Sauget IllinoisATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Sauget, Illinois.
1. GCS Ballpark
HOME OF BASEBALL ACTION
GCS Ballpark is a popular sports venue in Sauget that hosts local baseball games and events. Visitors can enjoy America's favorite pastime while experiencing the electric atmosphere of a live game. The ballpark offers affordable family entertainment with concessions and comfortable seating for spectators of all ages.
2. Pop's Nightclub and Concert Venue
24-HOUR LIVE MUSIC EXPERIENCE
Pop's Nightclub is a legendary 24-hour concert venue that has been hosting live music acts for decades in Sauget. The venue features performances from local bands to national touring acts across various music genres. Music enthusiasts appreciate the energetic atmosphere and the unique opportunity to catch shows at virtually any hour of the day.
3. OZ Nightclub
VIBRANT ENTERTAINMENT DESTINATION
OZ Nightclub offers a lively nightlife experience in the heart of Sauget. Patrons can enjoy dancing, specialty drinks, and themed events in this popular local establishment. The club features modern sound systems and lighting that create an immersive entertainment environment for visitors looking to unwind and socialize.
4. Gateway Arch
ICONIC NATIONAL MONUMENT
The Gateway Arch stands as an iconic 192-meter tall national monument just across the river from Sauget in St. Louis. This architectural marvel, designed by Eero Saarinen, commemorates the westward expansion of the United States and offers breathtaking views from its observation deck. Visitors can take a tram ride to the top for panoramic views of the Mississippi River and surrounding cityscape.
5. Old Courthouse St. Louis
HISTORIC LEGAL LANDMARK
The Old Courthouse is a magnificent Greek Revival building constructed between 1816 and 1864, located near Sauget across the Mississippi River. This historic site was where the famous Dred Scott case was first tried, marking a significant chapter in American civil rights history. The beautifully restored courthouse now serves as a museum with exhibits detailing St. Louis history and the building's architectural significance.
6. Forest Park
PREMIER URBAN GREEN SPACE
Forest Park encompasses 1,326 acres of diverse landscapes including forests, nature reserves, and lakes just a short drive from Sauget. This premier urban park is home to major cultural institutions including the St. Louis Zoo, Art Museum, Science Center, and the Missouri History Museum. Nature lovers can explore miles of trails while enjoying recreational activities ranging from boating and fishing to golfing and tennis.
7. Eads Bridge
HISTORIC MISSISSIPPI CROSSING
Eads Bridge is a combined railway and road bridge connecting St. Louis, Missouri with East St. Louis, Illinois across the Mississippi River. When completed in 1874, it was the longest arch bridge in the world and the first to use steel as its primary structural material. This engineering marvel features beautiful architecture and provides spectacular views of the river and cityscape.
8. Greater St. Louis Air & Space Museum
AVIATION HISTORY SHOWCASE
The Greater St. Louis Air & Space Museum preserves and displays significant aviation artifacts and memorabilia from the region's rich flying history. Visitors can explore vintage aircraft, flight simulators, and interactive exhibits that bring the evolution of flight to life. The museum offers educational programs that inspire interest in aerospace science and engineering for all ages.
9. Cahokia Courthouse
COLONIAL HISTORICAL SITE
Cahokia Courthouse stands as one of the oldest structures in the Midwest, dating back to the French colonial period in the 1700s. This historic landmark served as a territorial courthouse and meeting place for early settlers in the region. Visitors can step back in time through period furnishings and exhibits detailing the area's transition from French to American governance.
10. Superman Statue
SUPERHERO HOMETOWN MONUMENT
The 15-foot-tall Superman Statue stands proudly in Superman Square in Metropolis, Illinois, about two hours from Sauget. This iconic monument celebrates the city's claim as the official Hometown of Superman, as declared by the Illinois State Legislature in 1972. Comic book fans and tourists alike flock to this larger-than-life tribute for memorable photo opportunities with the Man of Steel.
11. Super Museum
ULTIMATE SUPERMAN COLLECTION
The Super Museum houses one of the world's largest collections of Superman memorabilia, located across from the Superman Statue in Metropolis. Enthusiasts can explore thousands of rare items spanning the superhero's 80+ year history, including movie props, costumes, toys, and original comic books. The museum offers a nostalgic journey through popular culture with its comprehensive display of Superman's evolution throughout the decades.
12. Cave-in-Rock State Park
RIVER PIRATES' HISTORIC HIDEOUT
Cave-in-Rock State Park features a magnificent natural cave that once sheltered river pirates who preyed on Mississippi River travelers in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Visitors can explore the 55-foot wide cave entrance that opens dramatically onto the Ohio River, with interpretive displays explaining its colorful outlaw history. The park also offers camping, hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and a restaurant lodge perched atop scenic bluffs overlooking the river.
13. Bel-Air Bowl
CLASSIC BOWLING ENTERTAINMENT
Bel-Air Bowl offers a traditional bowling experience for families and friends in nearby Belleville, Illinois. The venue features multiple lanes, automatic scoring, and a casual atmosphere perfect for bowlers of all skill levels. Visitors can enjoy food and beverages while participating in open bowling sessions or joining organized leagues that run throughout the year.
14. Ohio River Scenic Byway
HISTORIC RIVER ROUTE
The Ohio River Scenic Byway meanders along Illinois' southeastern border, offering spectacular views and access to charming river towns. This designated scenic route follows one of America's most historic waterways that once served as a crucial transportation corridor for early settlers and commerce. Travelers can enjoy the natural beauty while discovering numerous historical sites, state parks, and local attractions along the journey.
15. World's Largest Catsup Bottle
QUIRKY ROADSIDE ATTRACTION
The World's Largest Catsup Bottle stands 170 feet tall in Collinsville, Illinois, just a short drive from Sauget. This quirky roadside attraction was originally built in 1949 as a water tower for the Brooks Catsup factory and has since been preserved as a beloved local landmark. Visitors can snap photos of this unusual piece of Americana that celebrates the region's food processing heritage while representing classic roadside architecture of mid-century America.