Known as the County Seat of Madison County - Edwardsville, Illinois, it is located within the Metro East/Greater St. Louis area. We are located just 20-25 minutes from downtown St. Louis, MO, which heightens the experience of living in Edwardsville. So, when we want to slow down a bit from the fast-paced life the Gateway to the West has to offer, we enjoy our fun family local favorites of our own.
The ever-growing Edwardsville is very proud of its city with ongoing new construction of businesses and economic expansion. It is continuously developing the area to accommodate more great restaurants, shopping, and entertainment venues. Did I mention we have two Starbucks?
Whether you're moving to the area or just here for a visit, be sure to check out some of our local favorite things to do around Edwardsville, IL.
1. Edison's Entertainment Complex: 2477 S. State Rt 157... 618-307-9020
Great Fun For Everyone! They offer various entertainment options such as boutique bowling, laser tag, state-of-the-art arcade games, and high-definition projection screens and TVs. Seating for large groups is not a problem. A full-service bar, restaurant, catering, party rooms, and meeting spaces are available.
Whether you have a group of 10 or 500, Edison's will impress you with their delicious menu options. Step out on the patio for live music on Fridays from 5-9 pm. For news, updates, passes, and specials, visit edisonsfun.com
2. AMC Showplace: 6633 Center Grove Road...618-659-7479
A 12-screen movie theater of first-run feature films. This stadium seating theater offers IMAX Auditorium as well as Real 3D movies. Bring a valid ID to take advantage of their special pricing for Military, Seniors, and Students.
3. Watershed Nature Center: 1591 Tower Ave...618-692-7578
Over 40 acres of prairie, forest, and wetland habitats. The Watershed is dedicated to providing environmental education, passive recreation, preservation of native plant and animal species, and enjoyment. The trails are open 365 days a year, dusk to dawn. It features paved trails, a raised marsh walk, and a welcome center. (Please keep dogs on leashes at all times.)
4. The Gardens at SIUE: 6 Arboretum Lane...618-650-3210
This 36 acres of nature includes various options for all to enjoy. Whether you are out for a relaxing day or celebrating an event, you will find student-designed sculptures, paved walking paths, benches, bridges, and gardens throughout the area. A beautiful destination for photographers, picnics, events, and Weddings.
5. Children's Museum of Edwardsville: 722 Holyoake Rd...618-692-2094
Programs and Events that stimulate the curiosity interest, and needs in young minds. It offers a multitude of programs for newborns through 12 years of age, including baby sign language, preschool playgroups, storytime, summer camps, Girls Scout workshops, birthday parties, and more. They are always updating the programs and events.
6. Liberty Prairie Farm: 7003 State Route 140:...618-781-1468
For the Horse-lovers! Thinking about buying a horse? Check out their Learn & Lease Program before getting into horse ownership. Learn feeding routines, barn maintenance, basic healthcare, riding skills, and more. Or, lease to adoption program, which allows you to choose which horse you would like to build a relationship with, ride, and the trial of a potential sale or adoption through Happy Hooves Equine Rescue.
The main farm is set on 42 acres, with a barn with stalls, a large outdoor arena, a large indoor arena, a round pen area, large & small pastures with shelters, a fully stocked pond, individual lockers, free trailer parking, and trail on 246 acres.
7. Madison County Historical Museum: 715 N. Main Street...618-656-7562
The 1836 Wier House is a revitalized historic museum building with professionally designed interpretive galleries that will tell the story of Madison County through artifacts, documents, and books.
8. Better Place to Play (3 projects developed with the help of grants, donations & sponsorships)
a. Leon Corlew Park & Splash Pad South Main & Swartz Street
Oversized water features for kids of all ages. Features include gentle bubblers, a large dumping bucket, and two tall winding slides. Fitness trail, two pavilions, and a concession area. Open May through September)
b. Plummer Family Park (Located near the I-55 corridor)
State-of-the-art Sports Park for baseball, softball, and soccer. An all-accessible field for those with special needs. Pickleball courts, concessions, and restrooms. A regional destination for team
competition and tournament play.
c. Ice Rink & Teen Center (Located off Governor's Parkway)
The Plan: A 43,000-sq-ft facility to serve the demand for "ice-time" in regard to hockey, figure skating, and recreational skate use. The facility includes Locker rooms, Skate/equipment rental, Office space, meeting rooms, a 175-meter 4-lane indoor track, a Fitness/teen center, restrooms, and concessions.
