Derick's Guidebook

Derick
Derick's Guidebook

Food scene

I grew up in Carbondale and Quatro’s has always been one of my favorite pizzerias.
24 moradores locais recomendam
Quatro's Deep Pan Pizza
218 W Freeman St
24 moradores locais recomendam
I grew up in Carbondale and Quatro’s has always been one of my favorite pizzerias.
Another Carbondale favorite, some of the best pizza around.
8 moradores locais recomendam
Pagliai's Pizza
509 S Illinois Ave
8 moradores locais recomendam
Another Carbondale favorite, some of the best pizza around.
Oh if I could tell you all the stories I’ve had at this pizzeria from date nights to lunches it’s another Carbondale favorite
7 moradores locais recomendam
Italian Village
405 S Washington St
7 moradores locais recomendam
Oh if I could tell you all the stories I’ve had at this pizzeria from date nights to lunches it’s another Carbondale favorite
Mary Lou’s is probably one of the most iconic places to eat in Carbondale. It is the typical “greasy spoon” grill that serves a breakfast that has become a tradition to eat at by so many people in the area.
16 moradores locais recomendam
Mary Lou's Grill
118 S Illinois Ave
16 moradores locais recomendam
Mary Lou’s is probably one of the most iconic places to eat in Carbondale. It is the typical “greasy spoon” grill that serves a breakfast that has become a tradition to eat at by so many people in the area.
This is a great place to eat breakfast and lunch, my favorite is the pecan pancakes.
23 moradores locais recomendam
Harbaugh's Cafe
901 S Illinois Ave
23 moradores locais recomendam
This is a great place to eat breakfast and lunch, my favorite is the pecan pancakes.
The Giant City Lodge is a historic place that is a must eat at place while you are in Southern Illinois. The lodge is closed for some time during the winter so you might check first if you visit during the winter months.
40 moradores locais recomendam
Giant City State Park Lodge & Restaurant
460 Giant City Lodge Rd
40 moradores locais recomendam
The Giant City Lodge is a historic place that is a must eat at place while you are in Southern Illinois. The lodge is closed for some time during the winter so you might check first if you visit during the winter months.
They have excellent food and is a great place to go when you visit The Garden of The Gods.
9 moradores locais recomendam
The Red Onion
166 W Lane St
9 moradores locais recomendam
They have excellent food and is a great place to go when you visit The Garden of The Gods.
I have fond memories of eating here with my dad when I was a little boy and I have taken all four of my boys there when they were little as well. You can get river catfish or pond raised. This is a must do when you visit Cave-in-Rock state park. The river restaurant is closed during the winter and when the river floods so you might call them before making plans especially during those seasons.
22 moradores locais recomendam
E'Town River Restaurant
100 Front St
22 moradores locais recomendam
I have fond memories of eating here with my dad when I was a little boy and I have taken all four of my boys there when they were little as well. You can get river catfish or pond raised. This is a must do when you visit Cave-in-Rock state park. The river restaurant is closed during the winter and when the river floods so you might call them before making plans especially during those seasons.
Awesome authentic Mexican food. Check hours usually 11 -3 mon-sat cash only.
9 moradores locais recomendam
Taqueria Pequena
105 S Appleknocker Dr
9 moradores locais recomendam
Awesome authentic Mexican food. Check hours usually 11 -3 mon-sat cash only.
Reeser Str. 106, 46446 Emmerich am Rhein, Alemanha
Very good food!
Very good pizza and the closest to the treehouse
Whiffle Boy's Pizza & More
221 S Broadway
Very good pizza and the closest to the treehouse
Excellent food but not open on the weekends.
Longhorn Cafe
Illinois 37
Excellent food but not open on the weekends.

Sightseeing

One of the most popular hiking trails in Southern Illinois and one of the most photographed rock formations. Absolutely stunning! Don’t forget to stop by The Red Onion in Equality while you are in the area.
60 moradores locais recomendam
Jardim dos Deuses
60 moradores locais recomendam
One of the most popular hiking trails in Southern Illinois and one of the most photographed rock formations. Absolutely stunning! Don’t forget to stop by The Red Onion in Equality while you are in the area.
Very good hiking trails, beautiful rock formations and you must eat at the Lodge while you are there.
76 moradores locais recomendam
Parque Estadual da Cidade Gigante
235 Giant City Rd
76 moradores locais recomendam
Very good hiking trails, beautiful rock formations and you must eat at the Lodge while you are there.
This is a very nice park with good hiking and hunting and best of all it is close to the treehouse. I have had family pictures taken there professionally. Wiffle boys pizza or the longhorn cafe are great places to eat when passing through Goreville.
46 moradores locais recomendam
Parque Estadual Ferne Clyffe
90 Goreville Rd
46 moradores locais recomendam
This is a very nice park with good hiking and hunting and best of all it is close to the treehouse. I have had family pictures taken there professionally. Wiffle boys pizza or the longhorn cafe are great places to eat when passing through Goreville.
There were real pirates that inhabited the cave back in the day. The writings on the ceiling are done by boat when the river is high enough. Don’t forget to go to Elizabeth town river restaurant while you are in the area. The main thing to see here is the view of the river from on top of the bluff but the cave is by the river and is inaccessible when the river floods so you might check during the spring to make sure it’s accessible.
17 moradores locais recomendam
Parque Estadual Cave In Rock
1 New State Park Rd
17 moradores locais recomendam
There were real pirates that inhabited the cave back in the day. The writings on the ceiling are done by boat when the river is high enough. Don’t forget to go to Elizabeth town river restaurant while you are in the area. The main thing to see here is the view of the river from on top of the bluff but the cave is by the river and is inaccessible when the river floods so you might check during the spring to make sure it’s accessible.
I have gone here all my life and it is a must see! My fondest memories are in college, a friend who’s passed now lived in the nearby town of Pamona and we used to go up there late at night to see all the lights that were easy to distinguish the different towns from a distance. I am pretty sure you cannot go up there at night anymore.
39 moradores locais recomendam
Bald Knob Cross of Peace
3630 Bald Knob Road
39 moradores locais recomendam
I have gone here all my life and it is a must see! My fondest memories are in college, a friend who’s passed now lived in the nearby town of Pamona and we used to go up there late at night to see all the lights that were easy to distinguish the different towns from a distance. I am pretty sure you cannot go up there at night anymore.
The trailhead is about 1 mile east of the treehouse and is part of the river to river trail.
Panther Den Wilderness
The trailhead is about 1 mile east of the treehouse and is part of the river to river trail.
A not very well known panoramic view and it faces west so a great place to watch a sunset.
3790 IL-37
3790 Illinois 37
A not very well known panoramic view and it faces west so a great place to watch a sunset.

