Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Belleville, IL

Located just fifteen minutes from downtown St. Louis and served by three Metrolink stations, Belleville stands as the most populous city in southern Illinois.

Belleville began to flourish at the end of the 19th century as a center for manufacturing, and the Labor & Industry Museum provides insights into this fascinating era.

Among the various characteristics that define this city is its remarkable downtown area, nestled within an extensive historic district featuring heritage architecture, numerous independent retailers, and a diverse array of dining and entertainment venues.

To the east of Belleville lies Scott Air Force Base, established in 1917, which serves as the headquarters for one of the 11 unified combatant commands of the Department of Defense.

1. Downtown Belleville

Downtown Belleville, part of Illinois’ largest historic district, remains a vibrant area for living, shopping, working, socializing, and entertainment.

Within this array of classical brick structures on Main Street, visitors will find a multitude of local, independent businesses. Specialty food shops, jewelers, collectibles stores, florists, bakeries, fashion boutiques, a tea room, and shops offering unique handmade items contribute to the charm.

The dining scene is equally diverse, featuring cuisines such as Mexican, sushi, American classics, contemporary options, pizza, and Chinese fare.

A vital landmark downtown is the historic Lincoln Theatre, discussed further below, while the Public Square, located at the western end, serves as the venue for numerous year-round events.

2. Belleville Public Square

This impressive square, bordered by significant St. Clair County buildings, imparts the feeling of a bustling urban center.

The Public Square has been the city’s epicenter since 1814 when George Blair donated an acre of his land for the creation of a town square.

A rich calendar of markets, festivals, parades, and concerts takes place here annually, some of which are highlighted later in this article (Art on the Square, Christkindlmarkt).

The corners of the Square feature attractive landscaping, trees, public art, and notable monuments, such as the “Curt Time” clock.

At the center lies the Veterans Memorial Fountain, initially installed in 1937 and updated during a restoration in the 1980s, surrounded by flagpoles.

3. Lincoln Theatre

This splendid movie theater has entertained Belleville’s residents for over a century.

Opened in 1921, the Lincoln Theatre served as both a vaudeville stage and a movie house, where notable performers like Ginger Rogers and the Marx Brothers graced the stage in its first decade.

Recognizable by its striking vertical marquee, this venue underwent a meticulous restoration spanning two decades, from 1980 to 2000.

A notable addition was the revival of the auditorium’s pipe organ, which is played by an organist before shows on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The Lincoln Theatre screens first-run films while also hosting concerts by the Belleville Philharmonic, children’s theater, and various other live performances.

4. Scott Field Heritage Air Park

Adjacent to Belleville lies one of the oldest continuously operating Air Force bases in the nation. Established in 1917 during the United States’ entrance into World War I, Scott Air Force Base served as one of 32 training camps.

This base is currently the headquarters for both Air Mobility Command and United States Transportation Command.

At the Heritage Air Park, visitors can explore the histories of these commands along with details about the base’s airlift, aeromedical evacuation, and air refueling missions.

The park displays two key aircraft of the Air Mobility Command: the C-141 Starlifter and the KC-135 Stratotanker, alongside the C-9 Nightingale, the only aircraft in the United States dedicated to aeromedical evacuation. In total, six aircraft are showcased within pathways that allow for 360° viewing.

5. Labor & Industry Museum

This is the only public museum of its kind in Southwestern Illinois, the Labor & Industry Museum highlights the region’s remarkable industrial heritage and workforce narrative.

In the late 19th century, Belleville emerged as a crucial industrial center for Illinois, which ranked third nationwide for heavy industry at that time.

Housed in the historic Conrad Bornman house (1837), the museum features captivating exhibits that detail the area’s cast-iron stove, brewing, brick, glass, and pattern-making industries.

The Union Hall contains a reference library filled with books and documents that touch on the struggles of laborers and the development of the American middle class.

6. The Edge

This entertainment center in Belleville offers a wide range of attractions suitable for all family members. Notably, The Edge features a multi-story laser tag arena, claimed to be the largest globally at over 14,000 square feet.

Accommodating up to 60 players, it offers various game formats. In addition, there is a karting track, bowling lanes, bumper cars, virtual reality games, and the latest arcade options.

The Edge also includes a family-friendly sports pub equipped with 45 flatscreen TVs, along with a five-screen movie theater that provides in-seat service and luxury recliners.

7. St. Clair County Historical Society

This organization oversees several intriguing locations throughout Belleville. The principal site and headquarters of the St. Clair County Historical Society is the Victorian Home, a well-preserved townhouse built in 1866 for local businessman Morris Dobschutz.

