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The Nice Rivers & Routes area is dwelling to three of America’s most well-known rivers, a nationwide water path, and is the one place within the U.S. the place Route 66 meets the Nice River Highway.
So it’s no shock that the six-county area has soared in recognition.
Customer spending has even handed up pre-pandemic ranges, in response to a report from River Bender.
Illinois welcomed 112 million home and worldwide guests in 2023.
Out of doors journey and nature-based actions are notably standard right here.
The area is dwelling to over 200 miles of mountaineering and biking trails, however there’s a lot extra to discover.
Right here’s why this lovely area is finest visited within the fall:
Expertise Gorgeous Fall Colours
Because the identify suggests, the Nice Rivers & Routes area is made up of scenic byways and pure riverside routes, which suggests you’ll discover an abundance of timber and foliage right here.
And in fall, meaning altering leaves!
Exploring the altering fall colours of the area alongside its byways, on river ferry rides, or when mountaineering within the rolling hills is a favourite seasonal pastime for locals and vacationers alike.
In accordance with the Rivers & Routes tourism board, the height fall foliage interval for each 2021 and 2022 within the area was between November 7-12, so when you’re excited about leaf peeping then these are nice dates to plan your journey.
Haunted Halloween
When you choose your fall actions slightly spookier, Alton within the Nice Rivers & Routes area is taken into account one of many Most Haunted Small Cities in America.
Fall is a superb time to take a ghost-hunting tour via the city.
I like Halloween, so this could be my concept of the proper fall weekend getaway!
A haunted historical past strolling tour with Alton Hauntings costs $25 per person.
This has been referred to as the “most genuine” tour within the area and is a superb selection for followers of all issues supernatural.
When you don’t need to take a full tour of the city then you possibly can additionally go to the McPike Mansion which is a historic and haunted Alton property.
That is on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations and the mansion and grounds are thought-about to be one of the vital haunted locations in the US.
When you’ve acquired the nerve you possibly can take a tour of the mansion and its grounds.
These cost $20 per adult and happen each Friday and Saturday in October.
Historic Points of interest
When you’re excited about studying extra about wealthy American historical past then Nice Rivers & Routes has a lot to supply on this regard too.
Each the Lewis & Clark State Historic Website and the Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower are positioned right here.
The Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower is operated by the Nationwide Park Service and stands at a powerful 150 ft tall. This tower sits above the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. These are the 2 longest rivers in North America.
You’ll pay $6 per individual to go up the tower, and it’s solely open from Thursday via Sunday, 10 a.m. to five p.m. so plan your journey accordingly!
The Lewis & Clark State Historic Website sits on the mouth of the River Dubois (the place the journey started) and it is a great spot to seek out out extra about Lewis & Clark.
The middle features a 14,000-square-foot Interpretive Heart, a 15-minute interpretive movie, a reconstructed Settlers’ Cabin, and a reconstructed Camp River Dubois.
A regular entrance move to access the site costs $10.
Get Your Kicks On Route 66
One of many elements of Nice Rivers & Routes tourism that’s been notably standard this yr is the Route 66 sights.
The final 100 miles of the highway move via Illinois and the area.
In addition to being the one place the place the Mom Highway of Route 66 meets the Nice River Highway, there are a number of museums and different issues to see and do dedicated to this iconic highway within the area too.
As you possibly can think about, it’s all issues kitsch and retro. Assume 50s-style diners and rock n roll-themed bars.
However there are additionally some informative stops, too, when you choose historical past to Americana.
A number of the finest Route 66 sights embrace the Collinsville Historic Society Museum, which covers the historical past of the world but in addition touches on the historical past of the highway.
When you get sick of driving then you possibly can go away your automotive to discover the Route 66 Hike and Bike trail, which is in Litchfield.
A round-trip trek on this path is roughly 6.6 miles, making it the proper cease when it’s essential to stretch your legs.
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This text initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed listed here are the writer’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, resort, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, accredited or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included inside the submit.
