Discover Downstate Illinois

Discover Downstate Illinois Official page of Discover Downstate Illinois. From historic sites and scenic trails to lively festivals and one-of-a-kind attractions.

Whether you're seeking a new adventure or diving into the past, surprises await in the 22 county region of Downstate IL! Thank you for visiting the official page for Discover Downstate Illinois! We are excited to bring you information, events, and more from our 21 counties spanning across the whole state of Illinois. Please see a list of our counties below:

- St. Clair
- Monroe
- Rand

olph
- Crawford
- Bond
- Clinton
- Washington
- Perry
- Fayette
- Marion
- Clay
- Wayne
- Hamilton
- Cumberland
- Jasper
- Richland
- Edwards
- White
- Clark
- Lawrence
- Wabash

Don't Miss some of our attractions including:
- World Wide Technology Raceway, Madison
- Fort de Chartres, Prairie du Rocher
- GCS Credit Union Ballpark, Sauget
- Rainbow Ranch Petting Zoo, Nashville
- Eckert's County Store and Farms, Belleville
- Big Things In a Small Town, Casey
- Centralia Carillon, Centralia
- Original Springs Hotel and Bath, Okawville
- Spinach Can Collectables Museum, Chester
- Carlyle Lake, Carlyle
- Old State Capital, Vandalia
- White Squirrels, Olney
- National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville

Looking for your next small town coffee shop? Gather. Okawville LLC has you covered!This shop in Okawville serves up a f...
08/31/2026

Looking for your next small town coffee shop? Gather. Okawville LLC has you covered!

This shop in Okawville serves up a full coffee menu, as well as lotus energy drinks, pastries, and seasonal favorites. What makes this coffee shop special is their beautiful garden, allowing visitors to slow down and sip amongst the flowers.

Gather. Okawville is a stop on the 2026 Southern Illinois Coffee Trail, so don't forget to show the barista your passport or the app to earn a discount!

📍204 East Walnut Street, Okawville, IL, United States

Race fans, it's almost time for the epic Enjoy Illinois 300 NASCAR Cup Series Weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway i...
08/28/2026

Race fans, it's almost time for the epic Enjoy Illinois 300 NASCAR Cup Series Weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison taking place September 12 & 13!

Experience edge-of-your-seat racing, fan experiences, driver appearances, camping, entertainment, and the electric atmosphere that only World Wide Technology Raceway, just minutes from downtown St. Louis, can deliver. Whether you're a lifelong racing fan or attending your first race, it's an unforgettable weekend packed with speed and excitement.

Plus, the Confluence Music Festival is bringing the heat with performances by Old Dominion, Busta Rhymes, The Blues Brothers & The Sacred Hearts, and more!

Get ready for an action-packed weekend of racing, live music, and unforgettable memories. We'll see you at the track! 🏁

Secure your tickets here - https://wwtraceway.com/enjoyillinois300/

Belle Clair Fairgrounds Park is hosting the world's greatest Sprint Car drivers, and tickets go on sale today!On Saturda...
08/27/2026

Belle Clair Fairgrounds Park is hosting the world's greatest Sprint Car drivers, and tickets go on sale today!

On Saturday, October 17, the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series will have its final Midwest event of the 2026 season in Belleville. Fans will watch an action-packed evening with thrilling competition and side-by-side racing on the 1/4-mile dirt oval track.

Buy tickets for The World of Outlaws Battle at Belle Clair here: https://ow.ly/3MCG50ZFScC

General admission tickets will go on sale October 5.

Midwest Salute to the Arts is returning for its 38th year this weekend! 🎨📅August 28-August 30, 2026Located in Moody Park...
08/25/2026

Midwest Salute to the Arts is returning for its 38th year this weekend! 🎨

📅August 28-August 30, 2026

Located in Moody Park in Fairview Heights, Midwest Salute to the Arts brings in hundreds of artists from around the country to share their craft. All weekend, you have the opportunity to support local artists, hear live music, and see artistic demonstrations. Salute to the Arts also has a children's gallery, encouraging kids to create their own masterpieces.

Need more information? Click here: https://midwestsalute.com/

📍525 South Ruby Lane, Fairview Heights

It's in the name - Oh So Sweet Bakery & Café - Carlyle, IL is the sweetest coffee shop! Oh. So. Sweet offers your favori...
08/24/2026

It's in the name - Oh So Sweet Bakery & Café - Carlyle, IL is the sweetest coffee shop!

Oh. So. Sweet offers your favorite classic coffee menu items, as well as a pastry case full of must-have sweets. They also make desserts for weddings, showers, parties, or just because! This adorable Carlyle shop is also a stop on the 2026 Southern Illinois Coffee Trail, so make sure to get your passport stamped and earn your discount!

