Title: Alton Prison in Alton - Tours and Activities | Expedia.ca [Alton Prison Hotels](https://expedia.ca/Alton-Prison-Hotels.0-l553248621532648634-0.Travel-Guide-Filter-Hotels)[Flights to Alton](https://expedia.ca/Cheap-Flights-To-Alton.d6108.Travel-Guide-Flights)[Alton Prison Car Rentals](https://expedia.ca/Car-Rentals-In-Alton-Prison.d553248621532648634.Car-Rental-Guide)[Alton Vacation Packages](https://expedia.ca/Alton.d6108.Destination-Travel-Guides) # Alton Prison Tours and Activities ![Alton Prison](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621532648634/af07d8e9-e14f-4258-adcf-a1f7f8d13d97.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Alton Prison](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621532648634/029dea2f-d204-4c9e-a6df-c092f398579f.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ## Visit Alton Prison Activities [Alton travel guide](https://expedia.ca/Alton.dx6108) --- --- #### See the remains of a prison which was built over 150 years ago and which housed Confederate prisoners during the Civil War. Alton Prison is a place of great historic significance, having stood witness to many important events over more than 150 years. Most notably, it played an important part in the Civil War. See the remaining sections of wall still standing and visit the nearby Confederate cemetery and war memorial. This is a wonderful spot to get a sense of both local and national history. The structure was built in 1831, making it the oldest prison in Illinois. Stand on this site and imagine the prison as it would have looked when it was first built and its 24 cells were intact. It was initially seen as being advanced in the standard of living it provided for its inmates. Constant solitary confinement was the norm at the time, but this prison blazed a trail toward more humanitarian conditions by allowing its prisoners to interact. However, by 1860 it was shut down due to bad sanitation. When it opened again during the Civil War, it was used to detain Confederate prisoners, with 11,745 prisoners passing through over the course of the war. Given the volume of prisoners, it is perhaps unsurprising that conditions were poor and disease was rife. In 1862, a disastrous smallpox epidemic killed hundreds of the men housed here. Cross the river from the prison’s ruins to find the Confederate memorial that lists the names of those who died in this outbreak. The memorial is located in the green space of the Lincoln Shields Recreation Area on the bank of the river. Drive about 5 minutes north to find the Confederate cemetery, where many of the men listed on the memorial are buried. Here, too, is another memorial, overlooking the neat rows of white gravestones that make this grassy park so somber. Find Alton Prison’s ruins at the intersection of William Street and Broadway in the town of Alton. The ruins are free to visit. The impressive Mississippi River flows by close to the site, making this a scenic place as well as a historic one. ## Plan a trip to see Alton Prison Price found within the past 48 hours. Click for updated prices. ![Comfort Suites Rolla](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/920000/917100/917057/94597014_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) ### Comfort Suites Rolla CA $1,166 per person May 23 - May 30 found 12 hours ago Roundtrip flight included Toronto (YYZ) to St. Louis (STL) 8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews) The breakfast was plenty and satisfactory. The hotel was old, but clean and the rooms were huge, again old but clean Reviewed on Mar 30, 2026 ![Quality Inn Rolla](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/30000/27800/27719/e897edef_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) ### Quality Inn Rolla CA $1,419 per person May 23 - May 30 found 11 hours ago Roundtrip flight included Toronto (YYZ) to St. Louis (STL) 8/10 Very Good! (371 reviews) The room was warm and clean. I mention some things and they were going to fix the problems.Very nice staff member, but the nice warm room was the top of everything. After driving with the cold weather for 7 hours,that room was the best thing anyone could imagine. Thanks to the staff. Reviewed on Feb 24, 2026 ![Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Rolla - U of Missouri S&T by IHG](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/2000000/1500000/1498000/1497924/270d1439_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) ### Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Rolla - U of Missouri S&T by IHG CA $1,341 per person May 23 - May 30 found 12 hours ago Roundtrip flight included Toronto (YYZ) to St. Louis (STL) 8.8/10 Excellent! (904 reviews) We enjoyed out stay here. The rooms were clean and the bed was comfortable. It was close to a restaurant which also had very good food. We will stay here again whenever we return. Reviewed on Mar 23, 2026 ### Popular places to visit ![Lincoln Douglas Square](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248635810300718/f56c5871-f000-476f-a376-f5299b4c0758.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Lincoln Douglas Square Stand in the presence of U.S. history, on the spot where Lincoln and Douglas debated as statesmen two years prior to a presidential race that changed everything. [](https://expedia.ca/Lincoln-Douglas-Square-Alton.d553248635810300718.Vacation-Attraction) ![Riverview Park](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6108/55e89b4e-2554-4fe2-96b8-4001d731235a.