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Worth
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Playgrounds worth the trip
Indian Camp Creek Park (Foristell, MO): The 3 level playground has cushioned turf, climbing towers, a spiraling slide, stand-out climbers, an extended rope swing, a climbing net, a storefront with braille alphabet, and a paved water play area.
O'Day Park (O'Fallon Missouri): Nestled in the countryside just off Highway DD. The 57-acre park offers the area's first adventure playground. Kids can climb an obstacle course with netting, swings, rock walls, and much more. There is a creek with a movable damn and stepping stones. There are also miles of paved and natural paths.
Queeny Park Playground (Ballwin, Missouri): A great fit for lower elementary aged children. (Young children may pick try to eat pea gravel ground cover. My 3 year old took a bit to warm up, but loved it.) The park's main feature is a pyramid made of stone and concrete. There are tunnels, mountains, and slides. The ground cover is pea gravel, so make sure to have closed toe shoes. There is also not a great deal of shade. An overcast day is a perfect fit for this playground. Around the playground, you can find 564 acres of parkland with a huge dog-park.
Suson Animal Park (STL, MO): A large working Animal Farm with horses, cows, geese, and more. Nearby is a nice playground with creative pieces. It is small and often crowded with very little shade. There are lakes for fishing, year-Round Restroom, and Reservable Shelters. It was a nice place for our kids to see and pet animals while learning about a farm.
Veterans Tribute Park (Weldon Spring, Mo): The playground is divided into a motion-activated water play area, a music area, an adventure playscape, swings, and a hillside slide. There is also a 1.6 mile trail, two lakes for fishing, play fields, a dog park, shelters, and a raised boardwalk. The two lakes are stocked for catch-and-release fishing.
Wildwood Community Park
Shaw Nature Reserve
Highland Park in Richmond Heights
Moody Park
Zachary's Playground at Hawk Ridge Park
Gathering Place: A five-acre adventure playground where kids enjoy puzzles, instruments, tiny houses, spray area, mist area, tunnels, dams, a water lab, interactive fountains, a skate park, koi ponds, a water maze, and a soft sandbank. (About 7 hours)
O'Day Park (O'Fallon Missouri): Nestled in the countryside just off Highway DD. The 57-acre park offers the area's first adventure playground. Kids can climb an obstacle course with netting, swings, rock walls, and much more. There is a creek with a movable damn and stepping stones. There are also miles of paved and natural paths.
Queeny Park Playground (Ballwin, Missouri): A great fit for lower elementary aged children. (Young children may pick try to eat pea gravel ground cover. My 3 year old took a bit to warm up, but loved it.) The park's main feature is a pyramid made of stone and concrete. There are tunnels, mountains, and slides. The ground cover is pea gravel, so make sure to have closed toe shoes. There is also not a great deal of shade. An overcast day is a perfect fit for this playground. Around the playground, you can find 564 acres of parkland with a huge dog-park.
Suson Animal Park (STL, MO): A large working Animal Farm with horses, cows, geese, and more. Nearby is a nice playground with creative pieces. It is small and often crowded with very little shade. There are lakes for fishing, year-Round Restroom, and Reservable Shelters. It was a nice place for our kids to see and pet animals while learning about a farm.
Veterans Tribute Park (Weldon Spring, Mo): The playground is divided into a motion-activated water play area, a music area, an adventure playscape, swings, and a hillside slide. There is also a 1.6 mile trail, two lakes for fishing, play fields, a dog park, shelters, and a raised boardwalk. The two lakes are stocked for catch-and-release fishing.
