East St. Louis

Day Trips

Begin your morning with a guided walking tour of East St. Louis’s historic downtown district, admiring early 20th-century architecture and hearing stories of its rise as a river city. Enjoy a hearty breakfast at a local cafe that has served residents for decades, sampling freshly baked pastries and locally roasted coffee. Chat with shop owners about community revitalization efforts and pick up a unique souvenir in an indie boutique.

Visit the East St. Louis Heritage Museum to learn about the city’s storied past, from its industrial heyday to its modern-day rebirth. Examine compelling exhibits on local railroads, steamboats, and the region’s cultural mix, then join a curator-led discussion on archival photos. Take a mid-afternoon break at a nearby park, reflecting on the layers of history around you.

Dine at a family-run soul food restaurant, where homemade fried chicken, candied yams, and sweet tea capture regional flavors. As dusk falls, stroll along nearby MLK Drive and listen to street musicians playing jazz and blues under string lights. End your evening with a nightcap on a rooftop patio overlooking the Mississippi River’s shimmering waters.

Start the day with yoga in River’s Edge Public Park led by a local instructor, breathing in fresh air and river views. Pack a picnic breakfast from a neighborhood deli and find a shady spot under mature oak trees to enjoy farm-fresh fruit and pastries. Watch kayakers and paddleboarders glide by as you plan the rest of your outdoor exploration.

Rent a bike and follow the park’s scenic trail along the Mississippi River, stopping at interpretive signs that explain local wildlife and river ecology. Pause for lunch on a riverside bench, savoring gourmet sandwiches from a nearby food truck. Continue pedaling to a small fishing pier, where you can watch anglers casting lines or try your hand at catching catfish.

As the sun sets, gather around a fire pit at the park’s amphitheater for an outdoor concert featuring regional folk and bluegrass bands. Pick up pulled pork sliders and craft brews from onsite vendors to enjoy while the music plays. Head home with lingering melodies and the gentle sound of the river as your backdrop.

Arrive early at the Black Heritage Museum to beat the crowds and dive into powerful exhibits celebrating African American history and culture. Engage with interactive displays that recount the Great Migration and local activist movements. Join a docent for an intimate talk about influential East St. Louis figures who changed the course of civil rights.

Take a break at a nearby soul food cafe for crispy catfish, collard greens, and cornbread, accompanied by sweet iced tea. Return to the museum for a hands-on workshop on tradition-based crafts, like quilting or beadwork, led by community elders. Explore the museum’s outdoor sculpture garden, where each piece honors notable pioneers and community heroes.

Attend a lecture or film screening hosted by the museum that spotlights African American storytellers, artists, or historians. Engage in a Q&A session afterward and mingle with local scholars and artists. Close your evening with a reflective stroll around the illuminated garden pathways before heading back to your accommodation.

Board a historic paddlewheel riverboat for a leisurely morning cruise along the Mississippi River, enjoying panoramic views of East St. Louis and St. Louis skyline. Sip on freshly brewed coffee and savor breakfast pastries as you glide past river barges and wildlife. Listen to a live narration about the river’s role in commerce, transport, and local lore.

Gather in the dining room for a riverside lunch buffet featuring regional specialties like jambalaya, gumbo, and hush puppies. After lunch, disembark at a nearby dock to explore a riverside farmers’ market with fresh produce, artisan crafts, and local honey. Return to the boat for an afternoon of live jazz and blues performances on the sun deck.

Watch the sunset paint the water in golden hues as the boat’s lights reflect off gentle waves. Enjoy a gourmet dinner prepared by the onboard chef, pairing local wines and microbrews with succulent steak or grilled catfish. Conclude your cruise with dancing under the stars to a live band before returning to shore.

Begin with a classic Southern breakfast at a family-owned diner, ordering fluffy biscuits, gravy, and thick-cut bacon. Chat with the chef about the origins of soul food recipes passed down through generations. Stroll to the local farmers’ market afterward to sample regional produce and artisanal cheeses for a midday picnic.

