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For the kids: There's a world of adventures in Southern Illinois

By Linda Rush, The Southern

Sunday, June 1, 2008 9:53 AM CDT

From high-tech to low tech, from river to river, Southern Illinois offers a world of attractions and adventures for children. Even if gasoline prices are daunting, there's plenty to see and do close to home; most of the attractions also are free or have very low admission prices for the fun they offer.

Science and fun

The Science Center, at the University Mall in Carbondale, is a children's museum that opened in 1994, operated by a nonprofit group. Designed for children 3-13, the museum offers interactive, hands-on exhibits dealing with a variety of basic concepts of science. The youngest enjoy digging for dinosaur bones in sand, pouring rice through a variety of mills, creating a river in wet sand, or just snuggling with the rabbit and other friendly pets at the center. There are interactive, hands-on activities for all ages. A science library at the museum has books for all ages and tastes - and a cozy couch or two designed for reading together.

Silly Science Saturdays are from 1 to 3 p.m., offering a fun science activity each week. They are free with museum admission; no registration is needed.

The Science Center is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon to 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $3.50 for adults and children 4 and up; children 3 and younger are admitted free. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Family memberships, $50, offer free admission not just to the Carbondale museum, but also more than 200 museums and technology centers worldwide, including the St. Louis Science Center and the Field Museum in Chicago.

Members also get discounts on programs and birthday parties, and a 10 percent discount at the gift shop, which offers stuff ranging from real telescopes, microscopes and geodes, to puppets, puzzles and books. The shop's sales are a major source of funding for the museum.

The center has special programs year-round, and a variety of summertime activities. Camps and classes require pre-registration. For more information call 529-5431.

Rivers, pirates, ferries

Rivers also are fascinating places for visitors of all ages. Grand Tower boasts the Mississippi River Museum and Interpretive Center, which just opened May 3 at 109 Front St. Current hours are 2 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Tours can be scheduled at other times by calling director Jack Knupp at 565-2227.

Devils Backbone Park, overlooking the river, has an old locomotive on display and also features some of the coke ovens that were used when Grand Tower's foundry produced quality iron.

On the Ohio River, Cave In Rock was named for the cavern that once housed pirates who preyed on hapless river travelers after luring them ashore. The cave is in a park that also boasts a restaurant and cabins overlooking the river.

The state also operates a free ferry at Cave In Rock that chugs across the Ohio into Kentucky. If there's time, visit the Amish country around Marion, Ky., where horsepower means just that. There is an Amish general store and plenty of family-friendly small cafes.

The Shawnee Queen River Taxi offers scenic trips on the Ohio, from the Golconda Marina to Rosiclare, Elizabethtown and Cave in Rock. Fares range for $1 for a 15-minute one-way jaunt from Rosiclare to Elizabethtown, to $20 for a four-hour round trip. Passengers can make reservations to board at any point along the route. Those with reservations have priority seating; walk-ons will be boarded as space is available. For details call 285-3342 or toll free (877) 667-6123.

The Custom House Museum in Cairo is an architectural gem with a wealth of history inside. There are Civil War items, exhibits focusing on Lewis and Clark's expedition (the explorers spent several days in Cairo preparing for their journey west), and upstairs exhibits including a recreated old-time general store. It's open from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays, and 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays.

Cairo's Fort Defiance is located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers and offers a beautiful view of both. Plans are being advanced to restore the earthworks of the fort that played a vital role in the Civil War.

Hiking, history

Giant City State Park south of Carbondale offers plenty of spots for picnics, a lodge offering family-style fried chicken as its specialty, plus creeks, hiking trails and a challenging water tower with winding stairs. It's worth the climb; from the top platform you can see the Bald Knob Cross and a spectacular view in any direction. A welcome center offers information on the trees, flowers, critters and rock formations. Take Giant City Road south from Illinois 13 and you'll end up in the park.

The Jefferson County Historical Village, 1411 N. 27th St. in Mount Vernon, offers a detailed look at the past with its dozen or so authentic log structures. It was established in 1990 when the log buildings were moved to the site. They include an old school, where classes can spend an entire school day, as well as a medical building, jail, log church, cabins, a corn crib, print shop, blacksmith shop, implement shed, welcome cabin and general store. Volunteers work as docents to give tours, demonstrate crafts and organize exhibits.

Admission to the historical village is free. Hours from May through October are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday and weekdays by appointment. Those wishing to visit from November to April must call in advance for an appointment; the number is 246-0033. The village is next to the Mitchell Museum, just off Richview Road, about two miles from Interstate 57.