Illinois Travel Guide 2008 - (Page 11) The 33-mile-long Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway, chosen as one of the Seven Wonders of Illinois, begins in Hartford JACK HIGH/LEWIS & CLARK INTERPRETIVE CENTER Grafton Elsah Alton Hartford and ends in Grafton at Pere Marquette State Park. The ride is especially scenic along Route 100, between the towns of Alton and Grafton, with amazing views of soaring limestone bluffs and the confluence of the Mississippi, Illinois and Missouri rivers. Take the time to explore these byway sites: • The Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center in Hartford features top-notch exhibits that give a fascinating insight into the famed explorers’ journey. Be sure to tour the replica Camp River Dubois out back. • The National Great Rivers Museum in Alton is full of fun interactive exhibits that tell the story of Left to Right: The journey begins at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, a life-size statue of Robert Wadlow, the world’s tallest man and an Alton native 800/2CONNECT ILLINOIS. MILE AFTER MAGNIFICENT MILE. 11 MARGARET DOYLE MEETING OF THE GREAT RIVERS NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY the Mighty Mississippi. The museum is located at the Melvin Price Locks & Dam, which offers tours that give visitors a bird’s-eye view of the river barge traffic from eight stories up. And it’s a great spot to eye eagles in the winter. • Snap a photo with the life-size statue of R o b e r t Wa d l o w, t h e world's tallest man (at nearly nine feet) and an Alton native. Across the street, the Alton Museum of History & Art features personal mementos of the “Gentle Giant,” including his huge class ring. • Hop on the Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail, a 20mile paved path that runs along Route 100 between Alton and Pere Marquette State Park, with the Mississippi River on one side and towering bluffs on the other. Check out the mural of the Piasa Bird, a local Native American legend, painted on a bluff at the start of the bike trail. • Nestled between bluffs on Route 100, Elsah was the first town in the nation to be listed in its entirety on the National Register of Historic Places. Stroll by dozens of lovely 19th-century stone cottages and stop for homemade pie at My Just Desserts. http://www.americasbestvalueinn.com
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