Illinois’ Only Alpine Coaster Takes You from Bluff to Riverfront

The only Alpine Mountain coaster in the state of Illinois is located in Grafton. Not Galena, Not Rock Island and nowhere near Chicago.

Grafton, Illinois along the Mississippi River

Alpine mountain coasters are fun single seat coasters that wind through nature along a path usually in more hilly regions. Smoky mountain region of eastern Tennessee and the Southern Missouri Ozarks are a couple prime locations for these coasters. Illinois famously though is mostly flat. But when you get to the river areas, whether the Mississippi or Illinois rivers there are Bluff tops that provide the right topography for these rides. Grafton is one such area in Illinois where the lay of the land is being employed.

Aerie’s Alpine Coaster rolls for almost 4000 feet giving you grand views of the Mississippi river along the way as it glides from bluff top through switchbacks to the riverfront. In addition to the coaster there are also zip-lines, a cable car lift and more.

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In an era where communities are looking for unique things to draw people, a mountain coaster and/or zip line adventures seem like things that could be implemented in areas and cities along bluff tops that are far higher than riverfront areas below.