9 Activities
⚡️ From St. Louis Into the Forest
Starts from
St. Louis
Transportation
Electric Car
CO2 Savings
141 lb
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
9
Duration
13 hours
Length
266 mi
Guide details
Starts from
St. Louis
Transportation
Electric Car
CO2 Savings
141 lb
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
13 hours
Length
266 mi
Lori Blalock
Travel Expert
- Escape the city for a much needed nature break.
- Get a bird's eye view of the forest on a zipline canopy tour.
- Sip delicious local wine with friends.
This route includes CCS charging stations. For Tesla Superchargers, follow this link.
Head out of town and across the Mississippi from St. Louis into Illinois and the Shawnee National Forest on this perfect weekend — or weekday — 1 day road trip. This trip offers the best of both worlds with a little adrenaline kick from a zipline tour plus some self-care and relaxation at an estate winery. What more could you want?
With convenient interstate and some secondary road driving, this itinerary is easy and would be awesome with a group of friends. Weather permitting, the route should be drivable year round, but would especially be lovely in spring and autumn.
Make sure to fully charge your car before going on a road trip.
Head out of town and across the Mississippi from St. Louis into Illinois and the Shawnee National Forest on this perfect weekend — or weekday — 1 day road trip. This trip offers the best of both worlds with a little adrenaline kick from a zipline tour plus some self-care and relaxation at an estate winery. What more could you want?
With convenient interstate and some secondary road driving, this itinerary is easy and would be awesome with a group of friends. Weather permitting, the route should be drivable year round, but would especially be lovely in spring and autumn.
Make sure to fully charge your car before going on a road trip.
This route includes CCS charging stations. For Tesla Superchargers, follow this link.
Head out of town and across the Mississippi from St. Louis into Illinois and the Shawnee National Forest on this perfect weekend — or weekday — 1 day road trip. This trip offers the best of both worlds with a little adrenaline kick from a zipline tour plus some self-care and relaxation at an estate winery. What more could you want?
With convenient interstate and some secondary road driving, this itinerary is easy and would be awesome with a group of friends. Weather permitting, the route should be drivable year round, but would especially be lovely in spring and autumn.
Make sure to fully charge your car before going on a road trip.
Head out of town and across the Mississippi from St. Louis into Illinois and the Shawnee National Forest on this perfect weekend — or weekday — 1 day road trip. This trip offers the best of both worlds with a little adrenaline kick from a zipline tour plus some self-care and relaxation at an estate winery. What more could you want?
With convenient interstate and some secondary road driving, this itinerary is easy and would be awesome with a group of friends. Weather permitting, the route should be drivable year round, but would especially be lovely in spring and autumn.
Make sure to fully charge your car before going on a road trip.
Lori Blalock
Travel Expert
- Escape the city for a much needed nature break.
- Get a bird's eye view of the forest on a zipline canopy tour.
- Sip delicious local wine with friends.
Day Itinerary
9 Activities
Day 1
266 mi0.6 mi
Escape the City
Today's roundtrip itinerary is full of nature as you leave the city behind for the green forests of southern Illinois. The plan for the day includes good food, exciting outdoor activity and a little bit of down time before you head back to the city.
It's approximately 140 miles to the main activity but the itinerary includes a stop at a charging station mid-morning while enjoying a brunch break.
Comfortable clothes, shoes, a rain jacket just in case and appropriate outerwear should be worn for the outdoor activities.
It's approximately 140 miles to the main activity but the itinerary includes a stop at a charging station mid-morning while enjoying a brunch break.
Comfortable clothes, shoes, a rain jacket just in case and appropriate outerwear should be worn for the outdoor activities.
08:00
St. Louis
Grab coffee or your favorite beverage of choice for an early departure this morning.
105.2 mi
2 hrs
10:155 min
EV Connect Charging Station
Open Details
Since charging stations aren't widely available in the countryside, this stop will allow you to charge the vehicle while having brunch before your canopy tour.
EV Connect Charging Station 1015 E Walnut St, Carbondale, IL 62901 CCS 50 kW
EV Connect Charging Station 1015 E Walnut St, Carbondale, IL 62901 CCS 50 kW
0.3 mi
10 min
10:301 hr
Sunny Street Cafe
Fast Food Restaurant
Open Details
You'll need energy for the zipline canopy tour today so enjoy a late breakfast or brunch at Sunny Street Cafe in Carbondale, Illinois. This cafe is a local favorite and features famous pumpkin pancakes.
Not a breakfast fan? No worries. The lunch menu also offers fresh salads, and tasty sandwiches and wraps.
The cafe is open everyday 6:30am-2:30pm and is only a short walk from the charging location.
Not a breakfast fan? No worries. The lunch menu also offers fresh salads, and tasty sandwiches and wraps.
The cafe is open everyday 6:30am-2:30pm and is only a short walk from the charging location.
0.3 mi
10 min
11:405 min
EV Connect Charging Station
Open Details
It's time to return to the charging station to pick-up the vehicle after brunch and hit the road.
EV Connect Charging Station 1015 E Walnut St, Carbondale, IL 62901 CCS 50 kW
EV Connect Charging Station 1015 E Walnut St, Carbondale, IL 62901 CCS 50 kW
18.3 mi
30 min
12:303 hrs
Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour
Landmark
Open Details
Get ready for some action! Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour is Illinois’ first tree-based, eco-friendly zip line canopy tour. This outdoor venue is located on 83 acres of woods surrounded by the beautiful Shawnee National Forest.
There are 2 zipline tours, however, the recommended Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour consists of 8 zip lines, 3 suspension bridges and 3 short hikes. The approximate tour time is 3 hours. You can find out more info, check tour times and download the liability waiver and here.
There are 2 zipline tours, however, the recommended Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour consists of 8 zip lines, 3 suspension bridges and 3 short hikes. The approximate tour time is 3 hours. You can find out more info, check tour times and download the liability waiver and here.
46.2 mi
50 min
16:3030 min
Gun Creek Public Use Area
Park
Open Details
Take in a bit more nature on your way back to the city at Gun Creek Public use area at Rend Lake. The lake is managed by the Army Corp of Engineers and has hiking trails, boating, kayaking and good views of this beautiful lake.
Take a stroll around the lake and marina area and look for wildlife.
Take a stroll around the lake and marina area and look for wildlife.
2.1 mi
10 min
17:151 hr
Pheasant Hollow Winery
Landmark
Open Details
After an active day, it's time to un-"wine". The next stop in Pheasant Hollow Winery to slow down and relax on the huge front porch while sipping local grape and fruit wines in a laidback atmosphere.
Pheasant Hollow has live music, special events food trucks and a wine store onsite. Enjoy with a designated driver, of course.
Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sat 10am-6pm Fri 10am-10pm Sun 12pm-6pm
Pheasant Hollow has live music, special events food trucks and a wine store onsite. Enjoy with a designated driver, of course.
Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sat 10am-6pm Fri 10am-10pm Sun 12pm-6pm
5.1 mi
10 min
18:3045 min
Marcello's Pizza
Restaurant
Open Details
Dinner is at Marcello's Pizza for a quick bite as you head back to the city. The restaurant has pizza, lasagna and other Italian specialties. The perfect way to end an action packed day.
Closed Mon & Tues Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun 4pm-8pm
Closed Mon & Tues Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun 4pm-8pm