Location: Alton
Top Things to do in Alton
10 Things to do in Alton That You Shouldn't Miss
Alton is a city on the Mississippi River in Madison County, Illinois, United States, about 15 miles (24 km) north of St. Louis, Missouri. The population was 27,865 at the 2010 census. It is a part of the Metro-East region of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area. It is famous for its limestone bluffs along the river north of the city, for its role preceding and during the American Civil War, and as the hometown of jazz musician Miles Davis and Robert Wadlow, the tallest known person in history. It was the site of the last Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas debate in October 1858. The former state penitentiary here was used during the war to hold up to 12,000 Confederate prisoners of war.
Restaurants in Alton
1. Beall Mansion Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 32 reviews
No visit to Alton, IL is complete without a tour of the turn-of-the-century mansion built as a wedding gift. Museum tours are by appointment. Call now to schedule.
2. Jacoby Arts Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
3. Great Rivers Scenic Route
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 231 reviews
Reviewed By apkh0828 - Granite City, United States
AMAZING RIVER VIEW, LEAVES TURNING, QUAINT LITTLE TOWN OF Elijah, Bike Trail, Bird Watching, with many great shops in the town of Grafton. Nice wine tasting places, book shops, antique shops, ice cream parlor, and of course my favorite rock shop just as you enter Grafton on the right hand side of street. Beasley Fish and Find Inn our favorite places to eat. And for the bikers HogPit is the place to go! Head North to Pete Marquette State Park for great hiking and horseback riding. Spend a day or a weekend here, you will love it!
4. Alton Stained Glass Works
5. Alton Little Theater
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Buckeye-in-Jtown - Perryville, United States
Alton Little Theater is the oldest non-profit community theater in Illinois celebrating its 86th season. Alton is an historic river town located near the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers just north of St. Louis. ALT has presented classic Broadway productions in this off-off-Broadway venue. My wife, daughter, and I recently attended the production of “And Then There Were None”, Agatha Christie’s murder mystery. We have enjoyed “Man of La Mancha”, “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest”, and the hilarious “Don’t Talk To The Actors.” The community thespians are dedicated to their avocation as their performances continually demonstrate. Over the years ALT has presented “Oklahoma!”, “Hello Dolly”, “The Sound of Music”, “The 39 Steps”, and other venerable Broadway hits. If you’re looking for an enjoyable evening of live entertainment at a very affordable price you should consider Alton Little Theatre. Break a leg!
6. Alton Room Escape
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Fun team-building for friends, family, and colleagues to try and "escape" the room in 60 minutes! Our rooms are challenging and fun for all ages, and are not scary or creepy. Choose from two different escape games, uniquely designed and highly-rated by our customers, that will push you to think outside the box! Make your booking online in advance on our website. Games available Monday through Saturday, and limited hours on Sunday. During the school year we are open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, or by request during the week - just give us a call.
Reviewed By RRaccoon72 - Saint Louis, United States
First time I’ve tried an escape room. Five adults ranging from 29 to 60+ years old in our group. All of us had a great experience! The youngest person was the only one who had any previous experience with escape rooms. She said this is the best of the three she has tried. The owner/operator and his wife designed and built the well decorated rooms. Since it was a first time experience for most of us, we tried the moderate level of the “Captain’s Quarters.” The puzzles were not too easy and not so difficult as to make it frustrating. Plus you can ask for a hint whenever you want assistance. The challenges were well designed — you don’t get a clue to locate a key that opens a box that has another clue for another key to another box, etc. Each of the puzzles are unique and many require teamwork. You play only with the people you have in your group and others are not added to your group. Cost for admission was very reasonable. All of us are looking forward to doing another room! Oh yeah, we were successful in escaping!
7. Mississippi Mud Pottery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
We specialize in handmade functional stoneware pottery that is dishwasher, microwave, oven and food safe. Stop in and watch us create and browse our showroom filled with our finished ware.
Reviewed By BeenTo7Continents - Des Plaines, United States
Tons of colorful pottery at reasonable prices. Two dogs will say hello while you browse. If I lived here I would be buying my wedding gifts all the time here. As it was we stopped in thinking we'd buy one bowl and bought an olive tray for every day use, a St. Patrick's Day magnet and a Valentine tray. If you looked at the website ahead of time there are far more items and patterns in the physical store than in the online store.
8. Mineral Springs Haunted Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
The purpose of the Mineral Springs Paranormal Research Center is to further the knowledge of paranormal happenings. We regularly do ghost hunting and investigations of hauntings, and share our evidence with other Investigators and people who wish to attend our events.We also have "Meet and Greets" with paranormal groups of investigators."Hunt Ghosts with the Pro's"
9. First Unitarian Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By Big_bro_1_usa - Chicago, United States
Beautiful historic and haunted church. Be sure to read the history behind it. Located across City Hall. plenty of parking and an amazing view of the river and downtown.
10. Alton Hauntings Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
Looking for the real story of why Alton, Illinois, is know as one of the most haunted small towns in America? Come along on one of the award-winning Alton Hauntings Tours! Based on the book by author Troy Taylor, it has been called the "most authentic" tour in the region and after almost 20 years, we take you behind the scenes of the most haunted places in town. According to legend, author Mark Twain once called Alton a "dismal little river town," largely thanks to the dark history that the city had already endured prior to its heyday as a thriving river port. From those days, through the early 1900s, Alton saw more than its share of death, disease, disaster, violence, murder, and even the scars of the Civil War. Today, come see how the events of the past have created the hauntings of what is now being called "one of the most haunted small towns in America." Our tour is an entertaining, often spine-tingling trip back in town to discover the true story of why our little town has become so haunted over the years! See the calendar for upcoming dates and join us on the eerie streets for Alton for a tour!
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