97.
Birdwatch at the Audubon Center at Riverlands. Located thrillingly close to the shores of the Mississippi, the 3,700-acre site is the ideal place to look for birds: trumpeter swans, eagles, warblers, herons, pelicans, kestrels, terns, harriers… Hike the 8.5 miles of trails, peer out at Heron Pond from inside the modern avian observatory, or look through one of the powerful spotting scopes inside the visitor center. Don’t know that bird? A guide’s typically nearby, ready to help. 301 Riverlands, West Alton, Mo.
98. Cross the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge.
99. Motor down the Great River Road.
100. Get out on the river.
The bridge is unparalleled in structure and sights, with its 22-degree bend and pair of picturesque water-intake towers just below. Today, all that remains of its Route 66 glory days are weathered vestiges—an auto court sign, a vintage Texaco gas pump, an old firetruck—and the parking lot on the Missouri side is closed because of car break-ins. Still, on a clear day, it’s worth parking at North Riverfront Park or the Illinois bridge entrance and biking across.
In fall, the road’s lined with brilliant foliage on one side. Pere Marquette Lodge offers Sunday brunch (and a Wine Festival in November), and at Grafton Winery, you can pair vino with live music and a sweeping view of the river. In winter, head to Alton or Piasa Harbor (named for another impressive bird native to the River Road) to watch eagles hunt over the icy waters of the Mississippi—or see them close up at TreeHouse Wildlife Center. greatriveroad-illinois.org.
Start at the National Great Rivers Museum (2 Locks and Dam Way) and Melvin Price Locks and Dam. Then drive up to Grafton and take a ferry—the Grafton (open weekends; 800-258-6645) or Golden Eagle (calhounferrycompany.com)—across the river. For a longer outing, take the Blues Cruise (gate wayarch.com) on select Thursdays. And if you’re really venturesome, go out in a canoe with Big Muddy Adventures (2 muddy.com).
JUNE
Pridefest, Circus Flora, Shakespeare in the Park
JULY
Fair Saint Louis
AUGUST
Festival of Nations
SEPTEMBER
Great Forest Park Balloon Glow & Race, LouFest, Saint Louis Art Fair, Big Muddy Blues Festival
OCTOBER
Best of Missouri Market, Shaw Art Fair
NOVEMBER
St. Louis International Film Festival
DECEMBER
St. Louis Symphony’s NYE Celebration
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