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Belleville is a city of about 42,000 people in southwestern Illinois and the county seat of St. Clair County, about 15 miles southeast of downtown St. Louis. Founded in 1814, it grew rapidly when German immigrants arrived in the 1830s and 1840s, among them educated political refugees, and their influence still shows in its brick homes, churches and traditions.
By the late 1800s Belleville was a busy industrial town known for its stove foundries, and the Labor and Industry Museum tells that story. The restored home of Gustave Koerner, a German-born lieutenant governor and friend of Abraham Lincoln, is another reminder of the city's 19th-century importance. The Cathedral of St. Peter and the courthouse anchor a lively downtown around the Public Square.
The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows draws pilgrims and holiday visitors from across the Midwest, especially for its Christmas Way of Lights. Art on the Square brings artists every spring, and orchards, a classic drive-in and St. Louis are all close by.
One of the largest outdoor Catholic shrines in North America, run by the Missionary Oblates, with an amphitheater, a church, gardens, a Lourdes grotto and a visitor center. Over the holidays its Way of Lights display draws big crowds. Visiting the grounds is free; allow a couple of hours.
The seat of the Catholic Diocese of Belleville, a large Gothic Revival church downtown rebuilt after a fire in 1912, with stained glass windows and a tall vaulted interior. Visitors are welcome outside service times. Look up at the windows and walk to the Public Square a few blocks away.
The county courthouse on Belleville's Public Square, the working center of St. Clair County government. Its plaza and the square in front host festivals, holiday events and Art on the Square. View it from the square, where you will also find the fountain and many of downtown's restaurants.
The historic heart of Belleville, a traffic circle with a fountain surrounded by restaurants, bars, shops and the courthouse. It hosts concerts, a Christmas tree and seasonal festivals. Park nearby and walk Main Street east and west from the square to see the older brick storefronts.
The restored 1849 home of Gustave Koerner, a German immigrant who became lieutenant governor of Illinois and an adviser to Abraham Lincoln. Volunteers have furnished it with period pieces and offer tours on select days. Check the schedule before visiting, and see the gardens outside.
A small museum telling the story of Belleville's working people and industries, especially the stove foundries that once made it a national center of stove making. Exhibits include stoves, tools, photos and union history. Hours are limited, so check before you go; admission is low cost.
A juried fine art fair held on and around the Public Square each May, ranked among the best art fairs in the country. More than 100 artists show paintings, jewelry, glass and sculpture, with food and music. Admission is free; come early on Friday evening or Saturday morning to avoid crowds.
A family-run drive-in theater in Belleville that has been showing movies since 1949, now with several screens and double features on summer nights. The snack bar sells classic burgers and popcorn. Bring a radio or use your car stereo, and arrive early on weekends for the best spots.
A family farm run by the Eckert family, who have farmed in the area since the 1830s, with a country store, bakery, restaurant and pick-your-own strawberries, peaches, apples and pumpkins in season. Fall weekends bring hayrides and festivals. Check what is ready to pick before you go.
Main Street and the streets around the Public Square have restored 19th-century buildings filled with restaurants, bakeries, brewpubs and shops. Nearby blocks include German-era brick homes. Walk the area in the early evening when patios fill up, and look for the historical markers.
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