Shawnee Pond Retreat Guidebook
Food scene
A popular spot with the breakfast and brunch crowd, the Iron Whisk has great food, and the ambiance is upbeat with an urban feel despite it's small-town location. Your best bet is to arrive early, before 9:00 a.m.
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The Iron Whisk Bistro & Bar
200 S Front StA popular spot with the breakfast and brunch crowd, the Iron Whisk has great food, and the ambiance is upbeat with an urban feel despite it's small-town location. Your best bet is to arrive early, before 9:00 a.m.
Six minutes away, Flamm Orchards has strawberries, peaches, apples (in season). But they also make the fruit into fabulous desserts! Strawberry shortcake, peach cobbler, and apple pie, bread, and dumplings.
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Flamm Orchards
8760 Old Hwy 51 NSix minutes away, Flamm Orchards has strawberries, peaches, apples (in season). But they also make the fruit into fabulous desserts! Strawberry shortcake, peach cobbler, and apple pie, bread, and dumplings.
Authentic Mexican food that is well-known in the area. Taqueria Pequena is a bare-bones restaurant which has irregular hours, so be ready for Plan B--but it's worth the effort to find it open! Salsa verde, etc. is amazing!
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Taqueria Pequena
105 S Appleknocker DrAuthentic Mexican food that is well-known in the area. Taqueria Pequena is a bare-bones restaurant which has irregular hours, so be ready for Plan B--but it's worth the effort to find it open! Salsa verde, etc. is amazing!
Definitely some of the best food around--also has a diverse selection of beer including beer from Scratch Brewery.
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Underground Public House
717 S University AveDefinitely some of the best food around--also has a diverse selection of beer including beer from Scratch Brewery.
Authentic Thai-we are lucky to have Thai Taste in Carbondale.
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Thai Taste
100 S Illinois AveAuthentic Thai-we are lucky to have Thai Taste in Carbondale.
Outdoor seating and more traditional steak and seafood menu.
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Flame Bar And Grill
501 E Walnut StOutdoor seating and more traditional steak and seafood menu.
Common Grounds Coffee House
600 East Grand AvenueSome of the best coffee around....
Local vegetarian restaurant with a great bakery and good coffee.
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Longbranch Cafe and Bakery
100 E Jackson StLocal vegetarian restaurant with a great bakery and good coffee.
(Now Featherhills) Very close and convenient; nice setting, has handheld menu with salads.
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Fork & Vine Restaurant & Wine Bar
8595 U.S. 51(Now Featherhills) Very close and convenient; nice setting, has handheld menu with salads.
Harbaugh's Cafe
901 S Illinois AveBreakfast and brunch focus
Quatro's Deep Pan Pizza
218 W Freeman StIconic well-loved pizza
Global Gourmet
102 E Jackson StCozy special occasion dining with good atmosphere
Old Route 51 South BBQ
111 Oak StParks and Recreation
Giant City State Park is only 11 miles away, and has picturesque hiking trails, rock climbing, picnic areas with shelters, horseback riding, etc. "An outdoor lover's paradise."
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Park stanowy Giant City
235 Giant City RdGiant City State Park is only 11 miles away, and has picturesque hiking trails, rock climbing, picnic areas with shelters, horseback riding, etc. "An outdoor lover's paradise."
30 minutes southwest lies Inspiration Point, a dramatic bluff area which offers a panoramic view of the Mississippi River valley and the Big Muddy Bottomlands. Near "snake road" which is closed for a few weeks in the spring and the fall to allow migration from the swamps to the bluffs for hibernation. (Keep in mind.) Breathtaking views and exceptional tundra and rock formations.
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Inspiration Point
Pine Hills Road30 minutes southwest lies Inspiration Point, a dramatic bluff area which offers a panoramic view of the Mississippi River valley and the Big Muddy Bottomlands. Near "snake road" which is closed for a few weeks in the spring and the fall to allow migration from the swamps to the bluffs for hibernation. (Keep in mind.) Breathtaking views and exceptional tundra and rock formations.
Quetil Trail is very close (2 miles!) and has amazing bluffs like Giant City. The trailhead is on the east end of Alto Pass. It is a fairly short "rails to trails" nature trail and has the option to climb rock stairs to the gorgeous views offered by Cliff View Park above it (off of Skyline Drive).