Things to do

This is a must do, my kids loved it! Also it is within five minutes from the Treehouse.
29 moradores locais recomendam
Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour
635 Robinson Hill Rd
29 moradores locais recomendam
This is a must do, my kids loved it! Also it is within five minutes from the Treehouse.
This is a must for the kids and some adults with an inner child. A very good friend was instrumental in building this park and his wife is it’s caretaker. I even repaired the wobbly bridge myself. I have so many memories and pictures of my kids playing here.
Parque do Castelo
101 Homewood Dr
This is a must for the kids and some adults with an inner child. A very good friend was instrumental in building this park and his wife is it’s caretaker. I even repaired the wobbly bridge myself. I have so many memories and pictures of my kids playing here.
Ok I am not a golfer, we do have a few courses in the area but this one is probably the closest.
Makanda Marion Golf
503 Stone Creek Drive
Ok I am not a golfer, we do have a few courses in the area but this one is probably the closest.
This is a must do for most people. I have enjoyed riding this old railroad bed with all four of my boys and when I was younger we would do 18 miles. There are many people who will walk parts of the trail instead of biking. The trail is very scenic and has smooth, level ground perfect for biking or walking. The trail is 45 miles long and goes from Harrisburg to Karnak Illinois
17 moradores locais recomendam
Tunnel Hill State Trail
302 E Vine St
17 moradores locais recomendam
This is a must do for most people. I have enjoyed riding this old railroad bed with all four of my boys and when I was younger we would do 18 miles. There are many people who will walk parts of the trail instead of biking. The trail is very scenic and has smooth, level ground perfect for biking or walking. The trail is 45 miles long and goes from Harrisburg to Karnak Illinois
I have done this with my kids and we always enjoyed it. I believe they have different rides you can take. I believe they are closed in the winter.
9 moradores locais recomendam
Giant City Stables
722 Giant City Rd
9 moradores locais recomendam
I have done this with my kids and we always enjoyed it. I believe they have different rides you can take. I believe they are closed in the winter.

Wineries

Southern Illinois was blessed with soil that is conducive to growing awesome grapes. We are also blessed to have such beautiful locations for the wineries on the wine trail
Within two minutes of the treehouse and one of the best wineries in Southern Illinois! They have some good food and they closest place to the treehouse to eat, my favorite is pizza or the hoagie. The property the treehouse is on used to belong to the owners of the winery. I have my favorite wines from here so feel free to ask or better yet get a flight and try them all.
50 moradores locais recomendam
Vinícola Blue Sky
3150 S Rocky Comfort Rd
50 moradores locais recomendam
Within two minutes of the treehouse and one of the best wineries in Southern Illinois! They have some good food and they closest place to the treehouse to eat, my favorite is pizza or the hoagie. The property the treehouse is on used to belong to the owners of the winery. I have my favorite wines from here so feel free to ask or better yet get a flight and try them all.
Within two minutes from the treehouse.
15 moradores locais recomendam
Feather Hills Vineyard and Winery
8595 Thorn Ln
15 moradores locais recomendam
Within two minutes from the treehouse.
Within ten minutes of the treehouse and another favorite of mine. They have good live music some food and wine slushees!
32 moradores locais recomendam
Vinícolas StarView
5100 Wing Hill Rd
32 moradores locais recomendam
Within ten minutes of the treehouse and another favorite of mine. They have good live music some food and wine slushees!
Not to far from the treehouse near Cobden, it’s a good one to visit on your way back from the bald knob cross.
20 moradores locais recomendam
Vinícola Owl Creek
1600 Cobden School Road
20 moradores locais recomendam
Not to far from the treehouse near Cobden, it’s a good one to visit on your way back from the bald knob cross.

Waterfalls

This is a beautiful park with a spring and waterfall as well as hiking and a swimming pool.
19 moradores locais recomendam
Dixon Springs State Park
982 Illinois 146
19 moradores locais recomendam
This is a beautiful park with a spring and waterfall as well as hiking and a swimming pool.
9 moradores locais recomendam
Burden Falls
9 moradores locais recomendam
This is the closest falls to the treehouse and it’s beautiful. For the easiest walk to the bottom, drive across the falls, park at the parking area at the top of the hill and take the trail to the left.
Bork Falls
This is the closest falls to the treehouse and it’s beautiful. For the easiest walk to the bottom, drive across the falls, park at the parking area at the top of the hill and take the trail to the left.
I used to camp here as a teenager before it became well known.
Jackson Falls
I used to camp here as a teenager before it became well known.
Cedar Falls, Ozark, IL 62972, EUA