This was the last of three trails that we hiked today. Parking spots were so limited but we were…read moreglad that we went around 2pm and were able to find a parking spots for our group. We hiked the western loop today. This trail was only 1 mile total. It has quite some interesting rock formations. There were more falling leaves on this trail than the other two trails we hiked today. The sleep downwardness of this trail was of a great challenge.

This is a great little hike if you want something not too large. It's great as they have two…read moredifferent entrances from either side of the road. The one we chose the waterfall has two different trails. I would say we spent about an hour exploring, but it was also very wet so we took our time. We had children with us and they very much enjoyed it and thought it was a lot of fun exploring There's a lot of beauty and the waterfalls are great, but only Really have the waterfalls when there has been a lot of rain Highly recommend checking it out. It's only about an hour from the St. Louis area.

Nice walk from a very small parking area. Gate is closed but go around it to follow main path…read more About a mile in to get to the creek which is beautiful view of the bluffs and the stream. Cross over the stream( rock jumping) and take a look at the Rock Art which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Hard to follow path after leafy fall .

Interesting transport or a need of a quick trip across the river makes this a good destination…read more I have only rode without a vehicle for $2, but the experience is so different that my mind enjoys the trip. (As does the kid inside my companions) Standing on the dock waiting for the ferry takes patients, but kids find rocks to throw in the river during the "I am bored moments". (I would set a visible boundary for how close they can get to the river) Watching the tug boat pitch the ferry sideways as it maneuvers from the side is intriguing. The ferry does not take long to unload and be loaded so be ready. The trip is surprisingly quick and breezy then the Mark Twain memory (plus pics) is all that is left. http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/Exhibits/MTP/mississippi.html While they have a $4 rate for the horse & rider, the new adventurers must be motorcycles because for $5 they seem to be really willing to pay the ferry man. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don't_Pay_the_Ferryman

A hidden gem only one hour south of St. Louis. The Historic District of Ste. Genevieve has a large…read morenumber of 18th and 19th century French buildings. The area is pretty charming. There are inviting little shops filled with crafts, antiques, gifts, sweets and wine. Strolling through the streets of this unique community, I saw a variety of restaurants I want to try and wanted to browse the specialty shops and stay in distinguished bed and breakfast inns but my time was limited. Many of these buildings have been meticulously restored over the past 50 years and today Ste. Genevieve boasts the largest and finest collection of French Creole architecture in the US. There are historic tours homes and I would suggest buying these five venues with one ticket. -1806 Jacques Guibourd House -1818 Felix Vallé State Historic Site -Ste. Genevieve Museum -1792 Bauvais- Amoureux House -1804 Bequette-Ribault House You can purchase this Passports at the Ste. Genevieve Welcome Center.

Nice hilly park. Bring your walking shoes or skateboard. You can walk, skate, play tennis or…read morepickleball. Huge soccer and ball fields. Playground and pavilion. Tons of parking. #smalltownproud

One of the little-known roadside attractions in southern Illinois is the Popeye Statue! If you…read morehaven't been to Chester, you'll find out right away that the creator of the Popeye character, E.C. Segar, was born and raised there. The river town has several tributes to the man. In addition, there are at least 8 other statues of Popeye characters around Chester. Be sure to check out the Visitors Center (if open) and get information on the history of Segar, as well as the locations for all of the other statues. The statue is located just as you are coming off the Mississippi River (Northeast direction), so its kind of oddly placed in front of the woods. But you and the family/friends will get a kick out of it, and of course, a photo op.

The Popeye statue at the Illinois Welcome Center in Chester is a fun and unmistakably local…read morelandmark, sitting right in the parking area on the Illinois side of the bridge that leads to Perryville Missouri. It's a cheerful figure and on a quick stop, it adds a little personality to what would otherwise be a standard highway welcome center. The placement is perfect. Enter the parking lot and there he is with that classic grin before you even get to the building. It's here because Chester is the hometown of Elzie Crisler Segar, the creator of Popeye. The town has fully embraced that heritage, scattering character statues around the area and celebrating its connection to the comic strip. The welcome center Popeye is one of the most visible of the bunch, acting as a friendly introduction to the town's quirky claim to fame. As roadside attractions go, it's simple but charming, and it sets the tone nicely for a visit to Chester. [Review 1097 of 2026 - 257 in Illinois - 26276 overall]

lake is beautiful. horribly managed, dirty bathrooms, docks are in disarray, no boat shop, no boat…read morelifts are allowed in docks. gaming area was wrong use for space. has large enough kitchen to support more open hours. large patio and indoor dinning/bar is also under utilized. Maybe some friendlier/service oriented management adjustment needed.

This is our favorite campground. The people are so nice, the prices are very reasonable and they…read morehave a bar and grill called Moody Muskies Bar & Grill. Highly recommend this place for camping, boating or just coming out to eat or have a drink.

Over 3 miles of trapshooting ranges. An insane amount of RV camping with full hook-ups. Shower…read morehouses. Restaurant on site. Lots of vendors. Hosts the Grand American world championship trapshoot. Awesome place.

This is a shooting complex first and foremost. Tons of campsites, and would be a great camp for…read morethis wanting to burn off a few rounds while they camp. We were there for the solar eclipse, and it was spectacular. Their WIFI is worthless though, we only actually managed to get connected a few times, and it will be much nicer when they have some bigger trees. Several lakes, and a beautiful area.

This whole place was renovated about two years ago. Automatic scoreboard make it so no one can…read morecheat or has to add. Same old bowling shoes and balls. Plenty of room for parties ( kids and adults) bar downstairs for your food and drink needs. Bowling alleys are becoming a thing of the past, this place is worth the drive and throw a few balls and hopefully get a few spares and strikes.

Great little local bowling alley. Would recommend booking a lane early since there are only 6 of…read morethem. Good selection of bowling balls for the kids. Food available from Ratzkellers, attached to bowling alley. The pizzas are phenomenal. Wings with an assortment of sauces to be tossed in and the toasted ravs are good as well. There is a bar also if you feel the need to imbibe, and since you're bowling it's almost sacrilege not too.