RECOMMENDATIONS
Please see the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail or Southern Illinois Tourism websites for more recommendations/information! www.shawneewinetrail.com www.southernillinoistourism.org
GROCERIES, ETC.
Duty’s Country Store – Local store with most of the basics you might need just down the road in downtown Alto Pass. ( ~ 0.5 mile) 10 E Pine St, Alto Pass, IL 62905
**Rendleman Orchards Farm Market – Fabulous local orchards and store with seasonal produce and specialty/gift items just north on 127. Open seasonally, last weekend of June – December. ( ~ 1 mile) 9680 State Route 127 N, Alto Pass, IL 62905
Flamm Orchards – Local orchards and market with seasonal produce and desserts just a 4-mile drive away. Open seasonally, July – December. ( ~ 4 miles) 8760 Old Highway 51 N, Cobden, IL 62920
Dollar General – ( ~ 5.5 miles) 240 S Front St, Cobden, IL 62920
*Neighborhood Co-op Grocery – Local store with all sorts of organic and sustainably produced/sourced foods including a hot bar lunch and dinner! ( ~ 16 miles) 1815 W Main St, Carbondale, IL 62901
Walgreens, Kroger, Walmart in Murphysboro ( ~ 14-16 miles)
Walgreens, Kroger, Walmart in Anna ( ~ 12-13 miles)
Schnucks, CVS, Aldi, 2 Walgreens, Kroger, Walmart, Dollar General in Carbondale ( ~ 16-19 miles)
DINING
Please call ahead or check websites for days/hours of operation.
Alto Pass Area Suggestions ( ~ 0.1-1.5 miles)
Alto Vineyards – Appetizers, flatbread pizzas, and seasonal offerings (usually a sandwich, soup/chili, etc.) perfect for lunch. And it’s next door! :)
*Peachbarn Winery & Café – Locally sourced appetizers, salads, flatbreads, pastas, and more. Menu changes seasonally! 560 Chestnut St, Alto Pass
Von Jakob Vineyard – Appetizers, grilled pizzas, and a good range of German, American, and one or two Mexican dishes. (Lunch only.) 230 IL-127, Alto Pass
Anna/Cobden/Makanda Area Suggestions ( ~ 5.5-13 miles)
*Brick House Grill - Affordable semi-upscale (for So. IL) entrees. 308 S Main St, Anna
Dixie BBQ - Great real pit BBQ. Limited indoor/outdoor seating. 205 W Broad St, Jonesboro
Feather Hills Tasting Room – Soups, salads, and elevated shareables, handhelds, and desserts. (Kitchen service ends 1 hour prior to Tasting Room closing.) 8595 US-51, Cobden
*Giant City Lodge – This place is set in the middle of the beautiful Giant City State Park and has delicious “Homestyle” food. Highly recommend the fried chicken! 460 Giant City Lodge Rd, Makanda
**The Iron Whisk – Fabulous, unique, breakfast and lunch menu with CRAFT breakfast cocktails. :) (Open Thurs-Sun only.) 200 S Front St, Cobden
**Taqueria Pequena – Authentic, fresh Mexican for a delicious lunch! (Usually closes by 3pm.) 105 S Appleknocker St, Cobden
The Villa (Pizza Villa) - Dine in or carryout. 169 E Vienna St, Anna
Whiffle Boy's Pizza - Dine in or carryout. 1215 E Vienna St, Anna
Murphysboro Area Suggestions ( ~ 13-15 miles)
*Cummare's Italian Ristorante – Best authentic Italian around. Good pizza, too! 1023 Chestnut St
*Midland Inn – Very tasty menu including fried catfish, steaks, BBQ, pizza, handhelds, Mexican and “Homestyle” foods. Great margaritas and cold beer, too! 7570 Old Highway 13
Pat’s BBQ – Haven’t tried this yet, but have heard great things about their food. 1673 Business Highway 13
Whiffle Boy's Pizza - Dine in or carryout. 2039 Walnut St
*17th Street BBQ – The original location for award-winning BBQ! 32 N 17th St
Carbondale Area Suggestions ( ~ 16-19 miles)
Booby's Sandwich Shop - Great classic sub sandwiches. 406 S Illinois Ave
*Buckwater Brew Works - Heavy apps, burgers, great fried fish. 213 E Main St
*Doña Camila – Mexican grocery with delicious taqueria in back! Excellent authentic food. 100 W Jackson St
*El Paisano Grill and Bar - Similar concept to above with adjacent Mexican tienda and great authentic fare. 1925 W Main St
*Flame Grill & Bar - Casual but delicious steaks, chops, seafood, etc. 501 E Walnut St
*Global Gourmet – Semi-upscale with excellent wine, cocktails, and international/ ethnic-inspired dishes! Ask for patio seating when the weather is nice. 102 E Jackson St
*Harbaugh’s Café – One of the best places around for breakfast! Also serves lunch. Covers all the breakfast options from pancakes to veggie skillets. 901 S Illinois Ave
*Hunan Fine Asian Cuisine – The name says it all. 710 E Main St
**Longbranch Café and Bakery – Another of the best places around for breakfast! Lunch, dinner, coffee shop, too. Fresh, homemade, vegetarian dishes, most of which include organic and/or sustainably sourced ingredients. Many vegan options, as well. So delicious, you wouldn’t think it was good for you! 100 E Jackson St
**Quatros Pizza – Our favorite pizza! Deep pan deliciousness with fresh ingredients. They offer a thin-style pizza, too. 218 W Freeman St
*Thai Taste – Many are pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food here! Ample portions and very reasonable prices. Great lunch specials, too. 100 S Illinois Ave
Tres Hombres – Decent Mexican food but good, strong margaritas! 119 N Washington St
**Underground Public House - Delicious locally sourced American grub (seasonal menu) + innovative cocktails and a variety of regional and global craft brews. Upscale dining in a casual atmosphere. 717 S University Ave
*Walker's Bluff - Winery and casino with great upscale food offerings. 777 Walkers Bluff Way, Carterville
DRINKS
Many of the local wineries, breweries, and bars offer live music on the weekends! Please see individual websites for days/hours of operation and performance details.
