Area Attractions

Shawnee Hills Wine Trail

Mandolin Grove is in the heart of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. With more than 10 wineries nearby, guests can enjoy award-winning wines along a 35-mile scenic drive, from highway 127 and highway 51 in the Shawnee National Forest.

• Alto Vineyards
• Blue Sky Vineyards
• Feather Hills
• Fork & Vine
• Hedman Vineyard
• Hickory Ridge Vineyard
• Honker Hill Winery
• Kite Hill Vineyards
• Lincoln Heritage Winery
• Owl Creek Vineyard – Winery & Cidery
• Pomona Winery
• StarView Vineyards
• Von Jakob Winery & Brewery
• Walker’s Bluff

Scratch Brewing Company

Located in Ava, Illinois — between St. Louis and Mandolin Grove — is Scratch Brewing Company, one of the most charming and unique microbrewery in not just Southern Illinois, but the entire Midwest region. Scratch Brewing Company is a farmhouse brewery located five miles from the Shawnee National Forest. Named one of the top four breweries for foraged beer by Outside Magazine, and one of the most beautiful places to drink beer in the world by All About Beer Magazine, Scratch Brewing Company focuses on farmhouse beers and other styles brewed with home grown and locally farmed and foraged ingredients. The brewery has an ever rotating selection of styles enhanced by the innovative addition of local ingredients, such as nettle, elderberry, ginger, dandelion, maple sap, hickory, lavender, juniper, and chanterelle mushrooms.

Shawnee National Forest

Mandolin Grove is centered in The Shawnee National Forest. Lying between the Mississippi and Ohio rivers in Southern Illinois, The Shawnee spans woodlands, hills, and lakes with plentiful wildlife including bald eagles. From Giant City State Park to The Garden of the Gods, the area is perfect for hiking, rock climbing, horse-back riding, biking, canoeing/kayaking, and fishing. Trails include the long River to River Trail the Little Grand Canyon Trail, and the Rim Rock National Recreation Trail. Jackson Falls has steep bluffs and a waterfall, and Crab Orchard Lake, Devils Kitchen Lake, and Little Grassy Lake are surrounded by cliffs and forests.

Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour and Zip Lines

Just a short drive from the cottage in Makanda, Illinois is Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour. Illinois’ first entirely tree-based, eco-friendly zip line canopy tour, the attraction features eight zip lines winding through the Shawnee’s bluffs and valleys — the longest stretching more than 1,100 feet.

Orchards and Farm Tours

• Flamm Orchards
• Mileur Orchard & Bakery
• Echo Valley Orchards
• Rendleman Orchards
• Lipe Orchards
• All Seasons Farm

Restaurants/Shopping

Restaurants, shopping, and antiquing are within close proximity to Mandolin Grove in the neighboring towns of Anna, Cobden, Makanda, Alto Pass, and Carbondale.