Unless you grow up or serve college in Southern Illinois , " Little Egypt " is probably low on your radiolocation – particularly if you ’re a Chicagoan who thinks everything in the south of I-80 qualifies as Southern Illinois . In reality , the region is probably one of the Midwest ’s well - keep secrets . From its jaw - dropping natural beauty and deep history to its singular quirks , Southern Illinois swash countless reasons why it ’s one of the most underrated parts of the US .
It’s home to the largest archeological site in the US
Collinsville , ILCahokia Mounds State Historic Site is thought to be the most sophisticated pre - Columbian civilization northwards of Mexico , and is one of only 23 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the United States . The 2,200 - acre site features several ancient knoll and Woodhenge , a timberland traffic circle thought to have been used as a calendar . While the city was home to an estimated 40,000 resident physician in the thirteenth hundred , it was mysteriously abandon by the 1400s .
You don’t have to visit a gym to go rock climbing
Various locationsGiven that Illinois ’ unofficial byname is “ the prairie province , ” many people are surprised to learn that Southern Illinois is a outstanding locus for climbing and bouldering . While much of the Midwest is stuck climb at the local gym , Southern Illinoisans have good deal of places to do so , let in Cedar Bluff , Drapers Bluff , Jackson Falls , Fountain Bluff , and Giant City .
There are multiple wine trails to explore
Various locationsWhile Illinois may be acknowledge more for corn field than grapevines , Southern Illinois in reality happens to be home to more than 20 wineries and vineyards . In fact , there are two wine trails visitors can choose to explore : the Southern Illinois Wine Trail and the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail . The Shawnee Hills AVA region is best known for its chambourcin , traminette , chardonel , and vignoles wine-coloured … or in layperson ’s term : “ delicious wine-coloured . "
There’s an endless amount of obscure roadside attractions
Various locationsThere ’s nothing we love more than a truly freaky wayside attractive force . From the infamous World ’s Largest Catsup Bottle in Collinsville to the 25 ft Geriatric Walker in Edwardsville and Big John the Grocery Clerk in Eldorado , Southern Illinois is home to some of the weird ace we ’ve had the pleasure of stumbling upon . So many unknown and wondrous wayside photo ops , so footling time .
Mermet Springs is quite possibly the strangest diving site in the US
Belknap , ILWe know what you ’re recollect : a diving site in landlocked Southern Illinois ? Yes , we ’re serious!Mermet Springsis an 8.5 - acre spring - fed fair game with profoundness of up to 120 foot . What makes Mermet Springs most notable , however , is the wide raiment of flaky deep-set items , ranging from several aircrafts ( include a Boeing 727 from the movieU.S. Marshals ) to a fire hand truck . Oh , and there ’s an underwater cuddling zoological garden , because no dive site would be complete without one , right ?
There’s a cave that housed river pirates and notorious outlaws
Cave - In - Rock , ILWhile it ’s think to have been used by Native Americans for centuries , Cave - in - Rock – which sit on the money box of the Ohio River in Cave - in - Rock State Park – was first describe by Gallic explorers in 1739 . In the late 1700s – right around the time the town of Cave - In - Rock earned the nickname " Ancient Colony of Horse - Thieves , Counterfeiters and Robbers " – the cave itself was put into use by everyone from river pirate to the notoriously cold - blooded Harpe brothers , and even Jesse James himself . By the mid-1800s , vigilance man had bust the cave , and for a scant time , it was even used as a church service .
Shawnee National Forest is one of the most diverse forests in America
Harrisburg , ILThe jaw - dropping Shawnee National Forest spans a whopping 280,000 acres across the Ozark and Shawnee Hills , and contains seven wilderness areas , Giant City State Park , and Cedar Lake . The National Forest is also home to fascinating geological wonders , admit Garden of the Gods Recreation Area and Little Grand Canyon . you’re able to even go on a tree - based zipline canopy tour – the only one in Illinois !
You can stay overnight at a treehouse resort
Elizabethtown , ILLive out your childhood dreams by book a treehouse at Timber Ridge Outpost , Illinois ’ only treehouse resort . While you may be sleeping amongst the trees , each treehouse is equipped with a bathroom , kitchenette , heating , and air conditioning . For those that prefer to keep their feet planted firmly on the ground , you’re able to also rent out an unquestionable log cabin that was earlier establish in 1852 .
Your favorite cartoon characters are right at home
Metropolis and Chester , ILTwo of the creation ’s pet comical - book heroes – Popeye and Superman – have a heavy bearing in Southern Illinois . Popeye creator E.C. Segar was born in Chester , IL , and the town has devoted the last three decades to paying court to him by erect statues of every single character reference along what is now cognize as the Popeye Character Trail . Roughly 100 miles southeast of Chester is Metropolis , the town DC Comics crowned " Hometown of Superman " in 1972 . Bizarrely , the Illinois State Legislature also passed a resolution sustain that Metropolis is indeed “ Hometown of Superman . " In plus to erecting a 15 ft bronze statue of Superman , the town also fox an annual Superman Celebration and is home to Super Museum .
The dive bars are oh-so-divey
Various locationsWhile Southern Illinois may be home to a large turn of university student , you ’ll find that dive taproom hold more weighting than the stereotypical college bar around these parts . One of our favorites isFast Eddies Bon Airin Alton , which was built by Anheuser - Busch in 1921 and has food so loud , you ’ll swear you ’re paying old - school price . speak of solid food , The Frosty Mug in Mount Vernon is known for its killer whale BBQ . For those that require the “ dive ” experience without the legal profession , swing by the Root Beer Saloon in Alto Pass . This teetotaling saloon has a truly bizarre interior sport over 300 taxidermied item , a gargantuan statue of King Tut , a cyclorama replica of a New York tenement from the thirties , and more . If you ’re claustrophobic , you may want to bound off it .
Albino squirrels rule the road
Olney , ILSometime in the early 1900s , the proprietors of Jasper Banks Saloon in Olney , IL became the lofty proprietor of a few albino squirrels . Over the years , the population of albino squirrels produce to 1,000 and became such a source of pridefulness that the Ithiel Town formally adopted the unknown little creature as its mascot . The albino squirrels have right - of - way on all public streets , and there ’s a $ 750 fine for any driver who has the bad luck of murder one .
There are countless mom & pop restaurants
Various locationsWhile we love taking full vantage of living in one of the world ’s best food city , we ’ll never lose our affection for mom & pappa restaurants . From the wanton centre sandwiches at Maid Rite to the biscuits & gravy at Mary Lou ’s Grill , Southern Illinois is filled with decades - sometime kinsperson - owned eating place with solid food that ’s so good , you ’ll be swooning more than Guy Fieri hop up on Donkey Sauce .
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