📍625 12th St., Carlyle, Illinois 62231
City of Carlyle, Illinois

Spanning across the Kaskaskia River is the Historic General Dean Suspension Bridge in Carlyle.The bridge was originally ...
08/21/2026

Spanning across the Kaskaskia River is the Historic General Dean Suspension Bridge in Carlyle.

The bridge was originally constructed in 1859 and was traveled on for seventy years after it was built. After enduring years of use, the Carlyle Suspension Bridge Restoration Association was formed, and in 1951, Governor Adlai Stevenson II approved a bill to allocate $20,000 to restore the bridge.

On November 11, 1953, the newly restored bridge was formally dedicated as the General William F. Dean Suspension Bridge after the Carlyle native who served in the Korean War. The bridge was added to the Federal Register of National Historic Places in 1973.

The Historic General Dean Suspension Bridge was restored once again in 1991, allowing for it to reach across the Kaskaskia River for years to come.

📍550 1st Street, Carlyle, IL
City of Carlyle, Illinois, Clinton County Tourism

The DuQuoin State Fair starts next week! 🎡DuQuoin kicks off their State Fair with the Twilight Parade on August 28 and k...
08/20/2026

The DuQuoin State Fair starts next week! 🎡

DuQuoin kicks off their State Fair with the Twilight Parade on August 28 and keeps the festivities going through Labor Day weekend. The DuQuoin State Fair has it all—the classic fair rides, carnival games, and delicious food!

The fair is full of horse and livestock shows, motor sports and racing, and fun competitions, along with the Miss DuQuoin State Fair pageant. Attendees will love heading to the Grandstand for six incredible shows across six nights, including rapper Wiz Khalifa on August 29.

You do not want to miss this year's DuQuoin State Fair! Click here for more info: https://www.downstateil.org/events/du-quoin-state-fair-2026

📍DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, DuQuoin, IL
Du Quoin Tourism, DuQuoin Chamber of Commerce

Calling all Downstate Illinois businesses! 📣Do you collaborate with or carry products from another local business? We wa...
08/19/2026

Calling all Downstate Illinois businesses! 📣

Do you collaborate with or carry products from another local business? We want to hear about it!

Maybe you serve LongStory Coffee like Sweet Katie Bee’s, pour Rolling Lawns milk like June’s Breakfast + Patio, or carry baked goods, handmade products, and other local favorites.

Tag the businesses you work with and tell us about your collaboration in the comments below! 👇

The 37th Annual Centralia Balloon Fest is soaring into Fairview Park August 21–23!Enjoy three unforgettable days filled ...
08/19/2026

The 37th Annual Centralia Balloon Fest is soaring into Fairview Park August 21–23!

Enjoy three unforgettable days filled with colorful balloon flights, glowing balloons, live entertainment, food and craft vendors, tethered rides, and family fun!

FRIDAY, AUGUST 21 | 3–10 p.m.
3:30 p.m. — Opening Ceremony with the Centralia High School Band & Choir
5:30 p.m. — Evening Balloon Flight
6 p.m. — Tethered Balloon Rides ($20 per person)
7:30 p.m. — Balloon Glow
8:30 p.m. — The Boy Band Night

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22 | 3–10 p.m.
3:30 p.m. — Leight July
5:30 p.m. — Evening Balloon Flight
6 p.m. — Tethered Balloon Rides ($20 per person)
7:30 p.m. — Balloon Glow
8:30 p.m. — Stir of Echoes

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23 | Noon–6 p.m.
It’s Family Fun Day, sponsored by Bayer Crop Science! Enjoy FREE kids’ activities, a Touch-A-Truck event, car and motorcycle show, skateboarding competition, character appearances, balloon art, mini golf, a magic show, karaoke, a foam and bubbles party, and more!

📍 Fairview Park | 1010 West Broadway, Centralia, IL

See Centralia

J. D. Mullen Company holds a piece of local history and small-town heritage. For over 75 years, the dressings and sauces...
08/18/2026

J. D. Mullen Company holds a piece of local history and small-town heritage. For over 75 years, the dressings and sauces made by the company have been local favorites in Palestine, IL.

In 1948, John D. Mullen drew inspiration from a salad dressing he had while serving overseas in France during World War I and created the salad dressing Palestine knows and loves today. Joined by his business partner Roy Shaner, Mullen developed his factory and his dressing on Main Street.

Some of the original Mullen’s recipes are still used to this day, producing high-quality sauces and salad dressings in the same facility John Mullen established to create his sought-after products.

Over time, Mullen’s has stayed committed to its roots and traditions while creating and expanding its beloved recipes.

📍211-215 S Main St, Palestine, IL 62451

Address

4387 N Illinois Street, Ste 200
Swansea, IL
62226

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+16182571488

Website

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