Three-Peat Royalty: Grafton Named "Best STL Day Trip Destination" for the Third Year Running

We came, we saw, and we brought a whole lot of river spirit to the Ritz-Carlton in St. Louis. For the third consecutive year, Grafton, Illinois has officially been crowned Best STL Day Trip Destination in the entire St. Louis region at the 2026 STL Headliner Awards, hosted by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Illuminated marquee letters spell out "STL HEADLINE" at a vibrant event, with pink balloons and star decorations enhancing the festive atmosphere.

A three-peat doesn't happen by accident. It happens because of the energy, grit, and passion packed into every block of our historic river town. To top off the evening, Grafton was awarded the Grand Prize: a $10,000 marketing package from St. Louis Post Media to take our hometown story even further.

Local Roots on the Red Carpet

Representing our town down at the Ritz were four local business owners who pour their hearts into Grafton every day:

• Paula Jameson & Jesse Weller: Paula—Grafton Chamber of Commerce Secretary, owner of Lady Luck Designs and Photography, and the force behind graftonillinois.com and the Enjoy Grafton, IL social channels—officially accepted the $10,000 check on behalf of the Chamber. She was joined by her partner, Jesse Weller, owner of J Weller Removal.

• Jacqi & Nathaniel Kamp: Jacqi, Grafton Chamber Vice President, and her husband Nathaniel own Spring Hollow Hideaway (a collection of boutique vacation rentals) and The Last Resort (a gorgeous vintage refurbished glampground)Surrounded by marquee lights, red carpets, and the finest businesses St. Louis has to offer, it was a unforgettable night of networking and celebrating the people who go the extra mile across the region. In the coming weeks, our team will sit down with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch to build out a custom advertising strategy that puts Grafton front and center across the Midwest.

Grafton, IL Chamber Leaders pose with STL Marketing Award

It Takes a Village (And Two Mighty Rivers)

While four of us stood at the Ritz, this award belongs to the entire community. It’s for every restaurant, every bar, every lodge keeper making visitors feel at home, and every local whose smile welcomes travelers to the bluffs.

In the coming weeks, we’ll be collaborating with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch marketing team to deploy our $10,000 package. Our strategy? Show the region that while Grafton is legendary for afternoon river views and lively nightlife, we are continuously evolving into a premier, year-round destination for families, weekend escapees, and adventure seekers alike. Grafton keeps attracting more families every season. From winter traditions to outdoor adventures, you can easily spend a full day, a weekend, or an entire week exploring everything our riverfront has to offer

Paula Jameson (Grafton Chamber of Commerce secretary), and Jesse Weller hold a giant $10,000 STL Headliner check at a step-and-repeat backdrop.

The Future is Bright on the Bluffs

Going into 2027, Grafton’s momentum is unstoppable. We are seeing an exciting influx of young, visionary entrepreneurs bringing fresh ideas, elevated lodging, dining, and curated experiences to our riverfront.

To borrow a sentiment from one of our favorite Keb' Mo' tunes, there’s room on the porch for everyone. Whether you’re planning a girls’ getaway, a family weekend, or an off-the-grid retreat, our doors are wide open.

Next time you wonder what all the fuss is about along the bluffs, come see for yourself. You don't win three years in a row without having something truly special to offer.

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