9. We Rock the Spectrum Kid's gym: 1015 Century Drive...618-307-5834
The first of its kind in Illinois. A sensory gym for children - infant on up. An indoor playground specializing in occupational therapy equipment for children of all abilities to play and learn together. Children with special needs and neurotypical children will find safety and fulfillment while playing at the gym with friends and family. The gym also gives help, guidance, and support to families who are affected by autism. Below are a few of the specialized sensory equipment available:
Gym hours, calendar, and registration are available online. Open play, daily pass, and multiple membership options are available for convenience and gym frequency lovers. Check out their birthday parties and private events for a day your little one will remember.
See Edwardsville Properties For Sale Here
10. Halloween Parade: Loved by the locals and a must-see!
An annual tradition for nearly 100 years, the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce has brought the Halloween parade to the community on Halloween night. Spectators line the downtown streets of Edwardsville in anticipation of the yearly changing-themed parade with marching bands, school groups, organizations, entertainers, and more than 100 floats. The parade starts promptly at 6:30 pm.
I highly suggest you save your spot early; parade goers start setting out their lawn chairs early in the morning on the day of the parade.
The parade route will begin at the Lincoln Middle School parking lot at Schwarz & West Streets, then travel east on St. Louis Street to Vandalia Street, then north on North Main Street, and will disband at High Street.
11. Altitude Trampoline Park: 91 Fountain Drive, Glen Carbon, IL 62034...618-744-6959
The trampoline park is 30,000 square feet with 20,000 square feet of interconnected wall-to-wall trampoline attractions, from dodgeball and basketball to foam pits and fitness classes. They offer a special area just for little ones so the whole family can enjoy this high-energy and exciting entertainment. Birthday parties and group events are welcome...so get out and jump!
12. Beast Escape Room: 4517 IL-159 #4, Glen Carbon, IL 62034...618530-7341
A fun and unique mind challenge. Feel the excitement and need for urgency after being locked in one of two themed rooms that will require your observation, problem-solving, and communication skills to find and decode the hidden clues before time runs out. A group of at least four is recommended in order to enhance your success rate in these puzzle rooms.
13. Relleke Pumpkin Patch / Fall Festival: 473 Sand Praire Rd, Pontoon Beach, IL 62040...618-797-6858
Farm family fun: start the pumpkin season with good food, live music, and activities such as picking your own pumpkin, finding your way through the corn maze and the 5-acre jungle maze, camel rides, hay rides, face painting, pumpkin painting, petting zoo and so much more! Activities and rides require tickets, and some rides have restrictions.
14. Wildey Theatre: 252 North Main Street, Edwardsville, IL 62025...618 307-1750
The 1909 Historic Theatre is open to live venues, classic films, and dueling pianos.
Built as an opera house in 1909 by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, it was extensively renovated and reopened in April 2011 as a center of the performing arts, live entertainment, classic films, and dueling pianos. The theatre seats 325, has state-of-the-art technical capabilities, and has space for special events and business meetings.
15. Fox Creek Golf Course: 6555 Fox Creek Drive, Edwardsville, IL 62025...618-692-9400
Fox Creek Golf Course is a semi-private 18-hole course that offers all levels of golfers a real challenge to their playing skills. Rolling terrain, wooded bluffs, winding creeks, and seven lakes make this course scenically beautiful and challenging. Paved golf cart paths carry golfers between the 36 fairways.
16. Madison County Transit: A network of more than 85 miles of pedestrian-friendly bike trails that intersect with downtown Edwardsville and uniquely lead to surrounding communities. Enjoy the natural surroundings as you walk, run, rollerblade, skate, etc. The MTC trials are accessible to people using walkers and wheelchairs, including motorized wheelchairs. Check out the MTC website for more details and maps.
17. Land of Goshen Community Market: Spend a Saturday morning downtown Edwardsville browsing the many local vendors' unique items. You can pick up some fresh local produce or handmade crafts until noon during the appointed season. Check out their website for the current season and times.
