservations are required.

J.E. Robinson Underground Railroad Tours
Alton, Illinois
In the early 1800s, Alton became a safe haven for slaves escaping from the bonds of slavery. Because of the area's neighboring slave state of Missouri, runaways found refuge in the free land surrounding Alton. Hear the slave's tales and learn about Alton's remarkable past on this Underground Railroad Tour.

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 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.

Explore the Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway