This scenic journey along the Mississippi and its neighboring rivers blends outdoor adventure, historic towns, and riverfront dining
The Great Rivers & Routes region is home to more than 200 miles of hiking and biking trails, including a 130-mile trail system in Madison County alone. The Great River Road hugs the Mississippi for 500+ miles of pure scenic pleasure, so pull over for riverside picnics, antique malls, and pie shops that serve up slices the way they ought to.
Enjoy these great attractions and more
- Village of Elsah Museum
- Grafton SkyTour
- Pere Marquette State Park
- John Deere Pavilion
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Great Rivers & Routes-Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Elsah, Dow, Grafton, Godfrey
Start your journey with a visit to the historic Village of Elsah, located in the bluffs on the Byway. Take a stroll along the narrow streets, stop by the Elsah General Store to pick up vintage candy or a bottled soda. The nearby Village of Elsah Museum offers a glimpse into daily life along the Mississippi River in the 1800s.
Residing near Elsah, TreeHouse Wildlife Center is the ideal spot to discover the native wildlife of the region. The center rehabilitates injured and sick wild animals and releases them back into the wild.
The confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers is also home to the riverfront community of Grafton. The newly opened Grafton SkyTour takes groups from Grafton’s Main Street 300 feet high to the river bluffs on an open-air chair lift or gondola ride. At the top of the bluff sits Aerie’s Resort, home to Aerie’s Riverview Winery and Grafton Zipline Adventures. Zip through the tree canopy of the bluffs on an adventure that includes rope bridges, trails, and a surprise ending.
Satiate your hunger with a stop at the Grafton Oyster Bar for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. From alligator sausage and shrimp cheesecake appetizers to salads, soups, seafood entrees, and, of course, oysters, the floating riverfront restaurant serves up a delightful dining experience. Enjoy a sip of locally crafted wine at Grafton Winery & Brewhaus’s riverfront location or at Grafton Winery & the Vineyards. Relax beside the river with a cold drink and the signature Dock Salsa at The Loading Dock.
Pay a visit to the famed Pere Marquette State Park, one of the largest state parks in Illinois. Miles of trails ranging from beginner to advanced weave through the park, offering scenic views and glimpses of wildlife.
Coming this June in Godfrey is the much-anticipated Byway Discovery Center at Great Rivers Park. The center, a 4,500-square-foot visitor orientation facility, will be a place where visitors can learn about Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway and will serve as a place of exploration and discovery with nature, history, and the regional nature-based tourism amenities that exist on the 33-mile stretch of road from Hartford to Pere Marquette State Park.
Relax at Tara Point Inn & Cottages and raise a glass to the spectacular views of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers at the end of your day.
Day 2: Alton, Hartford & Madison County
Experience the power and personality of the Mississippi River beginning at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in Madison County, just before joining the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway. This 33-mile stretch is the only place in the country where the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois rivers converge, and it delivers some of the most memorable scenery in the Midwest, with sweeping river views that stretch from the historic bridge to the Grafton SkyTour.
Once a key Route 66 crossing between Illinois and Missouri, the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge is now pedestrian-friendly, inviting visitors to stroll above the river and appreciate its unique 30-degree bend midway across.
The Byway officially begins in Hartford, home to the Lewis & Clark State Historic Site, where Meriwether Lewis and William Clark camped while preparing for their legendary expedition west. The interpretive center and surrounding grounds offer a thoughtful look at the explorers’ journey and the rivers that shaped it.
Downriver in Alton, the Mississippi takes center stage again at the National Great Rivers Museum and the Melvin Price Locks & Dam. The museum explores the rivers’ influence on commerce, communities, and conservation, while the adjacent locks and dam represent the most advanced system on the Mississippi today.
Alton’s story also includes a darker side. Often labeled one of the most haunted small towns in America, guided tours highlight sites such as the Mysterious Mineral Springs Mall and the McPike Mansion. History runs deep here, too. Abraham Lincoln visited Alton multiple times, and the city hosted the final Lincoln-Douglas Debate in 1858.
Wrap up the day with a classic local meal at Castelli’s Restaurant at 255, where the Castelli family has been serving secret-recipe fried chicken, house-made toasted ravioli, and other regional favorites for more than 75 years.
Day 3: Moline, Rock Island, Galena
For those seeking a road trip, they can drive north 200 miles to Moline and Rock Island.
Climb aboard massive green machines at the John Deere Pavilion, or cross to Arsenal Island for the Rock Island Arsenal Museum’s collection of vintage firearms and tanks. At the Quad City Botanical Center, you’ll find tropical heat year-round, and for the quintessential Mississippi experience, you can’t go past a paddlewheeler ride with Celebration River Cruises. For culture, catch a show at the restored 1922 Capitol Theatre or browse the Figge Art Museum’s galleries overlooking the river.
Downtown Moline’s John Deere Commons anchors a walkable district where century-old buildings house craft breweries and farm-to-table restaurants. The Bass Street area pulses with nightlife, from Bent River Brewing to the historic LeClaire Hotel.
Over in Rock Island, The District stretches along 2nd Avenue with galleries, antique shops, and the kind of bars where you’ll quickly feel like you’re a local.
Those who want to continue onward can travel north to Galena.
Residing near the Mississippi River in northwest Illinois, the town of Galena makes for a scenic summer getaway. Head to Galena to stay in a charming B&B, shop its charming boutiques, or see colorful balloons take to the skies during events such as the Great Galena Balloon Race. Known as one of the most romantic small towns in the country, gorgeous Galena is the perfect place to get away and reconnect. Start with a stroll along winding Main Street, where charming boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants are housed in restored red brick buildings that date back to the Civil War.
Join Galena Trolley Tours to see historic sites that include elegant Victorian mansions and the Grant Home, former residence of President Ulysses S. Grant. Or take one of the spirited daily tours at Blaum Bros. Distilling Co., where you can sample small-batch vodka made with grains grown on area farms.
Download your FREE Illinois Group Tour Planner and start planning your group trip today!
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