Title: Alton Prison in Alton - Tours and Activities | Expedia.ca

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# Alton Prison Tours and Activities

![Alton which includes heritage elements](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621532648634/af07d8e9-e14f-4258-adcf-a1f7f8d13d97.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)

![Alton which includes heritage elements](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621532648634/af07d8e9-e14f-4258-adcf-a1f7f8d13d97.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)

![Alton showing signage](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)

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#### 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.

![Hotel Indigo St Louis - Central West End by IHG](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/30000/22100/22068/bd89b9ce_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)

### Hotel Indigo St Louis - Central West End by IHG

Central West End

CA $1,076

per person

Mar 26 - Mar 31

found 2 hours ago

Roundtrip non-stop flight included

Regina (YQR) to St. Louis (STL)

8.2/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)

Just a really cool place. One of the cleanest hotels I've stayed in i St Louis. Everyone was really friendly.

Reviewed on Feb 6, 2026

![The Wildwood Hotel](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/2000000/1770000/1768200/1768149/800a6847_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)

### The Wildwood Hotel

CA $1,196

per person

Mar 26 - Mar 31

found 2 hours ago

Roundtrip non-stop flight included

Regina (YQR) to St. Louis (STL)

9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,600 reviews)

Great room and friendly staff in a nice area. Will come again.

Reviewed on Feb 11, 2026

![The Westin St. Louis](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/470000/460400/460354/a27d8a03_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)

### The Westin St. Louis

Downtown St. Louis

CA $1,875

per person

Mar 26 - Mar 31

found 2 hours ago

Roundtrip non-stop flight included

Regina (YQR) to St. Louis (STL)

8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)

Dirty towels and rude front desk staff member One of the lights in the room was broken. Shower head was also dirty. Overall could’ve been better

Reviewed on Feb 12, 2026

### Popular places to visit

![Alton which includes a statue or sculpture](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)

![Sunset over the mighty Mississippi from Riverview Park in Alton, Illinois.

Added bonus - At the park's gazebo, sunset was accompanied by a band was playing Star Wars and other sci-fi and superhero theme songs.](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)

![A modern depiction of a mythical Native American dragon on a limestone bluff in Alton, Illinois.](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)

#### 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)

#### Alton Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau

Alton Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau is just one of the places to see in Alton, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Visit the shops in this family-friendly area, or simply enjoy its restaurants. 

[](https://expedia.ca/Alton-Regional-Convention-Visitors-Bureau-Alton.d553248635936842989.Vacation-Attraction)

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## Best Lodging Options Near Alton Prison

## Check availability on hotels close to Alton Prison

[Tonight

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[Tomorrow night

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[This weekend

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Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel

9801 Natural Bridge Road St. Louis MO

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10330 Natural Bridge Rd St. Louis MO

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Motel 6 Hazelwood, MO

5781 Campus Ct Hazelwood MO

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4450 Evans Place St. Louis MO

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Travelodge by Wyndham St. Louis

9645 Natural Bridge Rd St. Louis MO

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St. Louis Airport Hotel

9600 Natural Bridge Road St. Louis MO

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Drury Inn & Suites St. Louis Airport

10490 Natural Bridge Rd St. Louis MO

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Hampton Inn By Hilton St Louis Airport

10350 Natural Bridge Rd St. Louis MO

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[See all 2,028 properties in Alton Prison](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.Hotels.Package&regionId=553248621532648634)

Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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