Day Trip to Centralia Illinois: Small-Town Charm + Historic Eats
Sometimes the best day trips are the ones that surprise you. Just an hour and a half from St. Louis, Centralia, IL offers a little bit of everything: local wine, historic downtown charm, beautiful parks, railroad history, and one unforgettable restaurant with stories dating back more than 170 years.
Whether you’re planning a couple’s getaway, a girls’ day, or simply looking for somewhere new to explore, Centralia makes for an easy and fun escape.
This post is sponsored by Downstate Illinois Tourism.
Start the Day at Crooked Creek Winery
Tucked just outside of town, Crooked Creek Winery is the perfect place to slow down and ease into the day. The winery offers a relaxed atmosphere surrounded by peaceful countryside views, making it a great first stop for sipping local wine and enjoying the slower pace of Southern Illinois. We especially loved the horses and the friendly cat. For food, they have an onsite restaurant called Farmstead 161 and the pizza is amazing!
Crooked Creek Winery outside Centralia is the perfect spot for a glass of Illinois wine and a bite to eat.
Watch the horses while you sip award winning wine.
Explore Downtown
After visiting the winery, head into the heart of downtown Centralia. The town is having a rebirth, with new businesses opening including Colden Brewery and Crooked Creek Downtown which offers wine, beer and cocktail bar vibe. The downtown has that historic charm and this summer they will kick off a free concert series on Saturdays in July.
Espresson martini from Crooked Creek Winery Downtown.
Dinner at the legendary Centralia House
No visit to Centralia is complete without a meal at The Centralia House, and honestly, this alone is worth the drive. Or the train! It’s not a direct trip from St. Louis but many in Illinois take the Amtrak to Centralia for dinner! The Centralia House isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a downtown landmark that has welcomed travelers, locals, and generations of stories since 1854. (And is rumored to have ghosts!)
Born during the railroad era, The Centralia House became a celebrated stop along the Illinois Central line between Chicago and New Orleans. After an extensive renovation, the restaurant re-opened last fall and it’s absolutely gorgeous. Walking through the doors makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
And the food was a show-stopper. The New Orleans-style steakhouse wowed me. Everything from the char grilled oysters to their famous Centralia House shrimp to the bananas foster was truly amazing.
Centralia House dates back to the 1800’s and is still serving up classic New Orleans style food.
More Things to Do in Centralia
I went for just the day but there’s plenty more to explore if you want to turn your day trip into a full weekend getaway.
Fairview Park
This park is a must visit, especially if you bring the kids. Not only does it have a great playground and obstacle course area but the park features two historic military planes plus a historic 2500-class steam engine and a caboose on display in its "Railroad Village".
Centralia Balloon Fest
One of the area’s biggest annual traditions, Balloon Fest has been drawing visitors for more than 30 years with colorful hot air balloons and family-friendly entertainment. It takes place on the third Friday in August.
Locust Street Historic Fair
Each May, portions of Locust Street close for a celebration featuring historic walking tours, artisans, food vendors, antique cars, and historical presentations. Save for next year!
Centralia Carillon at Carillon Park
Standing 165 feet tall, the Centralia Carillon is the seventh-largest bell tower in the world. Visitors can hear the bells during concerts and scheduled performances throughout the week.
Check out the historic train at Fairview Park in Centralia.
Put this Illinois town on your list for a fun roadtrip just outside of St. Louis