The Victorian Home operates as a house museum, offering visitors a glimpse into the life of a wealthy Belleville family during the 19th century, featuring tours of the dining room, parlor, library, child’s bedroom, master bedroom, and an exhibition space with rotating displays related to St. Clair County.

8. Skyview Drive-In

The Skyview Drive-In is a rare feature in American entertainment, representing the sole drive-in theater within the St. Louis area.

Established in 1949, this theater was renowned in its mid-20th century prime for possessing what was considered the largest screen in the Midwest, measuring 115 feet.

During its heyday, the Skyview served as a mini amusement park, showcasing attractions like a Ferris wheel, miniature train, and pony rides.

Its seasonal operations extend from April to November, currently equipped with two screens and a snack stand.

9. National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows

Located just northwest of Belleville, the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows ranks among the largest outdoor shrines in the United States.

This shrine welcomes over one million Catholic devotees annually, is dedicated to the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, and is managed by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

Spanning 200 landscaped acres, the shrine features beautiful gardens, an expansive outdoor amphitheater, the Stations of the Cross, a faithful replica of the Lourdes Grotto, the landmark Millennium Spire, along with a visitor and conference center, hotel, apartment complex, and restaurant.

10. Braeutigam Orchards

Situated on the southeastern outskirts of Belleville, Braeutigam Orchards has been a family-run fruit farm since 1831.

In 1935, Rollin Braeutigam transitioned the family business to focus on fruit production, successfully selling tree-ripened peaches from the farm stand, despite its distance from the nearest main road.

From June to October, Braeutigam Orchards offers a selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, from early summer apricots to fall pumpkins. The farm provides more than ten peach varieties and up to 14 types of apples.

Family-friendly activities include Grampa Lester’s Farmyard Village in summer, and the Pumpkin Festival in the fall, showcasing cider, hayrides, gourds, seasonal decor, and apple cider donuts.

11. Art on the Square

The weekend following Mother’s Day in May hosts a highly anticipated fine arts fair at Public Square in downtown Belleville.

Art on the Square is a juried event showcasing and evaluating the works of over 100 artists annually.

Since its inception in 2002, the fair has generated in excess of $120,000 in sales each year while awarding thousands of dollars in prizes for categories such as Best of Show, Best of Category, and excellence awards.

Approximately 75,000 art enthusiasts attend each year to admire the diverse categories of art, including glass art, paintings, and ceramics, while also enjoying delectable local food and beverages alongside top-tier live entertainment.

For young attendees, the Children’s Art Garden allows budding artists to create their own masterpieces to take home.

12. Old Town Farmers’ Market

Off Main Street in downtown Belleville, the Old Town Farmers’ Market is a remarkable seasonal open-air market that operates on Saturday mornings from May through October.

Entering its third decade, this market serves as an excellent opportunity to support local businesses, offering a diverse range of products including fruits, vegetables, herbs, plants, baked goods, honey, jellies, pet supplies, handmade arts and crafts, among others.

Additionally, patrons have the chance to converse with producers about preparation, storage, and recipes, enhancing their market experience. Many weekends feature live music to entertain visitors during their shopping.

13. Christkindlmarkt

Expanding annually, this traditional German-style Christmas market brightens the Public Square in downtown Belleville from late November until December 23.

While traditional Christmas markets have been a part of German culture for centuries, Belleville’s market, which began in 2014, has quickly gained popularity.

Visitors can explore a selection of handcrafted gifts and decorations, alongside classic German festive delicacies such as Glühwein (mulled wine) and gingerbread.

The market features an internationally diverse group of vendors, presenting unique holiday offerings from countries as far away as Nepal and Russia.

14. Orchards Golf Course

Adjacent to Braeutigam Orchards, the public 18-hole championship golf course, established in 1991, offers a unique experience.

Designed by Bob Goalby, a Masters winner (1968) and Belleville native, the course is noted for its distinctive design, ensuring no two holes are alike, while accommodating six sets of tees to cater to golfers of all skill levels.

This golf course also features a driving range with zoysia grass tees on two of its levels, as well as a practice bunker and green.

15. Eckert’s Country Store & Farms

Eckert’s is primarily a PYO fruit and country store brand, with locations mainly in Illinois, extending to as far as Versailles, Kentucky.

In contrast to many typical farm stands, the Belleville branch operates year-round, offering a varying selection of fruits, vegetables, and other crops available for harvesting from May to December.

The growing season starts with strawberries in early summer and culminates with Christmas trees during the holiday period.

The country store features fresh meats, delectable baked goods, farm produce, handmade condiments, and unique gifts, accompanied by a full-service restaurant renowned for its exceptional fried chicken.

Visitors can savor frozen custard in the summer or enjoy one of the many popular seasonal events throughout the year, which range from Breakfast with Santa to “Easter Egg-citement.”