HyperLocal News for Fairview Heights, Illinois

Cahokia Mounds: History, mystery of an ancient cityA great city rose outside of St. Louis 1,000 years ago — and was mysteriously abandoned by its native American inhabitants before Christopher Columbus reached the New World. Today, you can walk their grounds, see their artifacts and climb the mighty mound of their chief at Cahokia Mounds State Park.

Citygarden: Play, art, nature meet in St. LouisYou can beat the heat, enjoy world-class sculpture or just take the kids out for a fun afternoon at St. Louis’ urban oasis, Citygarden.

Busch Stadium tours never strike outSpending the afternoon at Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals, is great fun. But a tour of the facility provides a great look at the proud history of the National League baseball team and at the behind-the-scenes dynamics of running the ballpark.

Tour St. Louis! Trolleys: Making touring terrific funFor a look at the Gateway City like no other, why not try touring by trolley? Thanks to Tour St. Louis!, you can!

Scott Joplin House celebrates his years in St. LouisMusic enthusiasts, rejoice! At the Scott Joplin State Historic Site, you can learn more about the legendary King of Ragtime and child musical progidy and even tickle the ivories of a player piano.

Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis: great art, tiny priceView the best in cutting-edge modern art at the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis for a tiny, tiny price: $5 or less! On Wednesday and Saturday, admission is free!

Grant National Site shows different side of future prezUlysses S. Grant is best known as the victorious Union general of the U.S. Civil War and as the 18th president of the United States. But before Grant became president, before he became a general, he was a farmer eking out a living on his wife’s family farm near St. Louis, Mo. Learn more about that part of Grant’s life at the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site.

St. Louis Zoo: among top U.S. zoos - and it's free!With 5,000 animals from 800 species, the St. Louis Zoo has an endless supply of wonders for animal lovers of all ages. And, amazingly, for the most part, it's all free!

Abraham Lincoln's HomeAt Home With President Abraham Lincoln: A History Lesson in Springfield.

Fox Theatre delights with Broadway shows, concertsThe Fox Theatre continues more than 80 years of entertaining St. Louis audiences. The one-time movie palace now presents Broadway shows and concerts.

Blueberry Hill: Chuck Berry’s just the beginningAdmittedly, Blueberry Hill is best known as the venue where, monthly, rock ’n roll legend Chuck Berry plays a sold-out concert. But the bar/restaurant that began the revitalization of St. Louis’ The Loop is a lot more than the house that Chuck built.

Make reservations for Anthony Bourdain’s show at the Fox TheatreChef and writer Anthony Bourdain, author of Kitchen Confidential, brings comes to the Fox Theatre in downtown St. Louis in No Reservations: An Evening with Anthony Bourdain on Oct. 1.

DinoQuest: A Tropical Trek Through Time: A roaring good time!Travel back 65 million years with DinoQuest: A Tropical Trek Through Time, an exhibit at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis that runs through Oct. 3.

Shrek The Musical comes to Fox Theatre Sept. 11-26You’ve been green with envy over your friends who have been able to catch Shrek The Musical, the new hit Broadway musical, in New York City. Now you have the chance to enjoy the new musical adaptation of the Academy Award-winning movie about an ogre who lives happily ever after right in St. Louis! Shrek The Musical plays at the Fox Theatre in downtown St. Louis from Sept. 11–26.

Brothers Bar and GrillUnder an umbrella on the patio of Brothers Bar and Grill just might be one of the best outdoor places in the area to enjoy lunch, dinner, or drinks. The views of downtown Cincinnati and the Ohio River are spectacular.

Highway 61 Roadhouse: Following the Blues Highway to food, funLooking for great music? Hungry for an eclectic menu of fine eats? Highway 61 Roadhouse and Kitchen in Webster Groves provides both, never stinting on quality with either.

Blueberry Hill: This rock ’n roll eatery’s quite a thrillBeginning its fifth decade, Blueberry Hill, the landmark restaurant in St. Louis’ famed Loop provides just as great a thrill as ever. The signature hamburgers and gazpacho soup will keep diners coming back for more.

Casa Gallardo: Your tongue will shout ‘olé!’Forget run-of-the-mill tacos and boring burritos. At Casa Gallardo Mexican Restaurant, you can dive into aromatic shrimp dishes, house-made tortilla soups and a chunky guacamole prepared right at your table — food that’s sure to get your mouth watering as soon as you step inside.

Fountain on Locust: eclectic eats in a retro eateryIn addition to fine eats, ice cream and chocolates, the Fountain on Locust serves up retro cocktails in an Art Deco interior to match. Be sure to revel in one of the Fountain's signature ice cream martinis.

Feasting Fox: fine German cuisine in historic ambianceThe Feasting Fox Restaurant & Pub played a key part in St. Louis' history and that of Anheuser Busch. But today's visitors come for the great German food, extensive selection of German beer and wines and lively entertainment.