This Illinois Scenic Byway Is The Road Trip Of A Lifetime

Drive the Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Route in Illinois and you’ll see a whole new side to the state. Here, where the Missouri, Mississippi and Illinois Rivers meet, lies a landscape of timeless beauty strewn with 18th century villages, limestone bluffs, thousand-year-old forests, and riverside meadows.

This scenic byway, named one of the ‘Seven Wonders of Illinois’, may only be 33 miles on the map but you really need two days to explore and appreciate this fascinating stretch of Illinois heritage and history. Below you’ll find an itinerary that includes all the major sights, as well as some hidden gems, so you can skip the planning and hit the road.

To Know Before You Go

The Great Rivers Scenic Route begins in Hartford at the intersection of Illinois Route 3 and New Poag Road. From there it goes north and west, following the path of the Mississippi River and the Illinois River, to Pere Marquette State Park. The byway is well marked and takes Illinois Routes 3, 143, and 100. It’s open year-round, although some attractions are seasonal, and especially popular in fall when the autumnal colors make for some spectacular sight-seeing.

Day One: Hartford to Elsah

Your epic roadtrip begins in Hartford where, more than two centuries ago, legendary explorers Lewis and Clark made their camp. Today Camp Dubois is transformed into the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site. Learn all about the pioneers and perhaps pick up some tips for your own expedition by browsing the displays at the Interpretative Center.

Join the byway at the intersection of Illinois Route 3 and New Poag Road and travel northwest, following the river, to come to the charming town of Alton. An eclectic riverside community with plenty of quirky history — Abraham Lincoln once fought a duel here, it’s also the hometown of the world’s tallest man Robert Wadlow — Alton is a great place for your first stop. Grab a bite to eat or a snack for the road at Brown Bag Bistro, a friendly cafe with an outdoor patio and dinner and lunch menus.

While in Alton, take a wander around Piasa Park. Conveniently located right on the byway, this waterfront park is a beautiful location to take some pictures of the river and the park’s famous artwork, a striking mural of the Piasa Bird, a mythical man-eating creature which, according to legend, was slain by a local Chief and his warriors.

Before leaving Alton, find out more about the mighty Mississippi and the impact it’s had on American culture, economy, and ecology at the Great Rivers Museum. Located beside the Melvin Price Locks and Dam, the museum offers interactive exhibits, a theater, and daily public tours.

From Alton, drive north to Elsah for the last leg of your first day on the road. Known as the town ‘where time stood still’, this former steamboat landing was the first entire village to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. Grab a room at the Maple Leaf Cottage Inn to enjoy boutique accommodation nestled among the woodlands on the Mississippi bluffs.

Day Two: Elsah to Pere Marquette State Park

Before leaving Elsah, call into the Village of Elsah Museum, a small but fascinating museum housed in the 1887 Village Hall that shows what life was like in the town two centuries ago.

Getting back on the road, the next town is Grafton. You’ll find plenty to do in Grafton’s vibrant, bustling downtown and scenic harbour whether you’re in the mood for an excursion, waterfront dining, or boutique shopping. You’ve driven through the area, but see it from the air with a Grafton Skytour, an enclosed gondola that floats 300ft from the ground, taking passengers up to the bluffs to Aerie’s Resort where there is a winery and restaurant. The Skytour is open March to November.

If you’d rather stay at ground level, you can explore the water by boat with Hakuna Matata riverboat cruises. Running May to November, the boat travels up river, offering passengers stunning views of the bluffs, islands and historical points of interest. If you’re in town on a weekend in October, take the Fall Colors Cruise to see the best of the waterfront’s dazzling foliage.

Continuing the byway to its end point in Pere Marquette State Park, you’ll have more opportunities to immerse yourself in the area’s spectacular natural attractions. The park is known as a birdwatchers paradise thanks to its 230 species. If you’re there between December and March you may even catch a glimpse of a Bald Eagle as this is their most active season. Top birding spots in the park include Stump Lake and McAdams Peak.

The park also offers world-class fishing and hosts the Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair in June. Find out what events and programs are available during your visit at the Visitor’s Centre where you can also pick up a trail map and plan a hike on one of the park’s 12 marked trails.

Prairie State Roadtrip

The Meeting of the Great Rivers Route is part of the Great River Road, a 2,000+ mile long National Scenic Byway which runs from Minnesota down to the Gulf of America and is consistently named one of the country’s best drives. When Lewis and Clark travelled through this area in the early 1800s, they couldn’t have imagined the busy and beautiful byway it would become. Lined with historical sites, dynamic small towns, and inviting attractions, this unforgettable road trip will show you a new side of the Prairie State.