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A Trip for the Whole Family

A Trip for the Whole Family

Visit Downstate Illinois

Downstate Illinois is home to family-friendly attractions that are sure to be fun for everyone. Whether you have a few hours or a few days, everybody will find something fun and exciting to do in our 22 counties.

Find Popeye and his friends on the Popeye Character Trail in Chester, Illinois, or ride the Little Toot Railroad at the Charlie Brown Park in Flora. Stop by Rainbow Ranch to spend some quality time in the petting zoo, or compete in a laser tag tournament at The Edge in Belleville. All of that and more is right here in Downstate Illinois!

Discover even more things to do with the help of our Downstate Illinois kids.

1020 Artworks Studio

Belleville, Illinois
1020 Artworks Studio  is the perfect place to spend a fun- and family-filled afternoon. At their spacious art ...more!

Art on the Square

Belleville, Illinois
Art on the Square features over 100 international and domestic artists and welcomes 85,000+ visitors each year. Com...more!

Bel-Air Bowl

Belleville, Illinois
Bowl 32 lanes at Bel-Air Bowl in Belleville, Illinois, just minutes from St. Louis! Join Bel-Air Bowl for a night o...more!

Belle-Clair Fairgrounds & Exposition Center

Swansea, Illinois
Visit Belle-Clair Fairgrounds & Exposition Center for a variety of large events including craft, consumer shows...more!

Belleville City Parks

Belleville, Illinois
Belleville, IL is home to 200+ acres of ball diamonds, batting cages, concessions, grandstand seating, playgrounds ...more!

Blossom Play Cafe

O'Fallon, Illinois
Blossom Play Cafe was created to foster community among young families while children PLAY!...more!

Braeutigam's Orchards

Belleville, Illinois
Blackberries, peaches, apples, pumpkins, tomatoes and eggplant are specialties....more!

Centennial Park

Swansea, Illinois
A relaxing walking trail winds around the turtle filled pond through the tall shady trees and across rustic bridges...more!

Citizens Park

Belleville, Illinois
This 45-acre park offers ball diamonds, bike ramps, a disc-golf course, and picnic facilities!...more!

Dupo Community Park

Dupo, Illinois
Beautiful 14 acres of family park fun with 2 restrooms, 7 pavilions, 2 playgrounds, a splash pad, walking paths, pi...more!

Eckert's Country Store & Farms

Belleville, Illinois
Open year-round, with activities all four seasons of the year, Eckert’s Belleville Farm offers seasonally available...more!

Eckert's Millstadt Family Fun Farm

Millstadt, Illinois
Escape to the country and have the time of your life at Eckert’s Millstadt Fun Farm. Visiting their working f...more!

The EDGE

Belleville, Illinois
Home of the World's Largest Laser Tag Arena at The EDGE in Belleville, IL! 14,000+ square ft. arena and can pla...more!

The EDGE 5 Theatres

Belleville, Illinois
The theatres opened in July 2012, and all five theatres have state-of-the-art digital projectors, Dolby Digital Sur...more!

Escape 618

Belleville, Illinois
Try Belleville's one and only escape room on your next Downstate Illinois adventure! Escape 618's themed ro...more!

Family Sportsplex

Belleville, Illinois
This 60,000 ft. facility has indoor/outdoor fields for gymnastics, soccer, basketball, volleyball or almost any spo...more!

Freeburg Recreation Park

Freeburg, Illinois
Bring your Family to the Park for a great day of fun and relaxation. There are 4 pavilions to hold your family reun...more!

Gaelic Origins Irish Dance

O'Fallon, Illinois
Gaelic Origins is an Irish dance school located in O'Fallon IL with satellite classes in Belleville IL offering...more!

Gateway Grizzlies Professional Baseball

Sauget, Illinois
Experience the excitement of professional baseball with the Gateway Grizzlies in their 25th season! Just 10 minutes...more!

GCS Ballpark

Sauget, Clair
This 5,000-seat stadium has reserved box seats, lawn seats, party suites and a hot tub. It's home to the Gatewa...more!

Grizzlies' Academy

Sauget, Illinois
A state-of-the-art indoor facility that houses the Pro-Batter PX2 Professional Baseball System. It combines major-l...more!

Hesse Park

O'Fallon, Illinois
Four ball diamonds (one lighted), soccer fields, basketball courts, in-line skating rink, picnic shelters, playgrou...more!

Horner Park

Lebanon, Illinois
Enjoy the natural beauty of Lebanon, IL at Horner Park. This gorgeous park offers a fishing lake, baseball and soft...more!

Hough Park

Belleville, Illinois
Hough Park is Belleville's "Picnic Headquarters!" The park features a large hexagon shaped shelter in...more!

