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Metro East
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Explore Metro East Illinois for Cahokia Mounds, Mississippi River towns, historic Belleville, prairie parks and the industrial heritage of Greater St Louis.

Metro East is the Illinois-side counterpart to St Louis, stretching across the Mississippi floodplain and the higher ground beyond it. In common travel usage, the name chiefly covers Madison and St Clair counties, from the river towns of Alton and East St Louis southwards through Belleville and Shiloh. It is not a single municipality but a linked collection of historic communities, industrial cities, prairie landscapes and suburban districts shaped by their proximity to the Missouri border and the Mississippi River.
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The region’s deepest history is visible at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site near Collinsville, the remains of the largest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico. Its monumental earthen mounds and interpretive centre provide essential context for understanding the sophisticated societies that flourished in the Mississippi Valley long before European settlement. French colonial Cahokia, established in the eighteenth century, and the restored Cahokia Courthouse further reflect the area’s early connections with the wider Mississippi trading world.
The river remains central to Metro East’s character. Alton occupies a dramatic limestone setting below the bluffs, with historic streets, river views and access to the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway. Around Hartford, the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site interprets the expedition’s preparations before its journey west in 1804. Further south, the industrial landscapes of Granite City, Madison and East St Louis reveal the importance of steelmaking, railways, river commerce and manufacturing to the region’s modern development.
Away from the urban corridor, visitors find open water, wooded river edges, prairie remnants and recreation areas such as Horseshoe Lake State Park and Frank Holten State Recreation Area. Belleville offers a walkable historic core, cultural venues and a long-established German-American influence, while Edwardsville combines a lively university setting with access to parks and trails. Local dining ranges from Midwestern comfort food and barbecue to river-town cafés, pizzerias, breweries and restaurants serving the broader St Louis culinary tradition. Metro East works best as a series of connected visits rather than a single resort-style destination: its appeal lies in moving between archaeological landscapes, old river settlements, industrial heritage and contemporary community life.

Getting to and around Metro East

How to get there

The principal international gateway is St Louis Lambert International Airport, which is in Missouri outside Metro East but serves the whole metropolitan area. From the airport, visitors can cross the Mississippi by road or connect through St Louis using regional public transport. Amtrak trains serve Alton and connect it with St Louis and destinations in Illinois, while road travellers commonly use Interstate 55, Interstate 64, Interstate 70, Interstate 255 and the Clark Bridge approaches. MetroLink offers a practical route from central St Louis into East St Louis, Belleville and Shiloh.

Transportation

MetroLink and MetroBus provide the strongest public-transport options in the urban corridor, particularly around East St Louis, Belleville, Fairview Heights and Shiloh. Service is less convenient for dispersed river towns, archaeological sites and rural recreation areas, so a hire car is often the most flexible choice for a regional itinerary. Alton and nearby river communities can be explored in parts on foot, while cycling is appealing on selected trails and low-traffic routes. Check bridge, flood and construction conditions when planning drives beside the Mississippi.

Destinations in Metro East

Resorts, valleys and scenic spots worth a trip of their own.

Best attractions in Metro East

Metro East’s attractions range from one of North America’s most important archaeological landscapes to river towns, museums and open-air recreation. Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site near Collinsville is the essential historical visit, with monumental earthworks and interpretation of the Mississippian city that once occupied the area. In Hartford, the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site explains the expedition’s preparations before departure, while the National Great Rivers Museum in Alton examines the Mississippi’s ecology, engineering and economic importance. Alton itself provides historic streets, river views and access to the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway. Outdoor options include Horseshoe Lake State Park, Frank Holten State Recreation Area, local prairie and woodland preserves, and trails suited to walking, cycling, birdwatching and fishing. Belleville and Edwardsville add galleries, cultural venues, historic districts and university connections, while Granite City, Madison and East St Louis offer a more industrial understanding of the region. The most rewarding itineraries combine a major heritage site with a river drive, a community museum or a park rather than attempting to treat Metro East as one compact attraction zone.

