Tour the Wineries of Southernmost Illinois

Tour the six wineries/vineyards that comprise the popular Shawnee Hills Wine Trail , all located within 15 minutes of Hidden Lake, or broaden your wine tasting to include some of the new "off-trail" wineries as well.  There are now 10 wineries in Southernmost Illinois.  Enjoy a specially prepared picnic and sip some of Southern Illinois' finest. Check our calendar of events for special winery celebrations.

Canoe the Cache River Wetlands

This slow moving body of water offers breathtaking views of the Southern Illinois wetlands. See the swamps used in filming of the movies "US Marshall" and "The Fugitive" and view the oldest Cypress tree this side of the Mississippi - over 1000 years old. Catch a peek at the blue heron which frequent the area. And best of all no bugs (really!) and it's a leisurely, non-arduous trip along a state-marked trail! Let us know that you're interested and we'll reserve a spot for you on a guided canoe trip through Peddles and Paddles ($20/person or a private trip for $110) or bring your own canoe!

Try Some Rock Climbing

I highly recommend this adventure for those with any interest in rock climbing!  The hills and bluffs of Southern Illinois offer great rock climbing experiences for the beginner to the experienced. As a beginner, try Vertical Heartland Climbing School (www.verticalheartland.com).  They will provide the equipment and have you climbing within the hour.  Lessons for those wanting more than just a taste of rock climbing as well as rock climbing expeditions are also available. Take along a backpack lunch from Hidden Lake, then return here for a long, relaxing soak in one our Jacuzzis!

Hike the Little Grand Canyon

Considered one of Southern Illinois' most beautiful hiking trails, come hike a winding, hilly trail complete with waterfall! A great stop before visiting the wineries.

Birding

Hidden Lake is a great place to catch site of a variety of birds.  As you enjoy breakfast in the Sunroom at Hidden Lake you're likely to see Hairy, Downy, Red Bellied and Red Headed Woodpeckers; Indigo Buntings; Cardinals; American Gold Finches; Black-capped Chickadees;  Tit-mice; Blue Jays; Flickers; and a variety of wrens.  Elsewhere at Hidden Lake, you may catch sight of a Great Blue Heron feeding at the lake, a pair of Green Heron, a pair (or more) of Pileated Woodpeckers, Bluebirds, Swallows, Purple Martins, Red-Tailed Hawks, and Merlin Falcons.  Eagles are abundant for sighting in January along the Mississippi and May is the month for the spring bird migration in Southern Illinois.  You bring the binoculars and we'll supply a new birding map which allows you track birds throughout Southern Illinois. Join us and maybe add new bird (or two?) to your birding life list!

Visit Giant City State Park

Hike, horseback ride or leisurely drive through the beauty that is Giant City State Park. You'll be in awe of the breathtaking bluffs that make up so much of the park landscape. Stop in at the new Visitor's Center or try the all-you-can-eat fried chicken dinner at the lodge!

See The Pamona Natural Bridge

Carved by flowing waters over hundreds of years, the Pomona Natural Bridge is well worth the short walk (1/2 mile round trip) from the parking area. The peace and beauty of the area offers a surreal view of Southern Illinois' natural wonders.

Explore Area Antique Shops

There are numerous antique shops in the area including one in an antique barn and another in an old school house. Or try the little store front shops within 5 miles of Hidden Lake for a bargain.

Attend Our Antique Auction

Held on the last weekend of each month, check out the latest antique auction at Martin's in Anna. We'll have the auction and viewing information available for you when you check in.

Horseback Riding

Enjoy a leisurely one or two hour ride through Giant City State Forest with the folks from Giant City Stables or enjoy a two hour to full day expedition through the Southern Illinois' orchards and the Shawnee National Forest with Wendy from Honeybee Stables ($30/person/hour,2 hour minimum). Be sure to take along a saddlebag lunch to enjoy along the way or once you're through!

Area Restaurants

There are many nice restaurants from which to choose when visiting Southernmost Illinois, both casual and what we would term “fine dining”, several within five minutes of Hidden Lake Bed and Breakfast. Listed below are those we most often recommend. All are non-smoking.  And all, we believe provide, at a minimum, a good meal and polite, friendly service.

Fine Dining Options

Let us make reservations for you at any of the following:

Bogey's at Stone Creek, 20 minute drive, 618-457-5455. Open: Tuesday-Sunday. Located in the clubhouse at Stone Creek Gold Course, Kirkpatrick's offers fine dining overlooking beautiful golf course views.

