Day Trips from St. Louis, Missouri

1. Meramec Caverns

• What are Meramec Caverns?
  • Meramec Caverns are Missouri's most famed show cave, originally discovered by European pioneers during the 18th century. Throughout the 19th century, the caverns are believed to have served as an infamous hideout spot for notorious Wild West outlaw Jesse James.
• What attractions are available at Meramec Caverns?
  • Today, they attract more than 150,000 annual visitors throughout the year for guided tours and family-friendly entertainment. Visitors can explore the 4.6-mile cavern system as part of regular tours throughout the year and view sites such as the lovely Theatre Room, Stage Curtain, and Ballroom.
  • The picturesque Hollywood Room also showcases areas that were used during the filming of motion pictures like Deep Impact.
• What family-friendly activities are there above ground?
  • Above ground, family attractions include a zipline adventure trail, a riverboat ride, and a gem mining attraction. Visitors can also eat at the park's Southern-style restaurant or stay overnight at its lovely seasonal motel and campground.

1135 Hwy W, Sullivan, MO 63080, Phone: 573-468-2283

2. Katy Trail State Park

• What is Katy Trail State Park?
  • Katy Trail State Park is one of Missouri's most famed state parks, home to the 240-mile Katy Trail, the nation's longest recreational rail trail.
  • The park and trail are named for the phonetic pronunciation of "KT," short for the former Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, which its trail traverses the former route along the banks of the Missouri River.
  • It was converted into a right-of-way rail trail in 1990 following the National Trails System Act.
• What is the route of Katy Trail?
  • Today, the trail begins at the city of Machens and runs along the route of the Missouri River's northern edge, traversing through sites like Jefferson City, Columbia, and Boonville before terminating at Clinton.
• What activities can visitors do on Katy Trail?
  • Hikers, joggers, and cyclists can use the limestone pug paved trail, which is open to the public year-round between sunrise and sunset.

3. Kirkwood

• What is Kirkwood?
  • Kirkwood is a lovely suburb of St. Louis, originally founded in 1853 and named in honor of Pacific Railroad builder James P. Kirkwood. The city, which is easily accessible from downtown St. Louis via commuter passenger train, is home to a wide variety of historic homes within its National Register of Historic Places-listed downtown district, including lovely Victorian, Italianate villa, and Tudor-style homes dating back to the mid-19th century.
• What attractions can visitors find in Kirkwood?
  • More than 100 specialty stores and restaurants line the city's downtown district.
• What events are held annually in Kirkwood?
  • Annual special events include a summer Peach Festival and a Route 66 Cars and Guitars Festival.

4. The Great River Road

• What is the Great River Road?
  • The Great River Road is a unique collection of regional roads that collectively follow along the route of the majestic Mississippi River, spanning 10 states headed south from Minnesota to the river's terminus at Louisiana.
• What historic attractions can be found along the Great River Road in Missouri?
  • The unique route is home to some of the most renowned historic attractions in the state of Missouri, including the beautiful Mark Twain Cave Complex, which preserves cave sites that were featured in a number of the author's famed novels.
• What natural and archaeological sites can visitors explore along the Great River Road?
  • Visitors can explore natural sites like Mastodon State Historic Site, which showcases archaeological sites connected to the Paleoindian Clovis culture.
• What historical buildings are part of the Great River Road attractions?
  • Visitors can also tour the 1792 National Historic Landmark Bolduc House Museum, which is open as a living history museum.
• What other attractions are located along the Great River Road in Missouri?
  • Other attractions include the Rosemary Berkel and Harry L. Crisp II Museum, historic chocolatiers Bankhead Chocolates, and picturesque Cuivre River State Park.

5. Springfield

• What is Springfield known for?
  • Springfield is the capital city of Illinois, known for its attractions connected to United States President Abraham Lincoln.
• What attractions are related to Abraham Lincoln in Springfield?
  • Visitors can explore the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, which features exhibits and documentary films related to the 16th president's life and legacy.
  • The Lincoln Home National Historic Site preserves Lincoln's adult homestead, while Lincoln's New Salem Historic Site recreates Lincoln's one-time hometown near Petersburg.
• What historic attractions are there in Springfield?
  • Other historic attractions include the 1902 Dana-Thomas House, a splendid Frank Lloyd Wright creation, and the state's century-old Governor's Mansion.
• What annual event does Springfield host?
  • Each year, the city hosts the International Route 66 Mother Road Festival, which features a massive hot rod and vintage motorcycle show, live music performances, and delicious food vendors.

