Visitors Guide to Attractions
St. Clair County, Illinois
The attractions of Saint Clair and Monroe Counties reflect their rich and varied history. Discover French colonial life at Cahokia, the first European settlement on the Mississippi River. Founded in 1699, the same year as Williamsburg, Virginia, and a generation earlier than New Orleans, Cahokia is over 300 years old and was once larger than St. Louis. The city of Belleville offers visitors a diverse range of attractions that includes the William & Florence Schmidt Art Center, the new Labor & Industry Museum and the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows.
Belleville Labor & Industry Museum
Belleville, Illinois
Devoted to the history of the labor and industry of Belleville and southwestern Illinois, the Museum chronicles the region’s contribution in the late 19th century. Located in the Conrad Bornman House on historic Church Street, the building, which has undergone an extensive renovation, houses permanent and special exhibition galleries, as well as an educational center and archives.
Cahokia Courthouse
Cahokia, Illinois
Originally built about 1740 as a private residence, the Cahokia Courthouse is an excellent example of early French log construction post-on-sill foundation. In 1790 the building became the administrative and judicial center for St. Clair County. The courthouse was reconstructed in 1940 and now serves as a museum illustrating French Colonial life and the Lewis and Clark era.
Holy Family Parish Log Church
Cahokia, Illinois
This functioning Catholic Church is the second church to occupy the site since 1699. The present building was completed in 1799 and is an example of the dominant French colonial post-on-sill vertical timber style of construction. Given the importance of the church to the community it is probable that Lewis and Clark visited, worshipped, or attended community gatherings at this church during the winter of 1803-04.
Jarrot Mansion
Cahokia, Illinois
This two-story brick house built by entrepreneur Nicholas Jarrot in 1810 is considered to be the oldest brick building in Illinois. The interior of the mansion is well preserved to the early 19th century period and is being continually being refurbished and maintained by the Cahokia Historical Commission.
Emma Kunz House
Belleville, Illinois
The Emma Kunz House, built in 1830, is the oldest Greek Revival brick home in Illinois. This classic example of an ethnic German "Street House" is now a museum and is completely furnished to illustrate the hardships of early settlers.
Martin-Boismenue House
East Carondelet, Illinois
Built in the late 18th century the Martin-Boismenue House, this French colonial style home has two large rooms on the first floor, a basement cooking area, an attic, and two broad open porches on the front and back, known as galleries. The building and period furnishings provide a glimpse into the lifestyle of local villagers at the time of Lewis and Clark.
Saint Peter's Cathedral
Belleville, Illinois
Completed in 1866, St. Peter’s Cathedral is the largest cathedral in the state of Illinois and is modeled after the Cathedral of Exeter, England and its English Gothic style of architecture, which utilizes high, pointed arches aiming towards heaven. Prominent features of the Cathedral include sculpture, stained glass, and a magnificent organ, which contains 49 ranks of pipes.
William & Florence Schmidt Art Center
Belleville, Illinois
This 6,800 square foot privately funded art gallery consists of a permanent and teaching art collection more than 400 pieces. Sculptures, paintings, photographs, lithographs and monographs from renowned artists such as Claus Moor, Salvador Dali, Ansel Adams, Rembrandt Van Rijn, and Robert Motherwell are included in the collection. The Schmidt Art Center and Gallery regularly features special exhibitions.
Victorian Home Museum
Belleville, Illinois
Built in 1866 by a successful German immigrant, the St. Clair County Historical Society has furnished this Victorian Greek Revival house in the manner of a typical upper class Victorian family. On display are 19th century furnishings by local craftsmen, changing displays of vintage clothing, quilts, and other artifacts from St. Clair County.
Eckert's Country Store & Farms
Belleville, Illinois
Eckert’s Farm is the best place for year-round family fun. At the Belleville Farm, you’ll find something to do during every season and be able to explore the exciting and educational activities. Eckert’s Belleville Farm also offers seasonally available pick-your-own fruit and vegetables plus so much more!
The EDGE
Belleville, Illinois
The EDGE has been voted the top family entertainment center in the Metro East every year because of our superior attractions, family friendly environment and friendly staff.We offer the most state-of-the-art attractions which includes laser tag, four virtual reality attractions, indoor go-karts, bumper cars, bowling, movie theatres, arcade and a restaurant and bar.
Family Sportsplex
Belleville, Illinois
The Family Sportsplex is a state of the art training facility that offers sports and activities for recreational and select players of all ages. This facility offers indoor Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball and Gymnastics. The Family Sportsplex has something for everyone.
GCS Ballpark
Sauget, IL
GCS Ballpark is a minor league baseball facility that serves as the home ballpark for the Gateway Grizzlies of the Frontier League. The Gateway Grizzlies are not affiliated with any major league team. The stadium also hosts college baseball games.
National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows
Belleville, IL
Located on over 200 acres of rolling hillsides and valleys the grounds feature unique architecture, imaginative landscaping, and devotional areas. The Main Shrine features a 2,400-seat amphitheater with grassy slopes. Other features include The Way of The Cross, Resurrection Garden, The Lourdes Grotto replica, and Annunciation Garden. Each year at Christmas, the Shrine features The Way of Lights, with thousands of decorative light sculptures, decorations, and other special Holiday attractions.
Skyview Drive-in
Belleville, Illinois
Belleville is lucky to have one of the few drive-ins left in the country. The drive-in offers multiple new releases on its two screens so pack your coolers and snacks and head off early to insure a great spot! The Skyview also features a concession stand and a kids’ playground. For more information visit the Skyview Drive-in website.
Nearby Attractions
Monroe County, Illinois
Discover French colonial life at Cahokia, a town as old as Williamsburg, Virginia or visit the city of Belleville that offers its visitors a wide variety of attractions that includes an art gallery, museums, and the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows.
For Travelers Heading Up River
The Metropolitan Saint Louis Area
Metropolitan Saint Louis has a lot to offer its visitors. The area's most prominent attraction is the Gateway Arch. Saint Louis has a number of outstanding public institutions that are free to visit including the Zoo, Art Museum, History Museum, and the Science Center. The Saint Louis region has a number of green spaces for nature and outdoor enthusiasts. Forest Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. Faust County Park, in Saint Louis County, is home to many historical and cultural attractions including the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, a historical village, and the Saint Louis Carousel. The county is also home to Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park, Columbia Bottom Conservation Area, the Powder Valley Conservation Area.
Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway
The Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway area is one of America’s newer scenic byways. With over 20,000 acres of forest and wetlands at the heart of the Mississippi Flyway, it is a nature lovers paradise. Visitors will find spectacular colors in the fall and bald eagles in the winter. History abounds in the region ranging from the prehistoric Cahokia Mounds to sites on the National Register of Historic Places.
For Travelers Heading Down River
The Mississippi Meets the Ohio River Region
After the Mississippi River passes St. Louis it begins to change character. When the Mississippi River meets the Ohio River at Cairo, Illinois it is halfway on its journey to the sea. It is here that the brown muddy water of the Mississippi begins to mingle with the clearer water of the Ohio. Without the locks and dams the Mississippi begins to wind and curve so much so that the distance by water from Cape Girardeau to the Gulf of Mexico is twice the distance as a crow flies. The region where the Mississippi River meets the Ohio River is an area of transition in several respects both in terms of the flora and fauna but the culture begins to take on that of the Deep South. The Meeting the Ohio region of the Middle Mississippi River Valley offers it visitors a wide variety of options of activities to do and sites to see. Whether you’re looking for historical or cultural sites or a place to enjoy nature you’ll find it in this part of the country.
