Alton is a scenic Mississippi River town known for its dramatic limestone bluffs, walkable historic downtown, thriving arts scene, riverfront trails and kayak access — a compact, affordable base that’s pleasant for multi‑week stays and offers cozy cafés, breweries and frequent community events to keep downtime interesting.
If you want bigger options nearby, St. Louis is about 25 miles south for museums, pro sports, dining and an international airport, and nearby Belleville/Edwardsville offer extra shopping and dining within a short drive.