Derick's Guidebook
Food scene
I grew up in Carbondale and Quatro’s has always been one of my favorite pizzerias.
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Quatro's Deep Pan Pizza
218 W Freeman StI grew up in Carbondale and Quatro’s has always been one of my favorite pizzerias.
Pagliai's Pizza
509 S Illinois AveAnother 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
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Italian Village
405 S Washington StOh 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.
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Mary Lou's Grill
118 S Illinois AveMary 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.
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Harbaugh's Cafe
901 S Illinois AveThis 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.
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Giant City State Park Lodge & Restaurant
460 Giant City Lodge RdThe 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.
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The Red Onion
166 W Lane StThey 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.
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E'Town River Restaurant
100 Front StI 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.
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Taqueria Pequena
105 S Appleknocker DrAwesome authentic Mexican food. Check hours usually 11 -3 mon-sat cash only.
Reeser Str. 106, 46446 Emmerich am Rhein, Deutschland
Very good food!
Whiffle Boy's Pizza & More
221 S BroadwayVery good pizza and the closest to the treehouse
Longhorn Cafe
Illinois 37Excellent 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.
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Garten der Götter
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.
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Giant City State Park
235 Giant City RdVery 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.
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Ferne Clyffe State Park
90 Goreville RdThis 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.
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Cave-In-Rock State Park
1 New State Park RdThere 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.
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Bald Knob Cross of Peace
3630 Bald Knob RoadI 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 37A 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.
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Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour
635 Robinson Hill RdThis 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.
Schlosspark
101 Homewood DrThis 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 DriveOk 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
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Tunnel Hill State Trail
302 E Vine StThis 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.
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Giant City Stables
722 Giant City RdI 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.
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Blue Sky Vineyard
3150 S Rocky Comfort RdWithin 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.
Feather Hills Vineyard and Winery
8595 Thorn LnWithin 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!
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StarView Vineyards
5100 Wing Hill RdWithin 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.
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Owl Creek Vineyard
1600 Cobden School RoadNot 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.
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Dixon Springs State Park
982 Illinois 146This is a beautiful park with a spring and waterfall as well as hiking and a swimming pool.
Burden 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.
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.
Jackson Falls
I used to camp here as a teenager before it became well known.
Cedar Falls, Ozark, IL 62972, USA