The Stone Cottage

01/01/2024

Wishing you more in 2024!

31/12/2023

Hi! We see you out there, plotting the next adventure!

30/12/2023

Embrace the chill! Winter hiking offers a unique blend of crisp air, stunning winter landscapes, and a peaceful escape. Boost your mood, build resilience, and enjoy a workout surrounded by nature's winter wonders.

All programs will always meet at the visitor center.

22/12/2023

Can’t get an igloo reservation for your visit? Here’s a great option!

21/12/2023

Welcome back, Winter! ❄️ FWIW, there’s no need for you to come in as strong as you did in 1905. 🥶

Mississippi River frozen solid, St. Louis, February 1905

01/12/2023

Come see for yourself why Grafton makes a great escape from the winter blues!
🏞️ Explore the state's largest park, Pere Marquette, with 8,000 acres of winter wonderland!
🦅 Hit the Great River Road for scenic drives and a chance to spot majestic bald eagles.
🍷 Be sure to refuel at one of the lovely wineries, restaurant, and pubs.

Check out the full scoop in this article!

Discover Illinois' best small towns for a winter getaway. Explore serene state parks, exciting winter sports, and cozy accommodations.

30/11/2023

Come on up to Grafton this weekend! We’ll have Santa, shopping, sipping, sweets. Why not make it an overnight? The Cottage is available Friday and Saturday nights!

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at The Grove Memorial Park from 12pm-2pm with hot chocolate and cookies provided by Jersey State Bank! This Saturday is Santa's Chocolate Stroll, Shop, & Sip with yummy chocolate treats and great photo opportunities all day all over town! 🎀
🍪☕🍪☕
Feel WELCOMED to take your own selfies and pictures with Mr. & Mrs. Claus as well as ALL of the new holiday displays downtown Grafton has this year!
Be sure to SHARE your pictures with our page here or online with

30/11/2023

There are more than 180-years worth of memories at The Stone Cottage, and our goal is for you to come away with wonderful memories of your own. 🎄 🏡 ❤️

airbnb.com/h/graftonstonecottage

29/11/2023

Saturday, Dec. 2nd is Santa's Chocolate Stroll, Shop & Sip throughout town, and the weather is calling for highs in the 50's and dry sky! Come enjoy various chocolate treats and specials at local businesses as you shop all of Grafton's eclectic shops like Fancy Nancy on Main, Grafton Harbor / Winery / Gift Shop / Boat Rental / Riverboat / Oyster Bar , The Wicked Sisters Home & Apothecary Shoppe and so many more!!! See you around town!

27/11/2023

Come enjoy a day strolling Main Street in Grafton!
Santa's Chocolate Stroll, Shop & Sip....
🍫⛄️🍪🥤☕🎁🎀🔔📢
Saturday, December 2nd!
10:30am – 2pm Grafton Chamber of Commerce will be at City Hall with chocolate treats, information & maps. There is ample public parking downtown within walking distance to City Hall.
📸
12pm – 2pm Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at The Grove Memorial Park
with hot chocolate and cookies provided by Jersey State Bank. Take your own selfie with Santa or by the Holiday displays!
🍪
11am – 4pm Indulge in chocolate treats or specials at participating businesses.
*While supplies last, this is a free event and tickets are not being sold this year.

24/11/2023

The Grafton Christmas Tree Lighting is on Friday evening, Nov. 24th 5:30pm at The Grove Memorial Park where we will celebrate the start of the Holiday season. Take a break from the hustle & bustle of Black Friday, grab your hot chocolate (or toddies), and hang out with friends, neighbors or family and view the lights of Grafton.
Get your holiday photos by the lights or stop by the biggest candy cane in town (maybe even on the river), the Grafton Lighthouse, for a unique photoshoot. The new display added this year is a lighted sleigh and reindeer plus the sleigh will be big enough to sit in for photos with family or friends! Brought to you by the Grafton Chamber of Commerce.

21/11/2023

Hi there! Happy from The Stone Cottage!

20/11/2023

There’s something so lovely about winter hiking. (Maybe it’s the lack of snakes, ticks, chiggers, and poison ivy 🤷‍♀️🤣) Check out this FREE guided hiking opportunity at Pere Marquette State Park!

19/11/2023

Here’s just one example of why you need to come do some holiday shopping in Grafton!

17/11/2023

Yet another fun winter activity in Grafton! The list of reasons for you to plan your visit is growing… ❄️ 🎄 ❄️

15/11/2023

Weekly Lineup for Nov. 16th-22nd

14/11/2023

Discover the charm of Grafton in December with its inviting shops, Santa sightings, indulgent chocolates, and the warm Stone Cottage. Secure your stay at airbnb.com/h/graftonstonecottage today!

