Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Granite City, IL

On the Illinois bank of the Mississippi, Granite City is an integral part of Greater St. Louis, situated in close proximity to the most renowned attractions of The Gateway City.

The city was established in 1896 by two German-American industrialist siblings who initiated a steel manufacturing facility producing enamel-coated kitchen products, commonly referred to as Granite ware.

In the 21st century, heavy manufacturing, notably the steel industry, continues to play a significant role in providing employment within the working-class community of Granite City.

More than 200 years ago, the riverbank of the Mississippi, just north of Granite City, marked the starting point for the Lewis and Clark expedition. Additionally, to the southwest lies Cahokia, the location of a monumental pre-Columbian city.

1. St. Louis

Granite City is approximately 15 minutes from the iconic Gateway Arch, which resides in a national park and symbolizes the entrance to the West and to St. Louis, Missouri.

In no time, one could access a variety of prominent attractions, including the imaginative City Museum, the complimentary St. Louis Zoo, and the Missouri Botanical Garden, which features the second-largest herbarium in North America.

The Saint Louis Art Museum hosts a prestigious modern art collection that includes works by Matisse, Monet, Picasso, Gauguin, among others. Furthermore, the city boasts a vibrant nightlife, a range of entertainment options, professional sports teams, and notable monuments characteristic of a major urban center.

St. Louis also presents its own regional culinary specialties, encompassing items such as the Chinese-American St. Paul Sandwich and St. Louis-style thin crust pizza.

2. Cahokia Mounds State Park

Granite City is conveniently located minutes away from a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At Cahokia Mounds State Park, visitors can explore the largest pre-Columbian settlement discovered north of Mexico.

Once spanning an impressive 3,950 acres, Cahokia consisted of roughly 120 earthwork mounds and was inhabited between 800 and 1400 CE.

Currently, the state park encompasses 80 mounds within a 2,200-acre area, reflecting the scale of a settlement that may have supported over 18,000 residents at its zenith.

For example, Monks Mound rises to 100 feet in height and was topped by a 5,000-square-foot structure that stood an additional 50 feet tall. The complimentary Visitor Center provides valuable context about this remarkable site and insights into the lives of Cahokia’s inhabitants.

3. Lewis & Clark State Historic Site

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark spent the winter of 1803-04 at Camp Dubois, located just a few miles north of Granite City, near modern-day Wood River.

The Corps of Discovery utilized this time to prepare for their influential multi-year expedition to chart the newly acquired western territories and identify a viable route to the Pacific Coast.

The Lewis & Clark State Historic Site features an educational exhibit space with six galleries rich in artifacts that chronicle the expedition timeline, document the winter of 1803-04, and track the duo’s progression westward.

Visitors can explore a reconstructed Camp Dubois on the premises, complemented by interactive displays to engage younger attendees. A guided tour is recommended for deeper insights.

4. Wilson Park

Many of the recreation facilities managed by the Granite City Park District can be found at this beautiful community park, which was established in 1921 and is surrounded by charming residences from the early 20th century.

One notable aspect of Wilson Park is its rich diversity of foliage, featuring 1,000 mature native and exotic trees, complemented by meticulously maintained formal gardens, bestowing the park with an impressive ambiance.

As for amenities, the park includes a swimming complex, an ice skating rink, six lighted tennis courts, seven baseball fields, a lighted softball field, a 1.4-mile fitness trail, a performance stage, an outdoor pavilion, several picnic shelters, and one of the state’s most expansive accessible playgrounds.

5. Horseshoe Lake State Park

The second-largest natural lake in Illinois is located on the eastern side of Granite City. Horseshoe Lake spans 2,400 acres and is a remnant of a meander in the Mississippi River, which was isolated thousands of years ago due to recurrent floods, predating the establishment of the existing levee system.

A testament to its age, the lake is quite shallow, with depths rarely exceeding three feet. Access to the state park is available from Highway 111, and along the lakeshore, visitors will find four miles of hiking trails, two boat launches, five picnic shelters, and 26 campsites for tents or trailers.

Fishing is permitted from the shore and from boats (outside of waterfowl hunting season), with the lake hosting bluegill, carp, crappie, bigmouth buffalo, bass, and channel catfish.

6. MCT Nature Trail

An excellent method to experience the landscape on the Illinois side of the Mississippi is via this 14.4-mile rail trail.

Granite City is situated at the western terminus of the Madison County Transit Trail, which begins in Wilson Park and leads east through historic residential areas, wetlands, woodlands, and farmland, extending to the intersection of Bryant Ave. and 2nd Ave. in Edwardsville.

For those wishing to expand their journey, the MCT Nature Trail intersects with various other Madison County Transit routes, including the Goshen, Nickel Plate, Schoolhouse, and Bluff trails.

