Welcome to scenic Southern Illinois, where expansive farmlands give way to green rolling hills dotted with vineyards and wineries. Here you can spend your days exploring the lush Shawnee National Forest, sampling locally made wines, and paying homage to Superman's adopted hometown.

Start the morning with a pontoon boat ride on Carlyle Lake. Then explore nearby Eldon Hazlet State Park, featuring hiking trails and extensive nature programs. Next, roam the 90 acres of the lovely Cedarhurst Center for the Arts in Mt. Vernon. Here you'll find the sprawling Cedarhurst Sculpture Park and Mitchell Museum, showcasing contemporary artworks. Don't miss the Cedarhurst Craft Fair, held annually in September.

Afterwards, sample award-winning wines at GenKota Winery in Mt. Vernon. For lunch, try the down-home barbecue dishes at Triple E Bar-B-Q in Mt. Vernon. Then shop at the Southern Illinois Art & Artisans Center at Rend Lake in Whittington, featuring fine artwork and traditional crafts made by Illinois artists. Take time to peruse the rotating exhibits at the on-site Southern Illinois Art Gallery. Afterwards, head for Pheasant Hollow Winery, situated on the eastern shore of Rend Lake in Whittington. Enjoy a glass of fruit wine on the deck overlooking five acres of rustic woodlands. Pheasant Hollow regularly hosts a murder mystery dinner theater and live musical entertainment. In the evening, enjoy dinner with a sweeping lakeside view at Windows Restaurant, located at Rend Lake Resort in Whittington.

Hop on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, made up of eight Carbondale-area wineries in Jackson and Union counties located along a scenic 25-mile drive through the Shawnee National Forest. Be sure to stop at the award-winning Alto Vineyards, the largest (at 10 acres) and oldest winery in southern Illinois.

Blue Sky Vineyard in Makanda is a Tuscan-themed winery featuring a beautiful mural and a gift shop. StarView Vineyards in Cobden is the newest addition to the Trail. Many of the wineries plan special events in September in honor of Illinois Wine Month. Next, make a trek up to Bald Knob Cross in Alto Pass, a 111-foot steel-and-porcelain white cross. Then head to the Northwest Passage Root Beer Saloon in Alto Pass for micro-brewed draft root beers and gourmet sandwiches in a kitschy atmosphere.

After lunch, make tracks to Giant City State Park in Makanda, named for its sheer sandstone walls that resemble soaring city streets. Artists' shops and galleries populate the charming Makanda Boardwalk, near Giant City State Park. Located in the tiny town of Makanda, the shopping district features an actual boardwalk for strolling and browsing. In the evening, catch a live concert at the Copper Dragon Brewing Company in Carbondale while sampling the club's own house-brewed beers.

Drive along the Ohio River Scenic Route and take in the lush beauty of the Shawnee National Forest. Head for Fort Massac State Park & Museum in Metropolis, which features a replica of the original 1700s fort as it appeared during the French and Indian War. The museum displays items used under the French rule, as well as Native American artifacts.

Then stop for a photo op with the 15-foot-tall Superman Statue in downtown Metropolis, the official adopted "Home of Superman." Across the street is the Superman Superstore, featuring amazing Superman memorabilia, movie props and a gift shop stocked with super souvenirs. The popular Superman Celebration, held every June in Metropolis, features superhero-themed entertainment and celebrity appearances. Have lunch at Cave-in-Rock Restaurant, located within Cave-in-Rock State Park (named for its waterfront cave). The restaurant is known for its homey Southern-style dishes, including fried catfish. Afterwards, discover unusual rock formations (including Camel Rock and the Devil's Smokestack) at the aptly named Garden of the Gods within the Shawnee National Forest, near Harrisburg. Be sure to hike the Observation Trail that leads to a stunning cliff-top panorama.