Portage Des Sioux MissouriATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Portage Des Sioux, Missouri.
1. Our Lady of the Rivers Shrine
SERENE RIVERSIDE MONUMENT
Our Lady of the Rivers Shrine is a fiberglass statue dedicated in 1957 that stands at the end of a promontory near Portage des Sioux. The shrine commemorates the community's prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary during the 1951 flood when the town was spared from rising waters. It is also the site of the annual 'Blessing of the Fleet' ceremony held every July.
2. Commemorative Air Force, Missouri Wing
HISTORIC AVIATION EXHIBITS
The Commemorative Air Force, Missouri Wing offers visitors a glimpse into aviation history with its collection of historic aircraft. Visitors can explore exhibits highlighting the role of aircraft in American military history. The facility serves as both a museum and an active restoration site for vintage warbirds.
3. Gateway Arch National Park
ICONIC ST. LOUIS MONUMENT
Gateway Arch National Park features the iconic 630-foot stainless steel arch that symbolizes St. Louis as the gateway to the West. Visitors can take a tram ride to the top for panoramic views of the city and the Mississippi River. The park also includes the Museum at the Gateway Arch which tells the story of westward expansion in the United States.
4. Mississippi River Overlook
SCENIC RIVER VIEWS
The Mississippi River Overlook in Portage Des Sioux offers impressive views of the mighty Mississippi and the Illinois bluffs across the river. Visitors can observe river traffic and wildlife while enjoying the peaceful setting. The overlook provides interpretive signs explaining the historical significance of the river to the region.
5. Historic Downtown Portage Des Sioux
FRENCH COLONIAL HERITAGE
Historic Downtown Portage Des Sioux preserves the charm of one of Missouri's oldest settlements, established in 1799 by Frances Saucier under Spanish governance. The area features historic buildings that reflect the town's French Creole heritage and its strategic location between the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. Visitors can stroll through this quaint riverside community to experience its unique cultural history.
6. Elsah General Store
CHARMING HISTORIC SHOP
The Elsah General Store is a quaint historic shop located in the nearby village of Elsah, Illinois. The store offers visitors a nostalgic shopping experience with a variety of local products, handcrafted goods, and vintage items. Its authentic atmosphere makes it a popular stop for tourists exploring the charming historic village across the river from Portage Des Sioux.
7. Cahokia Mounds
ANCIENT NATIVE AMERICAN CITY
Cahokia Mounds is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves the remains of the largest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico. The site features over 80 mounds built by the Mississippian culture between 800-1400 AD, with Monks Mound standing as the largest earthwork in the Americas. Visitors can explore the interpretive center to learn about this sophisticated Native American civilization that once thrived in the region near present-day Portage Des Sioux.
8. Confluence Point State Park
MEETING OF MIGHTY RIVERS
Confluence Point State Park marks the dramatic meeting point of North America's two greatest rivers, the Mississippi and the Missouri. The park offers hiking trails, bird watching opportunities, and educational exhibits about the ecological and historical significance of this important waterway junction. It was near this area that Lewis and Clark began their famous expedition westward in 1804.
9. St. Charles Historic District
CHARMING RIVERFRONT DOWNTOWN
St. Charles Historic District features more than 100 historic buildings along brick-lined streets dating back to Missouri's earliest days. Visitors can explore shops, restaurants, and museums housed in beautifully preserved structures from the 18th and 19th centuries. The district served as Missouri's first state capital and was an important stop on the Lewis and Clark expedition.
10. Portage Des Sioux Historical Markers
CHRONICLES OF RIVER HISTORY
Portage Des Sioux Historical Markers provide insights into the area's rich history, including the Treaties of Peace and Friendship signed with Native American nations in 1815. The markers commemorate significant events such as the community's founding by Frances Saucier in 1799 and its historical connection to both Spanish and French colonial periods. Visitors can follow these markers to understand how this strategic location between two major rivers shaped regional development.
11. Lewis and Clark State Historic Site
EXPEDITION STARTING POINT
The Lewis and Clark State Historic Site commemorates Camp River Dubois, where the Corps of Discovery spent the winter of 1803-1804 preparing for their westward journey. The interpretive center features full-scale replicas of the camp and keelboat along with exhibits detailing the preparations for one of America's most famous expeditions. Located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, the site provides context for understanding the waterways that were vital to early exploration of the region around Portage Des Sioux.
12. Principia College
HISTORIC HILLTOP CAMPUS
Principia College is a historic campus perched atop the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River near Portage Des Sioux. The college features 19 buildings designed by renowned architect Bernard Maybeck in a distinctive English village style. Visitors can tour the campus to admire its architecture and enjoy spectacular views of the river valley below.
13. Alton Riverfront Amphitheater
RIVERSIDE ENTERTAINMENT VENUE
The Alton Riverfront Amphitheater is an outdoor performance venue located along the Mississippi River across from Portage Des Sioux. The amphitheater hosts concerts, festivals, and community events with the scenic backdrop of the river and the Clark Bridge. Visitors can enjoy performances while watching boats pass by on the Mississippi River.
14. Blessing of the Fleet Ceremony
ANNUAL MARITIME TRADITION
The Blessing of the Fleet Ceremony is an annual event held every July at the Our Lady of the Rivers Shrine in Portage Des Sioux. The tradition brings together boaters, river enthusiasts, and community members for a blessing of watercraft to ensure safe passage on the rivers. This colorful procession of decorated boats passing by the shrine for blessing has been a beloved local custom for decades.
15. Pere Marquette State Park
SCENIC OUTDOOR RECREATION
Pere Marquette State Park is Illinois' largest state park, offering 8,000 acres of forests, hiking trails, and scenic overlooks of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. The park features a historic lodge built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s with massive stone fireplaces and rustic timber construction. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy activities including hiking, fishing, camping, and eagle watching during winter months.