Quetil Trail
Quetil TrailQuetil Trail is very close (2 miles!) and has amazing bluffs like Giant City. The trailhead is on the east end of Alto Pass. It is a fairly short "rails to trails" nature trail and has the option to climb rock stairs to the gorgeous views offered by Cliff View Park above it (off of Skyline Drive).
Little Grand Canyon is in a box canyon located in Shawnee National Forest. It is especially beautiful during the spring and fall for wildflowers and fall color. The trail is about 3 miles, and can take 3-4 hours to complete. It can be a challenging trail, so it's recommended you have water and good hiking shoes.
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Little Grand Canyon
Little Grand Canyon is in a box canyon located in Shawnee National Forest. It is especially beautiful during the spring and fall for wildflowers and fall color. The trail is about 3 miles, and can take 3-4 hours to complete. It can be a challenging trail, so it's recommended you have water and good hiking shoes.
Rocky Bluff Trail
Tacoma Lake RoadThis is one of our favorite trails! Very scenic and moderate difficulty.
Great zip lining and sight-seeing in the Shawnee
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Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour
635 Robinson Hill RdGreat zip lining and sight-seeing in the Shawnee
One of the best and well-attended dog parks in the area, Carbondale's dog park is 2 1/2 acres and has a large and a small dog field. Newly opened in 2022, it has water fountains, boulder berm areas, and a shady pavilion shelter (more coming soon!)
PetSafe Carbondale Community Dog Park
One of the best and well-attended dog parks in the area, Carbondale's dog park is 2 1/2 acres and has a large and a small dog field. Newly opened in 2022, it has water fountains, boulder berm areas, and a shady pavilion shelter (more coming soon!)
Wineries and Bourbon Bars
In the small town of Alto Pass only 2 miles away is the well-appointed, truly upscale Havisham Bourbon Bar. Over 10 beers on draft, cocktails made with local honey and also a good selection of wine. Truly a must-experience neighborhood spot!
Havisham Bourbon Bar
260 Main StreetIn the small town of Alto Pass only 2 miles away is the well-appointed, truly upscale Havisham Bourbon Bar. Over 10 beers on draft, cocktails made with local honey and also a good selection of wine. Truly a must-experience neighborhood spot!
This winery has our hands-down favorite local wine-and is close at hand! (Just north of Alto Pass off of 127. ) Also check the Shawnee Hills Winery website for music playing here-they tend to have some great offerings. Good outdoor seating and you can have pets outside.
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Alto Vineyards
8515 IL-127This winery has our hands-down favorite local wine-and is close at hand! (Just north of Alto Pass off of 127. ) Also check the Shawnee Hills Winery website for music playing here-they tend to have some great offerings. Good outdoor seating and you can have pets outside.
Another great "neighborhood" spot! The Peachbarn has a unique character all it's own, with light food menu, wine, and music.
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Hedman Vineyards
560 Chestnut StAnother great "neighborhood" spot! The Peachbarn has a unique character all it's own, with light food menu, wine, and music.
Both a winery and brewery, Von Jakob has food, music, and a wonderful view of the surrounding countryside. Only a ten-minute drive.
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Von Jakob Winery & Brewery
230 IL-127Both a winery and brewery, Von Jakob has food, music, and a wonderful view of the surrounding countryside. Only a ten-minute drive.
This is a quaint winery with great charm and good wine! It has a nice outdoor deck facing the forest.
Wichmann Vineyard
2655 Water Valley RoadThis is a quaint winery with great charm and good wine! It has a nice outdoor deck facing the forest.
Another local winery which is typically pretty lively with food, wine and music. Nice outdoor deck.
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StarView Vineyards
5100 Wing Hill RdAnother local winery which is typically pretty lively with food, wine and music. Nice outdoor deck.
It's more of a drive, but this vineyard is worth seeing as well as tasting the wine! It has award-winning wines like Alto Vineyards, the vintner herself winning many awards. Designed with classical Tuscan-style decor, it has a European feel. A light fare of appetizers, sandwiches, pizza, and cheese and salami snacks are offered.
