Romantic Lodge in Western Illinois - Pere Marquette Lodge and Cabins

by Germain Austin
(Jefferson City, Mo)

The Pere Marquette Romantic Lodge in Western Illinois is where My Husband and I just had our anniversary weekend. It's in Grafton, IL, a very charming town not far from St. Louis, MO. It was perfect! It was such a romantic place I think we are going back next year!

We dove up to the Lodge on the Great River Road which is a beautiful drive. Bluffs on one side; river on the other! When we got to the Lodge we were so impressed by the size of it all. It was built in the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corps and the building is amazing. It has this huge Great Room that has an equally huge fireplace and windows and a terrace facing the river…along with the largest chess set I have ever seen! As you walk into the Lodge your jaw just drops as you look around the room.

Anyway, we checked in and then went to check out Pere Marquette Park (the largest park in Illinois). We hiked up into the park and enjoyed some truly beautiful outlooks over the rivers. We were so high and the day was so clear that we could see the St. Louis Arch!

After that (and a shower) we went down to check out the Lodge Restaurant and just had to try the family style fried chicken. The Lodge is famous for their fried chicken and rightly so! Dinner was fantastic!

Anyway, then we went to check out the Mary Michelle Winery. We got a glass of wine and went into the Great Room to sip our wine and watch the sun go down. Very Romantic! Then we went back to our room which was a newly remodeled cabin.

In the morning we got to go swimming in the huge pool and hot tub before we checked out. It was a wonderful stay and a very well spent anniversary.


Germain Austin
Jefferson City, Mo