Come visit the majestic spot where the Mother Road meets the Great River Road
There is only one place in America where two of our nation’s great roadways come together alongside the confluence of America’s three great rivers. And that is right here in the Great Rivers and Routes region of Southwest Illinois. Journey down historic Route 66 from Virden to just outside St. Louis to meet the miners, mobsters and characters that infuse the small towns along the way. Then hop on to the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway to experience the majesty of the confluence of the Missouri, Mississippi and Illinois rivers. Begin your celebration of America’s great roads and rivers today!
Don’t miss the most scenic drive on the entire Great River Road along the 33 mile stretch of the road between Alton and Grafton, Illinois. Enjoy the largest state park in Illinois at Pere Marquette State Park and spend the night along the bluffs at this historic lodge. Or, climb atop some of the most impressive history in North America as you tower over the St. Louis region on the UNESCO World Heritage Site Cahokia Mounds in Collinsville, the remnants of a civilization that lived in the Americas around 1300 AD.
And you simply must stop along this section of Route 66 to visit a one of a kind Rabbit Ranch in Staunton, Illinois or the Route 66 era statues and monuments at the Pink Elephant Antique Mall in Livingston, Illinois. All of this combined with exploding culinary scene in Edwardsville, Illinois and the iconic Chain of Rocks pedestrian bridge. In fact, the incredible flavors of rich American heritage await you at the many cities, towns and villages at every turn along the Great Rivers & Routes region of Southwest Illinois, just outside St. Louis. What are you waiting for? Put this on your itinerary today!