7. Granite City Cinema

Recognized for reviving the downtown area of Granite City, which had experienced a decline since the 1980s, Granite City Cinema was developed by the city and initially opened in 2010.

This intimate triplex theater showcases first-run films, aiming to recapture the essence of a classic movie-going experience rather than the sterile environment of a large multiplex.

Ticket prices are generally more economical compared to larger cinema chains, and the theater is commended for its superior sound system and concessions such as popcorn.

8. Old Chain of Rocks Bridge

With an eastern approach beginning at Chouteau Island, this historic cantilever through-truss bridge serves as an ideal path for pedestrians and cyclists crossing the Mississippi.

The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, which was completed in 1929, earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.

This crossing was originally designed for vehicle travel and was formerly a part of Route 66 until its replacement by the New Chain of Rocks Bridge to the north in the 1960s.

The eastern terminus, near Granite City, offers a scenic setting for riverside activities, featuring a fishing area and nature trail that allows visitors to appreciate the bridge from a different perspective.

9. Gateway Motorsports Park

Located moments south of Granite City in Madison, you will find one of the leading auto racing venues in the Midwest, known as Gateway Motorsports Park.

This complex includes four racing tracks, comprising a 1.25-mile oval dedicated to IndyCar and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

The facility also features a 1.6-mile road course utilized by organizations like the Sports Car Club of America, alongside a quarter-mile drag strip that hosts significant NHRA drag racing events.

With a spectator capacity nearing 80,000, the park’s history dates back to 1967 with the establishment of the original drag strip, and it has since continued to enhance its offerings with new facilities, including a recently added outdoor karting track.

10. Lewis and Clark Confluence Tower

Adjacent to the state historic site stands a 150-foot observation tower situated at the confluence of the Missouri River and the Mississippi.

This monument, initiated to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, was inaugurated in 2010 and features observation decks at 50, 100, and 150 feet.

Each level is complemented by interpretative displays highlighting the significance of the Missouri-Mississippi intersection and the narratives of Lewis and Clark.

On a clear day, visitors can view a considerable segment of the St. Louis skyline, including the Gateway Arch.

11. Tri-City Speedway

On the outskirts of Granite City, near Nameoki Rd (IL 203), the Tri-City Speedway offers action-packed auto racing experiences.

This ⅜-mile-long dirt oval features grandstands along the home straight.

The racing season extends from early June to late October, encompassing a diverse range of classes including Super Late Models, Winged and Non-winged Sprint Cars, Modifieds, B-Mods, and Street Stock Cars, primarily under the UMP and MLRA sanctions.

The majority of race events occur on Friday and Saturday nights, fostering a family-friendly atmosphere along with a variety of food options.

12. Mastermind Vodka

A highly regarded craft distillery is located just minutes from Granite City in Pontoon Beach. Established in 2007, Mastermind Vodka utilizes top-quality grains cultivated in the Midwest.

This establishment marks the first distillery to open in Madison County since 1882, relying entirely on local labor and materials.

Visitors can tour Mastermind Vodka, which also includes a tasting room/bar where guests may sample the product of years of meticulous research and development.

13. Gateway Kartplex

In 2014, an exceptional karting facility was inaugurated within Gateway Motorsports Park, which serves as a venue for numerous highly competitive racing series.

For the general public, the option to drive is available through an Arrive & Drive package. The Gateway Kartplex features gas-powered Sodi GT5 karts, recognized as the fastest in the St. Louis area, capable of reaching speeds of up to 55 mph.

The karting track operates independently of adjacent facilities and can host races concurrently with the oval and road courses.

Designed with technical drivers in mind, the track provides numerous overtaking opportunities across its 11 turns.

14. Alfresco Performing Arts Center

A local success story, Alfresco Productions was founded in 2009 when Granite City resident and former steelworker Brenda Whitaker began organizing outdoor performances in her tea room’s garden.

The early programs proved so successful that the company required a permanent venue, which was secured in 2012 at a historic former Baptist Church in downtown Granite City.

The Alfresco Performing Arts Center hosts a dynamic season of productions, from musicals to seasonal events, such as a haunted house for Halloween, the Blues and BBQ Festival in July, and the beloved Melting Pot Market from May to October.

15. Patriots in the Park

Wilson Park serves as the venue for Granite City’s 4th of July celebrations, renowned as some of the finest in the entire St. Louis region.

Typically spanning an entire weekend, the festivities feature a carnival, an extensive array of food options, an auto show, and live music.

Naturally, the day culminates with a splendid fireworks display after dusk, considered one of the finest in the bi-state area. Patriots in the Park offers free admission and embraces a family-friendly atmosphere.