Cahokia Mounds

Illinois' only United Nations World Heritage Site. This 2,200 acre site preserves the central section of the largest prehistoric Indian city north of Mexico. An Interpretive Center presents a coherent account of this sophisticated prehistoric culture.

30 Ramey Street
Collinsville, Illinois 62234
(618) 346-5160

http://www.cahokiamounds.com/cahokia.html

World's Largest Catsup Bottle

This 170-foot-tall bottle that resembles a Brook's Catsup Bottle served as a water tower for the catsup manufacturer after being constructed in 1949. This example of roadside architecture, at its best, was restored in 1995.

http://www.catsupbottle.com/

Mineral Springs Haunted Museum Tour

Experience a night at the museum tour featuring a number of historic torture devices and their history. These devices are on loan from the Museum of Historic Torture Devices in the Wisconsin Dells. They will be in Alton for the winter tours and one spring tour.

301 E. Broadway
Alton, Illinois 62002
(618) 465-3200

Start Date: 2/16/2008 End Date: 2/16/2008

http://www.mineralspringshauntedtours.com/

Alton Segway Tours

Choose from a variety of tours that will take you gliding along the Mississippi River, under the Clark Bridge, through the streets of Downtown Alton, into tasty restaurants and to some of the most scenic spots in Alton. During the tour, participants will learn how to ride a Segway and obtain their official Segway license before venturing out on a guided tour. For more information, call 618-465-6676.

2 Lock & Dam Way
Alton, Illinois 62002
(618) 465-6676

http://www.visitalton.com/index.cfm

The Heron & Great Rivers Tour Boat Company

Daily sightseeing and sunset cruises on the Mississippi River. Departing from the Grafton Harbor, enjoy a fun and exciting lazy day on the river aboard the Heron. No two voyages are ever the same!

http://www.greatriverstourboat.com/

Pere Marquette State Park

Pere Marquette is the largest state park in Illinois offering visitors 8,000 acres of beautiful forested bluffs and some of the most expansive views of the region. Countless species of rare trees and unique plants can be found along the eight hiking trails in the park. A drive up the windy roads of the park affords visitors with spectacular views of the scenic byway and Illinois River Valley. Visitors love the recreational opportunities at the park, including: biking, hiking, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, boating and horseback riding.

Rte. 100, PO Box 158
Grafton, Illinois 62037
(618) 786-2331

http://www.dnr.state.il.us/

Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail

Extending 20 miles from Alton to Pere Marquette State Park, the Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail runs parallel to the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway along IL Route 100, as well as the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. The route is completely paved and takes cyclists through the towns of Elsah and Grafton. Comfort stations are available at Piasa Park, Clifton Terrace Park, Elsah, Grafton Visitors Center, Grafton Harbor public restroom and Pere Marquette State Park.

IL Route 100
Alton, Illinois 62002
(618) 465-6676

http://www.visitalton.com/index.cfm

National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows

The beautifully landscaped acreage boasts gardens, an outdoor amphitheater, the Shrine Church, the Lourdes Grotto, Stations of the Cross, the Millennium Spire, the Shrine Restaurant, and the Shrine Hotel. Children will enjoy the Children's Memorial Park.

http://www.snows.org/

National Great Rivers Museum

Each year millions of people travel to the Mississippi River to learn about its history and its impact on our nation. The National Great Rivers Museum at the Melvin Price Locks and Dam is dedicated to telling the story of the Mississippi River from its grand history and cultural significance to its ecological importance and role as a transportation corridor. The museum features an exhibit gallery packed with more than 20 interactive and computer animated exhibits focusing on the cycles of the river, nature, barge traffic, water consumption and more.

