Things To Do Near Edwardsville & the St. Louis Metro East Suburbs

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.

Things to do in the Metro East

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Things to Do with Kids

1. Bowling, laser tag & arcade games at Edison’s Entertainment Complex
2. Build happy & curious learners at the Children’s Museum of Edwardsville
3. A gym where kids can be kids We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s gym
4. Aerial action- dodge, dunk, laugh & jump Altitude Trampoline Park
5. Liberty Prairie Farm | Facebook page
6. Go Horseback riding: Pere Marquette
7. Glide or go fast around the ice rink at Granite City Ice Rink – Wilson Park, R.P Lumber Center recreational complex – Edwardsville, or East Alton Ice Arena – East Alton
8. Racing leagues for kids, The Metro St. Louis Quarter Midget Racing Association for youths 5 thru 16 years of age. Tri-City Junior Speedway, Granite City
9. Eckert’s Family Farm-Apple, peach & berry picking, special activities, hayrides, garden center, and country store
10. Cool down on a hot day at Leon Corlew Splash Pad – Edwardsville

Things to Do for Free

1. Take a hike: Pere Marquette
2. Get out your binoculars and go Bald Eagle Watching
3. Willoughby Heritage Farm, 1940s farming life, with tractors, barns & live animals.
4. Enjoy a summer concert at Bobby’s Frozen Custard
5. Skate Park: Granite City Wilson Park
6. Spend the morning at the Goshen Farmers Market – in downtown Edwardsville
7. Discover Monks Mound archaeological site
8. Take a tour & see towboats and barges push their way through the Melvin Price Lock & Dam 26. One of the giant locks on the Mississippi River – Alton
9. Grab your blanket and see a movie in the park

Things to Do on the Weekend

1. Grafton Wineries (Award-winning wines on the bluff with breathtaking views.)
2. Pere Marquette State Park (Recreational ideas include: biking, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, hunting, and boating.)
3. Stand next to the World’s Tallest Man Statue (Robert Wadlow – Alton’s Gentle Giant)
4. Appreciate art from Jacoby Arts Center – Alton
5. National Great Rivers Museum – Alton
6. Lewis and Clark State Historic Site
7. Climb 50, 100, or 150 feet above the Confluence of the Mississippi & Missouri Rivers
8. Try your luck at Argosy Casino
9. Learn about local Underground Railroad sites on a shuttle tour – Alton
10. View Civil War artifacts, 1830s furnishing, and Native Indian collection at the Six-Mile Museum. 158-year-old home located in Granite City.
11. Find your flea market treasure at The Loading Docket -Grafton

Things to Do for a Thrill

1. Have an outdoor adventure while Rock climbing: Per Marquette
2. Hit the Shooting Range
3. Blow off some steam by testing your Axe throwing skills: Glen Carbon
4. Soar through the river bluffs for a stunning river view; Grafton Zipline at Aeries’ Resort
5. Get ready to go fast. Racing excitement at Premier Go-Kart Racing on a custom-built road course inside a NASCAR superspeedway – Gateway Motorsports Park
6. Discover the Ghost Walks of Alton
7. Sneak into a sniping position at Bing Field Paintball & Airsoft park

Things to Do on a Date

1. Check out the Loading Docket for patio dining, live music, a casual atmosphere, and great river views.
2. Get pulled into the powerful sound and color of AMC Theatre’s big screen – Edwardsville
3. Ambiance dining at 1818 Chophouse – Edwardsville
4. Cruise the Mississippi River, and enjoy the scenic beauty during the River Rambler Tour – Grafton
5. Enjoy a “foot-hi” pie at Blue Springs Cafe – Highland
6. Test your skills, grit, smarts, and ability at Beast Escape Room
7. Appreciate a date at Bella Milano
8. Breathe, taking views from the Grafton Wineries
9. Eat, Drink, Play, and Watch Sports in Edwardsville at Edison’s Entertainment Complex
10. Dine at Gentelin’s on Broadway (Fine Dining with a view of the Mississippi River)
11. Mix, Mingle, and enjoy live music at Fast Eddies Bon-Air
12. Stroll through Antique Row – Alton, Grafton
13. Tony’s Restaurant (Steak House) – Alton
14. Get up high with the best seat in the Midwest at Aeries Sky Tour – Grafton
15. Wine on the Water while enjoying a beautiful sunset cruise
16. Relax & smile while enjoying Downtown Outdoor Dining – Edwardsville
17. Pick up some good vibes at the Alton Amphitheater summer concert season

