Edwardsville, IL is a vibrant city in the heart of the Midwest with plenty of activities to offer for residents and visitors alike. From outdoor activities, historical landmarks, cultural experiences, and more there is something for everyone in Edwardsville.
Whether you are looking for a relaxing weekend getaway or an exciting new adventure, this small town has plenty to offer. Keep reading to discover some of the best attractions that Edwardsville has to offer.
1. Downtown Edwardsville
Downtown Edwardsville is a charming, historic district in the heart of Edwardsville, Illinois. It’s home to a variety of businesses and attractions, including some of the city’s best restaurants and shopping venues.
The downtown area has an abundance of locally owned boutiques and specialty shops for visitors to explore.
There are many cultural events held throughout the year in downtown Edwardsville such as Music at Leclaire Park, Taste Of Downtown Edwardsville, Celebrate Downtown Festival, and more.
With its picturesque tree-lined streets and unique buildings such as the old post office building or City Hall, it’s easy to see why this is such an enjoyable place to visit.
2. 1820 Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House
The 1820 Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House is a historic two-story brick home located in Edwardsville, Illinois. The house was built circa 1820 and is the oldest standing residence in Edwardsville.
It was constructed by Colonel Benjamin Stephenson, a prominent figure of the early 19th-century frontier era in Illinois who served as a county surveyor as well as an officer in the War of 1812.
The house features Federal-style architecture and retains much of its original construction materials such as wood flooring, plaster walls, and hand-hewn beams throughout.
It also boasts several additions over the years including two porches on either side of the main entrance and several outbuildings that are still used today for storage purposes.
Inside, visitors can find period furnishings from when it was first built along with other antiques collected over time to give an authentic feel to this historic home that has been preserved since its original construction in 1820.
3. Wildey Theatre
The Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville, IL is a classic movie palace and live performance venue. Built in 1909, the theater has been lovingly restored to its original grandeur, complete with marble floors and ornate detailing.
The theater offers a variety of films and events for all ages, including concerts, plays, classic film screenings, festivals, and much more.
It features state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment as well as comfortable seating for up to 500 people across two levels.
The Wildey also houses an art gallery that showcases local visual artists throughout the year.
4. Leclaire Park
Leclaire Park is a large park located in the city of Edwardsville, Illinois.
The park covers 51 acres and features several amenities, including a fishing lake, two playgrounds, two baseball fields, an outdoor basketball court and sand volleyball court, a walking path that winds around the lake and through wooded areas of the park, picnic tables with grills scattered around the property for family gatherings or picnics.
There are also pavilions with bathrooms and concessions available to rent for private events.
Additionally, there is an amphitheater that hosts concerts and other special events throughout the year.
5. Madison County Transit (MCT) Bike Trails
MCT Bike Trails in Edwardsville, IL offer an extensive network of paved and unpaved trails for biking and other outdoor activities.
The trails wind through the scenic countryside and provide access to forest preserves, parks, historic sites, riverside recreation areas, nature centers, and more. MCT Bike
Trails also connect to bike paths in nearby towns like Glen Carbon, Maryville, and Troy. With a combination of flat terrain easy enough for beginners as well as challenging hills for advanced riders, there is something for everyone on these routes.
MCT’s trail system includes over 25 miles of bike lanes throughout Madison County with plans to expand into more cities across the area in the near future.
6. Land of Goshen Community Market
The Land of Goshen Community Market in Edwardsville IL is a weekly farmers’ market that supports local agriculture and small businesses.
The market features locally-grown produce, dairy, eggs, honey, jams and jellies, baked goods, artisan crafts, and more.
It also hosts a variety of fun family activities for the community to enjoy such as live music performances and cooking demonstrations.
The market has been open since 2006 and it provides an important source of income for many local farmers in the area by providing them with an outlet to sell their products directly to consumers.
7. The Gardens at SIUE
The Gardens at SIUE in Edwardsville IL is a stunningly landscaped and maintained garden area that offers visitors a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
The gardens are home to several species of trees, bushes, flowers, plants, and grasses. Visitors can take in the sights as they walk along winding pathways or stop by one of the many seating areas to take a break.
In addition to its natural beauty, The Gardens at SIUE also features an outdoor amphitheater for concerts and other special events throughout the year.
There are also plenty of educational opportunities available such as classes on gardening techniques or bird-watching tours with local experts.
Whether you’re looking for some peace and quiet or want to learn more about nature, The Gardens at SIUE is sure to provide something special for everyone!
8. Recess Brewing
Recess Brewing is a local craft brewery located in Edwardsville, Illinois. Founded in 2016, the brewery offers a wide variety of house-made beers that range from light and crisp lagers to full-bodied ales.
Recess Brewing also hosts regular events such as live music performances and food pop-ups.
The taproom has an inviting atmosphere with games, TVs, and couches for guests to enjoy while sipping on their favorite beers.
With its growing popularity in the Edwardsville community, Recess Brewing is quickly becoming one of the best places to grab a pint or two!
9. Watershed Nature Center
The Watershed Nature Center in Edwardsville, Illinois is a 63-acre nature preserve that offers educational programs, guided hikes, and other recreational activities for visitors.
