Things To Do
The Piasa Bird
(On Hwy 100, one mile north of Alton, on the inland side of The Great River Road.) The Piasa Bird (pronounced Pie-a-saw), is a local legend in the Alton area. Its foundings go back to 1673 when Father Jacques Marquette, in recording his famous journey down the Mississippi River with Louis Joliet, described the "Piasa" as a birdlike monster painted high on the bluffs along the Mississippi River, where the city of Alton, Illinois now stands. According to the diary, the Piasa "was as large as a calf with horns like a deer, red eyes, a beard like a tiger's, a face like a man, the body covered with green, red and black scales and a tail so long it passed around the body, over the head and between the legs." The creature was given its name by the Illini Indians, "The Piasa", meaning a bird that devours men.
Lincoln/Douglas Square
The final debate of Stephan A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln took place in front of Alton's city hall at the corner of Broadway and Market Streets. The senatorial debate drew national attention along with more than 6,000 visitors. Life-like statues of the two statesmen keep the famous series of debates in 1858 frozen forever in time.
Robert Wadlow Statue & Museum
Robert Wadlow was a pituitary giant, someone who grows enormously due to an overactive pituitary gland. He was born in Alton, Illinois on February 22, 1918, a completely normal baby, 8 ½ pounds. However, by the time he was a year old he weighed twice normal, 44 pounds. By nine years he'd reached 6', 2", by sixteen he hit 7', 10", and weighed nearly 400 pounds. At the time of his death in 1940 he was 8', 11.1" tall and weighed 439 pounds making him the world’s tallest person in history, according to the Guinness Book of Records, surpassing the record previously held by an 8', 4" inch Irishman who died in 1877.
The Old Bakery Beer Company
The Old Bakery Beer Company is a certified organic craft brewery located in downtown Alton, IL. In addition to their line of up of all organic beers, the restaurant and tasting room features a menu of seasonally-rotating sandwiches, salads, and soups, designed to pair well with beer and highlight the vast array of produce and artisan goods available in Southern Illinois & Eastern Missouri.
Tony's Restaurant & 3rd St. Cafe
Tony's is the home of the World Famous Pepperloin Steak. This beef tenderloin is marinated in Tony's secret marinade, rolled in half cracked black pepper, grilled to perfection, and drizzled with garlic butter. After one bite of this mouth watering steak, you will never want steak from another restaurant again. It is so tender it can be cut with a butter knife, and it practically melts on your palette. Tony's also sells these unbelievable steaks marinated, peppered, and ready for your grill at home. If steaks are not for you, Tony's offers 20 different home made specialty pastas, along with a delicious selection of seafood and chicken dishes. With an extensive wine with amazing by the bottle and by the glass selection, even the most discriminating wine aficionado will be in heaven.
Argosy Casino Alton
Argosy Casino Alton offers three floors of gaming action, featuring more than 1,000 of your favorite slots (from penny to $25 machines) plus Blackjack, Craps, Roulette and other exciting table games. Enjoy buffet and restaurant dining.
Great Godfrey Maze
The Great Godfrey Maze is open on the weekends in the fall for general admission. On Friday and Saturday nights, the maze will be open after dark. Each visitor is required to have a flashlight to help navigate the twists and turns of the Great Godfrey Maze. Flashlights will be available at the concession stand for purchase for $3.00 each. We have a full concession stand open during maze business hours. Please note that due to uneven surfaces within the corn maze, it is not fully wheelchair accessible. This is a family friendly, alcohol-free attraction within the Robert E Glazebrook Park.
Pere Marquette State Park
With nearly 8,000 acres of scenic beauty, Pere Marquette State Park is one of the most picturesque and beautiful locations on the Illinois River. As the largest state park in Illinois, visitors love coming to the park for hiking, biking, fishing, horseback riding and scenic drives.
Grafton Zipline at Aerie's Resort
Looking for a jaw dropping, heart racing experience? Try Grafton's thrilling attraction – a zip line that affords those brave enough a stunning river view and hours of fun. It s one of the largest zip lines in Illinois. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the first of nine zip lines nicknamed the Baby Bear – the shortest measuring only 300 feet in length. The longest, at 2,000 feet, is the Soaring Eagle, which has breathtaking views during its 250-foot descent.
3rd Chute Bar & Grill
Experience the beauty of the Illinois River through the incredible views afforded by 3rd Chute Bar and Grill. Their unique structure is built in two trees, allowing amazing views from both inside and out. If you’re looking to glimpse the natural river view while enjoying fresh food and drinks, 3rd Chute Bar and Grill is just the spot you’re searching for.
Saint Louis Zoo
Voted America's top free attraction, the Zoo is located on 90 acres in beautiful Forest Park, and home to more than 600* species of animals, many of them rare and endangered. It is one of the few free zoos in the nation.
Gateway Arch
Founded by the National Park Service in 1935 to commemorate Thomas Jefferson’s vision of a transcontinental United States, the Gateway Arch National Park (formerly known as the “Jefferson National Expansion Memorial”) stretches from the Old Courthouse to the steps overlooking the Mississippi River. In between, the Gateway Arch rises high, a bold monument to the pioneering spirit.
Budweiser Brewery Experience
Nestled in the historic Soulard neighborhood of St. Louis, our largest and oldest brewery site was selected based on its access to the Mississippi River, the large presence of German immigrants in the 1800’s, and the natural cave formations that were used to store beer prior to artificial refrigeration. Regardless of the experience you choose, as you walk through the halls of the historic St. Louis brewery, you are transported in time. You will realize the vision that became one of the largest and oldest breweries in the nation. From the history-rich architecture - including three National Historic Landmarks - to cutting-edge brewing technology, you will witness first-hand the heritage and timeless tradition Anheuser-Busch employs to brew beer.
The Magic House, St. Louis Children's Museum
The Magic House, St. Louis Children’s Museum will engage all children with hands-on learning experiences that spark imagination, pique curiosity, enhance creativity and develop problem-solving skills within a place of beauty, wonder, joy and magic.
City Museum
Housed in the 600,000 square-foot former International Shoe Company, the museum is an eclectic mixture of children’s playground, funhouse, surrealistic pavilion, and architectural marvel made out of unique, found objects. The brainchild of internationally acclaimed artist Bob Cassilly, a classically trained sculptor and serial entrepreneur, the museum opened for visitors in 1997 to the riotous approval of young and old alike.
Saint Louis Science Center
Find out what it’s like to venture out into the wild, journey under the sea or fly high up in the air at the four-story Omnimax Theater, a film experience unlike any other. See a thrilling space show at the Planetarium, one of nation’s leading space education facilities. Younger children will enjoy the Discovery Room filled with interactive exhibits and experiments, and visitors of all ages can explore over 700 hands-on displays including a life-sized animatronic Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Missouri Botanical Garden
Explore 79 acres of lush gardens, landscape architecture, greenhouses and conservatories at the oldest Botanical Garden in the United States. Wander through collections of botanical and horticultural plants among beautiful fountains and statuary. Visit the Climatron for a real rainforest experience featuring magnificent waterfalls, tropical birds and exotic plants like bananas, cacao, coffee trees and orchids. Other points of interest include the serene Japanese garden and the interactive and educational Children’s Garden.