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From Wikitravel

East St. Louis is a city in Southern Illinois. It is commonly abbreviated ESL.

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Roads

Four major interstates lead into East St. Louis. They are Interstate 70, Interstate 55, Interstate 255, and Interstate 64. Interstate 64 takes the most direct route into the city center. U.S. Route 40 connects East St. Louis to St. Louis, MO and runs through East St. Louis. U.S. Route 50 runs through ESL as well. Illinois Routes 3, 15, and 111 also enter and leave East St. Louis. The city is very accessible by road through many different routes.

Metrolink

The Metrolink train travels into East St. Louis on the blue and red lines. The Red Line begins at Lambert Airport in St. Louis, MO and ends in Shiloh, IL. The Blue Line begins in Shrewsbury, MO and ends in Fairview Heights, IL. Both of these lines run through downtown St. Louis and both stop at the same East St. Louis stations- which are named, East Riverfront, 5th and Missouri, Emerson Park, Jackie Joyner-Karsee Center, and Washington Park. For more information, fares, and schedules visit the Metrolink page.

Airports

There are many airports near East St. Louis. The largest nearby airport is the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport approximately 16 miles from ESL. The Saint Louis Regional Airport in St. Louis, MO is around 25 miles from ESL. A smaller airport is located in Mascoutah, IL called Mid-America Airport, about 22 miles away. Public-use airports closest to East St. Louis include: St. Louis Downtown Airport, Airport: Sackman Field, and St. Louis Metro East Airport. Taxis are available at all airports.

Amtrak

The Amtrak Train does not directly station in East St. Louis, but makes many stops nearby. The closest stop is in St. Louis, MO at the 16th Street stop, approximately 5 miles away. Other stops are the Kirkwood Amtrak Station (about 18 miles away) and Alton Amtrak Station (about 30 miles away). Taxi cabs are available at the station.

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[edit] Staying Safe

On the whole, East St. Louis is a very unsafe and dangerous area. One should avoid visiting this area unless you must for business or other purposes. It is an area with high crime and drug rates. Visitors should avoid walking the streets at night at all costs. Visitors should be familiar with the area before arriving in East St. Louis, but there are areas that are secure. Please obtain clear and precise directions before driving around East St. Louis or use the security and reliability of mass transportation. The East St. Louis Park District and Illinois Southwest Tourism Bureau can assist with any questions.

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Katherine Dunham Museum - As one of the most famous residents of ESL, the Katherine Dunham Museum is centered around the life of this famous dancer. The Museum is home to many of her personal items collected from all over the world. Some of these items include African Diaspora, African artifacts, dance costumes, pictures, drawings, paintings, and Katherine's personal awards and accomplishments.

The Casino Queen is located on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River in East St. Louis. St. Louis, MO is directly across the river. The Casino Queen is known for its "loose slots" and is a major attraction for this area. It is open daily from 8 AM - 6 AM and features an array of games, a hotel, 4 restaurants, The Stage Bar, and a RV park.

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Near the Casino Queen on the Mississippi River is the Gateway Geyser. The fountain mimics the St. Louis Arch directly opposite, both reaching a height around 630 feet (190 m). The Gateway Geyser is the world's second tallest fountain. The fountain runs daily from April through October from 12:00-12:15 pm and from 1:00-1:15 pm.

The Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center opened in 2000 in East St. Louis, IL. As a 6-time Olympic medalist in track, Jackie Joyner-Kersee began this project to help her hometown and encourage participation in sports.

[edit] Family Reunions

Reunions are a very important part in many families. They are a time for families to come together in remembrance of family unity and cultural roots. Reunions are a time when family members of many different generations can find something to participate in. It takes a special city and place to make that possible and Jones Park in East St. Louis can serve as that next great place.

Family Reunions are increasingly popular within the East St. Louis area. Whether you or your family is from ESL or not, Jones Park of East St. Louis offers family reunion services. Right in the middle of East St. Louis, Jones Park offers a covered park pavilion with concrete slab, play area, BBQ grills, and improved gravel access drive with drop-off. The pavilion is rented through the East St. Louis Park District and the park district can be contacted for more information as well as the Illinois Southwest Tourism Bureau.

Currently, promotional packages are being created in order to attract family reunions. They will provide lodging and catering packages as well as recreational equipment. They also aim to provide party favors for reuion attendess, such as t-shirts and water bottles. This project is meant not only to atract family reunions, but class reunions, military reunions, church picnics and services (Sundays), sorority and fraternity gatherings, and car and motorcycle clubs.

East St. Louis Park District:

2950 Caseyville Ave

East St Louis, IL

(618) 874-3600‎

IL Southwest Tourism Bureau:

10950 Lincoln Trl

Fairview Heights, IL 62208

(618) 397-1488‎

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[edit] Eat & Drink

Being a small city located on the Mississippi River, East St. Louis residents and visitors have the luxury of experiencing their own town along with the big city of St. Louis, MO. East St. Louis has many of the typical fast-food restaurants, but has many sit-down restaurants in town and only a couple miles away in St. Louis, MO.

East St. Louis, IL

Sandy's Barbeque & More

Javons Restaurant

Wishing Well

China Chop Suey

Golden Dragon Chop Suey

Best Fish House

Mello Freeze

V's Catering and Deli Sandwiches

Arthur's Barbeque

St. Louis, MO

Old Spaghetti Factory

Feisty Bulldog

Sundeckers

Jake's Steak

Morgan Street Brewery

Skybox Sports Bar & Grill

There are many more options around both areas available to enjoy.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Crown Hotel at Casino Queen: East St. Louis, IL

Royal Inn: East St. Louis, IL

Royal Relax Inn: East St. Louis, IL

Indian Mound Motel: East St. Louis, IL

Royal Budgest Inn: East St. Louis, IL

Drury Plaza Hotel: St. Louis, MO

Omni Majestic Hotel: St. Louis, MO

The Mayfair Hotel: St. Louis, MO

[edit] Contact

For more general information on East St. Louis, see its Wikipedia page.

The City of East St. Louis website

The East St. Louis Metrolink Station - contains Metrolink information for East St. Louis as well as details about the city of ESL

Illinois Southwest Tourism Bureau

http://www.eslarp.uiuc.edu/ - The East St. Louis Action Research Project through the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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