Dating in Carbondale
In shortCarbondale is a college town in southern Illinois, close to the Shawnee National Forest. The hills, forest and wineries nearby give you more date ideas than you might expect. Weekends outdoors are a big part of life here.
A first date idea
Shawnee Hills Wine Trail
The Shawnee Hills Wine Trail is a signed route of about 40 miles linking 11 wineries, most of them around Alto Pass, with one near Cobden. It started in 1995 as the first wine trail in Illinois. Pick two or three wineries and agree on a driver.
Source: Shawnee Hills Wine Trail: About, checked 8 November 2026
Spend a slow afternoon on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail.
For more ideas, read in-state weekend getaways or dating outside Chicago.