http://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/Rivers

Lewis and Clark State Historic Site

The Lewis and Clark State Historic Site commemorates Camp Dubois, the 1803-1804 winter camp of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. It was at Camp Dubois that members of the Corps of Discovery prepared for their expedition to the Pacific Ocean. The 14,000 square-foot exhibit space contains six galleries that outline the background and history of the Lewis and Clark expedition from its conception to its meaning for today’s America. A “reconstruction” of the winter camp, Camp River Dubois, is located on the grounds near the visitor center. Its design reflects 1803 U.S. Army regulations for the construction of military posts. Interpreters are on site daily in the camp to explain how the men prepared for the journey.

http://www.campdubois.com/

Lincoln & Civil War Legacy Trail

Walk in the footsteps of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln, and Civil War soldiers from both North and South. Experience the life of young Lincoln as a lawyer, duelist and orator. It was here that the final Lincoln-Douglas Debate took place, with the issue of slavery on the minds of spectators. It was here that Confederate soldiers were held captive, died and were buried. It was here that Alton resident and U.S. Senator Lyman Trumbull authored the 13th Amendment, putting an end to slavery in the United States. Walk with us and experience the 11 historic sites interpreted along the Lincoln & Civil War Legacy Trail.

http://www.visitalton.com/index.cfm

Alton Museum of History and Art

Through the exhibits, we share with you our past and present so that you too may discover the people, places and events that influenced our ancestors and continue to shape our destiny.

http://www.altonmuseum.com/

History & Hauntings Tours

The History & Hauntings Tour is an entertaining and spine-tingling trip into the unknown. Travel to the darkest corners of the region in search of ghosts and discover why the city has been called One of the Most Haunted Small Towns in America! Tours are based on the book Haunted Alton written by Troy Taylor.

http://www.altonhauntings.com/

Great Godfrey Maze

Get lost in Corn and Godfrey at the Great Godfrey Maze! Take an a-mazing adventure through two separate mazes cut into a 7-acre cornfield. This year, the "Wild Things" will be wandering about as you begin your jungle safari through the more than 2.4 miles of trails. The maze captivates thousands of visitors annually. Navigating by day is hard, but navigating through the maze after dark is an even greater adventure. Plus, the maze becomes haunted in October with extended evening and weekday hours. Admission fees. For more information, call (618) 466-1483 or visit www.GreatGodfreyMaze.com.

http://www.greatgodfreymaze.com/

Eckert's Farm and Country Store

Visitors to Eckert's in Grafton have been picking their own apples at the farm since 1964. Eckert's rustic barn and farm looks just like it did years ago. Specializing in peaches, apples and pumpkins, take a free wagon ride out to the farm to pick your own produce from July through October. Enjoy the charming country store and bakery with fresh produce and products made at the farm. Be sure to check their calendar for upcoming festivals and fairs down on the farm.

http://www.eckerts.com/

Heartland Rivers Wine Trail

Traveling the Heartland Rivers Wine Trail is an endless adventure through Southwest Illinois. The trail's 12 wineries follow a tradition of fine winemaking established by early settlers of Illinois who brought their winemaking expertise from Europe. Each winery is different. Member wineries are: Black Diamond Vineyards Ltd, Nashville; Crooked Creek Winery, Centralia; Forsee Vineyards, Coffeen; GenKota Winery, Mt. Vernon; Log Cabin Vineyards, Ellis Grove; Mary Michelle Winery at Pere Marquette State Park; Orchard View Winery, Alma; Piasa Vineyards, Grafton; Schorr Lake Vineyards, Waterloo; Springers Creek Winery, Edwardsville; Vahling Vineyards, Stewardson; and Villa Marie Winery, Maryville.

http://www.heartlandriverswinetrail.org/

If you know of other fall activities in your area, please send them to me at earthstorm@comcast.net so i can share with our members.

Thanks!

Nikki

Illinois Homeschool Nations Blog Coordinator

(Division of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine)

www.homeschoolblogger.com/Illinois

The Old Schoolhouse, America's largest homeschool

magazine

http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com

Homeschool Nations State Listings

http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/Homeschool_Nations/State_Listings.php

Homeschool Illinois Support Group

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/homeschool-Illinois/