From Wikitravel

Alton [1] is a charming river town in Illinois just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis MO. Once a blue collar town of heavy manufacturing, Alton has transformed itself into a tourist destination and wedding and reception mecca of the midwest.

Located along the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway, named one of the Seven Wonders of Illinois, the Greater Alton area has three wineries, fifty antique shops, nine golf courses, Alton Marina, Alton Square Mall, boating, parasailing, hiking biking, fine dining, and more.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By car

• Alton is within fifteen minutes or less os I-270 and I-255. Illinois Route 3, Illinois Route 140, and Illinois Route 143 run through Alton.

[edit] By plane

• Lambert St. Louis International Airport(IATA: STL), 10701 Lambert International Blvd, +1 314 426-8000, [2]. Alton is only 25 minutes from Lambert St. Louis International.

• St Louis Regional Airport, 8 Terminal Drive East Alton,

+1 618 259-2531 or toll free +1 888 562-9950, [3].

By train

• Amtrak, 3400 College Ave., +1 800 USA-RAIL, [4]. Station stops on each route.

[edit] By boat

• Alton Marina [5] #1 Henry Street, +1 618 462-9860.

[edit] Get around

• Champagne Limousines, 3406 West Delmar Avenue, Godfrey, Toll Free: 1-800-500-2526, In MO (314) 567-5466, In IL (618) 466-7001, [6]. Luxury limousine service to the entire St. Louis Metro-East area since 1984. Fleet includes new Lincoln Town Car Limos 10, 12, & 14 Passengers. New Lincoln Navigator Stretches, new Hummer H2 Stretch For 16 To 18 Passengers, Classic Rolls Royce Silver Cloud, new Model Sedans And Vans For Airport Service.

[edit][add listing] See

• Alton is a bird watchers paradise. Each year from Christmas to the end of February Alton boasts the largest gathering of American bald eagles outside Alaska.

• Lewis & Clark Trail Site #1 and museum
• Lincoln Douglas debate site
• Alton Museum of History.

• Alton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, [7]. Official website of the Alton Convention and Visitors Bureau. Call Toll Free 1-800-Alton-IL for a free All Around Alton Guide or personal help in planning your Alton, Illinois Trip.

[edit][add listing] Do

• The Beall Mansion Historic Home Tours, 407 East 12th Street, Alton, Illinois +1 618 474-9100 or Toll Free 1-866-The-BEALL, [8]. Tour this three story turn of the century mansion that was built as a wedding gift. Half hour narrated tours cover the history, architecture and furnishings. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Adults $10, Seniors $7.50, Children $5. Tours are by appointment.

• Haunted Alton Tours, History and Hauntings Book Co., 515 East Third Street in Alton, Illinois, ☎ 1-888-446-7859 (ghosts@altonhauntings.com), [9]. Tours start at 7:00pm, see website for schedule. Ghost hunter Troy Taylor calls Alton "one of the most haunted small towns in America", and he'll attempt to show you why with this tour through the old downtown area. $20 per person.  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

Alton, Illinois is a shoppers paradise with over 50 antique shops and Alton Square Mall to choose from. Special Third Thursday Shop 'Til You Drop events are scheduled each fall and winter.

• Alton Square Mall, 200 Alton Square Alton, [10]. Shop the big stores including Macy's, JC Penney, and Sears, plus over 70 specialty stores.

• Mineral Springs Mall, 301 East Broadway Alton, [11]. Dine & Shop in this former downtown Alton hotel.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Bossanova Martini Lounge & Restaurant, 112 West 3rd Street, +1 618 462-1175. Martinis galore and fine food with each dish reflecting a different international flavor.

• Gelato's Cafe' & Italian Ice Cream, Mineral Springs Mall, 301 E. Broadway St Ste 405, 618-465-9350, [12]. "Like nothing you have ever had before" is their motto and it fits. Italian ice cream made fresh daily in small batches just like it has been made in Italy for centuries. Also serving specialty coffee, soup, and sandwiches. Conveniently located ini Alton's downtown antique district.

