Marion is an upbeat city with a small-town feel. Shop for antiques in the historic downtown district and discover beautiful prairie landscapes in the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. The city is a launchpad to the Shawnee Hills American Viticultural Area, where you’ll find some of the top boutique wineries in the Prairie State.
Things to do in Marion
Discover more than 17,000 hectares of oak forest, wetland and prairie habitats in the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. Spot wild turkeys strutting around the fields and look for white-tailed deer grazing by the roadside. Enjoy lunch in the scenic Wolf Creek Picnic Area and stretch your legs on the Rocky Bluff Trail. The loop trail takes you through mixed terrain, including valleys, ridges and rugged cliffs. Visit in spring to see the park carpeted with wildflowers.
Spend the day touring boutique vineyards on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. The area is an official American Viticultural Area (AVA) and produces world-class Chambourcin and Chardonel. Don’t miss the chance to try Traminette, a delicate wine with notes of stone fruit and honeysuckle.
The shopping in Downtown Marion is fantastic, especially when it comes to pre-loved treasures. Browse cavernous antique malls, carefully curated vintage stores and eclectic salvage yards. You’ll also see plenty of trendy boutiques and gift shops in Downtown Marion.
From third-wave coffee shops to small-batch craft breweries, Downtown Marion is dotted with an array of small businesses. The historic district is packed with places to enjoy local flavours. Shop for farm-fresh produce at independent grocery stores and stock up on jams, chutneys and pickles at artisan providores.
Getting around Marion
Downtown Marion is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. The city is in Williamson County in Southern Illinois, a 1.5-hour drive from Evansville and two hours from St. Louis in Missouri. Rental cars offer the freedom to visit Marion and explore Williamson County at your own pace. St. Louis Lambert International Airport is a two-hour drive away.