6. Chesterfield

• Where is Chesterfield located?
  • Chesterfield is the largest city within western St. Louis County, located just half an hour outside of the St. Louis city center via Interstate 64.
• What geographical region is Chesterfield part of?
  • The city is located within the unique Gumbo Flats geographical region and is comprised of the historic communities of Bellefontaine, Lake, Gumbo, Monarch, and Bonhomme, which were combined to form the town in 1988.
• What is Chesterfield known for?
  • Today, the city is best known as the home of beautiful Faust Park, which is home to an historic village that preserves four homes and 14 structures constructed between 1840 and 1910.
  • Thornhill Grounds preserve the former home of Missouri Governor Frederick Bates, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• What other attractions are in Chesterfield?
  • Other park attractions include a butterfly house, a children's playground, and the quaint St. Louis Carousel.

7. Clayton

• What is Clayton known for?
  • Clayton is a lovely suburb of St. Louis, originally founded in 1877 and named in honor of land donor Ralph Clayton. The city is best known as the home of the annual Saint Louis Art Fair.
• What is the Saint Louis Art Fair?
  • More than 150,000 annual visitors attend the festival, which showcases a large number of artist vendors selling beautiful works across all mediums.
• What other special events are held in Clayton?
  • Other special events throughout the year include the delicious Taste of Clayton food festival, the Big Read literary festival, the Parties in the Park cocktail gathering series, and the monthly Gallery Nights art walk reception series.
• What attractions can visitors find in Clayton's downtown district?
  • St. Louis County government buildings dot the city's downtown district, along with a collection of delightful boutiques, art galleries, gourmet restaurants, and nightlife destinations.

8. Finger Lakes State Park

• What is Finger Lakes State Park?
  • Finger Lakes State Park spans more than 1,100 acres throughout Boone County, located near the beautiful town of Columbia.
• What is the history of Finger Lakes State Park?
  • The picturesque state park and recreation area is located on land that once belonged to the Peabody Coal's Mark Twain Mine attraction, which was donated to the state in 1974.
• What activities are popular at Finger Lakes State Park?
  • Today, it is known as a popular destination for off-road motorcycling and all-terrain vehicle driving, offering more than 70 miles of driving trails throughout its gorgeous rolling hill landscape.
• What attractions are located within Finger Lakes State Park?
  • More than a dozen small lakes throughout the park's lands give the park its name, combined into a beautiful 4.5-mile canoeing and kayaking water trail.
  • Day-use picnic sites are also available for visitor use, along with campground areas with modern showers and restrooms.

9. Ha Ha Tonka State Park

• What is Ha Ha Tonka State Park?
  • Ha Ha Tonka State Park is a beautiful recreation area that spans more than 3,700 acres throughout the Lake of the Ozarks region, along the lakes' Niangua arm near the city of Camdenton.
• What is the history of Ha Ha Tonka State Park?
  • The park is anchored around the preserved ruins of the 20th-century Ha Ha Tonka stone mansion, which was originally constructed in 1905 by Kansas City businessman Robert McClure Snyder, Sr.
  • It was named in honor of an indigenous word that is believed to have translated to "smiling waters" or "big laugh."
  • Though the European-style castle was destroyed following a fire in 1942, its remains can still be viewed today throughout the park.
• What activities can visitors enjoy at Ha Ha Tonka State Park?
  • Visitors can also enjoy excellent opportunities for hiking, boating, fishing, and swimming throughout the park year-round.

1491 Missouri D, Camdenton, MO 65020, Phone: 573-346-2986

10. Johnson’s Shut-Ins

• What is Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park?
  • Johnson’s Shut-Ins is a unique recreation area in Middle Brook, spanning over 8,700 acres along the banks of the gorgeous East Fork Black River.
• What is the origin of the name Johnson's Shut-Ins?
  • The park is named for its unique geological features of the same name, which limit the breadth of the river and create natural rock slides that can be used like water park slides throughout the summer months in safe water conditions.
• What activities can visitors enjoy at Johnson's Shut-Ins?
  • It is operated in conjunction with nearby Taum Sauk Mountain State Park, stretching throughout the stunning landscape of the St. Francois Mountains.
  • Visitors can also rock climb, hike, swim, and ride horses throughout the year at sites such as the 10-mile Goggins Mountain Equestrian Trail, located within the Ozark Trail, and the two-mile Scour Trail.
• What accommodations are available at Johnson's Shut-Ins?
  • Basic and hookup campsites are available for overnight stay, offering day-use picnic tables, fire pits, and trash stations.

148 Taum Sauk Trail, Middle Brook, MO 63656, Phone: 573-546-2450