Kaskaskia Marina & Park

New Athens, Illinois
Site of drag races in September, full marina services, batting cages, ball fields, roller hockey....more!

Knobeloch Woods Nature Preserve

Freeburg, Western
Knobeloch Woods contains dry-mesic upland and wet floodplain forest communities representative of the Effingham Pla...more!

Marissa Recreation Area

Marissa, Illinois
The Martin-Boismenue House, a traditional one-story French Creole residence built ca. 1790, is considered one of th...more!

Mascoutah Community Lanes

Mascoutah, Illinois
Handcrafted Pizza & Hand-dipped Ice Cream served for dine-in or carryout 7 days a week....more!

McAllister Park

Lebanon, Illinois
Visit Lebanon, IL's newest park on your next Downstate Illinois adventure! The park is complete with pavilions ...more!

McKendree Metro Rec Plex

O'Fallon, Illinois
Discover O'Fallon, IL's go-to hub for sports and fitness! The McKendree Metro Rec Plex features two NHL-siz...more!

Moody Park (Longacre Park)

Fairview Heights, Illinois
Sand volleyball courts, baseball/softball diamonds, soccer field, a 1.5-mile walking/running path, concession stand...more!

National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows

Belleville, Illinois
Did you know that Belleville, IL is home to the largest outdoor shrine in North America? The National Shrine o...more!

O'Fallon Community Park

O'Fallon, Illinois
Katy Cavins Community Center, swimming pool, six ball diamonds (two lighted), four lighted tennis courts, lighted b...more!

O'Fallon Family Sports Park

O'Fallon, Illinois
This world-class facility sits on 200 acres, boasting state-of-the art tournament baseball fields with advanced spo...more!

Peabody River King State Fish Wildlife Area

New Athens, Illinois
Boat docks and fishing areas are easily accessed for all skill levels - even special docks for kids....more!

The Rec Complex of Fairview Heights

Fairview Heights, Illinois
58,000 sq. ft. recreation complex and community center Basketball Courts, Fitness Center with new equipment...more!

Rock Springs Park & Nature Center

O'Fallon, Illinois
Log cabin, nature hiking/biking trails, picnic areas, a pavilion, children's rock climbing playground, native g...more!

Scheve Park

Mascoutah, Illinois
The old train depot, a full-size caboose and a train car along with pavilions and ag building can be reserved for g...more!

Schranz Memorial Park

Swansea, Illinois
Schranz Memorial Park is a beloved gem, drawing families back again and again to its lush, welcoming grounds—...more!

Skate City

Belleville, IL
Come out to Skate City Belleville for a great evening of family fun and entertainment! This hometown rink is fun fo...more!

Skyview Drive-In

Belleville, Illinois
The Skyview Drive-In in Belleville, IL shows first-run movies from April to October. Don't miss the opportunity to ...more!

St. Clair Bowl

Fairview Heights, Illinois
Discover a night of family-filled fun at St. Clair Bowl! With 50 bowling lanes, a Treasure Island Arcade, an adult ...more!

Three Springs Park

Shiloh, Illinois
This multi-purpose facility offers lighted softball/baseball diamonds, tennis courts, soccer fields, basketball/vol...more!

Urban Air Adventure Park

Fairview Heights, Illinois
Urban Air Adventure Park is much more than a trampoline park. If you’re looking for the best year-round indoo...more!

World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway

Madison, Illinois
Speed thrills at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway! This flexible venue features regular races on the 0.25 m...more!

Downstate Illinois Events

Downstate Illinois Events

Explore Our Event Calendar
Whether you’re looking for a festival, marathon or something family-friendly to bring the kids to, Downstate Illinois has something for everyone. The region hosts over 900 events each year, and we pride ourselves on providing the most accurate event information so that you don’t miss a thing.
Travel Ideas

Travel Ideas

Check Out Our Blog
From outdoor recreation and adventure to foodies and family fun, we have the trip ideas to plan the perfect vacation.
Road Trip Itineraries

Road Trip Itineraries

21 Counties made for Road Trips
Downstate Illinois was made for road trips! With the help of our road trip itineraries, you can discover all that our 21 counties have to offer — from family fun to outdoor adventures and shopping sprees. 
Check out our calendar of events!
Alice Baber Exhibition Open Reception

Alice Baber Exhibition Open Reception

June 13, 2025 - July 11, 2025 @ 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Link Art Gallery | Paris, IL
2025 Lawrence County 4-H Fair

2025 Lawrence County 4-H Fair

July 5, 2025 - July 12, 2025 @ 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Lawrence County Fairgrounds | Sumner, IL
White County Fair

White County Fair

July 5, 2025 - July 12, 2025 @ 12:00 PM - 12:00 PM
White County Fairgrounds | Carmi, IL

View Entire Events Calendar

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