About Tara Point Inn & Cottages
Tara Point Inn & Cottages stands on a bluff above Grafton, where the Illinois River flows into the Mississippi, along the Great River Road north of St. Louis. Guests have been coming back since 1991. It once ran as a bed and breakfast and now offers lodging only: rooms in the main inn, including the Riverside rooms and the Delta Queen Suite, and eight cottage suites. Every unit has a private bedroom with a king bed and a private bath.
The setting is the reason to book. The inn has a wraparound deck and each cottage a private porch, both facing out over the river valley, and guests use them for watching wildlife; staff photographed a bobcat by the office in late October 2025. As posted in October 2026, inn rooms run $215 Sunday through Thursday and $235 on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays, and cottage suites $225 and $245, plus tax. From December 1 to April 30, a Sunday-to-Wednesday night booking earns the next night free.
Grafton's shops, restaurants, wineries, ziplining and eagle watching are a short drive down the hill. The driveway is steep, so the inn suggests driving down and parking at the bottom before walking around town. The inn is about 40 minutes from St. Louis.
Tenderloin Farms Lavender near Edwardsville is about 45 minutes east through Alton, so a June lavender visit fits easily into a river-road weekend based here.
What to do
- Watch the river confluence and wildlife from the inn's wraparound deck or a cottage porch
- Book a winter midweek stay for the free-night offer, December 1–April 30
- Drive down to Grafton for shops, restaurants and wineries
- Go eagle watching along the rivers
- Drive the Great River Road toward Alton
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Open year-round; winter midweek special December 1–April 30
- Hours
- Check-in 3 pm (call if arriving after 5 pm); check-out 11 am
- Admission
- As posted October 2026: inn rooms $215–$235, cottage suites $225–$245 per night plus tax
Good to know
- Dogs
- Not allowed
- Reservations
- Required
- Payment
- Credit card required to book (3.5% card fee; no debit cards); balance by cash, check or card
Tips for your visit
- Children 9 and older are welcome
- Some holiday and event weekends have a two-night minimum
- Cancel at least 7 days ahead to avoid a charge
- Breakfast isn't served; you may only warm breakfast items in your room
Pair it with a lavender farm
Tenderloin Farms Lavender · about 45 minutes away
Tenderloin Farms Lavender is about 45 minutes east near Edwardsville, an easy June day trip from a river-bluff stay here.
Getting there
Questions
Does Tara Point serve breakfast?
No. It was once a bed and breakfast but now offers lodging only.
Are pets allowed at Tara Point?
No, pets are not allowed for overnight stays.
Can children stay?
Yes, children 9 and older are welcome.
What is the check-in time?
3 pm, with check-out at 11 am.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farm of Edwardsville, Illinois, and the Metro East
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
