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The Great Rivers & Routes region is home to three of America’s most famous rivers, a national water route, and is the only place in the US where Route 66 meets the Great River Road.
So it’s no surprise that the six-county region has skyrocketed in popularity.
In fact, visitor spending has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, according to one report River Bender.
Illinois welcomed 112 million domestic and international visitors in 2023.
Outdoor adventure and nature activities are particularly popular here.
The region is home to more than 200 miles of hiking and cycling trails, but there is so much more to discover.
This is why this beautiful region is best visited in autumn:
Experience beautiful autumn colors
As the name suggests, the Great Rivers & Routes region is made up of scenic byways and natural riverside routes, meaning you’ll find an abundance of trees and foliage here.
And in the fall that means changing leaves!
Exploring the region’s changing autumn colors along the byways, on boat trips on the river or while hiking in the rolling hills is a favorite pastime for locals and tourists alike.
According to the Rivers & Routes Tourism Board, the region’s peak autumn foliage period for both 2021 and 2022 was between November 7 and 12, so if you’re interested in leaf-peeping, these are great dates to plan your trip.
Haunted Halloween
If you prefer your fall activities to be a little spookier, Alton in the Great Rivers & Routes region is considered one of the most haunted small towns in America.
Fall is a good time to take a ghost tour of the city.
I love Halloween so this would be my idea of the perfect fall weekend getaway!
A haunted history walk with Alton Hauntings costs $25 per person.
Called the “most authentic” tour in the region, this is a great choice for fans of all things supernatural.
If you don’t want to take a full city tour, you can also visit the McPike Mansion, a historic and haunted property in Alton.
This is on the National Register of Historic Places and the mansion and grounds are considered one of the most haunted places in the United States.
If you have the courage, you can take a tour of the mansion and grounds.
This costs $20 per adult and takes place every Friday and Saturday in October.
Historical attractions
If you want to learn more about the rich American history, Great Rivers & Routes has a lot to offer in this area as well.
Both the Lewis & Clark State Historic Site and the Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower are located here.
The Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower is managed by the National Park Service and stands a whopping 50 meters tall. This tower stands above the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. These are the two longest rivers in North America.
You pay $6 per person to climb the tower, and it is only open Thursday through Sunday, 10am to 5pm, so plan your trip accordingly!
The Lewis & Clark State Historic Site is located at the mouth of the Dubois River (where the trip began) and this is a great place to learn more about Lewis & Clark.
The center includes a 14,000-square-foot interpretive center, a 15-minute interpretive film, a reconstructed Settlers’ Cabin and a reconstructed Camp River Dubois.
A standard access pass for entry to the site costs $10.
Hit the road on Route 66
One aspect of Great Rivers & Routes tourism that is particularly popular this year is the Route 66 attractions.
The last 100 miles of the road run through Illinois and the region.
In addition to being the only place where Route 66’s Mother Road meets the Great River Road, the region is also home to several museums and other things to see and do dedicated to this iconic road.
As you can imagine, it’s all kitsch and retro. Think ’50s-style diners and rock ‘n’ roll themed bars.
But there are also some informative stops, if you prefer history over Americana.
Some of Route 66’s best attractions include the Collinsville Historical Society Museum, which covers the history of the area but also touches on the history of the road.
If you are tired of driving, you can leave your car behind and explore the area Route 66 Walking and cycling routewhich is located in Litchfield.
A round-trip hike on this trail is approximately 6.6 miles, making it the perfect stop if you want to stretch your legs.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
