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Celebrating Fall in Southwest Illinois
Stunning fall color drives, outdoor adventures, haunted
fun, festivals and fairs highlight the Autumn season
Hop in the car and take a road trip to southwest Illinois this fall and discover authentic small-town charm coupled with stunning fall color drives, scenic and historic guided tours, adventures in u-pick orchards, corn maze adventures and spectacularly spooky haunted sites.
When it comes to fall, the Great Rivers & Routes region has more than its share of fun, adventure and relaxing getaways on tap.
“Fall is really a great time to visit southwest Illinois and the Great Rivers & Routes region,” says Cory Jobe, President/CEO of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau. “We are the perfect week day escape and weekend getaway destination. There are so many things to do here – from rock climbing in the state’s largest state park, to classically haunted tours, unparalleled scenic color drives and tours to embracing the literal giants of The Last 100 Miles of Route 66 in Illinois.”
The Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau offers spectacular Fall Foliage and History Tours every Thursday and Friday beginning Oct. 16 and running through Nov. 7 – typically the weeks of peak fall colors.
These four-hour leisurely guided tours showcase the brilliant fall colors decorating the limestone bluffs along the Great River Road as it parallels the Mississippi River. This scenic highway was recently voted the #1 scenic drive in the USA by USA Today 10Best. Stops on the tour include the historic Village of Elsah, Principia College and Pere Marquette State Park.
Tickets are $32.50 per person and can be purchased online at RiversandRoutes.com.
Colors Cruise aboard Hakuna Matata,
Visit Pere Marquettte State Park
Grafton Harbor in downtown Grafton. Weekly fall color cruises and themed specialty cruises are available. Or rent a Tritoon from Grafton Harbor for your own fall color viewing experience.
Make Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton your fall adventure destination. With more than 8,000 acres to explore, a scenic lodge, restaurant and overnight stays available in rustic cabins, campgrounds and guest rooms, this gem tucked along the Illinois River is the perfect getaway. Hike the trails – rated from easy to experienced – enjoy rock climbing on the limestone bluffs, or saddle up at the nearby Pere Marquette Riding Stables for a trail ride
. Outdoor fun continues at Aerie’s Resort in nearby Grafton, recently named a runner up to USA Today’s 10Best Aerial Adventure Parks. Ride the Grafton SkyTour up the scenic bluffs, fly down the hills on the Aerie’s Alpine Coaster, the only one of its kind in Illinois. Enjoy a relaxing meal at The Terrace featuring The Best Views in the Midwest – including the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers flanked by stunning fall colors.
