Dates & times
All times are local to the venue · America/Chicago
- 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
These are the previously published dates. Check the organizer for a new edition.
Check the organizer’s latest schedule ↗Fall Foliage and History Shuttle Tours 2026: Grafton to Elsah
This outing treats the road as the connection between its stops: a fall-color drive between Grafton and Elsah, a visit to the historic village, and stops at Principia College and Pere Marquette State Park. The listing describes the college and park as drive-and-photo stops, not walking tours.
Elsah’s history belongs to the whole village
Elsah’s historic significance is not limited to one building: in 1973, the National Register of Historic Places recognized the village as a whole, the first village to receive that distinction. A regional account also describes it as a former steamboat landing, with stone houses and gardens among its defining features.
The tour listing includes a visit to the Historic Village of Elsah and shopping at Elsah General Store. It singles out vintage sodas and candy among the store’s offerings, but does not promise a particular selection or say how long the stop lasts.
Further reading: Fall Foliage and History Shuttle Tours 2026 | Great Rivers & Routesr&r-primary-logor&r-primary-logor&r-primary-logo ↗ · Elsah | Great Rivers & Routesr&r-primary-logor&r-primary-logor&r-primary-logo ↗
Architecture and scenery from the shuttle
At Principia College, the itinerary calls for a drive through campus, a photo stop and a history of its architecture. It does not describe a walking tour, so visitors should understand this as a brief interpretive stop rather than time to explore the campus on foot.
Pere Marquette State Park is likewise listed as a drive and photo stop. The park’s broader recreation options include hiking and biking, but the shuttle itinerary does not allocate trail time; anyone hoping to hike should not assume that is part of this outing.
Further reading: Fall Foliage and History Shuttle Tours 2026 | Great Rivers & Routesr&r-primary-logor&r-primary-logor&r-primary-logo ↗ · Guide to Pere Marquette State Park | Great Rivers & Routesr&r-primary-logor&r-primary-logor&r-primary-logo ↗
A section of a longer river route
The Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway covers 33 miles, beginning in Hartford and following Illinois Routes 3, 143 and 100 through Alton to Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton. The shuttle listing describes its drive as between Grafton and Elsah, with the college and park stops added; it does not give the tour’s mileage. The byway’s full length is regional context, not a measure of this excursion.
Further reading: Fall Foliage and History Shuttle Tours 2026 | Great Rivers & Routesr&r-primary-logor&r-primary-logor&r-primary-logo ↗ · Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway | Great Rivers & Routesr&r-primary-logor&r-primary-logor&r-primary-logo ↗
One itinerary, two departures
The event describes one broad route for both dates. It does not assign separate times to Elsah, Principia College or Pere Marquette State Park.
Thursday, November 5, 2026 · Shuttle tour
- Departure for the fall foliage and history shuttle tour; guests are asked to meet at 11:45 a.m.
Friday, November 6, 2026 · Shuttle tour
- Departure for the fall foliage and history shuttle tour; guests are asked to meet at 11:45 a.m.
Before you go
Two listed departures
Thursday, November 5, and Friday, November 6, 2026. Meet at 11:45 a.m. for the noon departure; the listed end time is 4 p.m. These are the only 2026 dates shown.
Grafton SkyTour parking lot
Meet at 3 W. Clinton, Grafton, IL 62037.
$32.50 per person
The event listing displays a Buy Tickets option and gives (618) 465-6676 as a phone contact. It does not state refund or transfer terms.
The shuttle is not ADA accessible
The organizer attributes the limitation to the bus’s size. The listing gives no additional boarding or access details; contact the organizer before booking if you need information about a specific accommodation.
Getting to the meeting point
Grafton SkyTour parking lot
The tour meets at 3 W. Clinton, Grafton, IL 62037. The event listing provides a map link that can calculate directions from your starting point; it does not publish mode-specific transit or parking guidance beyond naming the meeting lot.
Before you make a plan
Does the tour include a hike at Pere Marquette State Park?
No hike is listed. The itinerary describes a drive and photo stop; although the park has hiking and biking options, the tour does not specify trail time.
Fall Foliage and History Shuttle Tours 2026 | Great Rivers & Routesr&r-primary-logor&r-primary-logor&r-primary-logo ↗ · Guide to Pere Marquette State Park | Great Rivers & Routesr&r-primary-logor&r-primary-logor&r-primary-logo ↗
How will guests hear if a tour is canceled?
The organizer says guests will be contacted directly by phone or email.
Location & Google Maps
Grafton Skytour parking lot
3 W. Clinton, Grafton, IL 62037
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.