Southen Illinois Things To Do

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A Girl’s Weekend in the Shawnee Hills

Girls TRIP! Who else loves to get together with the girls for a weekend escape or even a quick jaunt across the ocean? We definitely don’t do it enough. I’ve got just a small crew in my circle, but sometimes, you need to catch up over some wine, explore new spots, or just go with whatever strikes your fancy that day! Vicki kicked off our annual girls’ trip. It was her birthday, and she picked the perfect place to chill—her lake house on Lake of Egypt in the Shawnee National Forest area of Southern Illinois. It’s super convenient since most of us are coming from the Greater St. Louis Area, which is only about two hours away. Plus, you wouldn’t believe all the fun stuff to do there! Who would have thought that Southern Illinois had all these things to do?! I had no clue until we started these annual lake trips.

There’s a little something for everyone, and I’ll share some of our go-to activities. Southern Illinois really has a little bit of everything; you’re bound to find something you love!

Wineries

A must in the Southern Illinois things to do list is the wineries! The Shawnee Hills area in Southern Illinois has some really cool and diverse wineries on the Shawnee Wine Trail. We’ve checked out Blue Sky Vineyard, Wichmann Vineyard, Feather Hills Vineyard, and Honker Hill Winery. Depending on when you go, you might catch some live music, get a fun history lesson about the wine, grab a bite to eat, or even bring your own food along. Check out more info about them here.

Giant City State Park

Just to be clear, I’m not really a hiker, so don’t expect me to talk about all the awesome trails out there. But I’ve heard they’re pretty great! We just drove through, took in the stunning scenery, and climbed the tower for some amazing views. The lodge in Giant City State Park is said to have fantastic fried chicken and there’s plenty more to do in the park.

Shopping

We love checking out the antique and boutique shops in the area since there are so many to choose from. It is one of our favorite Southern Illinois things to do! Recently, we stopped by Perfectly Posh at 305 West Main Street in Marion, IL. It’s got a cool mix of clothes, home decor, and gifts—lots of stuff you won’t find at chain stores. We also popped into Eccentrics at 209 West Commercial Drive in Carterville, IL. This shop is mostly about clothing and some accessories, and they have really unique styles that you won’t see in most box stores or malls.

The antique shops are fun as well. Visit one, and you can find a list of all the area’s antique shops. We visited Countree Peddler Antique Mall, Saved Treasures, Warehouse Antique Mall, and Whitecotten Antique Mall. Whitecotten has fast become a favorite we visit each year.

Makanda should definitely be on your list of places to visit. It’s easy to overlook, so don’t blink! One highlight is the Makanda Boardwalk, a charming stretch of shops situated in historic buildings. My friend Vicki, who has a laid-back vibe, affectionately calls her favorite store the “hippy store.” In addition to that, you can also find art, gifts, and coffee in this small area.

Food and Drink

There are numerous places to enjoy a meal and a cocktail. Here are my favorites:

Check out Fuzzy’s Tavern (106 N Front St, Cobden, IL) for that classic dive bar vibe. They don’t serve food, but you can swing by Taqueria Pequena (105 S Appleknocker St, Cobden, IL) to grab some tacos and bring them back to enjoy with your drinks. This is a place we return to time and again.

Havisham Bourbon Bar in Alto Pass (30 Walnut Street, Alto Pass, IL) is a cool little spot that’s definitely worth checking out. On my first visit, I tried Pappy’s and Weller 12 bourbon, and my friend stuck with her favorite beer.

Where to Stay

When we girls head to the lake, we crash at my friend’s lake house. It’s super convenient and pleasant to wake up to deer hanging out in the yard and a view of the lake. There are tons of short-term rentals around, too. I’ve also got a couple of spots on my list to check out in the future: Havisham House (30 Walnut Street, Alto Pass, IL) and the Davie School Inn (300 Freeman Street, Anna, IL.)

Final Thought

These are some of our favorite Southern Illinois things to do. There are many more, as each year, we do it a little differently. But each time has a common theme: just hang out, enjoy our friendship, decide each day spur of the moment what we want to do, take our time getting ready, stay up late, and just in general have a relaxing and fun time. Southern Illinois Shawnee Hills is perfect for a girls’ weekend getaway.

Just a couple of hours away is St. Louis, my stopping grounds. Check out Discover St. Louis, Best STL Restaurants, and Breakfast St. Louis.