WINERIES
Alto Vineyards – Alto Pass (Out the front door and to the left!)
Blue Sky Vineyard – Makanda ( ~ 17 miles)
Feather Hills Vineyard – Makanda ( ~ 16 miles)
Hickory Ridge Vineyard – Pomona ( ~ 7 miles)
Honker Hill Winery – Carbondale ( ~ 21 miles)
Kite Hill Vineyards – Carbondale ( ~ 8 miles)
Owl Creek Vineyard – Cobden ( ~ 10 miles)
Peachbarn Winery – Alto Pass ( ~ 1 mile)
Pomona Winery – Pomona ( ~ 8.5 miles)
StarView Vineyards – Cobden ( ~ 11 miles)
Von Jakob Winery & Brewery – Alto Pass ( ~ 1.5 miles)
Wichmann Vineyard – Cobden ( ~ 10 miles)
BREWERIES/BOURBON/BARS
Big Muddy Brewing – Murphysboro ( ~ 15 miles)
*Booby's Bar and Sandwich Shop - Carbondale ( ~ 16.5 miles)
*Buckwater Brew Works – Carbondale ( ~ 16.5 miles)
Fuzzy’s Tavern – Cobden ( ~ 5.5 miles)
*The Hangar 9 - Carbondale ( ~ 16.5 miles)
**Havisham Bourbon, Brew, & Spirits – Alto Pass ( ~ 0.5 miles)
Midland Inn – Murphysboro ( ~ 13 miles)
PK's Bar - Carbondale ( ~ 16.5 miles)
Route 51 Brewery – Elkville ( ~ 24 miles)
**Scratch Brewing Company – Ava ( ~ 27 miles) *2024 James Beard Award Semifinalist
St. Nicholas Brewing Company – Murphysboro ( ~ 18.5 miles) & original Du Quoin location ( ~ 36 miles)
**Underground Public House - Carbondale ( ~ 16.5 miles)
Von Jakob Winery & Brewery – Alto Pass ( ~ 1.5 miles)
TRANSPORTATION
Please be safe as you travel along the Wine Trail!
Diamond Limo – 618-964-4315
Shawnee Shuttle – 618-201-4841
*Wrightway Transportation – 618-893-2941 or 618-521-0033
VIP Club Limo Services – 618-889-9002
*Walk to/from Alto Vineyards! :)
OUTDOOR RECREATION
In order of proximity to BVH (ish)...
Quetil Trail – Alto Pass – A short (approx. 1 mile) nature trail along the old late 1800’s Cairo & St. Louis narrow-gauge railroad bed. Trailhead marked with a red and brown sign on the east end of downtown Alto Pass.
Cliff View Park – Alto Pass – Scenic overlook just southeast of town. Parking and shelter available. Take Main St east through town. As you head up the hill on the other side of town, the park will be on your right.
Bald Knob Cross – Alto Pass - monumental landmark sitting on top of Bald Knob Mountain, the highest point in Southern IL and 2nd highest in the state. The view from here is breathtaking! South on 127 for ½ mile to ramp on left, then right on Chestnut St. Turns into Bald Knob Rd. Follow 4 miles.
Little Grand Canyon Trail – Pomona – Moderate to difficult 3-mile trail. Shorter segments to scenic overlooks can be taken, as well. Parking, toilets, and picnic tables available. Take Hwy 127 north 7.7 miles to Etherton Rd. Turn left and go west 2.5 miles to Poplar Ridge Rd. Turn left and go 1 mile, then continue straight through the 4-way stop onto Hickory Ridge Rd. The Little Grand Canyon entrance road is 2.3 miles ahead on the right.
Pomona Natural Bridge Trail – Pomona – Moderate 1/3- mile loop trail with scenic overlook of 90-ft natural bridge from above. Parking and picnic tables available. Take Hwy 127 north 3.5 miles to Pomona Rd. Turn left and go west 0.7 mile to Natural Bridge Rd. Turn right, go north 2 miles to the “Y” in the road, and veer left. Follow 0.25 mile to lot.
