Maeystown IllinoisATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Maeystown, Illinois.
1. Maeystown Stone Bridge
HISTORIC VILLAGE ENTRANCE
The Maeystown Stone Bridge serves as the arched entryway into this picturesque historic village, so weathered that visitors might expect to find trolls living underneath it. Built in the mid-1800s, this bridge is part of what makes Maeystown one of the hidden treasures of the Midwest. The bridge represents the German architectural influence that earned the entire village a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
2. Zeitinger's Mill
HISTORIC GERMAN GRISTMILL
Zeitinger's Mill is one of the sixty significant historic buildings that still exist in Maeystown, showcasing the village's German heritage. The fully heated and air-conditioned Rock Mill now serves as the home of the Maeystown Preservation Society and Visitors Center, available for rental for various events. Situated on attractive grounds adjacent to Maeystown Creek, the mill offers visitors a glimpse into the village's rich history and culture.
3. Maeystown Preservation Society Museum
LOCAL HERITAGE COLLECTION
The Maeystown Preservation Society Museum offers visitors an authentic look into the German heritage that defines this historic village. Open on weekends or by appointment, the museum features exhibits on the history, culture, and customs of the German immigrants who settled the area in the 1850s. The not-for-profit organization maintains the museum as part of its mission to preserve Maeystown's unique architectural and cultural legacy.
4. Maeystown General Store
VINTAGE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE
The Maeystown General Store offers visitors a charming shopping experience in one of the village's historic buildings. Generally open on weekends from 11-4 or by chance or appointment, the store provides a glimpse into old-world retail traditions. Shoppers can browse through a variety of unique goods while experiencing the preserved 19th-century atmosphere that makes Maeystown special.
5. Hank & Lilly's Creekside Bar and Grill
RIVERSIDE DINING SPOT
Hank & Lilly's Creekside Bar and Grill offers an amazing variety of drinks, healthy food options, and hot off the grill favorites with quick, friendly service in Maeystown. This newer addition to the historic village continues to flourish, with an expanding menu that satisfies visitors and locals alike. Nestled in the scenic bluffs of the Mississippi River valley, the restaurant provides a perfect dining stop while exploring this German heritage village.
6. Corner George Inn Sweet Shoppe
HISTORIC CONFECTIONERY TREATS
The Corner George Inn Sweet Shoppe delights visitors with confections in a charming historic setting in Maeystown. Open on weekends, this sweet destination is part of the unique shopping experiences that draw tourists to this preserved German village. The Sweet Shoppe adds to the old-world charm that makes exploring Maeystown feel like stepping back in time.
7. Maeystown Stone Gutters
UNIQUE HISTORICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Maeystown's stone gutters represent the longest stretch (400 ft) of stone gutter in the United States, a remarkable feature of this historic German settlement. The limestone pavers are inserted vertically and deep below the surface, accounting for their stability over some one hundred and fifty years. These flagstone gutters are part of what earned Maeystown its place on the National Register of Historic Places and contribute to the village's reputation as a little architectural gem.
8. Jacob Maeys Log House
FOUNDER'S ORIGINAL HOME
The Jacob Maeys Log House stands as a testament to the founder who established this German settlement in 1852. This original structure is among the sixty significant buildings that still exist in Maeystown, showcasing the authentic architectural heritage of the village. Visitors can see how the early German immigrants integrated their buildings into the landscape, a characteristic that helped earn the entire village a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.
9. Maeystown Original Stone Church
HISTORIC GERMAN WORSHIP SITE
The original stone church of Maeystown, built between 1865-1867, represents the deep German heritage of this historic village. Services were held intermittently in German until 1943, highlighting how thoroughly German this settlement remained for generations. The church stands as one of the sixty significant buildings that contribute to Maeystown's status on the National Register of Historic Places.
10. Around the Corner Coffee Company
WEEKEND MORNING BREW
Around the Corner Coffee Company welcomes visitors on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in historic Maeystown. This cozy coffee shop provides the perfect morning stop for those exploring the preserved German village and its attractions. Visitors can fuel up with a fresh brew before wandering the narrow lanes and nineteenth-century storefronts that make Maeystown one of the hidden treasures of the Midwest.
11. Dreamland Palace German Restaurant
AUTHENTIC GERMAN CUISINE
Dreamland Palace German Restaurant offers authentic German cuisine near Maeystown in the community of Foster Pond. This restaurant celebrates the German heritage that defines the region, providing traditional dishes that connect to the area's immigrant roots. The restaurant makes a perfect dining destination for visitors exploring Maeystown and the surrounding German-influenced communities of southern Illinois.
12. Fort de Chartres
FRENCH COLONIAL FORTRESS
Fort de Chartres is a historic state site near Maeystown that features a reconstructed 18th-century French fortress. Originally built by the French in the 1720s, this stone fort was the seat of government and military control in the Illinois Country when the region was part of New France. Today, visitors can explore the reconstructed buildings, including the gatehouse, powder magazine, and king's storehouse, to experience French colonial history in the Mississippi River Valley.
13. Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site
MISSISSIPPI RIVER OVERLOOK
Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site preserves the remains of a fort that once protected the Mississippi River town of Kaskaskia, the first capital of Illinois. Visitors can enjoy spectacular views of the Mississippi River from the overlook and picnic areas. The site also includes the Garrison Hill Cemetery, where many early French colonists and later American settlers are buried.
14. Fults Hill Prairie Nature Preserve
RARE BLUFF ECOSYSTEM
Fults Hill Prairie Nature Preserve protects a rare hill prairie ecosystem on the steep bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River floodplain near Maeystown. Hikers can explore trails that wind through this unique landscape, home to many rare and endangered plant species that thrive in this specialized environment. The preserve offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Mississippi River valley and a chance to experience one of Illinois' most distinctive natural settings.
15. Crystal City Underground
SUBTERRANEAN ADVENTURE PARK
Crystal City Underground offers an extraordinary adventure experience in a repurposed sand mine just across the Mississippi River from Maeystown. Visitors can enjoy activities like paddle boating on the underground lake, bike riding through tunnels, and exploring the vast subterranean spaces. This unique attraction combines recreation with industrial history, creating a one-of-a-kind destination that draws visitors from throughout the region.