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Best landmarks in Metro East

Cahokia Mounds, particularly Monks Mound and the surrounding ceremonial landscape, is Metro East’s defining landmark and a powerful reminder that the Mississippi Valley supported a large, complex urban society long before European settlement. In Alton, the limestone bluffs and historic riverfront create one of the region’s most recognisable landscapes, with the Clark Bridge providing a major visual gateway across the Mississippi. The restored Cahokia Courthouse, an early French colonial building, represents the area’s layered legal and architectural history. Hartford’s Lewis and Clark State Historic Site marks the region’s connection with the 1803–04 expedition, while the confluence country around Alton expresses the geographical importance of the Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois rivers. The Gateway Geyser in East St Louis is a modern civic landmark, designed as a prominent counterpart to the Gateway Arch across the river in Missouri; the arch itself is outside Metro East. In the southern corridor, Belleville’s historic centre and surviving civic and religious buildings reflect the town’s nineteenth-century growth and German-American heritage.

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Best restaurants in Metro East

Dining in Metro East reflects both the wider St Louis food culture and the region’s own river-town, industrial and agricultural setting. Visitors will find casual American restaurants, diners, cafés, pizzerias, barbecue, burgers and traditional Midwestern cooking alongside newer kitchens in Alton, Edwardsville, Belleville and the larger suburban centres. St Louis-style influences, including toasted ravioli, Provel-associated pizza traditions and gooey butter cake, appear across the bi-state area, though they are not exclusive to Illinois. River communities offer places suited to relaxed lunches and dinners, while Belleville’s historic centre and Edwardsville’s university population support a broader range of contemporary dining. Local breweries, bakeries, seasonal produce and farmers’ markets add variety, especially in warmer months. Rural inns and family-owned restaurants are part of the landscape, but opening days can vary, so smaller-town dining often rewards advance planning. Regional food shopping is useful for discovering Illinois produce, baked goods, preserves and locally made drinks.

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Best bars in Metro East

Evening life in Metro East is generally sociable and local rather than centred on a large nightclub district. Alton, Edwardsville and Belleville have the broadest choices of pubs, breweries, cocktail bars, restaurants with late-evening service and occasional live music, while East St Louis has a historically important entertainment legacy alongside a more limited and changing contemporary scene. Traditional bars and neighbourhood taverns remain significant in many communities, and university-linked venues give Edwardsville a younger rhythm during term time. Concerts, theatre programmes and seasonal community events can provide alternatives to drinking-focused nightlife. The largest concentration of clubs and late-night entertainment is across the river in St Louis, outside Metro East, but crossing the Mississippi requires planning around transport and designated driving. Rural areas tend to quieten early, and many venues operate on schedules that vary by day and season.

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Best nightclubs in Metro East

Evening life in Metro East is generally sociable and local rather than centred on a large nightclub district. Alton, Edwardsville and Belleville have the broadest choices of pubs, breweries, cocktail bars, restaurants with late-evening service and occasional live music, while East St Louis has a historically important entertainment legacy alongside a more limited and changing contemporary scene. Traditional bars and neighbourhood taverns remain significant in many communities, and university-linked venues give Edwardsville a younger rhythm during term time. Concerts, theatre programmes and seasonal community events can provide alternatives to drinking-focused nightlife. The largest concentration of clubs and late-night entertainment is across the river in St Louis, outside Metro East, but crossing the Mississippi requires planning around transport and designated driving. Rural areas tend to quieten early, and many venues operate on schedules that vary by day and season.

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Best shops in Metro East

Shopping in Metro East is distributed among historic town centres, suburban commercial areas, independent retailers and seasonal markets rather than concentrated in one nationally known district. Downtown Alton is useful for antiques, books, gifts, galleries and locally oriented small businesses, with river-town architecture adding character to the experience. Belleville’s historic centre has independent shops, cafés, galleries and community markets, while Edwardsville combines a traditional centre with modern retail and university-area businesses. Fairview Heights and nearby corridor shopping provide the region’s larger-scale commercial outlets. Farmers’ markets are a good source of Illinois produce, baked goods, preserves and other regional foods when operating seasonally. Visitors interested in crafts and art should look for local galleries, studio sales and community events rather than expecting a single craft quarter. Practical souvenirs include Mississippi Valley-themed goods, locally produced food, books on Cahokia and regional history, and work by Illinois artists.

