Carlyle Lake Visitor Center – The Carlyle Lake Visitor Center, located at the Dam West Recreation Area, is home to an exhibit hall, auditorium, rest rooms, and plenty of literature to help you plan your stay in the Carlyle Lake area.
Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
April 6 - May 26: Sat & Sun
May 27 - Sept 2: Daily
Sept 7 - Sept 29: Sat & Sun
Phone – (618) 594-5253
Case-Halstead Public Library – The newly renovated Case-Halstead Public Library offers thousands of books, magazines, DVDs, and CDs, as well as computer services, online databases, and much more.
Hours: Monday-Thursday 9 am – 8 pm, Friday 9 am – 5 pm, and Saturday 9 am – 2 pm
Phone – (618) 594-8415
http://www.casehalstead.com
General Dean Suspension Bridge –The General Dean Suspension Bridge, called the “Swinging Bridge” by some, stands overlooking fishermen on the banks of the Kaskaskia and greets drivers as they leave or enter Carlyle on Old U.S. Route 50 near Carlyle’s eastern corporate limits. The General Dean Bridge is listed on the National Historic Registry and is the only suspension bridge of its kind in Illinois.
http://www. carlylelake.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/history_of_carlyle.pdf
St. Louis Gateway Arch - At an astounding 630-feet tall, the Gateway Arch remains the tallest man-made national monument in the United States. Its unique shape and stainless steel facade remarkably represent the history made in the city of St. Louis. An enclosed tram inside the Arch takes visitors to the top, where they experience breathtaking views of modern St. Louis – up to 30 miles in each direction on a clear day! Along with the surrounding Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, the Gateway Arch opens up a world of history about how St. Louis served as the Gateway to the West for early settlers.
Hours: Open daily from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Phone – (877) 982-1410
http://www.gatewayarch.com/
Old Illinois State Capitol Building - Vandalia, the second capital of Illinois, is steeped in history. Built in 1836, it is the oldest Illinois State Capitol building. The Federal-style white building which served as the Illinois State Capitol from 1836-1839 is impressive with its high ceilings, tall windows and vintage furnishings. At the top of the broad, curving staircase are the Senate and House of Representatives chambers, where Abraham Lincoln began his historical political career. Today, visitors may take guided tours or they may walk through the building at their own leisure. Exhibits include display boards that have copies of documents from Illinois' early days and Lincoln's tenure as a state representative in Vandalia. Visitors will walk on the same wooden floors where the future President once walked.
Hours: Tuesday- Saturday: 9am -5 pm
Phone -(618) 283-1161
http://www.vandaliaillinois.com/for-visitors/explore-vandalia/old-state-capitol/
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site - The remains of the most sophisticated prehistoric native civilization north of Mexico are preserved at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site. Within the 2,200-acre tract, lie the archaeological remnants of the central section of the ancient settlement that is today known as Cahokia.
Interpretive Center Hours: Open daily 9 am to 5 pm throughout the Summer
Grounds Hours: Open daily from Dawn till Dusk
Phone – (618) 346-5160
http://www.cahokiamounds.org
Excel Bottling Company – Excel Bottling Company produces flavored soda using cane sugar, returnable bottles, and vintage bottling equipment. The county’s favorite soft drink, Ski, was added in 1961 and accounts for the majority of soda produced. Excel is one of a few remaining “mom & pop” bottlers left in the nation and remains the only returnable bottling line left in Illinois. Excel Bottling Company was founded in the summer of 1936 and continues to serve customers across the country.
Hours
Monday & Tuesday: 8 am – 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday & Friday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. - Noon
Sunday: Closed
Phone – (618) 526-7159
http://www.excelbottling.com
St. Clair Square – St. Clair Square in Fairview Heights, IL, is an enclosed mall that is home to over 100 stores, including several department stores, retailers, and food vendors. The surrounding are also provides dozens of restaurants and stores, ensuring that there is something for everyone to enjoy!
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10 am - 8 pm, Sunday 11 am- 6 pm
Phone – (618) 632- 7567
http://www.stclairsquare.com
Carlyle Lake Wine Trail
Bretz’s Wildlife Lodge & Winery – The Lodge features a rustic, yet traditional decor accented in African wildlife mounts acquired by the owner’s many travels. It offers a full menu, a full bar, an “open air” bar, the production of our own Fruit wines, Banquet & Reception facilities, sand volleyball & mini golf. Beautiful sunsets on the horizon abound and Live Entertainment performs as well.
Hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 4pm - 8pm
Thursday: 4pm - 11pm
Friday: 4pm - 11pm
Saturday: Noon - 2am
Sunday: Noon - 8pm
Phone – (618) 594-8830
http://www.wildlifelodgeandwinery.com
Hidden Lake Winery – Located in rural Aviston, IL, Hidden lake Winery is situated in “Silent Forest,” a wooded parcel of land abounding in local lore. Hidden Lake Winery offers a variety of wines that are produced with locally-grown fruit and bottled in cellar onsite as well as a restaurant.
Tasting Room Hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday & Wednesay: 11am – 5pm
Thursday: 11am - 9pm
Friday & Saturday: 11am - Midnight
Sunday: 11am - 7pm
Kitchen Hours
Monday-Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: Noon - 8pm
Friday & Saturday: Noon - 9pm
Sunday: Noon - 5pm
Phone – (618) 228-9111
http://www.hiddenlakewinery.com
Crooked Creek Winery – Crooked Creek Winery is a small, family operation located in Centralia, IL, that is devoted to making wines that are the truest expression of the local grape varietals while exploring traditional European styles of winemaking. Patrons are welcome to sip wine and watch the family horses grace the surrounding pasture.
Hours: Saturday & Sunday 12pm – 5pm
Phone – (618) 267-6792
https://www.facebook.com/crookedcreekwinery/
Twelve Oaks Vineyard – Twelve Oaks Vineyard offers quality wines that are hand-crafted in the beautiful country outside the southern Illinois town of Carlyle. The grapes grown in this charming vineyard are maintained and cared for by a small family-owned business. Their reserve wines humbly wear the label of the variety of grape that are grown in this vineyard. Customers are invited to enjoy the fruit flavors in our wines and relax in a country setting with family and friends.
Hours: Saturday & Sunday 1 pm – 6 pm
Phone – (618) 594- 7459
https://twelveoaksvineyard.com/