The Great Rivers & Routes region is home to 3 of America’s most famous rivers, a national water trail, and is the only place in the U.S. where Route 66 meets the Great River Road.
So it’s no surprise that the six-county region has soared in popularity.
Visitor spending has even passed up pre-pandemic levels, according to a report from River Bender.
Illinois welcomed 112 million domestic and international visitors in 2023.
Outdoor adventure and nature-based activities are particularly popular here.
The region is home to over 200 miles of hiking and biking trails, but there’s so much more to explore.
Here’s why this beautiful region is best visited in the fall:
Experience Stunning Fall Colors
As the name suggests, the Great Rivers & Routes region is made up of scenic byways and natural riverside routes, which means you’ll find an abundance of trees and foliage here.
And in fall, that means changing leaves!
Exploring the changing fall colors of the region along its byways, on river ferry rides, or when hiking in the rolling hills is a favorite seasonal pastime for locals and tourists alike.
According to the Rivers & Routes tourism board, the peak fall foliage period for both 2021 and 2022 in the region was between November 7-12, so if you’re interested in leaf peeping then these are great dates to plan your trip.
Haunted Halloween
If you prefer your fall activities a little spookier, Alton in the Great Rivers & Routes region is considered one of the Most Haunted Small Towns in America.
Fall is a great time to take a ghost-hunting tour through the town.
I love Halloween, so this would be my idea of the perfect fall weekend getaway!
A haunted history walking tour with Alton Hauntings costs $25 per person.
This has been called the “most authentic” tour in the region and is a great choice for fans of all things supernatural.
If you don’t want to take a full tour of the town then you could also visit the McPike Mansion which is a historic and haunted Alton property.
This is on the National Register of Historic Places and the mansion and grounds are considered to be one of the most haunted places in the United States.
If you’ve got the nerve you can take a tour of the mansion and its grounds.
These cost $20 per adult and take place every Friday and Saturday in October.
Historic Attractions
If you’re interested in learning more about rich American history then Great Rivers & Routes has much to offer in this regard too.
Both the Lewis & Clark State Historic Site and the Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower are located here.
The Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower is operated by the National Park Service and stands at an impressive 150 feet tall. This tower sits above the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. These are the two longest rivers in North America.
You’ll pay $6 per person to go up the tower, and it’s only open from Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. so plan your trip accordingly!
The Lewis & Clark State Historic Site sits at the mouth of the River Dubois (where the journey began) and this is a great place to find out 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 entrance pass to access the site costs $10.
Get Your Kicks On Route 66
One of the aspects of Great Rivers & Routes tourism that’s been particularly popular this year is the Route 66 attractions.
The last 100 miles of the road pass through Illinois and the region.
As well as being the only place where the Mother Road of Route 66 meets the Great River Road, there are several museums and other things to see and do devoted to this iconic road in the region too.
As you can imagine, it’s all things kitsch and retro. Think 50s-style diners and rock n roll-themed bars.
But there are also some informative stops, too, if you prefer history to Americana.
Some of the best Route 66 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 get sick of driving then you could leave your car to explore the Route 66 Hike and Bike trail, which is in Litchfield.
A round-trip trek on this trail is approximately 6.6 miles, making it the perfect stop when you need to stretch your legs.
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