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Metro East essentials

Currency and Payment
Metro East uses the United States dollar (USD), as does the rest of Illinois and the neighbouring state of Missouri. Credit and debit cards, mobile wallets and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions, although smaller vendors, rural businesses and occasional markets may prefer cash. Carry modest dollar notes for parking, tips or sales at temporary stalls, and remember that restaurant and service prices are generally subject to Illinois sales tax and customary tipping practices.
Safety
Use ordinary urban precautions, particularly around transport stations, busy car parks and quiet areas after dark, and keep valuables out of sight in vehicles. Road travel requires attention to fast-moving traffic, winter weather and sudden storms. Near the Mississippi, river currents, changing water levels, slippery banks and extreme heat can make apparently easy walks hazardous. At Cahokia Mounds and other outdoor sites, use sun protection and carry water in warm weather. Observe posted advice at parks, lakes, trails and flood-prone areas.
Emergency Situations
Dial 911 throughout Illinois for police, fire and ambulance services. Give the operator the exact city, road, park or landmark, since Metro East crosses several municipalities and county jurisdictions. For outdoor incidents, describe trail access, water features or nearby roads as precisely as possible. Mobile coverage can vary near wooded areas and river bottoms, so do not rely solely on a phone when undertaking remote walks or water activities. The national 988 service provides crisis support by telephone or text in the United States.
Do's and Don'ts
Do allow extra driving time for a region divided by rivers, rail lines and large highways, and follow instructions at historic sites and recreation areas. Do treat Cahokia Mounds as an archaeological and cultural landscape rather than simply a viewpoint, and stay on designated paths where requested. Do tip appropriately in American restaurants, bars and taxis. Do not climb or touch protected earthworks, enter closed industrial areas, trespass on private land or approach river edges and wildlife without observing local warnings. Illinois alcohol laws and smoking restrictions apply in public venues.
Local Tips
Use Alton as a base for river scenery and historic northern Metro East, Edwardsville for parks and university-area dining, and Belleville or Fairview Heights for access to central and southern attractions. Sunset and weather can change quickly over the floodplain, so river viewpoints are best combined with a flexible plan. Seasonal events, farmers' markets and community festivals vary by municipality; check local calendars before travelling. If visiting in autumn, the Great Rivers landscape north of Alton offers a contrasting experience to the denser suburban corridor.
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From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHey[Hey]
GoodbyeSee ya[See ya]
YesYep[Yep]
NoNah[Nah]
Please/You're welcomeNo problem[No problem]
Thank youThanks[Thanks]
Excuse me/SorrySorry 'bout that[Sorry 'bout that]
How are you?How ya doin'?[How ya doin'?]
Fine. And you?Good. You?[Good. You?]
Do you speak English?Do you know English?[Do you know English?]
I don't understandI don't get it[I don't get it]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseCan I see the menu?[Can I see the menu?]
I don't eat meatI’m a vegetarian[I’m a vegetarian]
Cheers!Cheers![Cheers!]
I would like to pay, pleaseCan I get the check?[Can I get the check?]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![Help!]
Go away!Get lost![Get lost!]
Call the Police!Call 911![Call 911!]
Call a doctor!Get a doctor![Get a doctor!]
I'm lostI’m lost[I’m lost]
I'm illI’m not feeling well[I’m not feeling well]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I'm gonna buy...[I'm gonna buy...]
I'm just lookingJust browsing[Just browsing]
How much is it?What’s the price?[What’s the price?]
That's too expensiveThat costs too much[That costs too much]
Can you lower the price?Can you give me a discount?[Can you give me a discount?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What time is it?[What time is it?]
It's one o'clockIt’s one[It’s one]
Half past (10)Half past ten[Half past ten]
MorningMorning[Morning]
AfternoonAfternoon[Afternoon]
EveningEvening[Evening]
YesterdayYesterday[Yesterday]
TodayToday[Today]
TomorrowTomorrow[Tomorrow]
1One[One]
2Two[Two]
3Three[Three]
4Four[Four]
5Five[Five]
6Six[Six]
7Seven[Seven]
8Eight[Eight]
9Nine[Nine]
10Ten[Ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's the...?[Where's the...?]
What's the address?What’s the address?[What’s the address?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can you point it out?[Can you point it out?]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next bus?[When's the next bus?]
A ticket (to ....)One ticket to...[One ticket to...]