The center features diverse ecosystems and habitats, four miles of trails with boardwalks, a pond and wetland area, and interpretive displays about the history of the area.
Visitors can explore the grounds on their own or join one of their guided nature walks. In addition to its natural areas and trails, the Watershed Nature Center also hosts events such as birding trips in nearby parks or volunteer work days to help maintain its facilities.
Their mission is to promote environmental education among both adults and children through interactive experiences with nature so that everyone can understand how we all depend on healthy ecosystems for our well-being.
10. Edwardsville Arts Center
The Edwardsville Arts Center is an art and cultural hub in the city of Edwardsville, Illinois. Located in the heart of downtown, the center offers a wide array of programming for all ages.
It features two galleries hosting rotating exhibitions from local, national, and international artists as well as a gift shop featuring handmade items created by local artisans.
The center also offers classes in painting, drawing, photography, ceramics, and other media for children and adults alike. Additionally, it hosts workshops on topics such as green living or jewelry making.
The center also plays host to various concerts throughout the year ranging from jazz to classical music with performances by both professional musicians and student ensembles from nearby universities.
11. Leon Corlew Park
Leon Corlew Park is a beautiful park located in Edwardsville, IL. It features a large lake with walking trails, fishing spots, and picnic areas.
The park also includes tennis courts, ball fields, and playgrounds for children. In addition to the recreational activities available at the park, it also provides access to an observation deck that offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
12. Joe Glik Park
Joe Glik Park is a 24-acre park in Edwardsville, IL. It features a variety of recreation opportunities for the whole family, including a playground, picnic shelters and tables, walking trails, and sports fields.
The park also has two ponds with fishing docks and plenty of open space to explore. Visitors may also take advantage of the newly renovated tennis courts or try out the disc golf course.
Joe Glik Park is perfect for an afternoon outing or weekend getaway!
13. Edison’s Entertainment Complex
Edison’s Entertainment Complex is a family-friendly entertainment facility located in Edwardsville, IL.
The complex consists of over 50,000 square feet of space that include an arcade with more than 130 video and redemption games, a laser tag arena with two levels and fog effects, and a bowling alley with 16 lanes including bumper bowling for the kids.
You can also find a mini golf course with 18 holes featuring waterfalls and other obstacles, an escape room experience featuring four different themes to choose from, a full-service restaurant & bar called “The Edison” serving classic American cuisine & drinks plus craft beers on tap.
In addition to these activities, there is also private banquet space available for birthdays or corporate events.
14. Madison County Historical Museum
The Madison County Historical Museum in Edwardsville, Illinois is a local history museum that showcases the county’s rich heritage.
Located in the former Madison County Courthouse, the museum features exhibits on topics such as Native Americans, Civil War History, and early settler life.
Visitors can explore artifacts from the past through interactive displays and educational programming.
The museum also offers special events throughout the year such as historical re-enactments and special lectures from guest speakers.
The museum is open to visitors six days a week with free admission to all.
15. Plummer Family Park
Plummer Family Park in Edwardsville, IL is a 20-acre park that offers a variety of recreational activities and amenities to the public.
The park features two playgrounds, a walking trail, picnic shelters and grills, ball fields, tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, and horseshoe pits.
There are also restrooms located onsite for convenience. Plummer Family Park has been designed with safety in mind and includes fencing around both playgrounds as well as supervision during peak hours of operation.
Visitors can enjoy the views of nature from various spots throughout the park or take part in one of the many organized activities such as soccer clinics or family movie nights.
16. Edwardsville Children’s Museum
The Edwardsville Children’s Museum is an interactive museum designed to inspire lifelong learning and creative play.
Located in downtown Edwardsville, IL, this fun-filled museum offers exhibits and activities for children of all ages.
Kids can explore science concepts like energy, engineering, magnetism, and more through hands-on experiments.
The museum also features a full art studio with supplies for painting, sculpting, and other art projects.
In addition to the educational exhibits, the museum hosts regular events such as story times and special performances throughout the year that provide even more ways for young visitors to learn while having fun!
17. Edwardsville Public Library
The library offers a variety of materials including fiction, and nonfiction books, magazines, DVDs, audiobooks, and ebooks as well as access to online databases for research.
In addition to traditional resources, it also provides computer classes for adults and children on a variety of topics such as Microsoft Word or Excel.
It also hosts various programs for children such as storytimes or summer reading clubs.
18. Edwardsville Township Community Park
Edwardsville Township Community Park is located in the city of Edwardsville, Illinois.
It consists of 37 acres of open green space and recreational facilities including a playground, two baseball fields, eight tennis courts, a basketball court, four sand volleyball courts, picnic areas with pavilions and grills.
You can also find a fishing pond stocked with bass and bluegill fish (catch & release only), and walking trails that connect to the nearby MetroLink station at SIUE University Park Drive Station.
The park also includes an outdoor amphitheater for performances or events as well as restrooms for public use.
Conclusion
Edwardsville, IL is an amazing destination for anyone looking for a unique getaway. From exploring the SIUE campus to hiking at Glik Park and enjoying the arts scene, there is something here for everyone.
Whether you’re in town for a weekend or an extended vacation, be sure to check out these amazing things to do in Edwardsville.