18. Edwardsville Public Library: 112 South Kansas Street, Edwardsville, IL 62025...618-692-7556
Features include an extensive digital collection of films and eBooks that can be checked out. You can request a one-on-one appointment for help with computer or technology questions. They have various items for you to check out that you might not expect at the library. Everything from portable Blu-ray players, universal travel power adapters, and blood pressure cuffs, to kids' Launchpads and preschool kits. Additionally, there is a 3D printer, and you can reserve a Quiet Study Room.
Everyone's taste varies, but we think these 21 places (listed in no particular order) are a good start to get your grub on. Pay a visit to some of the best restaurants in the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon area.
You may also like to view the following:
Things to Do Near Edwardsville & the St. Louis Metro East Suburbs
Discover Local Favorites - Edwardsville, IL
There are plenty of places to get a fresh-cut Christmas Tree in The Metro East Area. While I may not have listed them all, there is a great selection of Christmas Tree Sales Locations.
Tangled Tinsel Christmas Tree Farm
The Farms’ season is Thanksgiving Day until Christmas Eve or sold out.
Choose and cut your own tree or pick an already cut from their large tree selection.
Stop by the heated Gift Shop for a Free Complimentary cup of Hot Chocolate.
Hours: Thanksgiving & Black Friday 10 am – 6 pm
Monday – Wednesday 3 pm – 6 pm
Thursday & Friday 3 pm – 6 pm
Saturday 10 am – 6 pm
Sunday 11 am – 6 pm
5 Christmas Tree Lane, Alton, IL 62002
618-465-7036
Located approximately 5 miles North of Alton, IL, off of Fosterburg Road.
Eckert’s
Over 40 acres of evergreen forest to search for the perfect Christmas Tree. Free shaking and bailing of your tree are provided. Pre-cut trees are also available.
Location: 2719 Eckert Orchard Lane
Millstadt, IL 62260
618-233-0513
Daniken Tree Farm
Opens Saturday before Thanksgiving, 9 am – 7 pm (Closed Thanksgiving Day)
Many trees are harvested to be displayed and sold in indoor and outdoor displays. Other trees are left in the field to be freshly harvested by individual customers.
The trees and customers are given a wagon ride back to the tree barn, where all the trees get the dead needles shaken out of them and are prepared for tree stands. Before a staff member loads the trees into the customer’s vehicle, they are baled.
Location: 781 IL Rt. 140, Pocahontas, IL 62275
618-664-4067
Garden Center at The Home Depot
Located in: The Home Depot
Hours: Monday – Saturday Opens 6 am | Closes 9 pm & Sunday Opens 8 am | Closes 7 pm
Address: 1049 Collinsville Xngs, Collinsville, IL 62234
Phone: 618-344-9022
Address: 2500 Troy Road, Edwardsville, IL 62025
Phone: 618-650-8404
Walmart Garden Center
Located in: Walmart Supercenter
Address: 379 W Pontoon Rd, Granite City, IL 62040
Hours: Opens Monday – Sunday 6 am | Closes 12 pm
Phone: 618-451-4201
Address: 1040 Collinsville Crossing Blvd, Collinsville, IL 62234
Hours: Opens Monday – Sunday | 24 hours
Phone: 618-344-4480
Address: 12495 State Route 143, Highland, IL 62249
Hours: Hours: Opens Monday – Sunday | 24 hours
Phone: 618-654-4596
Address: 610 Wesley Dr, Wood River, IL 62095
Hours: Opens Monday – Sunday | 24 hours
Phone: 618-259-0290
Garden Center at Lowe’s
Located in: Lowe’s
Hours: Monday – Saturday Opens 6 am | Closes 10 pm & Sunday Opens 8 am |Closes 8 pm
Address: 1619 Homer Adams Pkwy. Alton, IL
Phone: 618- 474-9900
Address: 159 Whistle Stop Dr, Glen Carbon, IL
Phone: 618-656-2140
The following Christmas Tree species or types are sold and grown in the United States.
Leyland Cypress – Cypress ocyparis leylandii – the foliage is dark green to gray color; has upright branches with a feathery appearance; has a light scent; good for people with allergies to other Christmas tree types. One of the most sought-after Christmas trees in the Southeastern United States.
Balsam Fir – Abies balsamea – ¾” to 1 ½” short, flat, long-lasting needles that are rounded at the tip; nice, dark green color with silvery cast and fragrant. Named for the balsam or resin found in blisters on the bark.
Resin is used to make microscope slides and was sold like chewing gum; used to treat wounds in Civil War. Abies ancient name – rising or tall tree, the name for the European fir, balsamea balsam-producing.
