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High limestone bluffs, a working river and a remarkable amount of American history make Alton one of the most rewarding stops on the Mississippi. The city grew in the 1800s as a river port just above the meeting of the Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois rivers, about 20 miles north of St. Louis, and its old brick hillside streets still look over barges and the cable-stayed Clark Bridge.
Alton was the scene of some turning points: abolitionist editor Elijah Lovejoy was killed here defending his press in 1837, and Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas held their final debate downtown in 1858. Remains of a Civil War prison stand near the river, and a life-size statue honors Robert Wadlow, the Alton native who became the tallest person on record.
In winter, bald eagles gather along the river, and the Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway runs past the Piasa Bird painting to Grafton. Visitors also come for antique shops, a famously haunted reputation, the Melvin Price Locks and Dam and plates of cheap shrimp at Fast Eddie's.
Life-size bronze statues of Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas mark the downtown site of their seventh and final debate on October 15, 1858, near the old city hall. Panels quote the arguments over slavery that shaped the Senate race. It is a short stop, easily combined with a riverfront walk.
A reconstructed section of stone wall marks the site of the old Illinois State Penitentiary, used as a Union prison for Confederate soldiers during the Civil War, where many died of smallpox. Interpretive signs explain the story, and the Confederate cemetery lies a short drive away.
An 1869 Italianate mansion on a hill in the Middletown area, abandoned for decades and now slowly being restored. It is one of the stops that earned Alton its haunted reputation, with history and ghost tours on set dates, especially around October. Book ahead, as tours sell out.
A tall granite column topped by a winged Victory stands in Alton Cemetery above the grave of Elijah Lovejoy, the abolitionist editor killed by a pro-slavery mob in 1837 while guarding his printing press. Dedicated in 1897, it honors press freedom, and the hilltop views reach the river.
A life-size bronze of Robert Wadlow, the Alton native who reached 8 feet 11 inches, stands on College Avenue beside a replica of his oversized chair. Standing next to it is the best way to grasp his height. Nearby, the Alton Museum of History and Art tells more of his story.
A huge painting of the Piasa, a winged creature from a legend recorded by Marquette in 1673, covers the limestone bluff just north of downtown along the Great River Road. There is a small parking area and a park below. Morning light shows the colors best for photos.
Opened in 1994, this cable-stayed bridge carries US 67 over the Mississippi between Alton and West Alton with fanned yellow cables. Its construction was featured in a PBS NOVA series. The best views are from the riverfront park and amphitheater downtown, especially when the cables are lit at night.
Run by the Army Corps of Engineers beside the Melvin Price Locks and Dam, this free museum explains river navigation, floods and wildlife with a towboat simulator and aquariums. Guided tours of the lock and dam run several times a day, letting you watch barges rise and fall.
Illinois Route 100 runs from Alton about 15 miles to Grafton between towering limestone bluffs and the Mississippi, with a paved bike trail alongside. Stop for eagles in winter, fall color in October and the lodge at Pere Marquette State Park. Weekend traffic is heavy in autumn.
Just across the Clark Bridge in West Alton, this Audubon center overlooks marshes and the Mississippi where trumpeter swans, pelicans and bald eagles gather. Big windows, spotting scopes and staff make winter birding easy, and admission is free. Mid-December to February brings the most birds.
A sprawling, no-frills bar and grill famous for peel-and-eat shrimp, burgers and brats at rock-bottom prices, with live bands most nights in the outdoor beer garden. It is adults only, ID is checked at the door, and the line can get long on summer weekends.
Steep streets above downtown hold 19th-century brick and frame homes built by river merchants, many with views down to the Mississippi. A self-guided walk takes about an hour and pairs well with the antique shops along Broadway below. Wear sturdy shoes for the hills and old sidewalks.
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