Hit the Rapids & Hike the Bluffs in this picturesque part of Illinois
Few destinations in the Midwest can rival the beauty of Illinois’ Great Rivers Country.
This picturesque region is named for the Mississippi and Illinois rivers that carve through its rolling hills and bluffs, creating stunning natural landscapes. Visitors can enjoy a scenic drive along the Great River Road, hike or bike through lush forests or go kayaking or canoeing on the rivers for a truly immersive experience.
Great Rivers Country is dotted with charming small towns, each with its own unique character and appeal. Great Rivers Country is also a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Here are some of the best water adventures you can find in this region:
Galena Spoon Original Experience
Galena
Nestled along the majestic Mississippi and the serene Galena River, Galena Country offers an aquatic escape for adventurers and leisure seekers alike. At Chestnut Mountain Resort, embrace the thrill of snow sports with a river view that takes your breath away. For a gentler pace, Nuts Outdoors provides kayak and paddleboard rentals for a tranquil journey on the Galena River or ride electric bikes along the scenic trail to the Mississippi. Dock and dine at Millennium Bar & Grill in East Dubuque, where the marina meets mouthwatering river fare and refreshing drinks.
Alton
Perched on the banks of the Mississippi River, Alton stretches into the surrounding bluffs with restaurants and shops offering incredible views of the river. The downtown shopping district offers a wide range of retail delights from artistic hand-thrown pottery to antiques, clothing shops and more.
Galesburg
With 23 city parks, visitors can enjoy a public beach, water park, and miles of wooded biking, walking, and even horse trails. Lake Storey Beach offers a slew of opportunities to have fun on the water as visitors can rent a kayak, paddleboat, canoe, or john boat right at the beach. Groups can also enjoy a leisurely stroll (or a brisk run or ride) on the Lake Storey biking, walking, and hiking trails.
There are few better drives in the country than the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway in southwest Illinois. Photo courtesy of Enjoy Illinois
Great Rivers and Routes
This 33-mile stretch of roadway is the only place in the country where the mighty Mississippi comes together with the historic Missouri and Illinois rivers. And it happens to also be one of the most scenic road trips around, offering amazing year-round views from the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge to the newly opened Grafton SkyTour. Few sights in the Great Rivers & Routes region or anywhere, are as majestic as the stretch of the Great River Road between Alton and Grafton. On one side is the powerful and ever-changing Mississippi River, a reminder of the region’s history as a riverboat hub. On the other are the limestone bluffs draped with a curtain of trees.
Pay a visit to 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. With nearly 8,000 acres of scenic beauty, Pere Marquette is one of the most picturesque and beautiful locations on the Illinois River. Enjoy the river up-close on the Hakuna Matata, a 49-passenger tour boat that takes groups on an adventure on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers.
Chester, a historic city lying beside the Mississippi River, has a plethora of thrilling opportunities for exploration across the area. Take pictures with your favorite Popeye characters as you explore the city and finish the Popeye Character Trail. Once you’ve finished the 21-character route, head to The St. Nicholas Landmark and drink a freshly brewed craft beer while taking in the view of the Mississippi River
If you have anyone in your life who is interested in history, make the trip to Illinois’ first capital, Kaskaskia Island. Visit the historic Kaskaskia Bell State Memorial. This monument covers the brick building that houses the bell from 1741 gifted by King Louis XV for the Catholic Church of Illinois County.
Fort de Chartres historic monument lies five miles outside of Prairie Du Rocher, right along the Mississippi. At this historical site, the final four French forts known as “de Chartres” were located. You can’t go wrong with Fort de Chartres whether you’re a history buff or just want to spend an interesting day out with your family or friends.
Kayaking in the Quad Cities
Quad Cities
The Quad Cities straddles the Mississippi River and features a host of lakes, ponds, dams, and more. Here are some of the top water activities in the Quad Cities:
The 750-passenger Celebration Belle Riverboat offers guided tours, lunch and dinner options all while taking in the scenic views along the Mississippi River. You have a lot of options to choose from: themed excursions, musical entertainment, overnight packages, narrated tours. The choices run as short as an hour or two to multi-day adventures.
The Tiki Tavern is launching from Princeton, Iowa, for the first time this summer. Made in the QC, the tiki-bar boat looks exactly like a floating tiki bar and comes with a host, state of the sound system, and troughs filled with ice for your drinks. You can books seats on an existing public cruise or rent the boat for your party.
Travel on the open-air Channel Cat Water Taxi around the Quad Cities via the river. The Channel Cat docks at Ben Butterworth Parkway—Celebration Pier and John Deere Commons Landing in Moline, Isle Casino Hotel in Bettendorf, Iowa, and at Foot of Mound Street near the Village of East Davenport in Davenport, Iowa. The daily ticket is for unlimited use on the day of purchase. Another great Quad Cities option is the Riverboat Twilight, which offers sightseeing and one and two-day cruises. The trip includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks (both days), overnight lodging, entry to the Smithsonian accredited National Mississippi River Museum and live entertainment onboard.
The beauty and accessibility of Lake George in Rock Island County in Illinois City should not be missed. And it’s easy to get on the water. You can rent a variety of watercrafts: small two-person pontoon boats, kayaks, canoes and party barges. We recommend camping in the area and making a fun multi-day adventure.
Backwater Gamblers in Rock Island is a free waterski show presented twice weekly on the Rock River. The show is put on by the Backwater Gamblers Water Ski Club, which is nationally recognized.
Quincy
The Quincy Park District consists of 28 parks, a 27-hole golf course, 12 playgrounds and two swimming pools, encompassing more than 900 acres.
Moorman Park features a lake for fishing and paddle boats as well as baseball fields, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, a disc golf course, an archery range and a one-mile path for walking/jogging. Paddleboat rentals are located in this same area on Moorman Lake.
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