Grafton Illinois is a small town located off the Mississippi River, about an hour from St. Louis. This small town might not seem like much and certainly isn’t the tourist destination like Branson, or the Wisconsin Dells, but Grafton has so much fun packed into one small location, its almost unbelievable. In fact Grafton may just be one of the most underrated cities in the entire Midwest. Keep reading to see all that Grafton has to offer.
Lodging:
Aeries Resort is located downtown Grafton and offers incredible accommodations, and breathtaking views of the Mississippi River and the entire downtown area! Whether you’re planning a romantic rendezvous for two, a fun retreat with friends, or a weekend adventure for the family, Aerie’s offers a variety of accommodations with something sure to fit your plans. If your looking for comfort, convenience, and the Best View in the Midwest, book your stay with Aerie’s. Aerie’s Resort is located at 14 W Main Street in Grafton, Illinois. For more information or to book your stay call: (618) 786-9477 or for more information, click here.
Activites:
Grafton is also home to Illinois only Alpine Coaster. Riders board a two-person sled and can reach speeds up to 28 mph as they wind down more than 3,000 feet of a stainless steel rail system built along the limestone bluff. The ride features seven hairpin turns and stunning views of the river valley below! For more information on the Alpine Coaster, click here.
The Midwest’s Longest Zip-Line:
Not surprisingly, but Grafton Zip-line is also located in Grafton. Grafton Zipline is the premier zipline course in the Midwest, with 7 incredible lines totaling 2 miles in length. The ziplines range from 300 feet to the longest line checking in at just over 1600 feet. As is the case with any zipline course, it’s only as good as the views around it. At Grafton Zipline you soar high above a lush forest overlooking the confluence of the Illinois & Mississippi Rivers. For more information, on Grafton Zipline, click here.
The Grafton Sky-Tour
The scenic aerial lift not only provides a unique way to reach Aerie’s Hill, but also showcases the breathtaking views of the unique Grafton bluffs, and the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. The SkyTour is a perfect activity for all ages, so if you’re looking for things to do, come see our view! The Grafton Sky-Tour is a tourist attraction like no other! For more information, on the Grafton Sky Tour, click here.
The Grafton Harbor Floating Winery River Cruise
Stop in to the Grafton Harbor Floating Winery to taste some of the wonderful wines and purchase a bottle or two to enjoy! The floating tasting room, is located at Grafton Harbor. Hours vary by season, so click here for more information.
Raging Rivers Water Park
This is by no means, a small town water-park. I mean, Raging Rivers Water Park is huge and has a wide variety of water-slides, cabanas, a huge wave pool, and an incredible lazy river. The water-park is located at 100 Palisades Pkwy in
Grafton, Illinois. For more information, click here.
Shopping
Matt Sexton
Main Street in Grafton is a great place to shop for antiques as well as locally made goods. You can browse antique shops and vendor booths for a unique selection of gifts and souvenirs. There are also locally made fudge and baked goods available for purchase.
Take A Hike
The history of Pere Marquette State Park centers around the Illinois River. The forces that formed the river can be traced to ancient glaciers that pushed their way down over most of Illinois, but stopped just short of the park land. Today the park is a popular spot for hiking with approximately 12 miles of marked trails providing scenic hiking to beginners and experienced hikers alike. Lush forests, towering bluffs, and an abundance of wildlife provide the perfect backdrop for your outing. There is also areas for camping, horseback riding, picnicking, rock climbing and trail riding! The park offers breathtaking views of the con-flux of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers.
As you can see there is an abundance of activities to enjoy within the Grafton area. We have visited numerous times over the years and always look forward to our next visit. The town is constantly expanding and adding new attractions. If your still considering what to do this summer or fall or spring, consider a trip to Grafton Illinois. You’ll be glad you did.
