MYTHIC SAMPLER (11 days)
Sample the cultural and scenic attractions of southern Illinois by engaging with its dramatic history. This is our longest tour (of course it can be broken into parts). The itinerary takes you down much of the length of Mississippi River that borders Illinois and it goes inland to other important destinations.
DAY 1
Springfield
– Abraham Lincoln Museum
– Abraham Lincoln Home National Historic Site
– LUNCH (try Springfield’s authentic, original horseshoe sandwich)
– Oak Ridge Cemetery: Lincoln Monument and other important graves
– Central Illinois African American History Museum
– Old State Capitol
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN SPRINGFIELD
DAY 2
Dickson Mounds Native American Site
Lewistown’s Oak Hill Cemetery (setting of E.L. Masters’ Spoon River Anthology)
Carthage Jail – Latter Day Saints site where the Mormon prophet was killed
LUNCH IN NAUVOO
Nauvoo
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN NAUVOO
DAY 3
Drive south along this scenic stretch of the Mississippi River to Quincy
Quincy
– magnificent monument to the sixth Lincoln-Douglas debate in town square
– the history kiosks in the town square
– History Museum, including the second floor which presents Quincy’s “Mormon miracle”
LUNCH (Red Light Bar and Grill, former bank)
– John Wood Mansion (National Register of Historic Places)
– Villa Kathrine (National Register of Historic Places)
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN QUINCY
DAY 4
– New Philadelphia National Historic Landmark site
– Jacksonville: Underground Railroad buildings
LUNCH
– Springfield: Illinois State Capitol, Governor’s Mansion, Race Riot Site
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN SPRINGFIELD
DAY 5
– Virden: town square and Battle of Virden Memorial
– Girard: Route 66 original red brick paver segment
– Carlinville: town square, “Million Dollar” Courthouse. Old Jail,  Silk Stocking district, Sears Homes district
– History Museum
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN LITCHFIELD
DAY 6
– Gillespie: Coal Museum, Colonial Theater site with historical marker
– Mt Olive: Mother Jones Museum, Union Miners Cemetery with Mother Jones Monument, Soulsby Route 66 Old Gas Station
LUNCH AT TILLEY’S BAR & GRILL
– Elsah National Register of Historic Places town
– Principia College
– Piasa Bird cliff drawing
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN ALTON
DAY 7
Alton
– downtown Alton, the “San Francisco” on the Mississippi River
– Mural
– Lincoln-Douglas Debate Square
– Lyman Trumbull House
– History Museum
– Confederate Prison remains
LUNCH: historic Ryder Building (Just Desserts Restaurant)
– Hayner Library with Elijah Lovejoy printing press
– Elijah Lovejoy Monument
– National Cemetery
– Confederate Cemetery
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN ALTON
DAY 8
– Lewis & Clark State Historic Site
– Melvin Price Locks and Dam
– National Great Rivers Museum
LUNCH
– “The World’s Largest Catsup Bottle” in Collinsville
– Cahokia Mounds World Heritage Site
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN COLLINSVILLE
DAY 9
French District
– French Cahokia: Holy Family Church, Courthouse, Jarrot Mansion
– Fort de Chartres
– Prairie du Rocher
– St Joseph’s Cemetery
LUNCH
– Pierre Menard Home
– Garrison Hill Cemetery
– Fort Kaskaskia
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN CHESTER
DAY 10
Sparta: “In the Heat of the Night” train depot
Maeystown German Town
LUNCH IN WATERLOO
– Waterloo: historic downtown walk around, Bellefontaine House, Senator Rickert B&B house
– Mascoutah: History Museum, Historic Cemetery
– Lebanon historic downtown
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN COLLINSVILLE
DAY 11
late morning start
LUNCH IN ARISTON CAFÉ ON ROUTE 66- LITCHFIELD
Litchfield Route 66 Museum
take out baked goodies from Jubelt’s Route 66 bakery
Coalfield Rest Stop interpretive center
DINNER AND OVERNIGHT: SPRINGFIELD