Grafton: River Views, History and Trails

Grafton developed at the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. This connection to the rivers is also present on the Grafton SkyTour, which offers views of the confluence. Other excursion options range from guided hikes to historical exhibits, with each destination offering its own focus.

River Views and Trails

The Grafton SkyTour is a scenic aerial tramway that leads to Aerie's Hill. It offers views of the Grafton bluffs and the confluence of the Illinois River and the Mississippi. It thus combines a specific destination with two named landscape features. If the river scenery is a priority for your trip, the SkyTour provides a clear starting point for planning an outing.

The Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail runs through Grafton and is about 20 miles long, flat and paved. Its features differ from those of the SkyTour: for the trail, they are its approximate length and surface, while for the aerial tramway, they are the destination, Aerie's Hill, and the views. The combination of length and trail surface gives you two concrete points to consider when planning, without specifying a walking time.

Located in Grafton, Pere Marquette State Park offers guided hikes focused on ecology, history and wildlife. Here, the focus is not on trail length, but on the subject of the guided hike. If you’d like to plan your outing around a particular theme, these three subjects can serve as specific options to choose from.

Local History and Attractions

The Grafton Historic District includes sections of W. Main Street and a stone wharf on Maple Street. Together with Grafton’s development at the confluence, these features make for a historical focus that encompasses both the town’s history and specific areas of the district.

The Grafton Visitor Center / Museum offers visitor information, including maps and brochures, and features historical exhibits. The Edward Amburg History Museum is housed in the same building. This brings informational resources and historical content together in one place: maps and brochures provide information, while the exhibits offer a distinct historical focus.

Two other attractions in Grafton are Raging Rivers Water Park at 100 Palisades Parkway, Grafton, IL 62037, and Aerie's Alpine Coaster at 14 W. Main St., Grafton, IL 62037. Hours and operations for both may change, so check the latest information before your visit.

Regional Context

Beyond Grafton’s individual destinations, the Great River Road Scenic Byway offers a regional perspective. Along the byway, nine official Great River Road Interpretive Centers provide information about local attractions and travel along the route. These centers focus on the route and its attractions in the wider area, complementing the specific destinations in Grafton with a regional perspective.

Discover more destinations: Elsah, Jerseyville.

For the broader travel overview: Jersey County.