Top 15 Attractions and Activities in East St. Louis, IL

In the early decades of the 20th century, the city situated across the Mississippi from St. Louis was the fourth-largest in Illinois, boasting a population exceeding 80,000.

Founded in 1861, East St. Louis is known as the City of Champions, acknowledging the numerous sports figures who originated from or spent their formative years here during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Beginning in the 1950s, the city experienced a decline as it lost a significant portion of its heavy industry, leading to a prolonged downturn.

Nevertheless, there exists much to appreciate about East St. Louis, including its revitalization plans, impressive riverfront park, and the emerging urban farms that enhance the cityscape.

1. St. Louis

Adjacent to East St. Louis’ Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park, the iconic Gateway Arch greets visitors to the territory settled by the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.

This grand arch, conceived by Eero Saarinen and inaugurated in 1967, stands as a remarkable architectural feat, recognized as the tallest arch globally and the tallest accessible structure in the state, reaching a height of 630 feet.

St. Louis offers a diverse array of cultural experiences, vibrant nightlife, and esteemed sports teams, such as the Cardinals and St. Louis Blues.

For families, the challenge lies in selecting from an abundance of attractions, including the Saint Louis Zoo, historic Forest Park, the City Museum, Six Flags St. Louis, the St. Louis Aquarium, the Magic House, and many more.

2. Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site

Approximately 900 years after reaching its zenith, the remains of the largest pre-Columbian Native American settlement north of Mexico can be found just a few miles from downtown East St. Louis.

The Cahokia Mounds have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring a series of earthen mounds within a 2,000-acre park, while the city itself is believed to have been much larger, accommodating a population of approximately 18,000.

Among its most striking features is Monks Mound, recognized as the largest prehistoric earthwork in the Americas, standing at 100 feet tall and extending over 950 feet in length.

The interpretive center provides valuable insights into Mississippian culture, showcasing a reconstructed village along with findings from archaeological and anthropological studies conducted on-site.

3. Soulard

Rich in architecture and brimming with life, the historic Soulard neighborhood lies just south of downtown St. Louis, near the riverbank.

Soulard merits exploration on foot, with its streets adorned with exquisite 19th-century brick homes shaded by towering, ancient trees.

The northern section boasts an array of bars and restaurants, renowned for its vibrant live music scene, particularly blues and jazz. The early settlers of Soulard were predominantly of French origin, a fact reflected in the street and church names.

Soulard hosts the oldest farmers’ market west of the Mississippi, dating back over 200 years and situated within a Renaissance Revival structure from 1929. The market operates from Wednesday to Saturday throughout the year, with Saturdays being the busiest days.

4. Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park

Located on the east bank of the Mississippi, directly across from the Gateway Arch, East St. Louis boasts its own impressive park.

Eero Saarinen’s original proposal for the Gateway Arch included the land on the east bank; however, funding was not approved.

Since the 1940s, there has been a 40-year initiative, led by attorney Malcolm W. Martin (1912-2004), to develop this site and preserve the view.

The highlight of Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park is the Gateway Geyser, which we will discuss in further detail shortly.

Additionally, closer to the riverfront, visitors will find the Mississippi River Overlook, an observation platform featuring five tiers of ramps, inaugurated in 2009. Within this viewpoint stands a statue of Martin, who was instrumental in realizing the park’s vision.

5. Gateway Geyser

From May through September, you can observe the park’s most renowned feature in action. Embodying symbolism, the Gateway Geyser is an extraordinary fountain that propels a column of water 630 feet into the air.

This impressive jet is accompanied by four smaller fountains, each symbolizing one of the four rivers converging at St. Louis: the Mississippi, Illinois, Missouri, and Meramec.

Malcolm W. Martin activated the fountain for the first time in 1995, utilizing three 800-horsepower pumps to propel the jet at a velocity of 250 feet per second.

The geyser operates once daily for ten minutes at noon, conditional upon wind speed and drought conditions.

6. Anheuser-Busch Brewery

Home to Budweiser and the headquarters of Anheuser-Busch, this brewery significantly shapes the skyline on the south side of Soulard.

This National Historic Landmark spans a 142-acre campus featuring 189 structures and continues to produce 30 different Anheuser-Busch beverages, from Budweiser to Michelob Ultra.

Established by Adolphus Busch (1839-1913) during the 1850s, the company remained under the control of his descendants until a hostile takeover by InBev in 2008 resulted in the removal of Adolphus’ great-great-grandson, August Busch IV.

Visitors can explore the birthplace of Budweiser through complimentary tours, which include stunning interiors and interactions with the brewery’s famous Clydesdale draft horses, historically used for pulling beer wagons in the 19th century.

7. Eads Bridge

The historical significance of the Eads Bridge, combining rail and road access between St. Louis and East St. Louis, cannot be overstated.

Post-Civil War, it became evident that St. Louis’s future hinged on a crossing over the Mississippi, prompting construction to commence in 1867.

For the design, President Lincoln commissioned James Buchanan Eads (1820-1887), celebrated for his engineering innovations during the war.

