Freeburg IllinoisATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Freeburg, Illinois.
1. Freeburg Recreation Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION PARADISE
Freeburg Recreation Park offers 65 acres of parkland featuring a two-acre fishing lake, baseball diamonds, and numerous recreational facilities. Visitors can enjoy picnic pavilions, in-line skating, a hockey rink, playgrounds, tennis courts, soccer fields, and a refreshing swimming pool. The park serves as the primary outdoor recreation destination for residents and visitors to Freeburg.
2. Freeburg Park District
COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER
The Freeburg Park District provides organized recreational activities and facilities for the Freeburg community. Visitors can participate in seasonal sports programs, community events, and fitness activities throughout the year. The Park District works to enhance the quality of life for Freeburg residents through accessible recreation opportunities.
3. Heintz Pool & Spa
AQUATIC RELAXATION DESTINATION
Heintz Pool & Spa is a popular spot for aquatic recreation in Freeburg. Visitors can enjoy swimming facilities and spa services in a welcoming environment. This attraction provides a refreshing retreat during the warm summer months.
4. Veterans Memorial
HONORING MILITARY SERVICE
The Veterans Memorial in Freeburg pays tribute to local service members who served in both World Wars. Located within the village, this solemn monument offers a place for reflection and remembrance. The memorial stands as an important historical marker honoring Freeburg's military contributions.
5. Gateway Arch
ICONIC ST. LOUIS MONUMENT
The Gateway Arch stands as an iconic 630-foot stainless steel monument symbolizing St. Louis and the westward expansion of the United States. Visitors can take a tram ride to the top for spectacular views of the city and the Mississippi River. This National Park Service site includes a museum detailing the history of westward expansion and St. Louis' role as the 'Gateway to the West.'
6. Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
ANCIENT NATIVE AMERICAN CITY
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site preserves the remnants of the largest pre-Columbian Native American city north of Mexico, which flourished around 1050-1350 CE. Visitors can explore Monks Mound, the largest prehistoric earthwork in North America, and learn about the sophisticated Mississippian culture at the interpretive center. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a glimpse into an advanced civilization that once housed up to 20,000 people across 6 square miles.
7. Missouri Botanical Garden
STUNNING HORTICULTURAL PARADISE
The Missouri Botanical Garden is a 79-acre oasis featuring a remarkable collection of gardens, including a 14-acre Japanese garden, a geodesic dome Climatron, and historic structures. Visitors can wander through themed gardens displaying plants from around the world while enjoying seasonal displays and festivals throughout the year. Founded in 1859, it's one of the oldest botanical gardens in the United States and a National Historic Landmark.
8. Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
STUNNING MOSAIC MASTERPIECE
The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis features one of the largest mosaic collections in the Western Hemisphere, with over 41 million pieces of glass tesserae covering 83,000 square feet. Visitors are awed by the Byzantine and Romanesque architecture, ornate altars, and the museum in the basement that details the cathedral's construction and artistic elements. Completed in 1914, this magnificent religious monument serves as the mother church of the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
9. City Museum
PLAYFUL URBAN WONDERLAND
City Museum is an eclectic, 600,000 square-foot playhouse built within the former International Shoe Company, featuring repurposed architectural and industrial objects transformed into climbing structures, slides, and tunnels. Visitors of all ages can explore cave systems, climb into abandoned aircraft, navigate wire tunnels suspended in midair, or slide down the 10-story spiral slide. This one-of-a-kind attraction, created by artist Bob Cassilly, defies conventional museum expectations with its immersive, interactive environments.
10. Anheuser-Busch Brewery
HISTORIC BEER PRODUCTION FACILITY
The Anheuser-Busch Brewery offers free tours of the historic brewing facilities where visitors can witness the beer-making process from start to finish. Guests can meet the famous Budweiser Clydesdales at their stables and enjoy complimentary beer samples for those of legal drinking age. The National Historic Landmark brewery complex, established in 1852, features stunning Germanic architecture and beautifully landscaped grounds.
11. The Old Courthouse
HISTORIC LEGAL LANDMARK
The Old Courthouse in downtown St. Louis was the site of the pivotal Dred Scott freedom trials and now serves as a museum focusing on St. Louis history and the westward expansion. Visitors can explore restored courtrooms, view exhibits on the Dred Scott case, and admire the stunning rotunda with its intricately designed dome. This Greek Revival structure, completed in 1864, is part of the Gateway Arch National Park and represents an important chapter in American legal history.
12. Jefferson National Expansion Memorial
GATEWAY TO WESTERN EXPANSION
The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial encompasses 91 acres along the Mississippi River, commemorating Thomas Jefferson's vision of westward expansion. Visitors can explore the Gateway Arch, the Museum at the Gateway Arch, and the historic Old Courthouse, all chronicling America's westward movement. Now officially known as Gateway Arch National Park, this urban national park offers riverboat cruises and ranger-led programs that illuminate St. Louis' role in American history.
13. Basilica of St. Louis, the King
THE OLD CATHEDRAL
The Basilica of St. Louis, the King, commonly called the Old Cathedral, stands as the oldest cathedral west of the Mississippi River, built between 1831 and 1834. Visitors can view the Greek Revival architecture, ornate interior, and museum containing artifacts from early St. Louis Catholic history. Located near the Gateway Arch, this historic church continues to function as an active parish while preserving its significant place in the religious heritage of the region.
14. Union Station
HISTORIC TRANSPORTATION HUB REIMAGINED
St. Louis Union Station, once the busiest passenger rail terminal in the world, has been transformed into a entertainment complex featuring the St. Louis Aquarium, the St. Louis Wheel, and numerous restaurants and shops. Visitors can marvel at the Grand Hall with its spectacular light show projected on the 65-foot barrel-vaulted ceiling and original Romanesque architecture. This National Historic Landmark opened in 1894 and now serves as one of St. Louis' premier tourism destinations while preserving its railroad heritage.
15. St. Joseph Catholic School
HISTORIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION
St. Joseph Catholic School in Freeburg provides private Catholic education from preschool through 8th grade. The school combines religious instruction with academic excellence in a community-focused environment. Visitors can appreciate the school's contribution to Freeburg's educational and cultural landscape.