History of Metro East

Mississippian Cahokia, c. 900–1400

Cahokia developed near present-day Collinsville into the largest urban centre of pre-Columbian North America north of Mexico. Its population lived among plazas, residences and ceremonial earthworks, with Monks Mound remaining the most prominent surviving monument. The settlement was part of a wider Mississippian cultural world connected by trade and shared religious and political traditions. Although Cahokia declined centuries before European colonisation, its preserved mounds and archaeological landscape are fundamental to the history of Illinois and the Mississippi Valley.

French Colonial Settlements and the Mississippi, 1690s–1800s

French-speaking settlers established communities on the eastern bank of the Mississippi during the colonial period, including Cahokia and neighbouring settlements that supported farming, trade and river travel. Their legal, religious and architectural traditions left traces in the region’s oldest buildings and place names. Cahokia later became an important local centre under American rule, while the river continued to connect the Illinois settlements with St Louis, New Orleans and the interior of North America.

The Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1803–1804

After the Louisiana Purchase, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark prepared their expedition near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Camp Wood, associated with the expedition’s final preparations, stood near present-day Hartford, and the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site interprets the military, logistical and scientific work carried out there. The expedition’s departure helped make the St Louis region a major starting point for American exploration and western expansion, although the wider process had profound consequences for Indigenous nations.

Transportation, River Commerce and the National Road, 1800s

During the nineteenth century, Metro East communities grew through their position beside the Mississippi and along expanding road, railway and river networks. The National Road reached Vandalia and connected older eastern markets with Illinois settlements, while ferries, steamboats and later railways supported the movement of people, livestock, agricultural goods and manufactured products. Alton, Belleville and other towns developed distinct commercial identities, and the region became closely tied to the growth of St Louis across the river.

Industrialisation and Immigration, Late Nineteenth to Twentieth Centuries

Coal mining, railways, steelmaking, glass production and other industries transformed the eastern St Louis area. Granite City grew as a planned industrial community, while East St Louis became a major manufacturing and rail centre. German immigrants and other European communities contributed to the cultural and economic life of Belleville and surrounding towns. Industrial employment brought prosperity and population growth but also produced pollution, labour conflict and sharp inequalities that shaped the region’s twentieth-century history.

East St Louis and the Struggle for Civil Rights

East St Louis has played an important, often difficult role in the history of race, labour and urban America. The city experienced devastating racial violence in 1917, when attacks on Black residents caused deaths, displacement and national outrage. During the twentieth century, deindustrialisation and discriminatory housing and employment practices compounded economic hardship. The city’s history is therefore essential to understanding both the industrial rise of Metro East and the continuing work of community organisations, artists and residents to preserve memory and pursue renewal.

Modern Regional Connections

After manufacturing employment declined in many river and industrial communities, Metro East developed a more varied economy based on logistics, healthcare, education, retail, public services and commuting links with St Louis. MetroLink rail strengthened connections between St Clair County and the Missouri side, while historic preservation and river-oriented recreation became increasingly important to tourism. Today the region’s identity combines ancient Indigenous heritage, French and American settlement, industrial memory, university life and the everyday connections of a bi-state metropolitan area.

Metro East in Photos

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Neighbouring regions of Metro East

The closest regions to Metro East, if you have time for more than one.

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Illinois
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Embark on an unforgettable journey through Metro East, Illinois with Evendo, the ultimate travel guide app that transforms your travel experience. Whether you're a history buff, a food enthusiast, or an adventure seeker, Metro East has something for everyone, and Evendo is here to ensure you don't miss a thing.

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