Sitting on the banks of the glistening Mississippi River, St. Louis, MO is an energetic, entertaining city full of budget-friendly family attractions. The surrounding area is also rich with intriguing natural attractions and charming towns to explore. Here are five of the finest day trips to take close to St. Louis.
5 Amazing Day Trips You Can Take Near St. Louis, MO
Meramec Caverns
For a mysterious, unforgettable venture beneath the ground, why not visit the Meramec Caverns? Here, you can explore vast caves full of fascinating, visually-stunning mineral formations, guided by knowledgable rangers.
Apart from enjoying the visual treat of such strange rock formations, you’ll also learn a great deal about geology. Wooden walkways and beautiful light displays highlight the 7-Story Mansion and Wine Table formations, as well as many more. All the while you’ll be told in detail how these formations evolved over the millennia.
Six Flags Theme Park
Prepare for a thrilling day of heart-thumping rollercoasters. At Six Flags Theme Park, they have plenty of world-class rides, including Brave American Thunder, Reverse Blast, and Justice League: Battle for America. For sweltering summer days, you can cool off in the pools of Hurricane Harbor and spend hours enjoying the waves, rivers, and water rides.
If you have younger kids, you’re still spoilt for choice. You can take them on the Foghorn Leghorn Train, the Bugs Bunny Train Station, the Flume, and plenty more suitable activities for youngsters. And all day long they also have spectacular live performances to enjoy.
Shaw Nature Preserve
For a day of escape into the great outdoors, head to the lovely Shaw Nature Preserve, which is only 30 minutes outside town. This exceptional preserve is a sprawling wonderland of botanical gardens, elegant feats of landscaping, excellent hiking trails, and wildlife habitats.
The preserve serves as a perfect outdoor classroom for curious children and adults alike. Hikers will find a near-endless abundance of prairies, woodlands, and wetlands to roam through, with plenty of benches and picnic spots for breaks.
Hannibal, Home of Mark Twain
Lovers of literature might prefer to visit the charming nearby town of Hannibal, which was the childhood home of legendary author Mark Twain. Here you can explore the very same riverside walks and scenery that inspired the classic tales of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.
You can even take a trip down the gleaming waters of the Mississippi River, just like Huckleberry did. If your children have recently been introduced to the works of Mark Twain, then there’s no better way to bring these stories to life.
Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park
Another intriguing nearby natural feature is a park packed with rock formations, pools, and waterfalls formed by volcanic activity long ago. It’s a superb place for strolling around unusual, picturesque scenery, crossing water on stepping stones, and stopping to eat beside crystal-clear waters.
You can swim in pools beneath waterfalls, rent a bicycle to cycle the trails, and take audio tours of the most interesting areas. There’s a visitor center to give you ideas on how to best enjoy your day, and a large campground for anyone who loves it so much that they just don’t want to leave.
Whichever of the above terrific outings you choose, follow it up with a visit to Bommarito Mazda South County. We’re a local dealership with experienced, knowledgable staff who’re dedicated to giving all our visitors the smoothest, most hassle-free vehicle-purchasing or servicing experience possible.
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