A place for Madison County Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, to find fun in Granite City, Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Alton, Godfrey, O'Fallon, Collinsville, and much more!
(about 1.5 hours)
The area is one of the newest additions to the National Parks System with French Colonial architecture and structures dating to the 1700s.
Do
- Check out the dinosaur exhibit at Ste. Genevieve Museum Learning Center Friday–Sunday, 11 am–4 pm. Closed on major holidays. Parking is free. 4 years of age or younger-Free, 5-12 years – $5.00, Adult – $10.00, Seniors (62+) and active/retired military – $8.00, First Responders – $8.00. No food or drink allowed inside the Museum.
- Braden’s Challenger Playground is a 16,000 sq. ft. all-inclusive playground that opened in September 2016. This playground was designed as a place for children of all abilities to play side by side and give everyone the opportunity to experience what it is like to have fun on a playground.
- Cool off at River Rapids Water Park with water slides, a lazy river, and a kid zone. Open daily 11am – 6pm. 2 & Under are FREE. Ages 3 – 12: $8. Ages 13 – 61: $9. Ages 62+: $8. Reduced rates Monday – Thursday 4p to 6p.
- At Hawn State Park, you can explore Pickle Creek, which has been designated as a state natural area. It is one of the few places in the state where visitors can see a wide variety of rock types exposed. Pickle Creek Trail begins at the picnic area located between the park office and the campground. The trail follows Pickle Creek, which has carved its way through the surrounding sandstone. The result is a clear, sandy-bottom creek strewn with water-sculpted granite boulders and numerous exposed sandstone bluffs. The trail provides a point-to-point hike, although a loop hike is possible by returning on a portion of Whispering Pine Trail that traverses the bluffs on the opposite side of the creek.
- Hickory Canyons is defined by its box canyons (canyons with vertical or almost vertical walls) and sandstone cliffs. It also has unique plants. Two short hiking trails offer good views of the area's bluffs and canyons. A one-quarter mile trail from the parking area leads to a steep-walled box canyon. Across the road from the parking area is a one mile trail through steep terrain in the sandstone forest that crosses a scenic creek in a few locations.
- Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary. Tours are Thurs.- Sun. at 11, 1 & 3. No reservations required. Monday- Wednesday tours by reservation. Learn about and view the big cats. The Education Center has tiger artifacts. Pathways are paved and accessible. $10 per person, 3 and under are free.
- Critter Lane Petting Zoo Admission is $7.00 per person. Children under 2 are free. Camel and Pony Rides are $5.00 per rider. Open Tues thru Sun 10-6.
- Sara's Ice Cream is a local landmark. The shop was opened around 1980 by Sara Menard. The shop was opened on an unnaturally cold day in May, but thanks to a few Girl Scouts, the day closed with $13.39 in the drawer.
- Sweet Things Candy Shop has decadent chocolates, sour cream and onion flavored crickets, lollipops as big as a Frisbee, or jawbreakers the size of a baseball.
