With the longest section of the Great River Road, Illinois offers something for every traveler, whether you’re interested in exploring historical sites or discovering charming small towns along the Mississippi River.
Got an appetite? Illinois’ section of the Great River Road has plenty to fill your menu. Just take a look.
Breakfast
Start your day off right as you travel through Illinois’ Great Rivers Country with breakfast and a cup of coffee at Otto’s Place in Galena. Or, get your caffeine fix at Milltown Coffee in Moline.
Lunch
Grab a meal with a great view of the Mississippi River at The Loading Dock in Grafton. (Fun photo op side trip: Visit Collinsville—just east of St. Louis—to snap a pic of the world’s largest catsup bottle.)
Dinner
You’re in the Midwest, so why not partake in some farm-to-table deliciousness? In Galena, head to One Eleven Main for delectable dishes filled with local flavor. When you’re in Quincy, don’t miss the unique local plates at Thyme Square.
Drinks
You’ll find wineries aplenty along the Great River Road in Illinois. Illinois’ Great Rivers Country offers a great look at the dozens of wineries you can visit between Galena and Cairo. Interested in distilled spirits? Visit Stumpy’s Spirits Distillery in Columbia or Blaum Bros Distilling Co. in Galena.
Dessert
Discover delicious desserts and a true slice of Americana at Lagomarcino’s in Moline, where four generations of the Lagomarcino family have been serving up chocolates, candy and homemade ice cream. Are baked treats more your thing? Visit Kruta Bakery in Collinsville.
(Photos courtesy of the Illinois Office of Tourism)