101 Things to do in Southern Illinois

Welcome to BEAUTIFUL Southern Illinois. We have so many amazing lakes, restaurants, hiking trails and festivals to attend right here in our backyard! I know so many people who visit the region and come from near and far to visit the Shawnee National Forrest! Whether you are passing by, coming for the weekend or you live here I think this list will find something for everyone! Enjoy!

1. Hike little Grand Canyon

2. Tour Jackson county historical markers —-check out this blog post

3. Rendleman Orchards mid June-October 31st flower fields —check out this blog post

4. Havisham bourbon bar and Peachbarn Winery

5. Bike tunnel hill

6. Picnic at Kinkaid spillway

7. Rent a pontoon and go on lake of Egypt

8. Rent a Party bus and winery hop

9. Go to an SIU football game

10. Go to an SIU basketball game

11. Thrillbillies game

12. Dine at Mary’s in Herrin

13. Dine at Seasoning Bistro

14. Carbondale Super Splash Park

15. Happy hour at The Cellar

16. Drive to Chester and Dine at St Nick Landmark

17. Garden of the Gods

18. Mackies Pizza in Harrisburg

19.  Brunch at Faye in Murphysboro

20. Bandys Pumpkin Patch In October

21. Hike cove hollow trail

22. 17th Street  BBQ cook off (September annually)

23. Rend Lake Beach

24. Scratch Brewing Company

25. Big Muddy Monster Brew Fest

26. Midsummer Picnic Pairings

27. Live music at 618 Taphouse-Marion

28. Du Quoin State Fair

29. St Nicholas MDH at the airport Brunch

30. Date night Brews Brothers and Cummares

31. Magpie Market Days

32. Polar Express to St Nick from Carbondale to Du Quoin

33. Shopping at local boutiques—Eccentrics,

34. Grab coffee at Crown Brew and see the murals of Downtown Marion

35. Enjoy Ice cream at the Downtown Dip

36. Visit Boo Castle Park in Carbondale

37.  Goofy golf @ Ray Fosse Park

38. Kayaking at Crab Orchard Lake (rent kayaks from SIU rec center)

39. Flower shopping at Mcnitt Growers

40. Carbondale Science Center

41.  Sit on the hill  at an SIU baseball game

42. Giant City Lodge for all you can eat fried chicken

43. Pack a picnic and go to Giant City State  Park

44. Shawnee Cave Concert/festival

45. Route 51 Farmhouse Market

46. Take a yoga class at Aspire Yoga in Marion

47. Hunting and Fishing Days

48. Art, Wine and Blues festival

49. Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour

50. Makanda boardwalk

51. Beer and Chicken at Bottoms Up

52. Enjoy Jumbo margaritas at Midland Inn

53. Cold Blooded Coffee and antique shopping in Murphysboro

54. Poplar Camp Beach @ cedar lake

55. Strawberry shortcake at Flamm’s Orchards

56. Lunch at The Kitchen on Lafayette in Anna

57. Horseback riding at Giant City Stables

58. Rent cabins and camp at Giant City

59. Apple Festival Murphysboro   

60. Herrin Festa Italiana

61. Ordering charcuterie from Poppy and Vine—picnic in the park

62. Aquatic zoo in Mt. Vernon

63. Mileur Orchard—peaches and apples and pies OH MY!

64. Golf at kokopelli, jackson county country club, crab orchard, Lake of Egypt Golf Club

65. Rent a cabin at Egyptian Hills Resort

66. Biancos ice cream parlor Du Quoin

67. Paddle board Cedar Lake

68.  The Custard Stand Sesser

69. Live music Little Nashville Marion

70. Brunch at Iron Whisk

71. Cedarhurst Museum

72. Cafe Bloom Benton

73. Inspiration Point Trail

74.  Carbondale Farmers Market

75. Rainbow Ranch Petting Zoo

76. Rolling Oak Alpaca Ranch

77. Pinckneyville Mardi Gras

78. Sunset concerts Carbondale

79. The W Restaurant—Du Quoin

80. American Thresherman Association

81. Fall Festival Keyes Park in Du Quoin

82. Testicle Festival

83. Blueberry Hill Farm

84. Intuitive Soul Massage and Bodywork

85. Bloom Ridge Farm

86. Hallsberry Farm

87. McLaughlin u pick strawberry farm

88. Free Fair Carterville

89. Southern Illinois Raceway

90. Mini Magic Mile sprint car races

91. Oak Street Art Fair

92. SIU homecoming tailgate/parade

93.   Breakfast at Harbaughs

94. Walk campus lake

95. Mandala Gardens

96. Polar Whip in Herrin

97. The Cobden Peach Festival

98. Bald Knob Cross

99. The Neighborhood Co-Op

100. Date night at Global Gourmet

101. Christmas on the square in Marion—horse drawn carriage, ice skating, hot chocolate