• Gentelin's on Broadway, 122 East Broadway, Alton, Illinois 62002, +1 618-465-6080. Fine dining with a view of the Mississippi River. Excellent lobster stuffed raviolli appetizer, roast duck, and selection of steaks and seafood.

• Pie Town Stompin'Grounds, 2512 College Ave, +1 618 465-4779. Coffee house and cafe' located in a historic building in Upper Alton (Pie Town) across from the Alton Dental College. Enjoy your favorite coffee specialty drink, phosphates, breakfast served all day long, and a delicious array of salads, soups, sandwiches, and daily specials. Free Wireless Internet access.

• Thymes Past a Bistro & Wine Bar, 2223 State Street, Alton, +1 618 462-7279, [13]. Fine dining, wines and imported brews all in the relaxed atmosphere of the historic Krug House. Excellent Caesar salad and "the best prime rib anywhere". Indoor and outdoor dining available. Period live entertainment on the back deck. Available for private parties and wedding receptions.

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Fast Eddie's Bon Air, 1530 E. 4th Street, (618) 462-5532,[14]. “Beer, burgers and boogie.” Translated: cold beer, cheap food, and live entertainment have made Fast Eddie's one of the largest beer retailers in the country. An Alton phenomenon everyone has heard about and that you have got to experience.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

From charming to luxurious, from bed and breakfasts to chain motels, Alton has lodging accommodations for every need and budget. Because Alton and the entire Greater St. Louis Area have so many things to see and do plan on staying multiple nights to get the full value of your trip.

• Beall Mansion, 407 East 12th Street, (618) 474-9100 or Toll Free 1-866-The-BEALL (1-866-843-2325), [15]. This elegant Boutique Hotel and Bed and Breakfast was voted "Best of Illinois" in Illinois Magazine Readers Poll. Join a guest list that includes Hollywood actors, corporate executives, and Miss America. Guest room features include a triple sheeted, feathered bed, private bath with Italian marble floor, expanded cable TV/DVD/VCR, free high speed wireless Internet access, telephone with free local calling and voice mail. Leisure, corporate, and extended stay plans are available. Weddings and reception facilities and corporate retreats. Located twelve blocks from the Mississippi on Millionaire's Row in the Middletown Historic District.

• Comfort Inn, 11 Crossroads Ct., (618) 465-9999, [16]. Free continental breakfast, indoor heated pool, fitness center, and business center. Rooms include a micro-fridge, iron & ironing board, hairdryer, in-room safe, and high speed internet access.

• Doyle Cottage, 623 E. 6th St., (636) 441-0168, [17]. This circa 1874 cottage is nestled in Historical Middletown Alton, known as the Hunter & Emerson Addition in Madison County, Illinois. The Sounds of Distant Mississippi River Traffic will help you to Pause and Reflect on a Quieter Time.

• Holiday Inn, 3800 Homer M. Adams Pkwy., (618) 462-1220, [18]. 137 guest rooms, Holidome, and indoor pool. Great if you're traveling with kids. There is also Franco's, a full service restaurant, and two lounges on site.

• Jackson House Bed and Breakfast, 1821 Seminary St., (618) 462-1426, [19]. Located in upper Alton on ten wooded acres, bed and breakfast facilities include a Victorian home, remodeled barn, and an earth home known as "the cave." The cave is one of the few handicap accessible bed and breakfast facilities in the Greater Alton area. Top top things off pie is served with breakfast each morning.

• Stratford Hotel, 229 Market, (618) 465-8821. Fifty room hotel and apartments. Air conditioning, Cable TV, Pets allowed. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

• Super 8 Motel, 1800 Homer M. Adams Pkwy, (618) 465-8885, [20]. Hotel amenities include: Super Start Plus breakfast, high speed wireless internet, 24-hour front desk, microwave/refrigerators and hairdryers in all rooms. Children under 18 stay free.

• Tiffany Inn, 410 E. Broadway St., (618) 462-4145, [21]. Charming bed and breakfast above the Alton Stained Works in the historic Downtown Alton. Conveniently located in the heart of Alton's antique district within walking distance of quaint shops and restaurants. Packages that include bed and breakfast accommodations and stain glass making workshops are available.

[edit] Get out

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