Mounds IllinoisATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Mounds, Illinois.
1. Mound City National Cemetery
HISTORIC MILITARY BURIAL GROUND
Mound City National Cemetery is a solemn and historic burial ground established during the Civil War era. The cemetery features a notable monument to the Union soldiers of Illinois dating back to 1874 and serves as the final resting place for many military veterans. Visitors can explore the peaceful grounds and pay respects to those who served their country.
2. Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
ANCIENT NATIVE AMERICAN CITY
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site preserves 70 of the original 120 earthen mounds built by prehistoric Native Americans, making it the largest pre-Columbian earthwork in the Americas. Visitors can climb a stairway to the top of Monks Mound, the largest mound at the site, where interpretive signs explain the impressive view of what was once a thriving ancient city. The site features a reconstructed stockade wall, 'Woodhenge' solar calendar, and areas of prairie grasses offering glimpses of native vegetation.
3. Monks Mound
LARGEST PREHISTORIC EARTHWORK
Monks Mound stands as the impressive centerpiece of the Cahokia Mounds UNESCO World Heritage site, showcasing the remarkable engineering achievements of the ancient Mississippian civilization. The massive earthen structure rises 100 feet above the surrounding landscape and once supported a massive wooden building that likely served as the residence of the paramount chief. Visitors can climb stairs to the summit for panoramic views of the surrounding area and gain perspective on what was once the largest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico.
4. Woodhenge
ANCIENT SOLAR OBSERVATORY
Woodhenge is a fascinating reconstructed circle of wooden posts that functioned as a solar calendar for the ancient Cahokians. This prehistoric astronomical observatory consists of posts arranged around a central marker, aligned to track solstices and equinoxes with remarkable precision. Visitors can witness how the Mississippian people used this ingenious structure to determine seasonal changes for agricultural and ceremonial purposes.
5. Horseshoe Lake State & Wildlife Area
NATURAL WETLAND SANCTUARY
Horseshoe Lake State & Wildlife Area offers outdoor enthusiasts a diverse natural setting centered around a distinctive oxbow lake formed by the Mississippi River. Visitors can enjoy boating, fishing for crappie and bass, birdwatching, and exploring miles of shoreline within this 2,960-acre protected area. The park provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly for waterfowl and migratory birds that frequent the wetlands throughout the year.
6. Magnolia Manor
HISTORIC VICTORIAN MANSION
Magnolia Manor is an impressive Victorian mansion built in 1869 that showcases the architectural grandeur of Cairo's prosperous past. The meticulously preserved 14-room home features period furnishings, ornate woodwork, and an iconic ornamental iron fence topped with magnolia blossoms. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about the wealthy Galigher family who built the mansion and glimpse into the elegant lifestyle of Illinois' southern region during the late 19th century.
7. Cairo Public Library
HISTORIC LITERARY LANDMARK
Cairo Public Library stands as an architectural gem housed in a stately Romanesque Revival building dating back to 1884. The historic library features a distinctive clock tower, elegant reading rooms with original woodwork, and an impressive collection of books including local history materials. Visitors can appreciate both the architectural significance of this landmark and its role as a cultural institution in southern Illinois for over a century.
8. Grand Plaza
ANCIENT CEREMONIAL CENTER
The Grand Plaza at Cahokia Mounds was the massive central gathering space of what was once America's first city, covering over 50 acres at the heart of the ancient metropolis. This carefully engineered public space was leveled by the Mississippian people and served as the ceremonial and social center where thousands gathered for celebrations, markets, and rituals. Visitors today can walk across this expansive area and imagine the vibrant public life that once animated the space between the various mounds and structures of ancient Cahokia.
9. Mound 72
SACRED BURIAL SITE
Mound 72 is a small but archaeologically significant ridge-top mound that revealed extraordinary burial practices of the Mississippian culture when excavated. This sacred site contained the elaborate burial of an important male leader laid on a platform of 20,000 shell beads, accompanied by sacrificial burials including several mass graves. Visitors can view the location and learn about the complex social hierarchy and religious practices that shaped life and death in ancient Cahokia.
10. Cahokia Courthouse
FRENCH COLONIAL LANDMARK
The Cahokia Courthouse is one of the oldest surviving buildings in the Midwest, built as a French Creole poteaux-sur-sole (post-on-sill) structure around 1740. This historic building served multiple functions throughout its history, including as a courthouse, a home, and a saloon, before being restored to its 18th-century appearance. Visitors can tour the building to experience authentic French colonial architecture and learn about the early European settlement period in the Mississippi River valley.
11. Fort Defiance Park
STRATEGIC CIVIL WAR SITE
Fort Defiance Park sits at the strategic confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, marking the southernmost point in Illinois and a significant Civil War site. The fort, established by Union forces under Ulysses S. Grant, controlled river traffic and played a crucial role in securing the waterways for the Union during the conflict. Today, visitors can enjoy the panoramic river views, interpretive displays about the area's military significance, and observe the dramatic meeting of America's two great rivers.
12. Cahokia Mounds Interpretive Center
ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM EXPERIENCE
The Cahokia Mounds Interpretive Center offers an immersive museum experience showcasing the remarkable ancient civilization that once thrived at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Exhibits feature authentic artifacts, life-sized dioramas depicting daily life, and interactive displays explaining the sophisticated culture, religious practices, and engineering achievements of the Mississippian people. Visitors can view the award-winning orientation film 'City of the Sun' before exploring the grounds, providing essential context for understanding North America's most complex prehistoric native civilization.
13. Custom House Museum
HISTORIC FEDERAL BUILDING
The Cairo Custom House Museum is housed in an impressive 1872 building designed by Alfred B. Mullett, the supervising architect of the U.S. Treasury Department. This Renaissance Revival masterpiece served as a customs house, post office, and federal courthouse during Cairo's heyday as an important Mississippi River port city. Visitors can explore exhibits on local history, Civil War significance, and architectural details of this National Historic Landmark that represents Cairo's once-prominent economic and political status.
14. Bald Knob Cross
MONUMENTAL RELIGIOUS LANDMARK
Bald Knob Cross stands as a towering 111-foot white cross perched atop one of the highest points in southern Illinois, visible for miles across the surrounding countryside. This impressive religious monument, completed in 1963, attracts visitors of all faiths who come to appreciate both its spiritual significance and the panoramic views of the Shawnee National Forest from its base. Annual Easter sunrise services draw thousands to this peaceful hilltop setting that has become one of the region's most recognizable landmarks.
15. Shawnee National Forest
SCENIC WILDERNESS ESCAPE
Shawnee National Forest encompasses over 280,000 acres of diverse landscape between the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers in southern Illinois, featuring dramatic rock formations, lush forests, and scenic lakes. Visitors can explore over 400 miles of hiking trails, including the famous Garden of the Gods Recreation Area with its spectacular sandstone structures sculpted by wind and water over millions of years. The forest offers camping, horseback riding, fishing, and wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the year, making it a perfect natural retreat for outdoor enthusiasts.