Top 15 Activities and Attractions in Edwardsville, IL

The Madison County seat, Edwardsville, is located in the Metro East region and is part of Greater St. Louis. The city is home to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), featuring an expansive campus west of downtown that adds to Edwardsville’s population during the academic term. The heart of Edwardsville is charming, characterized by a vibrant summer market, numerous independent enterprises, and architecture that dates back over a century. This area is also bike and pedestrian-friendly, served by Madison County Transit’s comprehensive network of bike trails that traverse downtown and extend across the county, utilizing former railroads.

1. Downtown Edwardsville

The downtown area of Edwardsville is certainly deserving of exploration, showcasing impressive old structures from the early 20th century alongside a diverse array of locally-owned businesses. You can find a variety of offerings, including antiques, home goods, fashion, handicrafts, pet supplies, athletic equipment, and even a butcher shop adjacent to the Wildey Theatre. Saturdays are particularly lively with a longstanding farmers’ market attracting numerous shoppers to the downtown area.

For outdoor enjoyment, City Park provides a delightful setting for picnics and community events, including outdoor concerts and film screenings during the summer months. The culinary scene nearby offers an outstanding selection within just a few blocks, featuring options such as boba tea, craft beer, sushi, pizza, tacos, steaks, afternoon tea, and frozen custard, among others.

2. 1820 Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House

The oldest brick residence in Edwardsville, the Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House, is a city-owned museum that exudes historical significance. Built in the Federal architectural style with five bays, an ell was added in 1845, enhancing its aesthetic appeal and historical relevance. Colonel Benjamin Stephenson (1769-1822) served in the Illinois militia and commanded a regiment during the War of 1812, subsequently becoming a Congressional Delegate for the Illinois Territory and a participant in the Constitutional Convention that ensured Illinois achieved statehood.

The house is furnished to reflect the lifestyle of the 1820s, and visitors can explore domestic life, Edwardsville’s historical roots, and the compelling narrative of Colonel Stephenson through guided tours.

3. Wildey Theatre

Among the notable landmarks in downtown Edwardsville is the Wildey Theatre, an opera house constructed by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) in 1909. The initials IOOF can still be seen on a plaque above the facade, and a meeting hall for the fellowship was situated on the second floor. Over its 110-plus years, the Wildey Theatre has undergone several transformations, serving as a movie theatre for many years before closing in 1984.

In the late 1990s, a state grant facilitated the acquisition and subsequent restoration of the building by the city. After meticulous work, the venue reopened in 2011, now standing as a beloved site for performing arts and classic film screenings.

4. Leclaire Park

To the south of downtown Edwardsville lies the Leclaire Historic District, which preserves a neighborhood that was an independent village until its incorporation into the city in 1934. Founded by industrialist N. O. Nelson (1844-1922) as a Utopian model workers’ cooperative, Leclaire was inspired by the Ethical Culture movement and included a profit-sharing system along with an academy providing free adult education.

Central to this district is Leclaire Park, which opened in 1906 as a recreational area for residents while also supplying water to the Nelson Factory Complex. Arguably among the most picturesque parks in Edwardsville, it features geese and ducks to feed, a historic bandstand, a picnic pavilion, and three playground areas.

5. Madison County Transit (MCT) Bike Trails

Madison County Transit offers the only integrated bus and bikeway system in the nation, a project that developed from the extensive railroads that once spanned the Metro East area during its industrial peak. Beginning in the early 1990s, rail corridors were converted into over 85 miles of pedestrian and biking trails, with five of these trails accessible near downtown Edwardsville. The MCT Nickel Plate Trail, the longest trail in the system, runs through Troy Road, adjacent to the Edwardsville Children’s Museum.

Further south, this trail intersects with the MCT Goshen Trail and the MCT Nature Trail heading toward SIUE. To the northwest, visitors can access the MCT Watershed Trail near the Madison County Courthouse, while the MCT Quercus Grove Trail starts just east at Brown Avenue & Vandalia Street.

6. Land of Goshen Community Market

A staple in Edwardsville for over 25 years, the Land of Goshen Community Market takes place on Saturday mornings from mid-May to mid-October in the downtown area. This bustling market attracts over 2,000 customers weekly, with all products offered sourced within a 100-mile radius of the city.

Rain or shine, shoppers can discover fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables, flowers, farm-raised meats, eggs, honey, pickles, jams, jellies, baked goods, coffee, artisanal soaps, handcrafted jewelry, garden decor, painted glass, and much more.

7. The Gardens at SIUE

Established in 1957, the expansive Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus located to the west of the city houses up to 13,000 students each year. A significant attraction, especially in spring and summer, is the 36-acre botanical garden that has been cultivated for over 30 years. This living laboratory features a vast assortment of native plants and trees, with various themed spaces including a butterfly garden, Japanese-themed garden, English cottage garden, and a wind sculpture garden.

