Neighborhood Highlight: Selling Madison County tourism begins with a go to

Community Spotlight: Promoting Madison County’s Tourism Starts With A Visit

As we turn the calendar to 2021 and try to forget about the past year, I am reminded of the good that is happening all around us. It is really the people, companies, places and events that make our region so unique for residents and visitors that they can enjoy and appreciate it.

In planning our recreation, a new economic engine must be employed and deployed to bravely face the challenges of our future in southwest Illinois. With our abundance of natural wonders along the Mississippi, the unique stories of the road and the charm of Route 66, the abundance of recreational facilities – indoor and outdoor – the talents of our local makers, and the treasury of history that’s just waiting for tourism the new economic engine!

The major rivers and routes tourist office is the means to achieve the most rewarding goal of economic recovery through tourism. As the official travel destination marketing and management organization in Southwest Illinois, we’re excited to have the opportunity to share our vision for the future. We cannot do it alone and need the support and commitment of our community, district leaders, and the state of Illinois.

I will keep repeating: “If you are building a place that people want to live, then you have a place that people want to live. If you’re building a place people want to live, then you have a place people want to work, and if you’re building a place people want to work, then you have a place business want to be.

It all starts with a visit – and that cannot happen without us all working together!

Here are some recommendations and events to enjoy over the next few weeks.

The winter season welcomes the eagles return to our region. All eyes are on the sky as the Great Rivers & Routes region prepares for the annual winter migration of the American bald eagle. Experts estimate that up to 1,000 bald eagles will migrate to the area each January to reclaim their winter quarters along the National Scenic Byway of the Meet of the Great Rivers just outside St. Louis, Illinois.

Every year, the possibilities for eagle watching continue to grow throughout the region. While the pandemic has caused some eagle events to move from personal activities to virtual experiences, the wandering eagles don’t know that. To celebrate the return of this majestic bird, the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau has launched a new exclusive Eagle Watcher’s Passport, a free cell phone pass that covers the top eagle-watching locations in Madison, Jersey, Calhoun, Macoupin counties, Montgomery and Greene highlights.

The Eagle Watcher’s Passport is focused on 10 eagle viewing locations across the six county office’s region. Visit five of the 10 locations, check in on the pass, and visitors can register to receive a free Eagle Watcher’s t-shirt. Download the free pass at: www.explore.riversandroutes.com

The passport allows people looking for a unique eagle experience to create their own self-guided tours while promoting social distance. Videos of each location with tips on how to watch eagles and information about each location are also included on the pass. When people come to the area to see eagles, they also visit our local restaurants and shops. The mobile pass really gives people the opportunity to explore the region in their free time and enjoy a relaxing stay in one of our great accommodations.

The hugely popular Raptor Saturday in Riverlands, hosted by the Audubon Center, will look a little different this year, but it gives you and your loved ones a variety of ways to meet these amazing birds and enjoy your time outdoors. Visitors can pre-order tickets for Raptor Meet & Greets in small groups and guided Swan & Eagle Walks. Meet live raptors presented by the Treehouse Wildlife Center and learn all about these amazing birds! Birds of prey or raptors are special birds that hunt and eat live prey. Birds of prey (a Latin word that means “to grab or grab”) include falcons, eagles, hawks and owls. The Treehouse Wildlife Center will share interesting facts and information about the raptors on site. Visitors have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about raptor adaptations, the life cycle, and other natural history. The meeting times are at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Plus, take a guided eagle and swan walk through the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Visitors gather at the Audubon Center in Riverlands for a leisurely hike on paved trails to watch the wintering birds. Bring binoculars and wear comfortable clothes and shoes for outdoors. These guided walks are a great way to see our winter visitors, Bald Eagles and Trumpeter Swans, and learn more about improving your bird identification skills, immersing yourself in the great outdoors, and meeting other bird and nature lovers! Discover, learn and have fun. The meeting times are at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. After meeting your bird of prey, take time to fry some marshmallows and enjoy a fireplace.

Are you looking for winter food? Then you have come to the right place at Alton Restaurant Week, which starts from January 15 to 24 with 10 days of delicious culinary adventures. Enjoy secret recipe roast chicken, deliciously tender pepper loin steaks, whiskey steak burgers, juicy pork steaks, filet mignons, pasta, pizza, grilled dishes and delicious delicacies from the 22 participating local restaurants in Alton, East Alton, Godfrey and Grafton.

Guests also have the option to sample signature beers from two of the area’s craft breweries: Old Bakery Beer Co. and Grafton Winery and Brewhaus. During restaurant week, guests can expect fixed price meals with lunch for $ 12 and dinner for $ 30 or $ 2 for $ 30. There are no passes to buy and no cards to hit. Everyone is encouraged to simply bring their appetite to the participating restaurants. Supporting our locally owned and operated restaurants is more important than ever. With great offers and menus, Alton Restaurant Week offers locals and visitors throughout the region the opportunity to try out a new restaurant or visit one of their favorites to show their support. Each participating restaurant has worked hard to put together a menu that showcases their specialties and offers diners a special dining experience. Nobody will be disappointed. Also this year, guests who visit a participating restaurant will receive a free souvenir glass. The glass shows the legendary Piasa bird. The glasses will be distributed by the participating restaurants while supplies last. If you are placing an order for restaurant week, please request the souvenir glass.

For more information on the above events, see www.riversnadroutes.com or call the Great Rivers & Routes Tourist Office at 1-800-258-6645.

Cory M Jobe is the President and CEO of Great Rivers and Routes, Southwest Illinois Tourism Bureau. The Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau is a certified travel destination marketing organization serving the counties of Madison, Macoupin, Montgomery, Jersey, Calhoun, and Greene in southwest Illinois. www.riversandroutes.com