I attended the Annual Lincoln Land Chapter of ABATE Of Illinois River Run. They do this every year. We take one of many routes down to Grafton, Illinois , visit the Pere Marquette State Park and come home by one of the routes. Most of the time we take the Great River Road. This route includes 2 river crossings by ferry.
This year we went down to Grafton by way of Illinois Route 3, a nice scenic 2 lane road through several small towns. We ended up with some impromptu police traffic assistance in several of the towns. Guess they were bored. Saw a large group of bikes and decided to stop traffic to let us roll through. We stopped at the Pere Marquette State Park for a picnic and then we came back on the River Road Crossing the Ferry at Brussels and again at Kampsville, after stopping for ice cream.
If I had planned this trip or was going on my own or with my sisters I would have stopped to eat at one of the many restaurants in Grafton. I have eaten at the winery up on the bluff but that should be for those in cars or experienced riders. The road up there, at least last time I went up there, was not for the faint of heart but the view was worth it. I will include some info on it too.
Information on the Great River Road in Illinois: Great River Road Illinois – Welcome!
The larger Great River Road: Drive the Great River Road this summer – Experience Mississippi River
Grafton, Illinois: City of Grafton, Illinois | Great Rivers & Routes
Pere Marquette State Park: Pere Marquette State Park
Aerie’s Resort | grafton lodging overnight stay | 14 West Main Street, Grafton, IL, USA