Cedar Lake - Pomona/Makanda - Beautiful, quiet scenery for kayaking, canoeing, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, etc. Swimming permitted on the north end only. 10 hp max for watercraft. Accessible on the west side near Pomona by taking Hwy 127 north 3.5 miles to Boat Dock Rd. (take a right, then 0.8 mile to lot) or for swimming/ beach on the northeast side between Makanda and Carbondale (Poplar Camp Beach at Cedar Lake).
Trail of Tears State Forest – Jonesboro – Several trails passing through hills and valleys with lush vegetation and abundant wildlife. Hunting, picnic areas, and parking available. Take Hwy 127 south 7.3 miles, turn right on to State Forest Rd, and you’re there!
Giant City State Park – Makanda – So much to do here! 8 different hiking trails, archery, fishing, hunting, rock climbing, rappelling, guided horseback riding, picnicking, and dining at the historic Giant City Lodge. 15-minute drive east of BVH.
Little Grassy Lake - Makanda - Nice quiet lake for kayaking, fishing, and boating. Marina with kayak, pontoon, jon boat rentals available. Just east of Giant City State Park about a 30-minute drive from BVH.
Kinkaid Lake - Murphysboro - Gorgeous lake for boating, fishing, and hiking along the sandstone bluffs. Large marina with nice cafe! 30-minute drive northwest from BVH.
Cache River State Natural Area - Dongola - Great canoeing, kayaking, hiking, birding, and wildlife watching in/around an ancient cypress-tupelo swamp among 100 threatened or endangered plant and animal species and 11 state champion, centuries-old trees. Biking access via the Tunnel Hill State Trail. Located about 40-45 minutes southeast of BVH and worth the drive.
Tunnel Hill State Bike Trail - Beautiful 45+ mile trail stretching from the Cache River Wetlands/Karnak (about a 40-minute car ride southeast from BVH) up through Vienna (40-minute car ride east from BVH) to Harrisburg/Eldorado (1-1.25 hour drive northeast from BVH).
Garden of the Gods – Herod – Short observation trail and lots of longer trail options, as well. Extraordinary views of sandstone rock formations and the surrounding wilderness. Parking, picnic tables, toilets, and drinking water available. About an hour and a half drive away, but definitely worth it if you have the time!
See other outdoor recreation options (biking, canoeing/kayaking, fishing, golf, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, rock climbing, and zip lining) on the Shawnee Forest Country website at: https://southernmostillinois.com
SHOPPING
In order of proximity to BVH (ish)...
*Alto Vineyards – Gorgeous local art, jewelry, etc. displayed and for sale! Gifts, collectibles, and wearables, too. (Most other wineries have a small gift shop on site, as well.)
**Alto Clay Works – Local artist Stephen Grimmer’s wood fired pottery studio and
showroom. Classes available, too! Open Thursdays-Sundays from 1-5pm (he is
often at work at his wheel) and certainly worth a visit to see Stephen’s beautiful
work! 595 Main St, Alto Pass, IL ( ~ 0.2 mile)
**Karma Clothing & Accessories - Boutique with new and nearly new clothing, purses, jewelry, etc. Open Fri-Sun 11am-4pm. 65 N Elm St, Alto Pass, IL ( ~ 0.5 mile)
**Rendleman Orchards Farm Market – Fantastic local farm store with specialty/gift items and the BEST Peach Smoothies in peach season! “U-Pick” zinnia and sunflower fields and pumpkin patch = fun for the whole family. Delicious nectarines and apples, too! Open seasonally, last weekend of June – December. 9680 State Route 127 N, Alto Pass, IL ( ~ 1 mile)
Flamm Orchards Market – 8760 Old Highway 51 N, Cobden, IL
*Packrats Paradise – 5000 sq. ft. of booths owned by local vendors. Antiques, vintage collectibles, art, crafts, local honey, fair trade items, etc. 220 S Front St, Cobden, IL
**Historic Makanda Boardwalk – A block of storefronts dating from the 1890s that have been restored and currently provide shop space for local artisans and craftspeople. Includes Rainmaker Art Studio, Allan Stuck Jewelry Studio, Makanda Java Country Store, and Makanda Trading Co. (Call ahead for hours of operation at each location.) Makanda, IL
George’s Resale – Antiques, home décor, and collectibles. 1324 Walnut St, Murphysboro, IL
Hometown Pride Gifts & Sweets – Gift shop specializing in unique gifts, keepsakes, home décor, spirit wear, fudge, old time candy, popcorn, gourmet dip mixes and crackers, etc. 1334 Walnut St, Murphysboro, IL
Think Vintage! – Antiques, home décor, and art. 1338 Walnut St, Murphysboro, IL
Other Local Artisans & Crafters – See the list on this website: https://asliceofsouthernillinois.com/local-artisans-crafters/
* Denotes our absolute favorites!