Each Year This Small Illinois Town Turns Into The Eagle Capital Of America — And You Can Meet One Up Close

Illinois is underrated when it comes to its abundance of nature and wildlife, with some of the best trails and state parks in the Midwest. From roaming buffalos to Buffalo Rock State Park, we truly have it all. I always feel a little like Snow White when I spend time outdoors, spotting lovely birds and woodland creatures. One of the best places to combine the very best of nature and wildlife in Illinois is the annual Alton Eagle Ice Festival in Alton, Illinois — an educational celebration of bald eagles and the winter season that draws visitors from across the region.

Each year, thousands of visitors flock to the Great River Road in Alton to catch sightings of incredible bald eagles. The stunning winged creatures make the region their home in the Southwestern Illinois town during January and February, creating a sensation for eagle enthusiasts near and far.

The breathtaking birds have wingspans of between 7-8 feet at maturity and are often seen fishing in the Mississippi River.

The event is marked annually by the Alton Eagle Ice Festival, which offers eagle-watching tours, food trucks, eagle meet-and-greets, ice carvers, kids' activities, and plenty of viewing opportunities.

This year, it will take place on January 6 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. While the event is free, some extras cost money — like the Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower and eagle-watching shuttle tours, which are $15 per person.

The celebration is spread out across Flock Food Truck Park, the National Great Rivers Museum, and the Audubon Center at Riverlands. At Flock Food Truck Park, you'll have the opportunity to meet and get your picture taken with an eagle for free — plus food trucks, a bar, a DJ, live ice carving, beer, face painting, fire pits, s'mores kits, and more will be on site.

The National Great Rivers Museum, which sits along the banks of the Mississippi River, will also be providing family-friendly activities, in addition to educational talks from experts, eagle film showings, crafts, and spotting scopes.

Across the river, the Audubon Center at Riverlands has beautiful live eagles, owls, and other birds of prey on display, plus guided bird hikes, fire pits with s'mores, and eagle crafts. The Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower will also be open for visitors from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. to tour and view the national animal from between 50 and 150 feet in the sky.

Start planning your trip to the Alton Eagle Ice Festival in Alton, Illinois by checking out the Great Rivers & Routes website and Facebook page. And while you're in town, why not make it a quick getaway? Alton is known for its fantastic antique shopping and haunted history, as well as its picturesque natural beauty along the scenic Great River Road. Plus, there are eagle shuttles every Saturday in January and February in both Alton and Grafton, with additional eagle meet-and-greets in Grafton. This beautiful two-story riverfront vacation home sleeps six and sits on bluffs overlooking the Mississippi.