Cahokia is located in the state of Illinois and has a lot of culture to offer as well as great sights and interesting destinations. So if you’re planning a trip to Cahokia, you’ve come to the right place!
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Vacation in Cahokia
Technically speaking, Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, located just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri, is not a city. However, it is the site of the largest preColumbian city north of Mexico and a popular tourist destination, so we will allow it. With that said, here are some vacation possibilities in and around Cahokia Mounds.
Archaeology and History Lovers
Cahokia Mounds is obviously the big draw for those who love archaeology and history. The site contains the remains of the most sophisticated preColumbian civilization north of Mexico. The city was at its height between 1050 and 1200 CE, with a population estimated between 10,000 and 20,000 people. That made it larger than London or Paris at the time. Visitors can see the remains of the enormous central plaza, theMississippi River frontage, and the many mounds that gave the site its name.
There is a excellent visitor center with exhibits on the history and archaeology of the site, and knowledgeable staff to answer questions. Guided tours are available, or you can explore the site on your own. Be sure to take the short hike to the top of Monk’s Mound, the largest of the mounds, for an impressive view of the site.
If You’re a Nature Lover
Just because Cahokia Mounds is an urban archaeological site does not mean that there is not nature to be found. The site includes 108 acres of wooded areas full of native plants and animals. There are also two miles of trails that wind through the woods and along the Mississippi River. The views from the bluffs overlooking the river are spectacular.
If you want to get away from Cahokia Mounds itself, the nearby Horseshoe Lake State Park is a great option. The 2,000acre park features trails, fishing, picnicking, and canoe and kayak rentals. For something really different, take a short drive to Pere Marquette State Park in Illinois and go for a ride on the park’s 13mile long bike trail. The trail takes you through the woods and past several lakes a perfect way to spend a summer day.
Nightlife and Entertainment
If you are looking for nightlife and entertainment, you will have to leave Cahokia Mounds behind and head into St. Louis. The city has a vibrant nightlife scene, with something to suit every taste. You can catch a live show at one of the many music venues, dance the night away at a club, or relax with a drink at a quiet bar. There are also a number of casinos if you are feeling lucky.
Of course, St. Louis is not all about nightlife. The city has a host of other attractions, including the famous Gateway Arch, the St. Louis Zoo, and the Missouri Botanical Gardens. Sports fans can catch a baseball game at Busch Stadium (go Cardinals!), or a hockey game at Enterprise Center.
Where to Stay
There are a number of hotels and motels in the Cahokia Mounds area, as well as bed and breakfasts and RV parks. If you want to stay in St. Louis, there are even more options, from luxury hotels to budgetfriendly hostels. Where you stay will depend on your budget and preferences.
Cahokia Mounds is a great place to visit whether you are interested in history, nature, nightlife, or just want to get away from it all. There is something for everyone in this peaceful corner of the United States.
Sights in Cahokia
Cahokia is a city located in the American Bottom floodplain near the confluence of the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois rivers in St. Clair County, Illinois, United States. It is part of Greater St. Louis metropolitan area. The city had a peak population of 40,000–60,000 in the 12th13th centuries, making it the largest city in the United States until the 1800s.
The city is home to the Cahokia Mounds, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest and bestpreserved prehistoric site in the United States. The site includes 120 earthen mounds, including Monk’s Mound, the largest at 100 feet (30 m) high and 1,050 feet (320 m) long, which contains an estimated million cubic yards of earth.
The city was founded around 600 CE by the Missouria tribe. It was abandoned around 1400 CE, likely due to the Missouria migrating west to escape encroachment by the Iroquois. The site was rediscovered in the late 1600s by French explorers, who named it after the tribe. The location has been excavated since the early 1800s, and some of the mounds have been restored.
The city is one of the most significant archaeological sites in the United States and is open to the public for tours and as a living history museum. It is also the home of the Cahokia World Heritage Site Visitor Center, which features exhibits on the history and culture of the city.
History of Cahokia
Cahokia, located in presentday southern Illinois, was the largest and most influential city in the Mississippian culture which developed in the Midwestern, Eastern, and Southeastern United States from 700–1500 CE. Cahokia was a major political and religious center, home to a large number of earthen mounds, a complex network of plazas and courtyards, and a central pit house/dwelling which has been reconstructed.
It is believed that Cahokia was founded by the Mississippian people in the 10th century CE. The city flourished for centuries and reached its peak between 12001300 CE when it is estimated to have had a population of 20,00030,000 people. The city was so large that it rivaled and eventually surpassed cities such as London and Paris in size.
Today, Cahokia is known for its many earthen mounds which were used for a variety of purposes, including as residences for the elite, as burial sites, and as platforms for temples and other public buildings. The most famous of these mounds is Monk’s Mound, the largest earthen structure in North America, which covers 14 acres and rises 100 feet high.
Cahokia was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1964 and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982. It is one of the most extensively studied archaeological sites in the country and provides valuable insights into the lives of the Mississippian people.
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