12/11/2023

WANTED: Group of 4-8 to sit around this fire pit. Must be willing to book a stay at the cozy cottage. Belly laughing required. S’mores optional. Weekdays and weekends available! Apply here ➡️ airbnb.com/h/graftonstonecottage

12/11/2023

Larry the Photographer did it again in this stunning view of Grafton!

Grafton, Illinois at sunset

11/11/2023

Today and every day 🇺🇸

10/11/2023

Airbnb rolled out a new badge this week, and we are honored to be recognized for keeping guests happy!

09/11/2023

Spend a few hours of your winter getaway to Grafton in one of these cozy igloos. They seat 8 people, and just like our cottage, they book up quickly!

Rooftop igloos are back!! Reservations are now live for booking. Reservations will start December 1!!! $60 Monday-Thursday and $100 Friday-Sunday for two hour reservations. The price is per igloo, NOT per guest!!
https://www.thegraftonwinery.com/reservation #/

09/11/2023

07/11/2023

Everyone loves Grafton in the fall, but winter is wonderful, too! We have so many upcoming festivities to get you in the holiday spirit:
12/2 Santas’s Chocolate Stroll, Shop & Sip 🍫
12/9 SantaCon 🎅
12/16 Winter Lights Parade 🎄

Plus, check off that holiday shopping list by visiting our 20+ locally-owned stores. 🎁

Make your plans now for a little holiday getaway! https://www.airbnb.com/h/graftonstonecottage

03/11/2023

The 2023 Grafton Country Music Festival is FREE!! No tickets are needed!

03/11/2023

02/11/2023

Grafton has the most magical sunrises and sunsets this time of year, and we are so thankful for our views!

01/11/2023

We’ve just heard that Santa Con is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 9. Come join the fun as Grafton gets flooded with festivities! 🎄 The Stone Cottage sleeps up to 8 Santas!
🤶 🎅 🧑‍🎄 🤶 🎅 🧑‍🎄 🤶 🎅
👉 https://www.airbnb.com/h/graftonstonecottage

31/10/2023

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28/10/2023

The colors are even lovelier on this gloomy, chilly weekend! 🧡

27/10/2023

LAST CHANCE!!! The Riverside Flea Market final weekend is this Saturday & Sunday, so do not miss your chance to grab a drink or snack at The Loading Dock Bar & Grill and browse all of the eclectic finds the riverbend has to offer!

24/10/2023

Forgive us for even mentioning this before Halloween, BUT… now is the time to plan your holiday getaway to Grafton! We still have some
December dates available for you to cozy up at the cottage!

https://www.airbnb.com/h/graftonstonecottage

18/10/2021

Last chance to stay at The Stone Cottage! Our Oct. 22-24 weekend just became available. This is our final opportunity for guests before we pause reservations. Plus, with our location next to Mason Hollow Park, it’s ideal for a group coming to Witches on the Water! Sleeps up to 11 guests, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, full kitchen and tons of amenities.

Entire home/apt in Grafton, United States. Whether you’re looking for peace and tranquility or excitement and adventure, the charming Stone Cottage is perfect for your group getaway! Located...

02/10/2021

When we made the transition from the former Stone Cottage owner last August, we inadvertently got a double booking as we were honoring all her existing reservations. That single cancellation prevented me from achieving Airbnb Superhost status for over a year, and I’m very proud to say we finally made it!

So, it’s bittersweet to announce that we are not taking reservations for the foreseeable future. We absolutely love hosting and sharing our special home with others, but we’ve had some changing circumstances. It’s either prioritize our family or hosting, and family always comes first.

Thank you to all the delightful guests who have stayed with us, for respecting our home and its incredible history, and for adding to the wonderful memories that have been made here. You’ve allowed me to fulfill a long-held dream, and this isn’t the end of that dream but rather a pause. ❤️

16/07/2021

Mother Nature seems to be handling tonight’s show. Fireworks will resume next Thursday!

Rain, rain go away. But since you aren't planning to, we are cancelling tonight's Light Up the River Road fireworks in Alton and Grafton. See everyone next week!

15/07/2021

A little front porch sitting and watching the Spirit of Peoria this morning. Had to glance at the power lines and pavement to make sure of what year this is!

19/06/2021

“There will never be a perfect time to travel with your children, so do it now, before the opportunity passes you by. You can’t turn back time.” — AJ and Natasha, The 2 Idiots Travel Blog

With a portable crib, baby gate and tot-sized dishes, we make traveling with your littles just a little easier.

10/06/2021

Wow!! Thank you Two Lane Rambler for this wonderful post on our Great River Road, and special thanks for highlighting The Stone Cottage! We’d love for you to visit in person the next time you ramble this way.

During a very sedate Day 1 on the Great River Road journey, you may have...

04/06/2021

“Rivers are places that renew our spirit, connect us with our past, and link us directly with the flow and rhythm of the natural world.”
- Ted Turner

Our front porch offers a peaceful spot for relaxing and river watching.