Celebrations, Cape Girardeau, MO, 30 minute drive, 573-334-8330, Open: Tuesday-Saturday. Celebrations combines a casually elegant atmosphere with excellent service, an extensive menu, and an enviable wine list. They have a beautiful courtyard area open in the warmer months for dining and live music most weekends.

Mollie's Cafe, Cape Girardeau, MO, 30 minute drive, 573-339-1661, Open: Tuesday-Saturday. Mollies is located in an old store front on historic Spanish Street near the river. It is small but quite special with great service, an optional outside eating area, and a wonderful menu. Probably our favorite!

Ask about Hidden Lake’s Dinner Package at Mollie's Cafe!

Mary's, Herrin, IL, 45 minute drive, 618-942-2742, Open: Tuesday-Saturday. Mary's is located in a lovely old peach-colored Victorian home. Like Celebrations, they have never advertised except by word of mouth. A bit more formal than the other fine dining restaurants, Mary's offers a lovely experience.

Casual Dining

Within 5 miles...

In addition to a host of fast food restaurants - Subway, KFC, Taco Bell, Mc Donald's, Hardy's, Dairy Queen, Sonic, and Burger King - the following local restaurants are within minutes of Hidden Lake.

The Country Cupboard, open for lunch, Tuesday through Saturday,11 am to 2 pm and Friday's for dinner from 4-8 pm.  Originally an 1880’s potato barn, this building was also once the “Wal-Mart” of the area (until the real thing came to town!) and then an upscale country clothing store. When the owners retired in 2001, local owners opened this wonderful country restaurant with a great little gift shop! Gift shop open from 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesday through Saturday.

Dixie Barbecue, a favorite of former Governor Jim Edgar! Open for lunch and dinner, Monday through Saturday, serving up Southern style barbecue, within walking distance of Hidden Lake.

Cerro de la Silla, open for lunch and dinner, a very small, family-owned authentic Mexican restaurant within walking distance of Hidden Lake, on the Jonesboro Square.

The Depot, good food, friendly people, casual environment and some very interesting historic pictures of Anna and Jonesboro hanging on the walls!  Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday.  My recommendation?  Try their thick cut pork chops!

Pizza Hut, newly renovated and expanded, eat in or call for delivery!

EL Jalapeño, open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, a great Mexican restaurant with an extensive menu - although I never seem to get beyond the chicken fajitas! – and I understand that they serve up a great margarita!

Willing to take a bit longer ride?

The Peach Barn Café, Alto Pass, IL, approximately 10 miles northwest, a lovely couple from Sweden serves up lunch and dinner in an old peach barn seven days a week. And while you're there, taste some of their wines ... one of the newest wineries to join the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail!

The Root Beer Saloon, Alto Pass, IL, approximately 10 miles north, just off the Shawnee Hill Wine Trail, serves up lunch in a place that reminds one of Alaska with a pot belly stove, root beer and cream soda on draft, a hundred different kinds of tea, coffee, and spices and an interesting menu!

Giant City Lodge, Makanda, IL, approximately 20 minutes northeast, located in Giant City State Park, open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, noted for their all-you-can-eat family style fried chicken but offering a wide variety of entrees. The Lodge itself is worth checking out. Built by the CCC during the depression it’s architecture is that of large rough hewn beams and stone.

None of these choices interest you or you’re thinking that you‘d like to check out one of the bigger towns?

Carbondale, Marion and Cape Girardeau (each approximately 30 minutes away) offer a multitude of restaurant options such as Lone Star, Outback Steak House, Red Lobster, Cracker Barrel, Applebee's and more. Cape Girardeau also has a very nice Italian restaurant called Belle Italia if you find yourself craving some great pasta. They’re open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Our favorite place in Marion is Honeybakers with truly great desserts – 7 or 8 kinds of pie and equal number of cakes from which to select – as well as terrific rolls to enjoy with your meal. And I highly recommend their Louisiana sweet potato as a part of dinner!

Bon Appetite!

Hidden Lake Bed & Breakfast
Mary Jo and John Smith
Owners/Innkeepers

433 Cook Avenue
Jonesboro, IL 62952
(618) 833-5252

www.hiddenlakebb.com
info@hiddenlakebb.com