The Gardens Center hosts educational programs and nature classes, and a kiosk at the entrance provides a map for visitors.

8. Recess Brewing

Among the array of new businesses on Main Street, Recess Brewing is a community-supported brewery and taproom. Featuring a five-barrel brewhouse managed by a former public school teacher from Chicago, the establishment has ten taps available for patrons, where they can enjoy a pint or take home a growler. The taproom also offers a variety of snacks, and patrons are invited to bring their own food or order from the excellent selection of restaurants nearby.

At the time of this article, Recess Brewing was serving an assortment of fruity and hop-forward IPAs, a session porter, an imperial stout, a hard seltzer, and a distinctive milk and honey Kölsch.

9. Watershed Nature Center

Located a short walk or bike ride from downtown Edwardsville, the Watershed Nature Center features an extensive area comprised of restored natural habitats. Accessible via the MCTR Watershed Trail, this preserve spans over 40 acres, encompassing wetlands, open water, woodlands, and prairie environments.

Visitors can traverse the area along paved trails and a beautifully designed raised pathway across the marsh. Interpretive signage throughout the preserve enhances educational opportunities regarding the native wildlife, including birds, insects, mammals, and reptiles inhabiting the area. With some quiet observation, you may encounter turtles, frogs, deer, snakes, beavers, groundhogs, and a diverse range of bird species.

A small welcome center is located by the entrance, and an observation tower on the north side provides an excellent vantage point for birdwatching.

10. Edwardsville Arts Center

Situated alongside Edwardsville High School, the Edwardsville Arts Center serves as a vibrant community arts hub, promoting creativity and art appreciation through exhibitions, educational classes, and various cultural events. Established in 2001, the center operates from Wednesday to Saturday and is worth a visit for its showcasing of local and regional artists.

Visitors can also explore a shop featuring unique artworks, including paintings, sculptures, pottery, jewelry, glassware, and exclusive fashion items. The center offers classes for individuals of all ages, covering activities from ceramics to flower arranging, with one of the major events being the annual Edwardsville Art Fair held in late September at City Park.

11. Leon Corlew Park

The primary attraction of Leon Corlew Park, which spans two acres at the southern end of Main Street, is its popular splash pad. This family-friendly amenity is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend and features whimsical oversized water spray fixtures, providing endless fun for younger children. Alongside the splash pad, a dry playground caters to both toddlers and older children, all set on a safe rubber surface.

Beyond these features, visitors can enjoy a fitness trail winding through the grassy areas, along with three pavilions equipped with barbecue grills.

12. Joe Glik Park

Edwardsville’s largest park designated for passive recreation encompasses over 40 acres near Dunlap Lake. Named after its benefactor, Joe Glik Park is a venue for various outdoor community events. Despite being relatively new, it boasts a range of amenities, including nearly half a mile of walking, biking, and skating trails, two picnic pavilions, two stocked fishing lakes, a spacious playground with soft surfacing, a basketball court, and ample grassy areas for recreational activities.

Pet owners will appreciate the fenced dog park equipped with adequate shade foliage for summer.

13. Edison’s Entertainment Complex

Edison’s Entertainment Complex amalgamates several attractions, offering a comprehensive entertainment experience featuring a large bar and restaurant alongside family-friendly activities. The venue includes twelve bowling lanes, a 4,000-square-foot laser tag arena, and an arcade stocked with 65 games, encompassing both vintage classics and modern innovations.

With the capacity to accommodate groups of up to 24, the extensive restaurant menu features a wide selection of comforting food options, including pizza, tacos, wings, burgers, as well as nostalgic choices like mac and cheese and chicken strips.

14. Madison County Historical Museum

While visiting downtown Edwardsville, a short stroll north along Main Street leads to the John Weir House, which stands as the second oldest brick residence in the city. Built in 1836 in the Federal style, this five-bay structure features a gable roof with three dormers on each side. John Weir, a physician, operated his practice from this location with his son until his passing in 1878. The property was subsequently acquired by the Madison County Historical Society in 1963 and has since been transformed into a museum.

15. Plummer Family Park

Located on the southeastern outskirts of Edwardsville, Plummer Family Park is a newly developed family sports complex that encompasses a vast area with potential for future expansions. This facility is designed for various sports practices and competitions, accommodating baseball, softball, football, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, and pickleball. Spanning over 80 pristine acres, the park showcases a baseball and softball complex featuring four lighted fields, twelve pickleball courts, and six multipurpose fields—three of which are illuminated with synthetic turf and the other three being natural grass.

A full-service concession stand at the baseball and softball complex provides fresh food options instead of prepackaged snacks, enhancing the experience for visitors.