Southern IL guidebook
Winery
This winery is 2 miles from the house. Their tasting room offers wine, beer, mixed drinks and a limited menu. They usually have live music on the weekends. Great place to relax and take in the beautiful ambiance. (Coming in 2023 casino and resort.)
https://www.walkersbluff.com/
21 recommandé par les habitants
Walker's Bluff
326 Vermont RdThis winery is 2 miles from the house. Their tasting room offers wine, beer, mixed drinks and a limited menu. They usually have live music on the weekends. Great place to relax and take in the beautiful ambiance. (Coming in 2023 casino and resort.)
https://www.walkersbluff.com/
This is one of many wineries on the Shawnee Wine Trail. Family friendly.
22 recommandé par les habitants
Von Jakob Winery & Brewery
230 IL-127This is one of many wineries on the Shawnee Wine Trail. Family friendly.
This is one of many wineries on the Shawnee Wine Trail. Family friendly.
28 recommandé par les habitants
Alto Vineyards
8515 IL-127This is one of many wineries on the Shawnee Wine Trail. Family friendly.
This is one of many wineries on the Shawnee Wine Trail. Family friendly.
50 recommandé par les habitants
Vignobles Blue Sky
3150 S Rocky Comfort RdThis is one of many wineries on the Shawnee Wine Trail. Family friendly.
This is one of many wineries on the Shawnee Wine Trail. On a personal note - they have the best wine slushies in the area!!
32 recommandé par les habitants
Vignobles StarView
5100 Wing Hill RdThis is one of many wineries on the Shawnee Wine Trail. On a personal note - they have the best wine slushies in the area!!
Honker Hill Winery
4861 Spillway RdOne of the wineries on the Shawnee Wine Trail.
One of the wineries on the Shawnee Wine Trail.
20 recommandé par les habitants
Domaine viticole Owl Creek
1600 Cobden School RoadOne of the wineries on the Shawnee Wine Trail.
Outdoor recreation
Crab Orchard Refuge is a great place to ride a bike, hike, fish, boat, kayak, camp, swim and more. You do have to buy a pass to access the property.
10 recommandé par les habitants
Crab Orchard National Wildlife
8588 IL-148Crab Orchard Refuge is a great place to ride a bike, hike, fish, boat, kayak, camp, swim and more. You do have to buy a pass to access the property.
Rend Lake has lots to offer! They have camping, boating, a public beach, paved bike paths, golfing, and more!
https://www.facebook.com/rendlakeusace
Rend Lake Visitor's Center
11981 Rend City RdRend Lake has lots to offer! They have camping, boating, a public beach, paved bike paths, golfing, and more!
https://www.facebook.com/rendlakeusace
Giant City State Park is a must see. The park is free to visitors. There are many hiking trails, bluffs, rock climbing, observatory tower, visitor center and a lodge (know for their fried chicken!) There is so much to see, you won't be disappointed.
76 recommandé par les habitants
Parc d'État de Giant City
235 Giant City RdGiant City State Park is a must see. The park is free to visitors. There are many hiking trails, bluffs, rock climbing, observatory tower, visitor center and a lodge (know for their fried chicken!) There is so much to see, you won't be disappointed.
Another must see! It's about an hour drive, but is easy to access. You can park at the top and it's a short hike to see some amazing views!
60 recommandé par les habitants
Jardin des Dieux
Another must see! It's about an hour drive, but is easy to access. You can park at the top and it's a short hike to see some amazing views!
This free park is so much fun for adults and kids! See various dragon and medieval statues, or climb though the wooden castle finding secret passage ways. Families will love to spend an afternoon here! Great photo opportunities!
Parc du Château
101 Homewood DrThis free park is so much fun for adults and kids! See various dragon and medieval statues, or climb though the wooden castle finding secret passage ways. Families will love to spend an afternoon here! Great photo opportunities!
Another pretty place to visit. Easy access, hike, bluffs and more.
19 recommandé par les habitants
Dixon Springs State Park
982 Illinois 146Another pretty place to visit. Easy access, hike, bluffs and more.
There is too much to mention, but the Shawnee National Forest is home to Southern Illinois!
37 recommandé par les habitants
Forêt nationale de Shawnee
There is too much to mention, but the Shawnee National Forest is home to Southern Illinois!
This lake is absolutely beautiful! 1750 acres in size with a maximum depth of 60 ft. The lake is limited for boats as you are only allowed 10 HP limit. This is a local favorite to kayak at. Things to do: fish, swim, swim at the beach (must pay to get in), and boating.
Cedar Lake Boat Ramp
This lake is absolutely beautiful! 1750 acres in size with a maximum depth of 60 ft. The lake is limited for boats as you are only allowed 10 HP limit. This is a local favorite to kayak at. Things to do: fish, swim, swim at the beach (must pay to get in), and boating.
College
Southern Illinois is home to the Salukis! Looking to go to SIU? Our location is not far from campus.
