AVA, ILLINOIS: Jackson County Tourism

Looking for your next adventure??? LOOK NO FURTHER! I took a daytrip up to Ava back in September and I am obsessed! AND you know when it comes to all things Southern Illinois that Caffeine Until Cocktails will keep you the most UP TO DATE! When Jackson County Tourism reached out to me about promoting Ava I was really like what the heck is even there? and HOW WILL I PROMOTE AVA?!?!? Well I am honestly blown away by how many amazing things are there! Ava is the perfect stopping point when driving to or from St. Louis on a roadtrip. Maybe you are looking for a Sunday day trip around the Southern Ilinois area. This would be the perfect little town for your next Sunday Funday!

We started with lunch Gabby’s on Main and it was a pleasant surprise. It is able to host large groups, has an amazing bar and outdoor patio and the food was 10/10! They had a wide selection of options and ice cold Michelob Ultras!

Twig Floral Designs is premier florist and home decor shop located in the heart of downtown Ava as well!

The Shawnee Country Store according to the Enjoy Illinois website is a quaint little marketplace nestled in the countryside of Southern Illinois. They have an array of deli-style fine cheeses, quality luncheon meats, summer sausages, dry goods, culinary supplies, canned items, homemade items hard-to-find and unusual items and fresh baked bread every Saturday. You can also purchase an array of lawn furniture by local craftsman.

Scratch Brewing Company

Scratch Brewing Company is a microbrewery and farm located in Ava, Illinois! 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.

“Scratch bottles special release offerings and distributes beer to select bars and liquor stores in Illinois and in half a dozen other states. The brewery also supports local artists and artisans, commissioning original ceramics, t-shirts, posters, bottle openers, and other merchandise. In 2017 it opened the Serpent Room, a collaborative project with artist Brett Douglas Hunter, who brought the room to life with his original floor-to-ceiling art and sculptures. The Serpent Room is available to rent for private events and for non-profits; more information is available below.”

Be sure to head over to my instagram page to see my highlight tab all about Scratch Brewing Company!

Brunzeez Cafe is located on the main drag in downtown Ava. Open Monday through Saturday with carry out options available. You can get the local diner feel while taking a visit to Ava.

Outdoor Adventure: Piney Creek Ravine State Natural Area

According to All Trails, this 2.0-mile loop trail is near Campbell Hill, Illinois. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 49 min to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. You'll need to leave pups at home — dogs aren't allowed on this trail. Piney Creek Ravine contains the largest body of prehistoric rock art in Illinois. Almost 200 designs believed to date to the Late Woodland (A.D. 500-1000) and Mississippian (A.D. 1000-1550) periods occur within the ravine. Most are faint, but still legible.

The Piney Creek area sits on 198 acres in Jackson and Randolph County. It makes it the perfect getaway this summer!