Major city · United States
Alton
Spend a half‑day to a full day in Alton; one night if you want a B&B stay.
Alton, Illinois sits on the Mississippi River opposite St. Louis. Its river‑front historic sites, wineries, antique shops and a few museums fit comfortably into a single day, with optional overnight at a local B&B.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, limited tours)
- Airport
- STL
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Alton911 ▾
- Police / Fire / Ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Alton, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyAlton is generally safe; typical small‑town caution after dark, especially near the river at night.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police / fire / ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSTL Lambert St.
- Getting aroundWalk the riverfront district; short drives on I‑270/I‑255.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café$2–$4
- Street or quick mealLunch (sandwich or soup)$8–$12
- BeerBeer (draft)$4–$6
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (National Great Rivers Museum)Free
- Budget bedBudget motel, a night, per roomUS$55
- Mid-range bedBudget motel, a night, per roomUS$80
- High-end bedBudget motel, a night, per roomUS$120
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$55 · Mid US$95 · High US$150
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- STL Lambert St. Louis International Airport (≈25 min by car)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Feb
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C) low), wettest May (10 rain days), driest Feb (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Alton: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
7 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
6 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
7 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk the riverfront district; short drives on I‑270/I‑255. Amtrak stops at Alton Regional Multimodal Transportation Center (several trains daily).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
goDoor to door: ≈30 min round trip
Drive north via IL‑3, about 15 min
UNESCO site, extensive visitor center.
St. Louis, MO (downtown)
goDoor to door: ≈45 min total
Amtrak Lincoln Service, 20 min
Cross the river for museums, Gateway Arch.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Beall Mansion B&B
Upscale historic inn on Millionaire’s Row
Comfort Inn
Chain motel near downtown, free breakfast
Super 8 Motel
Budget option, easy highway access
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $50–$80 excl. bed
- Mid
- $80–$130 excl. bed
- High
- $130+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Bed & Breakfast2 × 1 night × US$110 | US$220 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$95 | US$190 |
| Amtrak round‑trip ticket (Lincoln Service)2 × US$45 | US$90 |
| Wine tasting at a Great Rivers Byway winery2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$54 |
| Trip total≈ US$297 per person per day, bed included | US$594 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights, car rentals, and airfare excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | $2–$4 |
| Lunch (sandwich or soup) | $8–$12 |
| Beer (draft) | $4–$6 |
| Amtrak ticket (Lincoln Service, one way) | $15–$30 |
| Museum entry (National Great Rivers Museum) | Free |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Last Amtrak trains leave after 10 pm; plan return earlier.
- Some tours (e.g., haunted Alton) run evenings only; book ahead.
- Winter weather can limit boat rentals.
Emergency numbers
- Police / Fire / Ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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AltonAlton
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance911
Embassy
US consulate in St. Louis (address to be confirmed).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- STL → Alton (taxi, 25 mi): ≈ $55–$70, traffic dependent
- Amtrak Lincoln Service Alton ↔ St. Louis: ≈ $15–$30 one way, schedule dependent
Say or show
- Excuse me — Excuse me / Sorry
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Alton. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, limited tours) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a river‑boat cruise ticket (schedule to be confirmed).
- Include a winery tasting pass (opening hours to be confirmed).
Sources
- officialVisit Alton official site
- secondaryAlton Wikipedia
- secondaryAmtrak Illinois services
- secondaryWikivoyage: Alton (Illinois), revision 5243960 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Alton
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