Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Route facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
[[File:|x70px|alt= marker]] Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Route |
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Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Route highlighted in red
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| Route information | |
| Length | 33.0 mi (53.1 km) |
| Existed | June 8, 1998–present |
| Major junctions | |
| South end | Hartford |
| North end | Grafton |
| Location | |
| Counties: | Jersey, Madison |
| Highway system | |
| Illinois state highway system Illinois Tollway system |
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The Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Route is a super cool road trip! It stretches for about 33.0 miles (53.1 km) in southwestern Illinois. This special route winds through the flat lands near the mighty Mississippi River and the Illinois River. It's so beautiful that the government officially named it a National Scenic Byway. This means it's a road with amazing views and important history. It's also part of the even bigger Great River Road that follows the Mississippi River.
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Exploring the Scenic Route
This amazing route connects two important spots. The northern end is at Pere Marquette State Park. This park is where the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers meet! The southern end is at the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site. This historic spot is close to where the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers join.
Cities and Towns Along the Way
As you travel this route, you'll pass through several interesting cities and villages. These include:
Fun Things to See and Do
There are many exciting places to stop and explore along the way!
- Bike Trails: If you love biking, you're in luck! The Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail runs right next to the route between Pere Marquette State Park and Alton. Another great path, the Confluence Bike Trail, follows the route from Alton south to Hartford.
- Piasa Park: This park is home to a famous painting called the Piasa Bird. It's a large mural on a cliffside, based on a Native American legend.
- Clark Bridge: In Alton, you can see the impressive Clark Bridge. It's a big bridge that crosses the Mississippi River.
- National Great Rivers Museum: Learn all about the rivers at the National Great Rivers Museum. It's located at the Melvin Price Locks and Dam, which helps boats travel up and down the river.
History of the Route
The Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Route has a special history.
- 1998: On June 8, 1998, it was first named an Illinois State Scenic Byway. This means it was recognized as a special road within Illinois.
- 2000: On June 15, 2000, it became part of the National Scenic Byway program. This made it famous across the whole country! The route was also made a bit longer at this time.
- 2007: In May 2007, the Illinois Bureau of Tourism announced something really cool. They chose this route as one of the "Seven Wonders of Illinois"! This shows how important and beautiful this scenic route truly is.
