Lewis and Clark Confluence Tower, Illinois, United States

5Chuckospringpatch 5:00 PM Dec 21, 2013

Old and Young Alike Will Like
This is a great site to see how Lewis and Clark accomplished their formidable task. There is a short video and many "hands-on" displays. Not only can one follow the timeline and move about the building, but a really accurate outside exhibit has been built to show the winter living quarters. The volunteers who are stationed about can answer questions and provide insights. Don't miss the keelboat that has been "cross-sectioned" to show how all of the gear was stored. Many of the displays are discovery items for youngsters, but there are lots of things for older people to enjoy. It's only 30 minutes from St. Louis and is well worth the trip.

4Joan W 5:00 PM May 16, 2015

Unique Perspective
The Lewis and Clark Confluence Tower with its viewing platforms at 50', 100', and 150" (reached via an elevator) offers a unique way to see the area. The Tower is five years old and was built to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. My tour only stopped at 100 feet where the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri was clearly visible directly in front of you and at 150 feet where you could see downtown St. Louis and the Arch nearly twenty miles away. The cost is $4 per person-less for seniors and children. Guided tours are given daily with shortened hours on Sunday. After Labor Day and before Memorial Day, the days of operation change so be sure to check. You must have a guide when you go up the tower and be accompanied by the guide at all times. The entire area including theTower is fully accessible. Outdoors the garden tells of the plants Lewis and Clark encountered and there are many interpretive signs with info on the uses and how Lewis catalogued the specimens, pressed the leaves and collected the seeds. Inside the VC has a huge map of the area and by entering a location you get virtual tour of that site-very helpful when deciding what else to see as there is so much to do in this area. I visited most of the sites in the brochures on the area-"Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway Driving Tour", "All Around Alton, Illinois", and "2015 Visitor Guide to Meeting of the Great Rivers". This is a stop that could be done in half an hour. My guided tour took less than 10 minutes. If time is an issue or if weather is diminishing visibility, this is a stop I would skip. My guide was a local historian and very knowledgeable, but the guided tour up the tower was rushed-we did not stop at 50 foot platform. I would have liked to have more time to take photos and read the interpretive signs, but you must go when the guide leaves. The 21 mile asphalt Confluence Bike Trail from Granite City to Alton can be accessed at the Confluence Tower where there is lots of free parking.