Brenda's Guidebook
Sightseeing
There are quite a few wineries in this region, most with tasting rooms and some with dining.
21 locals recommend
Shawnee Hills Wine Trail
2865 Hickory Ridge RdThere are quite a few wineries in this region, most with tasting rooms and some with dining.
Bald Knob Cross of Peace
3630 Bald Knob RoadThe view from this mountain top is astonishing.
Superman Statue
517 Superman Squarestatue and museum
Food scene
Hunan Chinese Restaurant
710 E Main StBest Chinese food around!
Scratch Brewing Company
264 Thompson Rdmicrobrewery
unique environment, family buffet style meals.
40 locals recommend
Giant City State Park Lodge & Restaurant
460 Giant City Lodge Rdunique environment, family buffet style meals.
vegetarian restaurant. Tasty, organic food, amazing coffee and pastries
26 locals recommend
Longbranch Cafe and Bakery
100 E Jackson Stvegetarian restaurant. Tasty, organic food, amazing coffee and pastries
Pizza Hut
1835 East Vienna StreetFor Dongola house guests
Flame station
Steak house
Don Sol Mexican Grill
715 North Giant City RoadTypical Mexican restaurant. Pleasant servers.
Quatro's Deep Pan Pizza
218 W Freeman StCarbondale guests
Fujiyama Japanese Cuisine
225 N Giant City RdCook in front of you if you wish!
Thai Taste
100 S Illinois AveAlways fresh and a personal favorite!
China Wok
883 East Grand Avenuebuffet style Chinese restaurant
Bombay Olive - Authentic Indian Cuisine
518 South Illinois AvenueTypical Indian Cuisine
Sunny Street Cafe
900 E Walnut StGreat food, great service.
A bit of a drive, and you might have a wait, but this place is worth it!
12 locals recommend
The Iron Whisk Bistro & Bar
200 S Front StA bit of a drive, and you might have a wait, but this place is worth it!
MOD Pizza
Design your own pizza. Fire oven, delicious. Right next door to theater.
Harbaugh's Cafe
901 S Illinois AveEclectic and busy, great pancakes and coffee.
outdoor activities
Amazing bike trails, part of which goes through an old train tunnel. Quite the experience. If you have two cars, park one at the end and drive bikes to the other so you don't have to do round trip on bikes.
17 locals recommend
Tunnel Hill State Trail
302 E Vine StAmazing bike trails, part of which goes through an old train tunnel. Quite the experience. If you have two cars, park one at the end and drive bikes to the other so you don't have to do round trip on bikes.
Garden of the Gods
hiking, amazing scenery
Giant City State Park
235 Giant City RdGreat hiking trails
Ferne Clyffe State Park
90 Goreville Rdhiking, waterfalls
Crab Orchard National Wildlife
8588 IL-148Rocky Bluff Trail, view wildlife
Keller's Crossing at Stone Creek
503 Stone Creek DrGolfing
Crab Orchard Lake
Fishing, kayaking
Lake of Egypt
Swimming, Boating
Giant City Stables
722 Giant City RdHorse back riding. Call ahead for reservation.
Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour
635 Robinson Hill RdChurches
This is our home church. We have a more formal liturgy than most, the congregation is friendly and we have lots of families and lots of children. Weekly communion, and baptized children are free to partake. If you love good music and singing in parts, you will love worshipping with us. Potluck the first Sunday of the month. Service at 9:30 am, followed by Sunday school.
Cornerstone Reformed Church
1201 South Giant City RoadThis is our home church. We have a more formal liturgy than most, the congregation is friendly and we have lots of families and lots of children. Weekly communion, and baptized children are free to partake. If you love good music and singing in parts, you will love worshipping with us. Potluck the first Sunday of the month. Service at 9:30 am, followed by Sunday school.
Vine Church
1445 South Wall StreetDynamic service, praise band, has a large university student population
Non-denominational. Often confused with Cornerstone Reformed Church, but different churches!
Cornerstone Church
2705 Walton WyNon-denominational. Often confused with Cornerstone Reformed Church, but different churches!
Murdale Baptist Church
2701 West Main StreetFriendly congregation
St Francis Xavier Catholic Church
303 South Poplar StreetMarion, IL Seventh-day Adventist Church
9314 Old Route 13Meets on Saturday
Lakeland Baptist Church
709 South Giant City RoadCalvary Campus Church
501 West Main StreetAssembly of God, Large International population
Hope Church Carbondale
7373 Old Highway 13Presbyterian
Grand Avenue Christian Church
1305 East Grand AvenueHistorical
Fort Massac State Park
1308 E 5th StCheck their website. They sometimes have re-enactments.