Garden and Grotto Walk at Our Lady of the Snows

Walk through gardens and through grottos at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Ill., and in winter, see a huge lighting display.

Overview

The walk covers 2.25 miles along quiet roads and sidewalks, with some hills that add up to 262 feet of elevation gain. It took me about 48 minutes to finish.

The Shrine includes a church, a natural outdoor amphitheater, Stations of the Cross, a Resurrection Garden, a depiction of the Lourdes Grotto, an Annunciation Garden, a waterfall, and a devotional site for Our Lady of Guadalupe.

*Entering Our Lady of the Snows drive-thru lighting display.*

*One of the displays in the Christmas lights*

Way of the Lights

Each Christmas, about 350,000 people visit to see the “Way of the Lights” display.

The event will take place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Nov. 21- Dec. 31 this year. Free event, but donations accepted. Visit the website for all activities and events during the Way of the Lights.

If you walk here in winter, you can see some of the setup, though the lights won’t be on.

History of the Shrine

The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows is a Catholic shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary in Belleville, Illinois, nine miles southeast of St. Louis, Missouri. The Shrine’s director is the Reverend Father Salvador Gonzalez, OMI.

The shrine is in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Belleville, but it is operated by the United States Province of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. The Shrine name refers to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, where legend says snow fell in the summertime. (Wikipedia)

Start of the Walk

I parked in the Visitor Center lot. Inside, you’ll find restrooms, a gift shop, and maps of the grounds. You can also ask for a map if you need one.

After leaving the center, I walked across the lot heading north to Demazenod Drive, then turned left onto the sidewalk going southwest. The King’s House Guesthouse is on the right.

The sign shows directions for the “Way of the Lights,” which is a major attraction during the Christmas holiday season.

Back Area

I kept walking along the road after the sidewalk ended, which led into a forested area. In the distance, the Benedictine Living Community comes into view.

At 0.7 miles, I reached a man-made waterfall flowing over brown stones, with a pine tree above it. Then at .75 miles, I pass by a road on the right.

View of the amphitheater building structure. The amphitheater seating area is visible in the main blog photo. — *View of the amphitheater building structure. The amphitheater seating area can be seen in the main blog photo.*

Shrine Amphitheater Area

At the one-mile mark, I turned left in front of the Shrine Amphitheater.

It is worth stopping to see the murals in the amphitheater’s chapel area.

I continue to the right, heading towards the tall metallic Millennium Spire.

At 1.3, I make a right onto Guild Drive.

Nearby, you can explore the Mother’s Prayer Walk and Father’s Memorial Walk if you want to see more of the area.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Area

Then I make a left onto Shrine Circle, and then I take a moment to stop at the Our Lady of Guadalupe devotional site.

After stopping here, I continue walking along Community Drive, then, at 1.6 miles, I turn left onto Grotto Road to stop at the Lourdes Grotto.

Heading Back

I kept going along this road. At 1.8 miles, I turned right onto Demazenod Drive. If you want a shorter walk, you can turn left here to head back to the visitor parking lot.

Near a flagpole at 1.9 miles, I turned left onto Church Circle Drive and followed it back to the parking lot.

Along the way, you will pass by a playground that has swings, slides, and climbing structures.

Finally, I arrived back at the parking lot.

Final Thoughts

If you want to take a walk along a paved path that includes a waterfall, forested grounds, grottos, and gardens, then this is a nice walk. Be watchful of traffic since you walk along a lightly used road. If you walk here in winter, you can see some of the lighting display setups.

DETAILS

To get there, take Interstate 55/64 into Illinois and follow signs for Interstate 64. Take Interstate 255 south, then Exit 17A. Go east on Illinois Highway, turn right into the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, and follow signs to the Visitor Center parking lot.

Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

Address: 442 S Demazenod Dr, Belleville, IL 62223