From my yelp hub of St. Louis to home, you go over the bloodcurdling bridge, past the terrifying…read moretower of trash, left at the horrible hill, and north until you enter the heart of E'ville. My facetious "directions" are inspired by encounters with people who seem fearful of crossing the Mississippi, like the medieval cartographer who wrote on the edge of his map: "Beyond here, there be dragons."
In response to this fear, I like to remind people that Edwardsville functions as a "suburb," using the second definition in Webster's Dictionary: "A smaller community ... within commuting distance of a city." I know many residents who commute to downtown for work, and some as far as west county. They'll tell you that the drive to downtown is easier than from places like Wildwood, St. Charles, or Lake St. Louis: commuting time is generally shorter, and morning into St. Louis and evening out, you have the sun at your back rather than in your face.
There are at least six ways to approach E'ville, but, if you're coming from St. Louis, three make the most sense. If you happen to be looking for something on the east side of town, you could take I-55 to exit 23, then travel the new Governors' Parkway west. This is the way most people approach if they're coming from northern Illinois, or from eastern outlying areas to shop in grocery stores or strip malls. If you want a peaceful approach that takes you by the northern outskirts of SIUE, and through the historic St. Louis Street residential area, you could travel I-255 north to New Poag Road, then go east. Perhaps the best all-purpose route, not too busy, but takes you by or near restaurants, schools, and shopping, is to travel I-270 to exit #9, then left over the bridge, then veer right on Illinois 157 and northeast up the long hill on the bluff. You'll travel five or six miles through several traffic lights, and end up at the "T" intersection for St. Louis Street, where you'll turn right to find downtown. My LEAST favorite approach is I-270 to exit #12, which takes you north along Illinois 159, Troy Road, sort of the Manchester Road of our area.
I've lived in Edwardsville very nearly ten years. It's the seat of Madison County, with a long history (third oldest city in Illinois). The establishment fifty years ago of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville slowly changed the flavor of the community, in many positive ways, I think. I moved here for two reasons: a fine job, and excellent public schools for my children. The bike trails are as good as any you'll find in the metro area. The shopping and dining options get better every year. I don't work for the city or the chamber of commerce, but I want to encourage you to try it sometime. It may be E'ville, but it's really not so scary.