Top 5 Alton Full-Day Tours: Real Reviews & Helpful Hints
Alton, Illinois, sitting right on the Mississippi River, it’s almost a town filled with some captivating history and intriguing stories. That includes everything from its past involvement with the Underground Railroad to being the site of that famous Lincoln-Douglas debate. If you’re planning a visit and want to really make the most of your time, full-day tours, well they are a terrific way to see all the highlights. So, here’s a look at the top 5 full-day tours in Alton. That way you can see what each one offers and pick the one that sounds like just the right fit for your interests.
1. Historic Alton Tour: Uncover the City’s Secrets
If history’s your thing, the Historic Alton Tour, it tends to be a must-do. It often starts with a visit to the Alton Museum of History and Art, and that, it’s really where you can view displays showcasing Alton’s past, more or less going through its early days as a river town up through the Civil War period. You might then move on to the Mineral Springs Hotel, arguably a place filled with eerie tales and some reported hauntings.
A highlight, that tends to be the guided walk through the Underground Railroad sites. These places often provide a gripping account of Alton’s involvement in helping slaves reach freedom. Oh, and don’t forget the Lincoln-Douglas Square. It’s just a bit where one of the most notable debates in U.S. history played out. That location provides a tangible connection to a key moment in the pre-Civil War era. So, that’s where Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas went head to head!
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2. Mississippi River Cruise & Alton Exploration
This tour, it kind of combines that allure of the Mississippi River with on-shore explorations. You can typically board a riverboat for a relaxing cruise that, it shows you off Alton from a totally different perspective. That gives you some great chances for pictures of the skyline and river landscapes. That river cruise, it’s almost a relaxing interlude, usually complete with narration about the river’s importance and some of the local wildlife. So, keep an eye out for eagles!
The tour very often involves a stop at the Melvin Price Locks and Dam, just a little so you can see how the river’s controlled for navigation. In town, you, like your, will probably check out the riverfront area. That’s where you’ll find shops and eateries and you get to feel Alton’s river town vibes. Many tours add in some free time here. Then you can stroll and maybe shop for souvenirs. I mean, it’s your call!
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3. Alton’s Haunted History & Mystery Tour
Alton is supposed to be one of the most haunted little towns in America, or so they say, which means its Haunted History & Mystery Tour, it tends to be popular. That Mineral Springs Hotel comes up again here. I mean, it is basically a regular stop because of all its paranormal activity claims. This tour often has you visiting the Old Alton Cemetery too. It’s basically got lots of stories and legends surrounding it.
Local guides, they tell eerie stories and share folklore about the ghostly happenings. The First Unitarian Church, just a little place with a history of strange occurrences, is usually on the list, too. That whole atmosphere is more or less spooky, so it’s going to appeal to fans of the paranormal.
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4. Great River Road Scenic & Cultural Tour
This particular tour, it follows sections of the Great River Road and it allows you to soak up scenic landscapes and see spots of cultural note near Alton. That drive itself, it is usually quite something, and it offers wide river views and winds through small river towns. So you can make stops at scenic overlooks for even better vantage points.
Highlights along the way sometimes are the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway. That runs past cliffs and down by the river. There are places with regional arts and crafts and spots highlighting regional cuisine too it’s almost so you can sample some local fare. You’ll get some time to soak up some culture along with the vistas.
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5. Alton Wine Trail & Vineyard Tour
For the wine fans, you, like your, can check out Alton Wine Trail & Vineyard Tour. I mean, that very visit lets you visit nearby wineries. Each of those wineries, that will provide tastings and tell you what makes their wines special. Many vineyards tend to be family-run places where the owner has some unique wine-making perspective.
You can usually wander the vineyards and then learn about growing grapes in this part of the Midwest. Tours sometimes provide some paired food samples, so it is going to allow you to enhance your wine-tasting experience. That can be quite a relaxed and a tasty day all at once!
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