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Day 3
Towering rock formations gave Giant City State Park its name, and a 45-minute moderate hike winds through them. Stop at the visitors center in Makanda for trail maps and to catch a 20-minute film about the park’s history and ecology. (618) 457-4836; dnr.illinois.gov
A hike means you won’t feel so guilty when you indulge in a flaky apple dumpling from Flamm Orchards in Cobden. (618) 893-4241; flammorchards.com
As you head home, stop for lunch at the 17th Street BBQ in Murphysboro. The barbecued meats and baked beans are legendary, and the decadent banana pudding is served in a Mason jar. (618) 684-3722; eat17bbq.com
In Carbondale, the General Store at Walker's Bluff offers great shopping, with kitchen items and gifts. (618) 985-8463; walkersbluff.com
(A version of this story appeared in Midwest Living® September/October 2012.)