Join a hands-on cooking class where you’ll learn to prepare signature dishes like gumbo, red beans and rice, and pecan pie. Celebrate your culinary creations at a communal table with fellow travelers, enjoying a taste of authentic Illinois River Valley flavors. Pick up recipe cards and local spices to recreate the dishes back home.

Embark on a progressive dinner tour, hitting three different eateries for appetizers, main courses, and desserts. Start with crab cakes at a bohemian cafe, move on to smoked ribs at a barbecue joint, and finish with homemade ice cream at a popular roadside stand. Take a leisurely stroll between stops, soaking in neighborhood sights and sounds.

Drive to the nearby Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site for a self-guided sunrise hike to Monks Mound, North America’s largest prehistoric earthwork. Read interpretive signs along the trail that reveal the ancient Mississippian civilization’s urban planning and societal structure. Capture panoramic views of the surrounding floodplain as the morning light illuminates the landscape.

Explore the interpretive center’s exhibits on Mississippian pottery, tools, and agricultural methods. Lunch on a picnic table shaded by oaks, enjoying sandwiches and fruit from a local deli. Join an archaeology team for a short site-work demonstration, learning about excavation techniques and artifact conservation.

Return to East St. Louis and unwind at a quaint wine bar, sampling Illinois wineries’ offerings alongside local artisanal cheeses. Reflect on the day’s ancient discoveries as you sip a chilled white or a bold red. End the night with a peaceful stroll along the riverbank, the mounds faintly visible on the horizon.

Set out on a self-guided walking tour of East St. Louis’s vibrant street art scene, starting with bold murals depicting local legends and community values. Snap photos of colorful designs that celebrate hope, resilience, and cultural pride. Stop at a neighborhood coffee truck for an energizing latte and pastry.

Visit a community art center where you can meet local artists and try your hand at spray-paint techniques on a collaborative mural piece. Enjoy lunch served by a nearby food vendor whose mission supports art education in underserved neighborhoods. Browse small galleries showcasing works by emerging painters, sculptors, and photographers.

Attend an outdoor open-mic night in an arts park, where poets, musicians, and spoken-word artists share their latest creations. Sample small-plate tastings from food trucks while the sun sets over mural-covered walls. Connect with local creatives and pick up handcrafted jewelry or prints to commemorate the evening.

Catch the MetroLink train from East St. Louis into downtown St. Louis, enjoying city skyline views as you cross the Mississippi. Disembark near the Gateway Arch and start your day with a riverside walk before boarding the tram to the top of the arch. Gaze over East St. Louis, the Mississippi, and the city below from the observation deck.

Explore the nearby Old Courthouse and Museum of Westward Expansion, then cross the city on foot to reach the vibrant Laclede’s Landing district. Enjoy lunch at an iconic St. Louis tavern and sample toasted ravioli, a local specialty. Spend the afternoon visiting the City Museum—a whimsical fusion of playground and surreal art—or the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park.

Return to East St. Louis via MetroLink as the city lights begin to glow against the dusk sky. Dine at a riverside restaurant near the station, sampling a fusion of Illinois and Missouri flavors. Sip a specialty cocktail and reflect on the seamless blend of two river cities.

Begin with a reflective walk in Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park, designed to frame the Gateway Arch through a contemplative circular plaza. Enjoy the serenity of the Turtle Island water feature as you capture early-morning photos of the Arch aligned perfectly in your sights. Practice mindfulness or gentle stretching before the park becomes busy.

Enjoy a lakeside picnic by bringing sandwiches and drinks purchased from a local deli. Wander through landscaped gardens and shaded groves, pausing at benches that offer framed views of the city skyline. Attend an afternoon art talk or cultural workshop if available in the park’s pavilion.

As the sun sets, bring a blanket and settle in for an outdoor film screening or concert often hosted in the park’s amphitheater. Indulge in local snacks from food vendors while enjoying live music or classic movies under the stars. Conclude your ten-day adventure with a silent boat ride on the park’s lagoon, reflecting on the river city’s enduring spirit.