10 Best Things To do in Grafton, Illinois

Spanning 8,000 acres of ruggedly beautiful landscape, Pere Marquette State Park is a vast playground for nature lovers. Outdoorsy visitors come for energetic pursuits such as horse riding, cycling, and hiking. Twelve miles of marked trails boast challenging hills, but they’re rewarded with stunning views over thick forests and towering bluffs. And if that all sounds too lively, scenic drives offer spectacular views.  

Those wanting to extend their stay can pitch up at the park’s campsites, rent a cozy cabin, or take a room at the impressive Pere Marquette Lodge in the heart of the park. Wildlife lovers should look out for indigenous animals like deer, raptors, and foxes, as well as seasonal visitors like bald eagles and white pelicans.  

Foodies and hungry families visiting Grafton during the warmer months should make for Eckert’s Family Farm. With a scenic location on the Mississippi Bluffs, the pick-your-own produce farm is a great way to spend some time taking in the views and enjoying the fresh country air while picking tasty treats like peaches, apples, and blackberries. 

The farm opens roughly from April to October each year depending on climate conditions and appeals to younger visitors with fun attractions like tractor rides, a petting zoo, a playground, and an onsite restaurant where visitors can replenish energy supplies after a hard day’s pickin’. Eckert’s Family Farm also hosts seasonal events like easter egg hunts, so it’s worth keeping an eye on local listings.  

If you’re looking for lots of Grafton activities in one spot, Aerie’s Resort is the place. Settle in for a day, or a few, to enjoy activities like cable car rides and heart-racing toboggan rides through the trees. Or, just relax and enjoy a glass of wine with some of the best views in the area.  

Accommodation caters to all, and the onsite restaurants and winery are also open to non-guests to provide the perfect way to relax after a day of exploring. For a fun way to take in local scenery, visitors can ride the resort’s Grafton SkyTour cable cars to the top of the river bluffs, before hurtling through the forest aboard the unforgettable Aerie’s Alpine Coaster.  

Hakuna Matata roughly translates as ”take it easy” in Swahili, and it’s an apt name for all-weather boat tours that drift along the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. With capacity for 49 passengers, the Hakuna Matata tour boat offers terrific views from the vast patio on its upper deck, while the enclosed lower deck makes for comfortable cruising in cooler weather. 

The onboard TIKI Bar serves fruity cocktails and mocktails, so passengers of all ages can raise a glass to the beauty of Grafton as they drift along the river. The boat typically sails between May and November, with themed events including ”Fall Color” cruises and lively weekend trips like Celebration Saturday and Sunday Funday cruises.  

When Grafton sizzles in the summer sun, head for Raging Rivers Water Park and its fun slides, wave pools, and scaled-down fun for toddlers and young children.  

Eight water-based attractions are set among expansive grounds so bring comfortable flip-flops for walking between the slides. The watery fun also includes the 500-ft dual Cascade Body Flumes, which tumble across natural hills, and the adrenaline-pumping Runaway Rafts. For a more sedate experience, drift along the slow-moving ”Endless River,” or just relax with a cold drink and an ice cream from one of the many on-site food stands and cafes. Raging Rivers is a seasonal attraction, usually open between late May and the end of August, and is located off Great River Road.  

One of Grafton’s best-loved destinations, The Loading Dock offers light meals, drinks, and live music on the waterfront as well as a popular flea market and seasonal ice skating. Competition for seats on the terrace is fierce in summer, but friendly staff ensure nobody goes hungry or thirsty for long.

With a prime location right on the waterfront, The Loading Dock is a popular destination for families thanks to kids’ play areas, and there are heat lamps for chillier evenings. Arrive early to bag a seat, then settle in to take your time over daiquiris, mocktails, or hot chocolate, and easy eats like pretzels, hot dogs, and a famous salsa.

Established in 1979, The TreeHouse non-profit animal rescue center is a delightful place to visit as well as a valuable resource for Grafton’s abundant native wildlife. Located in the scenic town of Dow between Grafton and neighboring Alton, the wildlife center is dedicated to promoting environmental awareness as well as to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured animals and birds.  

It’s free to visit the center although donations are warmly welcomed, and visitors can peek at falcons, owls, bobcats, and coyotes, as well as the adorable baby creatures in the animal nursery. Volunteers are on hand with information about the animals and their treatment, and regular special events like Owl Fest draws crowds of curious wildlife lovers.  

A stroll along Grafton Riverfront provides an unmissable opportunity to take in the view at the point where 2 rivers blend into the mighty Mississippi. The riverfront is a stunning place for sunset views so you might want to take a table at a riverside bar to enjoy a drink as the sun dips over the river. Notable landmarks include a faux lighthouse built to mark Grafton’s resilience after the devastating 1993 flood.  

Wildlife abounds here, too. In winter you might spot Grafton’s famous bald eagles swooping for river fish, and whole concrete statues east of the lighthouse replicate the snapping turtles, frogs, and catfish that live happily in the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers.  

With a prime spot on the Great River Road Scenic Byway, Grafton Winery and Brewhaus is an excellent watering hole for visitors who take their drinks seriously. It’s a full-production winery and highly respected microbrewery, serving locally produced drinks alongside popular dishes like shrimp, pretzels, and cakes.  

Wine tastings are a popular way to taste several of the wines on offer, and there’s a bottle shop for those who want to take their favorites back home. Alternatively, grab one of the hotly contested seats on the patio and settle down to enjoy the view with a glass and a bite to eat.  

A walk along Main Street, Grafton, is an excellent way to get to know the scenic downtown of this compact riverfront city. Start at Grafton Visitor Center to pick up maps and tips on places to visit, before taking your time to explore the small city’s main artery.  

There are antiques shops, clothing boutiques, and gourmet food stores abound, and the local fudge is not to be missed. You’ll also wind past several enticing eateries, guest houses, and photo opportunities. While much of Grafton’s appeal lies in its proximity to wild nature, a stroll along Main Street shows the city’s downtown has plenty of charm.