It's worth the trip to discover some of the hidden treasures our region has to offer. The selection ranges from yard art created from "found objects" to the largest outdoor Roman Catholic Shrine in the United States.

Your search for Unique Sites generated 25 result(s). The results below are sorted by city.

National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows (Belleville)
There are 200 beautifully landscaped acres of gardens, devotional areas, an Outdoor Amphitheatre, the Shrine Church, the Lourdes Grotto, Stations of the Cross, the Millennium Spire, Visitors Center with a restaurant & gift shop and the Shrine Hotel.
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442 South De Mazenod Drive | Belleville, IL
618-397-6700

Coal Miners Monument (Beckemeyer)
Joseph Koch died along with eight other local miners in a mine explosion in 1947. His son erected this monument to honor his father and all miners.
Louis St. by American Legion | Beckemeyer, IL
618-227-8331

Cholera Cross (Breese)
The original wooden cross was erected in 1850 by a farmer in thanksgiving for his family being spared during a cholera epidemic. Subsequent owners of the property have repaired and replaced it.
1 mi. south of Old Hwy 50 on Germantown Road | Breese, IL

General Dean Suspension Bridge (Carlyle)
Built in 1859, the bridge is named in honor of William F. Dean, a Korean War hero.
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1st Street, east side | Carlyle, IL
618-594-2468

Centralia Carillon (Centralia)
The 65-bell instrument rings out three times a week and for special events. The park also features a museum and tours of the 165 ft. tower.
114 North Elm Street | Centralia, IL
618-533-4381

Governor Shadrach Bond State Memorial (Chester)
Notably, this is the burial site of the first Governor of Illinois and of U.S. Senator Elias Kent Kane, Illinois' first Secretary of State and architect of the state constitution.
Evergreen Cemetery, IL-3 north of downtown Chester | Chester, IL
618-826-2721

Mary's River Covered Bridge (Chester)
This bridge was built in 1854 as part of a planked toll road between Bremen and Chester. It's a peaceful place to take a breather.
IL Rte 150E east of Chester | Chester, IL
618-826-5000, ext 221

World's Largest Catsup Bottle (Collinsville)
Looming over Collinsville, this is an internationally known roadside attraction.
Hwy 159 | Collinsville, IL
618-346-5200, ext 140

Gateway Geyser (E. St. Louis)
The world's second tallest fountain is across from the Gateway Arch on the Mississippi Riverfront. The 40 ft. high Outlook platform provides a scenic view of the Geyser, the River and the St. Louis Arch and skyline. There are four scheduled eruptions every day from April to October at noon, 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00 p.m.
Eastern shore of the Mississippi River
185 W. Trendley Ave., E. St. Louis

Garrison Hill Cemetery (Ellis Grove)
This cemetery was created when graves were moved from Kaskaskia Island to Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site in the 1890s after a flood. According to one account 3,000 boxes were moved, some containing entire families.
4372 Park Road | Ellis Grove, IL
618-859-3741

Krause Elk Farm (Evansville)
Learn more about these majestic animals on an educational and fun tour of the property. Hear for yourself the awesome bugling of the elk and pet Lokita, the female elk the family bottle-raised. Learn about the many health benefits of the elk's velvet antlers, and stop by the country store to shop for meat, home decor, unique crafts and more.
8311 St. Leo's Rd. | Evansville, IL 62242
618-282-3789

Civil War Fort (Germantown)
Visit an exact replica of a Civil War Fort complete with a jail, one room home, livery and log cabins. Don't miss the display of churches and buildings - all done in miniature. Some of the churches have 10,000 bricks and stained glass windows.
Germantown, IL
618-523-4749

Lock and Dam 27 (Granite City)
Locks 26 and 27 are the largest locks in the inland waterway system. Lock 26 in Alton has a visitor's center with river displays. Lock 27 located in Granite City is the only lock on the 8.4 mile, man made canal and is the most southerly located.
Granite City, IL
618-876-6400

Civil War Monument at the Veterans' Memorial (Greenville)
This honors generations of soldiers who sacrificed their lives for their country.
Greenville Chamber of Commerce | Greenville, IL
618-664-9272

Bosshard Monument (Highland)
The monument is a tribute to Swiss poet Heinrich Bosshard, who wrote Semparcherlied here in the 1850's.
Lindendale Park | Highland, IL
618-654-3721

Old Chain of Rocks Bridge (Madison)
This bridge is one of the world's longest pedestrian/bicycle bridges and offers commanding views of the Mississippi River and a great perch for American Eagle watching. Years ago this bridge became very popular as the Route 66 bridge with a 45 degree right curve in the middle.
Madison, IL
618-451-4838

Roadside Chapel (Nashville)
This small treasure located in Nashville standing on stilts.
I-64 at IL 127, Nashville Chamber of Commerce | Nashville, IL
618-327-3700

O'Fallon Veterans' Monument (O'Fallon)
Visit the beautiful 15 pillar star-shaped monument. Lovely during the day and especially moving when illuminated at night.
Wesley Dr. | O'Fallon, IL
618-632-3204 |

ASC Memorial Sculpture (Ruma)
A statue in front of the convent of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ honors the five sisters martyred in Liberia, West Africa in 1992. The martyrs are buried in the convent cemetery.
2 Pioneer Lane | Ruma, IL
618-282-6229

Richard Pollard's Yard Art (Salem)
Take a self-guided tour anytime through the unusual artwork made from "found" objects. Don't miss the giant ladybug, crashed airplane, bumper crop of bumpers and much more!
1870 Broadway | Salem, IL
618-548-1830

Ripson Bridge (Sorento)
Located north of Greenville in Sorento, this covered bridge is the site of festivals that draw thousands of visitors every year.
Sorento, IL 618-664-9272

Lincoln Marker (Vandalia)
On a large natural stone in the Park, you can see the trail reported to have been used by Abraham Lincoln and others as they traveled between Vandalia and Springfield, IL in the early 1800's. The Lincoln Trail is on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Rogier Park | Vandalia, IL
618-283-2728 

Looking for Lincoln Storyboards (Vandalia)
Ten storyboards depicting Abraham Lincoln's early years as a legislator are installed around Vandalia. Find out about his early romance with Mary Owens, his first protest against slavery and many other little-known historical facts.
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Vandalia, IL
618-283-2728

Madonna of the Trail (Vandalia)
This is one of 12 statues in the U.S. which honors the pioneer women who traveled along the National Road.
Statehouse grounds, 315 W. Gallatin | Vandalia, IL
618-283-1161 

Tribute to Farmers Monument (Vandalia)
This impressive, black granite piece located on the grounds of Vandalia's Tourist Information Center is a tribute to prairie farmers.
1408 North Fifth Street | Vandalia, IL
618-283-2725