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Blue Sky Vineyard
3150 S Rocky Comfort RdIt's more of a drive, but this vineyard is worth seeing as well as tasting the wine! It has award-winning wines like Alto Vineyards, the vintner herself winning many awards. Designed with classical Tuscan-style decor, it has a European feel. A light fare of appetizers, sandwiches, pizza, and cheese and salami snacks are offered.
Feather Hills (also a restaurant-formerly Fork & Vine) has good wine and ambiance.
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Feather Hills Vineyard and Winery
8595 Thorn LnFeather Hills (also a restaurant-formerly Fork & Vine) has good wine and ambiance.
Sightseeing
Rendleman Orchards off of 127 specializes in peaches, nectarines, and apples. They also have apple cider donuts, apple butter, cider, and sauce. Open June 25-October 31st. Sunflower and zinnia fields make it a sightseeing spot as well as a food spot.
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Rendleman Orchards
9680 IL-127Rendleman Orchards off of 127 specializes in peaches, nectarines, and apples. They also have apple cider donuts, apple butter, cider, and sauce. Open June 25-October 31st. Sunflower and zinnia fields make it a sightseeing spot as well as a food spot.
Bald Knob Cross of Peace
3630 Bald Knob RoadRub noses with alpacas and shop at a wonderful store with alpaca wool gift items
Rolling Oak Alpaca Ranch
1335 Hall Church RdRub noses with alpacas and shop at a wonderful store with alpaca wool gift items
Breweries
Named one of the top "forage" breweries by Outside Magazine, Scratch Brewing focuses on unique but delicious farmhouse beers and other styles brewed with locally farmed and foraged ingredients. Pizza is good too! Worth the 45 minute drive-especially in the spring and fall!
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Scratch Brewing Company
264 Thompson RdNamed one of the top "forage" breweries by Outside Magazine, Scratch Brewing focuses on unique but delicious farmhouse beers and other styles brewed with locally farmed and foraged ingredients. Pizza is good too! Worth the 45 minute drive-especially in the spring and fall!
Buckwater Brew Works and Whiskey House
213 East Main StreetIncredible bar and good ambiance.
Good food and beer! Outside seating.
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Route 51 Brewing Company and Banquet Center
Good food and beer! Outside seating.
With good food and a wide selection of locally brewed beer, this airport restaurant features a view of small planes landing and taking off! Sit outside if the weather is good.
St Nicholas Brewing Co MDH
665 North Airport RoadWith good food and a wide selection of locally brewed beer, this airport restaurant features a view of small planes landing and taking off! Sit outside if the weather is good.
Groceries
Natural and organic foods; local produce and eggs, with a deli and bakery on site.
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Neighborhood Co-op Grocery
1815 W Main StNatural and organic foods; local produce and eggs, with a deli and bakery on site.
Local country grocery store with the basics-beer, soda, sandwiches and ice cream. Now Duty’s General Store
Grammer's Market
10 W E Pine StLocal country grocery store with the basics-beer, soda, sandwiches and ice cream. Now Duty’s General Store
In the Midwest, it's hard to find fresh fish, and out in the country even more so. Seafood Specialties is one of our favorite places because they have a wide variety of fresh-frozen fish. The mahi-mahi is excellent, trout, Royal Reds Shrimp, many different types of crab. If you are a seafood lover, you'll want to check out S.S.!! Great for grilling!
Seafood Specialties
155 E Vienna StIn the Midwest, it's hard to find fresh fish, and out in the country even more so. Seafood Specialties is one of our favorite places because they have a wide variety of fresh-frozen fish. The mahi-mahi is excellent, trout, Royal Reds Shrimp, many different types of crab. If you are a seafood lover, you'll want to check out S.S.!! Great for grilling!
Shopping
Well worth visiting-incredible pottery! One-of-a-kind pieces in beautiful wood-fired colors.
Alto Clay Works
595 Main StWell worth visiting-incredible pottery! One-of-a-kind pieces in beautiful wood-fired colors.
Karma Clothing & Accessories
65 North Elm StreetTrendy new and second-hand woman’s clothing store in Alto Pass
This & That
300 S Main StHuge market with 42 different vendors! Unique gifts, clothing, pet sundries, home goods.
Cobden Village Shops
220 S Front StWine Trail Mercantile