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Shedd Aquarium

Alton's National Cemetery

600 Pearl St., Alton, IL 62002

Historic Sites

Fought on American soil, the Civil War was the deadliest war in American history.

More than three million men fought in this "war between the states" that claimed the lives of more than 62,000 soldiers. An estimated 263 Union soldiers are buried in Alton's National Cemetery. The men often died of disease at the Alton Hospital or on-board steamboats passing up the Mississippi River.

What's happening nearby...

Alton Food Truck Festival

Alton Amphitheater •  Aug 22 @ 4PM

Enjoy global street food, live music and riverfront views at the Alton Food Truck Festival! Sample favorites from food trucks across the region, plus drinks from…

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Flotsam! River Circus in Alton

Lincoln Shields Recreation Area  •  Aug 25 @ 6:30PM

Flotsam! River Circus returns to Alton with a free, family-friendly performance featuring live music, circus acts, and giant puppets. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, enjoy…

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Alton Jazz & Wine Festival

Alton Amphitheater •  Aug 29 @ 6PM

Celebrate the legacy of Alton native Miles Davis at the Alton Jazz & Wine Festival on Aug. 29! Enjoy live jazz, local wines, food vendors and…

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Robert Wadlow Statue

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Visit the statue of the tallest man in the world, Alton's Gentle Giant.

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Confederate Prison Site

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Visit first Illinois State Penitentiary and learn about the ghastly history of the overcrowded, often disease-infested prison. Today, it is a monument dedicated to those who…

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Lincoln & Civil War Legacy Trail

Alton

Walk in the footsteps of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln, and Civil War soldiers from both North and South.

Read more about Lincoln & Civil War Legacy Trail

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