20 recommandé par les habitants
Southern Illinois University
1263 Lincoln DrSouthern Illinois is home to the Salukis! Looking to go to SIU? Our location is not far from campus.
Local Farm
Ever been to a Alpaca Ranch? One of Southern Illinois gems is the Rolling Alpaca Ranch. Stop by to learn about these beautiful animals and pick up some handmade gifts! Judy and Morgan, owners, are super friendly and love to show off all that they have created! They host many events, check out the website or Facebook for more information.
Rolling Oak Alpaca Ranch
1335 Hall Church RdEver been to a Alpaca Ranch? One of Southern Illinois gems is the Rolling Alpaca Ranch. Stop by to learn about these beautiful animals and pick up some handmade gifts! Judy and Morgan, owners, are super friendly and love to show off all that they have created! They host many events, check out the website or Facebook for more information.
This place is easy to access, right off of highway 127. During peak seasons you have venture out into the flower fields, pick sunflowers, or pumpkins. They have a great shop with various products, treats and of course apples and peaches! Great place to take photos! Near several wineries.
16 recommandé par les habitants
Rendleman Orchards
9680 IL-127This place is easy to access, right off of highway 127. During peak seasons you have venture out into the flower fields, pick sunflowers, or pumpkins. They have a great shop with various products, treats and of course apples and peaches! Great place to take photos! Near several wineries.
Big Muddy Hogs is a short trip from the house. This farm raises hogs in a humane way by practicing rotational grazing to minimize damage to the land and to raise animals in the most natural way. Stop at their farm store to pick up meats and other local groceries. More than likely you will be able to get a close up view if the pigs roaming around the fields.
Big Muddy Hogs
300 Adams StreetBig Muddy Hogs is a short trip from the house. This farm raises hogs in a humane way by practicing rotational grazing to minimize damage to the land and to raise animals in the most natural way. Stop at their farm store to pick up meats and other local groceries. More than likely you will be able to get a close up view if the pigs roaming around the fields.
Bison Bluff Farms consists of over 350 head of bison. You will need to check availability, but they host many events throughout the year. If you take a drive to a nearby winery, you might just see the biason roaming the fields. They do sell meat at the farmers market, online and at the Neighborhood Co-op in Carbondale.
Bison Bluff Farms
1565 Bethel Church RoadBison Bluff Farms consists of over 350 head of bison. You will need to check availability, but they host many events throughout the year. If you take a drive to a nearby winery, you might just see the biason roaming the fields. They do sell meat at the farmers market, online and at the Neighborhood Co-op in Carbondale.
Food scene
Somewhat new to the food scene, their gourmet style food is wonderful.
9 recommandé par les habitants
Fork & Vine Restaurant & Wine Bar
8595 U.S. 51Somewhat new to the food scene, their gourmet style food is wonderful.
This place is known for their all you can eat family style fried chicken with all the fixins! Definitely a local favorite! Take a stroll around the grounds or walk up the observation tower for some amazing views.
Giant City Lodge Road
Giant City Lodge RoadThis place is known for their all you can eat family style fried chicken with all the fixins! Definitely a local favorite! Take a stroll around the grounds or walk up the observation tower for some amazing views.
Water Parks
Located in Carbondale - fun family place cool off for the day.
6 recommandé par les habitants
Super Splash Park
625 S Lewis LnLocated in Carbondale - fun family place cool off for the day.
The HUB has an indoor Aquatics Center with pools, a zero-depth entry pool with sprayground and small waterslide perfect for younger children. A lazy river, two-story waterslide, swirling vortex, basketball hoop and volleyball net are great areas to entertain older kids and adults who are young at heart. You must be at least 48 inches tall to go down the big water slide.
There is a 25-yard, six-lane lap pool is for more serious swimmers. There is also a large hot tub for relaxation. You must be at least 14 years old to utilize it.
You can purchase a one-time, all-inclusive day pass. $12 for adults and $10 for 17 and under. (Check schedule ahead of time.)
10 recommandé par les habitants
The HUB Recreation Center
917 W Main StThe HUB has an indoor Aquatics Center with pools, a zero-depth entry pool with sprayground and small waterslide perfect for younger children. A lazy river, two-story waterslide, swirling vortex, basketball hoop and volleyball net are great areas to entertain older kids and adults who are young at heart. You must be at least 48 inches tall to go down the big water slide.
There is a 25-yard, six-lane lap pool is for more serious swimmers. There is also a large hot tub for relaxation. You must be at least 14 years old to utilize it.
You can purchase a one-time, all-inclusive day pass. $12 for adults and $10 for 17 and under. (Check schedule ahead of time.)
City/town information
This historic boardwalk dates back to the 1890s. Today it offers galleries featuring quality handcrafts created by local artisans and a country store. We often stop there after playing around Giant City State Park for some ice cream. Its nothing fancy, but is great on a hot day. Be sure to walk through the Rainmaker store - handcrafted jewelry and more! But the cool part is the maze that takes you through the garden behind the store. Truly unique!
Makanda Boardwalk
This historic boardwalk dates back to the 1890s. Today it offers galleries featuring quality handcrafts created by local artisans and a country store. We often stop there after playing around Giant City State Park for some ice cream. Its nothing fancy, but is great on a hot day. Be sure to walk through the Rainmaker store - handcrafted jewelry and more! But the cool part is the maze that takes you through the garden behind the store. Truly unique!