When the Midwest turns cold, Southwest Illinois comes alive as outdoor enthusiasts from across the country flock to the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River for awe-inspiring eagle sightings.
Eagle season:
Get up close to a majestic American bald eagle at the Alton Eagle Ice Festival on January 6. Head to the FLOCK Food Truck Park from 10am to 2pm for a free Eagle Meet & Greet and a chance to get your picture taken with America’s national animal!
The Eagle Ice Festival will also feature:
Food trucks
Drinks from the FLOCK bar
DJ tunes
Live ice carving by Ice Visions
Eagle Watching Shuttle Tours (departing from the Alton Visitor’s Centre)
Eagle Fest beer from the Old Bakery Beer Company
Fire pits with s’mores kits for sale
Face painting for kids
and much more!
The National Great Rivers Museum will also be hosting a number of free family-friendly activities on January 6. Stop by the theatre for eagle expert talks and eagle film screenings. Peer through spotting scopes for a chance to see an eagle nest. Make and take home your own eagle craft – an eagle head wrap!
For more beautiful birds of prey, stop by the Audubon Center at Riverlands across the Mississippi from Alton to see eagles, owls and other birds on live display at the TreeHouse Wildlife Center. Enjoy guided bird walks, eagle crafts and fire pits with s’mores on January 6.
The Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower will be open all day on January 6 for tours to view American Bald Eagles from 50, 100 and 150 feet. There will also be a Birds of Winter educational session featuring local raptors from the TreeHouse Wildlife Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is required for tower tours, but the Birds of Winter exhibit is free.