Fall is finally here, and Southwest Illinois boasts one of the most beautiful travel destinations for families, couples, friends, and solo adventurers.
Info & Media Resources:
Fall Foliage
Media Kit
Great Rivers & Routes
Fall Go-Guide
September Festivals
Media Kit
The Best of Fall Foliage:
Beginning in early October, cooler temperatures usher in warmer colors as the leaves along the Great River Road change to shades of orange, yellow and red. Those looking to road trip through picturesque views need look no further than Grafton, Illinois.
Those who want to make planning a breeze can take advantage of The Fall Foliage and River Road History Tour. The guided shuttle tour highlights the stunning fall colors found on the river bluffs flanking the mighty Mississippi River and includes visits to the historic Village of Elsah, Principia College and Pere Marquette State Park
Grafton and nearby towns offer visitors a number of gorgeous, relaxing activities for autumnal getaways:
Road trip through historic routes featuring stunning fall foliage:
Cruise along the mighty Mississippi River on Great River Road
Drive America’s most famous motorway, Route 66
Visit the historic village of Elsah for their Fall Festival
Or, enjoy many Fall Foliage Tours throughout the region
Make it a long weekend at darling boutique hotels, bed and breakfast, or state park resort:
Aerie’s Resort, home to Grafton Zipline, the Grafton SkyTour, Aerie’s Alpine Coaster, and “The Best View in the Midwest”
Pere Marquette State Park, from camp sites and cabins to the popular Youth Tent Camp or enjoy modern luxurys at Pere Marquette Lodge.
Beall Mansion – An Elegant Bed & Breakfast Inn
Cracker Factory – Great Rivers Lodging (Alton)
Urban Collective Boutique Hotel (Edwardsville)
Clear your head and have an adventure in the great outdoors:
Explore Pere Marquette State Park’s on bike, by foot or horseback!
Fly through the changing leaves on Aerie’s Resort Alpine Coaster
Enjoy some of the best fishing destinations the Midwest has to offer
Hike through the fall foliage at Beaver Dam State Park
Make lasting memories (and get great photos) enjoying classic fall activities at Southwest Illinois’ top U-Pick farms:
Pick your own farm-fresh pumpkins and apples:
On-going festivals and fairs that offer something for everyone
Boonie’s Farm
DeMange Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch
Eckert’s – Grafton Farm, IL
Joe Ringhausen Orchards & Market
Mills Apple Farm
Greene Fields Farm
Rinkel Pumpkin Farm
Get lost in some of the country’s largest and most challenging Corn Mazes:
Brave the haunted labyrinth after dark with only a flashlight at Great Godfrey Maze at Robert E. Glazebrook Park
Explore Illinois’ largest corn maze at DeMange Farms
Enjoy top tier food and drink experiences:
The Vineyards at Grafton Winery
Eckert’s Country Store
The Brown Bag Bistro (Alton)
Old Bakery Beer Company (Alton)
Craft Beer Week (Oct 14-21)
Cleveland Heath (Edwardsville)
The Loading Dock (Grafton)
Put on your paranormal investigator hat and explore Alton, Illinois, the most haunted small town in America (Discovery Channel):
Mineral Springs Hotel
McPike Mansion
Haunted Alton Tours
Take home a souvenir as a token of your visit:
From antiques to boutiques, there’s something for everyone in Alton
Riverside Flea Market at The Loading Dock is the largest in the region
Fall Festivals:
In September, enjoy dozens of festivals from one of the largest Italian Fests in the country, to the unique UFO festival at roadside attraction Pink Elephant Antique Mall:
All September – Javapalooza
September 9 – Alton Pride Festival
September 8 – Opera Edwardsville at Edwardsville City Park
September16 – Mississippi Earthtones Festival & Kayak Race
September 16 – Mississippi Water Trail Firecracker Race 2023
September 16 – Italian Fest in Collinsville
September 22 – Edwardsville Art Fair
September 23 – Elsa Fall Festival
September 29 – UFO Festival
October 13-21 – Craft Beer Week + Festival