Things to Do Outdoors

1. Take a motorcycle ride along the scenic Great River Rd
2. Head up to Pere Marquette. Hike, Camp, Eat at the Lodge
3. Grab your pole and go Fishing
4. Check out the Hunting areas at Horse Lake State Park
5. Hit your woods, but stay out of them with a round of Golf
6. Take a walk in the wilderness at Watershed Nature Center
7. Explore nature at The Gardens at SIUE
8. See the World of Outlaws at Tri-City Speedway – Granite City
9. Need for speed fix at Gateway Motorsports Park, INDYCAR, NASCAR,& NHRA Drag Racing
10. Grab your helmet, a water bottle & map, and jump on the MCT Trails
11. Take a Haunted Tour on the Alton Trolley
12. Perfect your swing at Ball Buster’s batting cages in Maryville
13. Take in Powerful live Thoroughbred racing at Fairmount Park Racetrack
14. Launch your boat at the Alton Marina
15. Riverfront Park & Amphitheater (Outdoor summer concerts & festivals with the riverfront as the backdrop.)
16. Head to Horseshoe Lake State Park: 2,960 acres for Fishing, Hunting, Camping, and Picnicking
17. Learn the fastest growing sport you’ve never heard of “Pickleball” – Maryville
18. Cycle the trails along the limestone bluffs & confluence of two mighty rivers
19. Water surfing and boating at Carlyle Lake
20. Fishing, camping, and swimming at Vandalia Lake
21. Boating, fishing, and nature trails at Silver Lake Park-Highland

Things to Do When It’s Hot

1. During the Summer, visit Splash City Family Waterpark – Collinsville
2. Raging Rivers Water Park (Riverside with pools, flumes, rafting & slides.)
3. Relax at a Public Pool
4. Ice cream makes everything better…Get a scope at Bobby’s in Maryville, Annie’s in Glen Carbon and Edwardsville, and Weather Vane in Granite City
5. Play Bingo at the Firemen’s Hall_Collinsville

Things to Do in the Metro East – Special Events – Fairs & Festivals

1. Halloween Parade – Edwardsville
2. Italian Fest – Collinsville
3. Glen Fest – Glen Carbon
4. Maryville Homecoming
5. Party at the Beach, free concert with national acts
6. Relleke Pumpkin Patch / Fall Festival
7. Elizabeth Parish Picnic/Carnival – Granite City
8. Patriots in the Park: 2nd largest fireworks display in the St. Louis area.
9. Visit Santa at Santa’s Cabin – Granite City
10. St. Jacob Strawberry Fest
11. International Horseradish Festival – Collinsville
12. Alton Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market
13. Bike Night and Car Cruise – Granite City Elks Lodge
14. Grafton Market @ The Loading Dock
15. Check out the Local Arts and Crafts at the Melting Pot Market – Granite City
16. Cool Hot Rods and Exotic Cars All-Wheel Drive-In Car Show –  Alton
17. See artists transform the pavement into colorful art on Highlands’ Downtown Square – Street Art Festival and Art Expo is in the fall
18. Get your groove on at the Alton Jazz & Wine Festival -Liberty Bank Amphitheater – in the fall
19. Come get your kicks, Annual Route 66 Festival -Edwardsville-in June
20. Wood River Spring Fest
21. Make your way to the Great Godfrey Maze. 7 acres of confusion – in the fall
22. Experience the all-day Mardi Gras festivities downtown Granite City – February
23. Wordi Gras Celebration and parade in Worden, IL – Redneck take on Mardi Gras”
24. Code 3 Spices Smokin’ On Main (BBQ Competition) Upton Town Collinsville – in July
25. Sample some of the most delicious peaches at the Peach Festival at Pere Marquette Lodge | Grafton – August
26. Get your kicks at the Annual Edwardsville Route 66 Festival with classic cars, great food, and fun.

Special Events for Kids…

(Check out Facebook for current events, dates & times.)

1. Kids Fishing Derby – Marine -Heritage Lake Park_ Free Event_12 & Under
2. Kids Fishing Derby – Collinsville – Woodland Park _Free Event_No License Needed
3. Spring Pony Rides & Carnival_Happy Hooves Equine Rescue_Edwardsville
4. Mother Son Fun Date – Edwardsville_ Wildey Theatre_ Edwardsville
5. Spring Arrive and Drive at the MSLQMRA Tri-City Junior Speedway (March or April..weather permitting) _ in Granite City _ Ages 3-13 yrs drive a real race car. (10 laps $10.00)

More Things to Do in the Metro East across the River

1. St. Louis Gateway Arch
2. St. Louis Zoo (Free admission)
3. Six Flags
4. Live Concerts
5. Professional Sports Events
6. Botanical Gardens
7. Fox Theatre
8. Shop at the Galleria
9. Put a ring on it from Tiffany & Co. at St. Louis – Plaza Frontenac
10. City Museum
11. Ballpark Village

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Why in the heck would anyone want to be moving to the Metro East?

Things to Do Around Edwardsville, IL 62025

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