Eads designed the world’s first steel-truss bridge employing contemporary construction techniques such as pneumatic caissons for the granite piers and the cantilever method, enabling river navigation during construction.

When it opened in 1874, the Eads Bridge held the record as the longest arch bridge globally and is now recognized as a National Historic Landmark, admired for its three elegant arches.

8. Katherine Dunham Museum

A multi-talented and significantly influential dancer, author, and social activist, Katherine Dunham (1909-2006) made East St. Louis her home in 1964 while serving as an artist-in-residence at Southern Illinois University.

Shortly thereafter, she established the Performing Arts Training Center (PATC) to address the social challenges and civil unrest arising from high unemployment in the area.

This initiative evolved into the Katherine Dunham Centers for Arts and Humanities (KDCAH), which oversees an esteemed museum dedicated to preserving Dunham’s exceptional collections.

The museum is particularly rich in African and Caribbean art, housing over 250 pieces of sculptures, paintings, tapestries, ceremonial costumes, and musical instruments sourced from 50 countries.

Additionally, the museum displays memorabilia from Dunham’s illustrious career, including photographs, letters, costumes, awards, and performance programs.

9. World Wide Technology Raceway

This principal race track situated north of East St. Louis encompasses four motorsport facilities, previously known as Gateway International Raceway, which has been operational since 1967 and reopened under new management in 2012 subsequent to its closure in 2010.

The venue features a 1.25-mile oval used for IndyCar and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events, a 1.6-mile infield road course accommodating numerous national car clubs, and a quarter-mile drag strip that hosts NHRA Camping World Drag Series competitions.

The latest addition is a state-of-the-art karting facility, which commenced operations within the oval in 2014.

10. Gateway Kartplex

Even during racing events at the outer tracks, the independent Gateway Kartplex operates as usual.

This leading karting facility in the St. Louis area, akin to the rest of the complex, offers remarkable views of the St. Louis skyline.

The track presents a stimulating challenge for even the most skilled drivers, characterized by its sequence of tight turns that follow the back straight. It can be modified into various configurations, including a 1/8-mile oval that replicates the layout of the main raceway.

The Gateway Kartplex accommodates diverse competitive series for personal kart owners and those renting karts from the facility.

It also facilitates events for parties, corporate gatherings, and other group functions, or you can simply arrive for an Arrive & Drive experience, selecting from various options ranging from a single ten-minute session to an entire day of racing.

11. DeMange Family Farms

Located just minutes from downtown, this family-operated farm is open from April through November. Visitors can commence their journey at the onset of the season, acquiring bedding flowers, vegetable plants, and gardening essentials such as hanging baskets.

As summer advances, DeMange Family Farms harvests a variety of fruits, vegetables, and flowers available at the farm stand, which is open from Monday to Saturday.

Typically, customers may find watermelons, honeydew, okra, cabbage, corn, tomatoes, beans, and several apple varieties for purchase.

12. Rusty Wallace Driving Experience

NASCAR and International Motorsports Hall of Famer, Rusty Wallace, hails from nearby Arnold, MO, and his organization provides ride-along experiences and racing opportunities at various tracks nationwide.

This includes the World Wide Technology Raceway, where participants can experience the thrill of racing on the oval and navigate its banked turns, either at the wheel or as a passenger with an experienced driver.

Drivers can select between three laps to a full 50-lap race day, while passengers have the option for three or five laps, with a “side-by-side ride” to witness how skilled racers operate on the track at high speeds.

13. Gateway National Golf Links

Located nearby in Madison, you will discover the only authentic links-style golf course in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area.

Gateway National Golf Links draws inspiration from renowned British seaside courses, such as Royal Lytham & St. Anne’s and Carnoustie, offering a golfing experience that harks back to the game’s historic roots.

The course features lush, rolling bentgrass fairways, Scottish-style burns (streams), expansive greens, mounds between holes, tall rough grasses, and a wetland habitat interspersed with bridges and boardwalks.

Additionally, players are treated to occasional vistas of the St. Louis skyline and the Gateway Arch.

14. Jones Park

Jones Park serves as East St. Louis’s principal urban park, housing the city’s park district facility and positioned adjacent to the Jackie Joyner Kersee Community Center.

Dating back to the 1910s, this park was once a popular summer retreat known for its beach and lake, which is now utilized solely for fishing.

The park’s towering mature trees reflect its long-standing history, and visitors can find a charming old boathouse at the lakeshore.

A walking trail meanders along the water’s edge, accompanied by ample grassy areas, numerous picnic tables, and playground equipment for children. The lake is populated with species such as trout, channel catfish, and bass, frequently caught by anglers.

15. Casino Queen

At the time of this article’s publication, Casino Queen, situated along the riverbank in East St. Louis, had recently negotiated a partnership with the sports betting platform DraftKings.

In the 2020s, Casino Queen is slated for a comprehensive multimillion-dollar renovation, encompassing a food court, a year-round restaurant, and a cutting-edge sportsbook linked to the DraftKings mobile application.

The casino offers nearly 40,000 square feet of gaming space with 34 table games and 1,100 slot machines. Even prior to the planned renovations, the establishment featured four dining options, including a buffet, deli, and sports bar.