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Riverview Park After visiting Riverview Park, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Alton. Visit the shops in this family-friendly area, or simply enjoy its restaurants. [](https://expedia.ca/Riverview-Park-Alton.d911400738257997824.Vacation-Attraction) ![Piasa Park](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6108/2e2d3d29-d01a-4a93-83ed-6c6575da4946.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Piasa Park After visiting Piasa Park, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Alton. Visit the shops in this family-friendly area, or simply enjoy its restaurants. [](https://expedia.ca/Piasa-Park-Alton.d911403586366570496.Vacation-Attraction) #### Jacoby Arts Center Enjoy an outing to Jacoby Arts Center during your stay in Alton. Visit the shops in this family-friendly area, or simply enjoy its restaurants. [](https://expedia.ca/Jacoby-Arts-Center-Alton.d1003030724944596992.Vacation-Attraction) #### Hayner Public Library After visiting Hayner Public Library, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Alton. Visit the shops in this family-friendly area, or simply enjoy its restaurants. [](https://expedia.ca/Hayner-Public-Library-Alton.d911403165478649856.Vacation-Attraction) #### Argosy Casino Why not try your luck with a visit to Argosy Casino during your time in Alton? Visit the shops in this family-friendly area, or simply enjoy its restaurants. [](https://expedia.ca/Argosy-Casino-Alton.d6142454.Vacation-Attraction) --- ## Best Lodging Options Near Alton Prison ## Check availability on hotels close to Alton Prison [Tonight ](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248621532648634&startDate=2026-04-05&endDate=2026-04-06)[Apr 5 - Apr 6](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248621532648634&startDate=2026-04-05&endDate=2026-04-06) [Tomorrow night ](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248621532648634&startDate=2026-04-06&endDate=2026-04-07)[Apr 6 - Apr 7](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248621532648634&startDate=2026-04-06&endDate=2026-04-07) [Next weekend ](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248621532648634&startDate=10%2F04%2F2026&endDate=12%2F04%2F2026)[Apr 10 - Apr 12](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248621532648634&startDate=10%2F04%2F2026&endDate=12%2F04%2F2026) ![Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/10000/4700/4672/a81cbeae_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel 9801 Natural Bridge Road St. Louis MO [](https://expedia.ca/St-Louis-Hotels-Renaissance-St-Louis-Airport-Hotel.h4672.Hotel-Information) ![Hilton St. Louis Airport](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/10000/7800/7743/c57dfbd2_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Hilton St. Louis Airport 10330 Natural Bridge Rd St. Louis MO [](https://expedia.ca/St-Louis-Hotels-Hilton-St-Louis-Airport.h7743.Hotel-Information) ![Motel 6 Hazelwood, MO](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/10000/500/457/e9658959_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Motel 6 Hazelwood, MO 5781 Campus Ct Hazelwood MO [](https://expedia.ca/St-Louis-Hotels-Motel-6-Hazelwood.h457.Hotel-Information) ![Pear Tree Inn St. Louis Airport](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/2000000/1100000/1096600/1096579/fc156cf2_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Pear Tree Inn St. Louis Airport 10810 Pear Tree Ln St. Ann MO [](https://expedia.ca/St-Louis-Hotels-Pear-Tree-Inn-St-Louis-Airport.h1096579.Hotel-Information) ![Drury Inn & Suites St. Louis Airport](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/50000/41500/41474/90e658d1_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Drury Inn & Suites St. Louis Airport 10490 Natural Bridge Rd St. Louis MO [](https://expedia.ca/St-Louis-Hotels-Drury-Inn-Suites-St-Louis-Airport.h41474.Hotel-Information) ![Hilton Garden Inn St. Louis Airport](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/3000000/2420000/2419200/2419121/3c56a394_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Hilton Garden Inn St. Louis Airport 4450 Evans Place St. Louis MO [](https://expedia.ca/St-Louis-Hotels-Hilton-Garden-Inn-St-Louis-Airport.h2419121.Hotel-Information) ![Travelodge by Wyndham St. Louis](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/70000/68000/67904/4aa76c9c_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Travelodge by Wyndham St. Louis 9645 Natural Bridge Rd St. Louis MO [](https://expedia.ca/St-Louis-Hotels-Travelodge-By-Wyndham-St-Louis.h67904.Hotel-Information) ![Wingate by Wyndham St. Louis Airport](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/20000/18200/18172/e043dfbb_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Wingate by Wyndham St. Louis Airport 10820 Pear Tree Lane St. Ann MO [](https://expedia.ca/St-Louis-Hotels-Wingate-By-Wyndham-St-Louis-Airport.h18172.Hotel-Information) ![Hyatt Select St. Louis Airport](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/60000/50700/50618/d9039e24_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Hyatt Select St. Louis Airport 4576 Woodson Road St. Louis MO [](https://expedia.ca/St-Louis-Hotels-Best-Western-Plus-St-Louis-Airport-Hotel.h50618.Hotel-Information) [See all 2,068 properties in Alton Prison](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.Hotels.Package®ionId=553248621532648634) Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. 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