During a very sedate Day 1 on the Great River Road journey, you may have gotten your fill of museums and historical markers and know more about rivers and Lewis & Clark than you ever imagined. Today can be filled with physical activity if you so choose.
1. 200’ Limestone Bluffs cut by the rivers
To begin, you might opt to try all or portions of the 20-mile Senator Sam Vadalabene Great River Road Bike Trail from Alton to Grafton on a bicycle or on foot. Every mile of the trip on this short stretch of Hwy 100 is along the Mississippi and, eventually, the Illinois Rivers with the paved path squeezed between the water and the 200’ limestone bluffs. You will see massive doses of tugs, barges, and flying creatures along the way.
I prefer to see this stretch on a motorcycle or in a convertible because it helps to have an unobstructed 180-degree view to take in all the river and the bluffs have to offer. Be sure to drive this at least once in the fall and capture the explosion of colors.
2. The Mysterious Piasa Bird
About a mile north of Alton, you will see a scary looking creature etched into the limestone cliffs. Turn around and go back. This is the Piasa Bird that is said to have been discovered by explorers Joliet and Marquette on their June 10, 1673 expedition down the Mississippi River. Legend has it that the bird did exist and that its name means “bird that devours men”. (I wonder if it was a female?) It was finally subdued by the famous warrior chief Quatoga and 20 of his braves. The etching is a tribute to this wild looking creature.
3. Old time village of Elsah, Illinois
Nine miles further north you can also go back in time, but not as far as the Piasa Bird days, by walking through the 1840’s village of Elsah. Its two main streets are tucked into a hollow and only go about 10 blocks, in which you can find retail stores, historic buildings, lodgings, and artisans at work. Founded in 1853, a walk through the village gives you a feeling of having stepped back to that time. Driving a couple of miles up the bluffs will put you on the campus of Principia College, which has one of the best views of any college in the country.
If you want to experience a quiet evening in Elsah there are bed and breakfasts available. Contact the Green Tree Inn or Maple Leaf Cottage Inn for more information.
4. Raging Rivers Water Park
If you need to cool off, make a quick stop at the Raging Rivers Water Park, which is a few miles south of Grafton. It is a 20-acre facility designed for the young and active or the old and sweaty in your group. Daily or season passes can be purchased, because you will come this way again!
5. Grafton: River town turned tourist haven
At the southern city limits of Grafton, you will want to stop at the Grafton Visitor’s Center and Museum, to get the story on how Grafton came into existence and to pick up brochures on this tourist town’s latest village events, artisans, lodging, dining, shopping, and other active venues. Check with the Grafton Chamber of Commerce for more information by phone 618-786-7000 or graftonvisitorscenter@gtec.com.
6. Knotty by Nature
Downtown shops line the main street immediately as you enter Grafton and it might be easier to walk the half dozen or so blocks along Main Street that house them than to drive. Among the many unusual shops, Knotty By Nature had more slabs of trees on hand than I have seen almost anywhere.
This specialty wood shop will custom make pieces for you with the items being handcrafted by local vets for cancer survivors. Or they’ll simply provide materials for you to do it yourself.
7. Bars and dining are plentiful
Plenty to eat or drink can be found in one particular two-block section “off the water” and west of downtown, that I would call the “bar” district. It is packed with several drinking and dining establishments sitting virtually side by side for ease of “pub crawling”. Some, but not all these establishments have river views. But it looks like a fun area to just get lost for a while.
8. The Loading Dock
When I’m in a river town, I feel compelled to eat “on” the water or “in” the water and in Grafton that can be done at The Loading Dock and the Grafton Harbor . The Loading Dock has the largest waterfront patio space and offers plenty of ambiance as boats parade steadily past. Attached is The Boatworks, which houses regular flea markets and private events. Somewhat uniquely, it is also used for ice skating during the winter months.
9. The Grafton Harbor
The Grafton Harbor goes one step further and has you floating in the river in the Grafton Winery, dining in the Grafton Oyster Bar, cruising the rivers aboard the Hakuna Matata or other modern 50-passenger cruise boats, renting jet skis to create your own fun, or renting a slip for you own boat at the Grafton Marina.
10. Grafton Sky Tour’s ski lifts, gondolas, and ziplines
And then there are the bluffs and, somehow, you have to scale them and get the awesome views of the river confluence. The easiest way is to visit the Aerie’s Resort headquarters at the junction of Hwy 3 and Hwy 100 just west of downtown Grafton. Tickets for the ski lift and gondolas can be purchased across the street at the base of the lift. That sets you up for a leisurely ride to the top of the bluffs from where you can disembark and enjoy the “best view in the midwest”, while also having a meal and beverage at their Winery before returning or staying in accommodations located on top.
Once down from the bluffs, you can put a little more adventure in your life and shuttle back up to the Grafton Zipline. Accommodations are also available near the river. Contact: www.graftonskytour.com.
11. The Grafton Winery & Brewhaus plus the Vineyards
The Grafton Winery and Brewhaus is located in town along Hwy 100 in a modern facility that is large enough to house all types of celebrations. But a few miles away from the bluffs they also have the Vineyards, which surround a large modern venue and lake. It is located just across the road from Eckert’s Orchard, which is open seasonally.
12. The Stone Cottage Guest House, built in the 1840’s
Accommodations are not hard to find in Grafton, since there are scores of “guest houses” wedged into every nook and cranny of the village, ranging from The Stone Cottage, which is Grafton’s oldest original structure and was built in 1840, but has been recently remodeled and offers the best bluff views of any hotel in town. Book your stay here or visit their Facebook page. For information on the numerous accommodations available in Grafton, visit the Grafton Lodging webpage.
Or if you seek solace, drive a few more miles north to the historic Pere Marquette Lodge and get ready to go to the birds…er …Eagles!
Editor’s Notes
This is the second blog post about Day Trips north out of St. Louis on a portion of the Great River Road. Check out the Day 1 and Day 3 blogs on on Two Lane Rambler’s awesome travel website, which is written by Roger Sanders and was launched in June 2021.
Be sure to contact the sites above to verify their dates and times of operation.
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