A Day Trip to Grafton

By Deb Sanders

For the past 20 years, my friends in St. Charles and I have made regular visits to our “neighbor across the river.” Spending a beautiful summer day in Grafton, Illinois, is like taking a mini-destination vacation. No matter where you land in this unique river town, you will find opportunities for good conversation and laughter, refreshing beverages and delicious eats, shopping, and time to relax and forget the worries you left on the other side of the Mississippi River. Sometimes, the best part of the day is just enjoying the view—whether it’s recreational boaters and commercial barges navigating the big river, or watching eagles from the top of the bluffs.

At the confluence of two of America’s great rivers, the Mississippi and Illinois, Grafton is known for its resort-quality amenities including scenic river dining, an abundance of guest houses, and outdoor fun. For those of you in North St. Charles who are not regular visitors to Grafton, you don’t yet know what kind of fun you can have when you cross the big river.

Easier done than said (yes, that was on purpose), I invited friends Jeannie, Danielle, and Julie, who had yet to experience Grafton, to take an afternoon off for “research.” I appreciated their wonder, enthusiasm, and willingness to ride the Grafton SkyTour, an open chair lift (enclosed gondola is also an option) to Aerie’s Winery. Unfortunately, it was closed for maintenance that afternoon.

Getting There: The Grafton Ferry

We started with a 15-minute drive north on state Highway 94 to Grafton Ferry Road, which took us past Smartt Field to where the Grafton Ferry docks on the Missouri side of the Mississippi River. It took us another 15 minutes to get across the river to the Illinois side, where the ferry docks near the Grafton Lighthouse. Now owned by the City of Grafton, the ferry provides river crossing services seven days a week, 365 days a year. And yes, we actually had to convince Julie that the ferry was intended to transport cars, not just passengers. Taking the ferry from St. Charles to Grafton saves about 30 minutes travel time. The ferry can accommodate buses and vans, and passengers are allowed to get out of their vehicles during the trek across the river.

First Stop: The Loading Dock

Since The Loading Dock opened, it's been my favorite first stop on any excursion to Grafton. So, that’s where we headed as soon as we got off the ferry. We grabbed a table on the outdoor patio, which provided an excellent view of the river and lighthouse. Best known for their Dock Lemonade and Fish Tacos, their casual menu has something for everyone. Danielle enjoyed the Duck Drink, made with vodka and strawberry lemonade, and served with a floating rubber duck. We shared Dock Salsa with chips, a unique version of salsa that includes pickles and green olives. Thank you to owner Peter Allen for his warm hospitality.

“It was like being transported to one of my favorite vacation spots.” – Jeannie

“We started with an 'island vibe' cocktail at The Loading Dock, just watching the barges go by.” – Danielle

Wine Tasting at Grafton Winery & Brewhaus

Now it was time for wine on the spacious patio at the Grafton Winery & Brewhaus! Founded on a vision of bringing people together, The Grafton Winery embodies the simple joys of exceptional food and wine. We knew we had to sample their award-winning wines, so we ordered a couple of wine flights, choosing a variety of red and white wines. My “research assistants” were amused when the wine flights were delivered in a muffin tin. Our tasting produced great reviews all around and a bit of a small brawl over who would get the souvenir wine glasses. The Grafton Winery is open daily, serving lunch and dinner with music every Saturday and Sunday.

“The Grafton Winery patio was such a cool spot for birdwatching—we saw bald eagles and hawks soaring right above us.” – Danielle

Aerie’s Resort and Winery: The Best View in Town

Next stop: Aerie’s Resort and Winery, maybe the best view of the day. The drive to the top is steep, a bit scary, and—if we’re being honest—made us long for the ease of taking the Grafton SkyTour to get to the top of the bluff. But with Jeannie at the wheel keeping us steady, the white-knuckle drive was well worth the destination. Once you step onto the outdoor patio at Aerie’s Terrace restaurant, the sheer scale of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers meeting below takes your breath away. Between the sweeping views and the wind whipping across the patio, it was an exhilarating spot for a cocktail and snack. We ordered a gorgeous, overflowing charcuterie board and some standout bruschetta, the portions as massive as the view. Hold on to your napkins, ladies!

“The view from the top is spectacular. You can see the bluffs, the river and even farmland and Smartt Field in St. Charles County. Even though the SkyTour was down, it’s such a cool concept that I’m already planning a return trip with my husband to experience the ride!” – Danielle

Shopping and Unique Stays

Our mini-vacation would not be complete without a little shopping. So, we headed back to Main Street and checked out some of the local shops, including Fancy Nancy and Grafton Art Gallery. Of course, we had to stop by Grafton Fudge and Ice Cream. That led us to discover the Crimson Caboose (by Rafton Inn) Airbnb, a truly unique lodging experience within walking distance to restaurants, gift shops, and bars—with amazing views of the Mississippi river directly across the street.

Why Grafton?

Grafton may not be big, but it’s mighty, just like the Mississippi River that flows past it. It offers nearly 20 options for dining and 50 options for lodging, along with shopping, entertainment, and adventures. Best suggestion of the day: stop by the Visitors Center and grab a “go guide,” published by Great Rivers & Routes. For more information, visit riversandroutes.com or graftonillinois.com.

“It was like being transported to one of my favorite vacation spots.” – Jeannie

The Story Behind the Grafton Ferry

There’s so much more I could tell you about Grafton, but I think you ought to see for yourself. I would like to give you some background on the ferry though. I spoke with Brittney Weber, project administrator for the City of Grafton, about how the city came to own the ferry. Previously, the privately owned ferry was operational only on weekends and was closed completely during the winter months. Mayor Mike Morrow thought the community would benefit from running the ferry every day for commuters going to and from St. Charles. Local resident George Anders headed up the taskforce to secure funding from I-DOT to purchase the ferry. Once purchased, the City of Grafton became solely responsible for the day-to-day operations. Weber is confident that commuters and tourists alike will find the benefit in taking the ferry on a regular basis.

There’s so much more to explore in Grafton—plan your own day trip and discover the charm of this riverside gem!