Douglas-Fir – Pseudotsuga menziesii – good fragrance; holds blue to dark green; 1″ to 1 ½” needles; needles have one of the best aromas among Christmas trees when crushed. Named after David Douglas, who studied the tree in the 1800s, good conical shape; can live for a thousand years.
Douglas-fir is considered the second tallest tree in North America, after redwood, and can grow over 300 ft. tall.
Fraser Fir – Abies fraseri – dark green, flattened needles; ½ to 1 inch long; good needle retention; nice scent; pyramid-shaped strong branches which turn upward. Named for a botanist, John Fraser, who explored the southern Appalachians in the late 1700s.
Growing Fraser fir for Christmas trees and wreaths is a multi-million dollar business in the southern Appalachians.
Grand Fir – Adies grandis – shiny, dark green needles about 1″ – 1 1/2 ” long; the needles, when crushed, give off a citrusy smell. On Mt. Hood, Oregon, early settlers tied ropes around grand firs to slow down and control their descent.
Rope-burned trees from this era are still standing. Grand fir’s sweet pitch was once chewed by Native Americans.
Noble Fir – Abies procera – one-inch long, bluish-green needles with a silvery appearance; has short, stiff branches; great for heavier ornaments; keeps well; is used to make wreaths, door swags, and garland.
White Fir or Concolor Fir – Abies concolor – blue-green needles are ½ to 1½ inches long; nice shape and good aroma, a citrus scent; good needle retention. In nature, can live to 350 years.
White Fir is an excellent ornamental tree and is widely planted in the eastern United States.
Scots or Scotch Pine – Pinus sylvestris – most common Christmas tree; stiff branches; stiff, dark green needles one inch long; holds needles for four weeks; needles will stay on even when dry; has an open appearance and more room for ornaments; keeps aroma throughout the season; introduced into the United States by European settlers.
Virginia Pine – Pinus virginiana – dark green needles are 1 ½” – 3″ long in twisted pairs; strong branches enabling it to hold heavy ornaments; strong aromatic pine scent; a popular southern Christmas tree.
The Virginia pine is an aggressive pioneer that produces pulpwood more rapidly than most pines on poor sites. It is also useful for mine land reclamation.
White Pine – Pinus strobus – soft, blue-green needles, 2 to 5 inches long in bundles of five; retains needles throughout the holiday season; very full appearance; little or no fragrance; less allergic reactions as compared to more fragrant trees.
The largest pine in the United States, the state tree of Michigan & Maine, slender branches will support fewer and smaller decorations as compared to Scotch pine. Its wood is used in cabinets, interior finish, and carving.
Native Americans used the inner bark as food. Early colonists used the inner bark to make cough medicine. White pine (also called ship-mast pine) had a pivotal role in the American Revolution and provided lumber for colonial expansion westward.
Blue Spruce – Picea pungens – dark green to powdery blue; very stiff needles, ¾” to 1 ½” long; good form; will drop needles in a warm room; symmetrical; but is best among species for needle retention; branches are stiff and will support many heavy decorations. State tree of Utah & Colorado.
And, can live in nature for 600-800 years.
Sources
Virginia Tech: Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation
Oregon State University: Department of Horticulture
National Christmas Tree Association
North Dakota State University
See the full list of Christmas Tree Types at the University of Illinois Extension. Credits to: Ron Wolford, Extension Educator, Horticulture
Cook County Unit|8753 South Greenwood Avenue Suite 100, Chicago, Illinois 60619
You May Also Like the following:
Enchanted Reindeer Experience Canton IL
Website: https://www.danaficker.com
No matter your personal preferences, the St. Louis Metro East has plenty to offer. From beautiful scenery to rich historical heritage, there are plenty of fun activities and always something happening for families to enjoy. Things to do while visiting the Metro East do differ among visitors.
Below is a sample outline of things you can do in the Metro East at suitable venues. Check out individual Facebook pages for up-to-date events, schedules, and announcements.
Of course, if you want to Shop the Metro East Real Estate, you can do that here with Dana Ficker at Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors Edwardsville.
(Check out Facebook for current events, dates & times.)
Why in the heck would anyone want to be moving to the Metro East?
Things to Do Around Edwardsville, IL 62025
Things to Do In Granite City, IL 62040