Barry IllinoisATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Barry, Illinois.
1. Mississippi River
MAJESTIC WATERWAY WONDER
The Mississippi River offers visitors a chance to experience one of America's most iconic waterways near Barry. Travelers can enjoy scenic views, fishing opportunities, and river activities along its banks. The mighty river has played a crucial role in the history and development of the region since the earliest settlements.
2. Siloam Springs State Park
NATURAL OUTDOOR RETREAT
Siloam Springs State Park provides visitors with 3,000 acres of natural beauty just a short drive from Barry. The park features hiking trails, fishing opportunities in the 58-acre lake, and camping facilities for overnight stays. Nature enthusiasts can observe diverse wildlife and plant species throughout the scenic woodland setting.
3. Mark Twain Cave and Cameron Cave
HISTORIC UNDERGROUND ADVENTURE
Mark Twain Cave and Cameron Cave offer visitors a fascinating underground journey through limestone labyrinths near Barry. These historic caves feature guided tours highlighting geological formations and connections to Mark Twain's literary works. Visitors can experience the cool 52-degree temperature year-round while learning about the caves' colorful history, including their use by Jesse James.
4. Cave Hollow West Winery
FLAVORFUL LOCAL WINES
Cave Hollow West Winery welcomes visitors to sample locally produced wines in a charming setting near the Mark Twain Cave complex. Guests can enjoy wine tastings featuring a variety of sweet, semi-sweet, and dry options crafted from regional grapes. The winery's relaxed atmosphere provides the perfect spot to unwind after exploring nearby attractions.
5. Molly Brown Museum and Home
TITANIC SURVIVOR'S LEGACY
The Molly Brown Museum and Home celebrates the life of the famous Titanic survivor and socialite who became known as 'The Unsinkable Molly Brown.' Visitors can tour the historic home and view artifacts that tell the story of this remarkable woman's life and accomplishments. The museum offers fascinating insights into early 20th century history and Molly's role as a philanthropist and activist.
6. Barry Apple Festival
ANNUAL AUTUMN CELEBRATION
The Barry Apple Festival draws visitors each October to celebrate the harvest season with a variety of family-friendly activities. Festival-goers can enjoy apple-themed foods, craft vendors, live entertainment, and community events throughout the weekend. This beloved annual tradition showcases Barry's small-town charm and agricultural heritage.
7. Pike County Color Drive
SCENIC FALL TOUR
The Pike County Color Drive invites visitors to explore the countryside during peak fall foliage season with Barry serving as one of the main stops. The self-guided driving tour features spectacular autumn colors, historic sites, and local vendors selling crafts and food along the route. Travelers can experience the rural charm of Pike County while enjoying the brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows of the changing leaves.
8. Historic Downtown Barry
RESTORED VICTORIAN ARCHITECTURE
Historic Downtown Barry showcases beautifully restored buildings that reflect the town's turn-of-the-century elegance and prosperity. Visitors can stroll through the charming business district to admire the late 19th and early 20th century architecture that survived the significant fires of 1894 and 1913. The carefully preserved storefronts and buildings offer a glimpse into Barry's golden era that flourished after the arrival of the Hannibal & Naples railway in 1869.
9. Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum
LITERARY LEGEND'S ORIGINS
The Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum preserves the early life setting of America's beloved author Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain. Visitors can tour multiple historic buildings including Twain's boyhood home, explore interactive exhibits, and gain insights into how the Mississippi River town influenced his most famous works. The museum complex offers a comprehensive look at Twain's formative years and lasting literary legacy.
10. New Philadelphia Historic Site
FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN TOWN
New Philadelphia Historic Site preserves the location of the first town in the United States founded and legally registered by an African American, Free Frank McWorter, in 1836. Visitors can explore the archaeological remains and interpretive displays that tell the story of this remarkable settlement and its founder, who purchased freedom for himself and sixteen family members. This important historical site provides powerful insights into African American history, entrepreneurship, and determination in pre-Civil War America.
11. Lover's Leap
SCENIC BLUFF OVERLOOK
Lover's Leap offers visitors breathtaking panoramic views of the Mississippi River and Hannibal from a towering limestone bluff. The scenic overlook comes with a romantic legend about a Native American couple who supposedly leapt to their deaths rather than be separated. Visitors can enjoy spectacular sunset views and photography opportunities from this dramatic natural vantage point.
12. Gardner Museum
LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION
The Gardner Museum showcases the rich history of Quincy and the surrounding region through its extensive collection of artifacts and exhibits. Housed in a beautiful 1888 Richardsonian Romanesque library building, the museum features displays on local Native American history, river commerce, and notable historical events. Visitors can explore three floors of exhibits that bring the area's past to life through photographs, documents, and preserved items.
13. Hannibal Riverboat Cruises
MISSISSIPPI RIVER EXCURSIONS
Hannibal Riverboat Cruises offer visitors the chance to experience the Mississippi River from the deck of a traditional riverboat. Passengers can enjoy narrated sightseeing tours that highlight the river's history, wildlife, and importance to the region. These relaxing cruises provide unique perspectives of the shoreline and a taste of river travel from Mark Twain's era.
14. Villa Kathrine
MEDITERRANEAN-STYLE MANSION
Villa Kathrine stands as a unique architectural gem overlooking the Mississippi River with its striking Moorish and Mediterranean design. Built in 1900 by eccentric traveler George Metz, this castle-like structure features distinctive elements including a courtyard, reflecting pool, and ornate interior details inspired by Metz's travels in North Africa. Visitors can take guided tours of this unusual historic home that now serves as Quincy's tourist information center.
15. Rockcliffe Mansion
GILDED AGE ELEGANCE
Rockcliffe Mansion presents visitors with a stunning example of Gilded Age architecture and design, preserved with most of its original furnishings intact. This grand 13,500-square-foot home built in 1900 features 30 rooms filled with elaborate woodwork, art glass windows, and period furniture. Visitors can tour this historic treasure where Mark Twain gave his last public speech in Hannibal before his death in 1910.