Heartland's sunset hayride is a favorite among guests who return each year to take the scenic hour ride along the bluffs of the Mississippi River. The ride takes you along a working Elk farm, cattle and horse ranches, and turns around at one of the most scenic views of the Mississippi River valley.

The view of the sunset is one of the most beautiful in the Mid-West! You will see an abundance of wildlife including Whitetail Deer, Wild Turkeys, and all the beauty the country has to offer.

Heartland's backyard bird sanctuary and its 1200 acres of bird habitat make it one of the best locations for Illinois birdwatching and to view many different species of birds. The backyard sanctuary has regular visitors including Cardinals, Goldfinches, Purple Finches, woodpeckers, Bluebirds, Chickadees, and Nuthatches. Heartland's prairie restoration program consists of CRP fields of Big Blue Stem, Little Blue Stem, and Indian Grass. Millet fields are planted for ample food supply. This habitat is ideal for quail, pheasants, turkeys, and other native birds.

Eagle watching is at its peak from mid January thru mid March. The prime eagle watching destinations are only a short drive away! Great dining, wonderful wildlife viewing, and scenic views are all within a days drive from the lodge. A great day trip is driving to Clarksville MO and through the small towns on the Great River Road and National Scenic Byway of highway 79. You can cross the Mississippi River on one of the ferries to the Great River Road in Illinois. Enjoy Grafton IL and travel back to the lodge on the beautiful National Scenic Byway.

Raging Rivers Water Park- Pool and water park for everyone. Featuring: The Shark, SwirlPool, Endless River, The Cascades, Breaker Beach, Runaway Rafts, Tree House Harbor, Itty Bitty Surf City, Only 30 miles from the lodge! A great place for the entire family. (www.ragingrivers.com)

The cooks at Heartland Lodge prepare dinner and breakfast meals made from scratch. Homemade rolls, real mashed potatoes and old-fashioned cobblers are just a few of their specialties. Heartland is known world wide for its presentation and abundance of food at each meal setting. These two wonderful meals are included in your overnight package.

Also included in your overnight package are complimentary sodas, coffee, tea and lemonade and bonfire. Don't forget about the scenic hayride followed by a bonfire with all the fixings. (Marshmallows, gram crackers, and Hershey chocolate). The 1200 acres that surrounds the lodge will give you plenty of room to explore and relax in the outdoors. All of this is included in your package when you stay at Heartland.

Enjoy an entire lodge to yourself. Just book ten rooms in the original lodge or seven rooms in the new lodge and you can have either one to yourself. The lodge is a perfect place to meet with friends, and family. Weddings and business outings are also popular at the lodge.

There are many great day trips that can be started from the Heartland Lodge.

The Great River Road Trip - Spend the day up and down both sides of the Mississippi River. The Great River Road and National Scenic Byway on the Illinois side and the Great River Road and National Scenic Byway on the Missouri side make an outstanding day trip. You will travel through towns like Clarksville MO and Grafton IL. You can cross the Winfield and Golden Eagle ferries or the bridges in Alton IL and Louisiana MO. Attractions: Clarksville Eagle Center, Alton's National Great Rivers Museum, Kampsville's Center for American Archeology, antique stores, craft stores, and much more! (Mid January thru mid March are peak eagle watching times).

In 1998, the federal government evaluated dozens of drives around America in search for candidates for National Scenic Byway designation. After a painstaking process, the Illinois Great River Road from Alton to Kampsville was awarded this rare and honored designation. The drive is stunning, with the towering bluffs on one side and the Mighty Mississippi on the other. You can almost touch the cliff-wall and the water at the same time. (57 miles)

Hannibal, Missouri - Mark Twain - Enjoy a day trip to the historic home town of Mark Twain. Hannibal is only 45 miles from the lodge. Great shopping, excellent dining and wonderful sight seeing is all located in Hannibal. Attractions: Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum, Becky Thatcher Home, Mark Twain Cave, Mississippi Riverboat, Molly Brown Birthplace, antique stores, craft stores, and much more! (www.hanmo.com)

Springfield, Illinois - Enjoy a day trip to the historic home town of Abraham Lincoln. Springfield is only 80 miles from the lodge. Besides all of the historic sights, there is wonderful shopping and excellent dining. Attractions: Lincoln's New Salem, Lincoln Home, Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices, Lincoln Tomb, Vachel Lindsay Home, Route 66 sites and much more!
(www.visit-springfieldillinois.com)

Quincy, Illinois - Enjoy a day trip to the beautiful town of Quincy. Quincy is located only 50 miles from the lodge. This town is full of wonderful shopping and great dining, Make sure you take a drive down Maine street to view the large historic homes. Attractions: Jesus Tree, Governor John Wood Mansion, Villa Kathrine, Quincy Art Center and much more! (www.quincy-cvb.org)

Pike County - The county that the lodge is located in has many local attractions. There are antique shops and great attractions in Pike County. Attractions: Nature House Gallery the "Purple Martin Capital", five local museums, antique shops, craft stores, and scenic drives that will keep you going for hours! (www.pikeil.org)

Other Possible Day Trips

• St Louis, Missouri: Cardinals, Rams, Blues, Fox Theater, Science Center, Six Flags, Arch, Botanical Gardens, shopping and much more! (80 miles)
• Mark Twain Lake: Great fishing, boating, jet skies, swimming, (80 miles)
• Raging Rivers Water Park: Pool and water park for everyone (30 miles - www.ragingrivers.com)
• Historic Nauvoo: Historic architecture, historic crafts, The Joseph Smith Historic Center, Historic Nauvoo sites, Baxter's Village, fine restaurants, gift & antique shops, fudge factory and much more. (95 miles- www.visitnauvoo.org)

Take a step back in history and plan on attending this one room country church on Sunday mornings. Farmer's Ridge Church of Christ was founded in 1856! The building itself was built in 1898! Everyone should experience the one room setting that will take you back in time to the days of our forefathers. Service begins at 10:00am and the church is located only 3 miles from the lodge.

• Paintball
• Volleyball
• Croquet
• Old West Cook Outs (Chuck Wagon)
• Cross country skiing (In season)
• Sled riding
• Mushroom hunting (In season)
• Blackberries (In season)
• Paddle boats