Wildwood Community Park
Shaw Nature Reserve
Highland Park in Richmond Heights
Moody Park
Zachary's Playground at Hawk Ridge Park
Gathering Place: A five-acre adventure playground where kids enjoy puzzles, instruments, tiny houses, spray area, mist area, tunnels, dams, a water lab, interactive fountains, a skate park, koi ponds, a water maze, and a soft sandbank. (About 7 hours)
Relax close to home
Beall Mansion (Alton, IL): A bed and breakfast with fireplace rooms, HDTV, premium movie channels, free wifi, 24 hour hot beverage service, whirlpool tubs, a 24 hour chocolate bar, and a spa. Offers optional in-room massages and breakfast in bed. (In Madison County)
Bella Vista Winery (Maryville, IL): Situated by rolling green hills and a sparkling lake. Cabins come with continental breakfast served en suite. Offers dining paired with award-winning wines. Wines are produced with locally-grown fruit and bottled on site. (In Madison County)
Bretz Wildlife Winery (Carlyle, IL): A restaurant, winery, & banquet facility near Carlyle Lake. (about an hour)
Hidden Lake Winery (Aviston, IL): Situated in Silent Forest, well known to those who hunt deer and forage for wild mushrooms. The Silent Forest continues to enchant and entertain guests. (About an hour)
Alpenhorn Gasthaus (Hermann, MO): Private accommodations, gourmet meals, hot tubs under the stars, and a wine cellar. (About 2 hours)
Hermann Hill (Hermann, MO): Luxury amenities with steam showers, jetted tubs, fireplaces, flat screen TVs, and king size beds. Some suites offer kitchens, BBQs, saunas, fire-pits, private hot tubs, nightly cookies and ice cream, free margarita bar-decks with views. Tour area wineries and distilleries. Don't miss driving scavenger hunt to earn a 25.00 gift credit. (About 2 hours)
Bella Vista Winery (Maryville, IL): Situated by rolling green hills and a sparkling lake. Cabins come with continental breakfast served en suite. Offers dining paired with award-winning wines. Wines are produced with locally-grown fruit and bottled on site. (In Madison County)
Bretz Wildlife Winery (Carlyle, IL): A restaurant, winery, & banquet facility near Carlyle Lake. (about an hour)
Hidden Lake Winery (Aviston, IL): Situated in Silent Forest, well known to those who hunt deer and forage for wild mushrooms. The Silent Forest continues to enchant and entertain guests. (About an hour)
Alpenhorn Gasthaus (Hermann, MO): Private accommodations, gourmet meals, hot tubs under the stars, and a wine cellar. (About 2 hours)
Hermann Hill (Hermann, MO): Luxury amenities with steam showers, jetted tubs, fireplaces, flat screen TVs, and king size beds. Some suites offer kitchens, BBQs, saunas, fire-pits, private hot tubs, nightly cookies and ice cream, free margarita bar-decks with views. Tour area wineries and distilleries. Don't miss driving scavenger hunt to earn a 25.00 gift credit. (About 2 hours)
water
Fugitive Beach (Rolla, MO) Has cliff jumps, water slides, water obstacle, family games, beach volley ball, human foosball, beach dodgeball, sand and sun. Opens Memorial Weekend 2021. (About 2 hours)
Finger Lake State Park (Boone County, MO) One of two ATV parks in the state parks system. Spacious campground, leafy trees, and hilly terrain. Also has a 2.75-mile Kelley Branch Mountain Bike Trail and a 4.5-mile water trail. (About 2 hours)
Sybraris Pool Suites (Multiple Sites in Chicago Area)
Features either a hot tub attached to a pool or a separate whirlpool tub. All suites come with a private pool, a king-size bed, massage chair, and a fireplace. (About 4 hours)
Finger Lake State Park (Boone County, MO) One of two ATV parks in the state parks system. Spacious campground, leafy trees, and hilly terrain. Also has a 2.75-mile Kelley Branch Mountain Bike Trail and a 4.5-mile water trail. (About 2 hours)
Sybraris Pool Suites (Multiple Sites in Chicago Area)
Features either a hot tub attached to a pool or a separate whirlpool tub. All suites come with a private pool, a king-size bed, massage chair, and a fireplace. (About 4 hours)
animals
Endangered Wolf Center (Eureka, MO) To preserve and protect Mexican wolves, red wolves and other wild canid species, with purpose and passion, through carefully managed breeding, reintroduction and inspiring education programs. Reservations are required for tours. Call 636-938-5900 or visiting endangeredwolfcenter.org. (About 1 hour)
Grant's Farm (Saint Louis, Mo) Enjoy evenings filled with live music, food and animals! Simply purchase a Parking Ticket for the date of your choice. (Admission to the park is free.) https://bit.ly/3Bqrt7l
World Bird Sanctuary (Valley Park, MO) Has over 200 animals in their mission is to preserve, protect and inspire to safeguard bird species as part of the global community for future generations. (About 1 Hour)
Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary (Ste. Genevieve, MO) Tours are Thurs.- Sun. at 11, 1 & 3. No reservations required. Monday- Wednesday tours by reservation. Learn about the animals as you view the big cats. The Education Center has tiger artifacts. Pathways are paved and accessible. $10 per person, 3 and under are free. Adhere to social distancing and wear face coverings while indoors. (About 2 hours)
Grant's Farm (Saint Louis, Mo) Enjoy evenings filled with live music, food and animals! Simply purchase a Parking Ticket for the date of your choice. (Admission to the park is free.) https://bit.ly/3Bqrt7l
World Bird Sanctuary (Valley Park, MO) Has over 200 animals in their mission is to preserve, protect and inspire to safeguard bird species as part of the global community for future generations. (About 1 Hour)
Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary (Ste. Genevieve, MO) Tours are Thurs.- Sun. at 11, 1 & 3. No reservations required. Monday- Wednesday tours by reservation. Learn about the animals as you view the big cats. The Education Center has tiger artifacts. Pathways are paved and accessible. $10 per person, 3 and under are free. Adhere to social distancing and wear face coverings while indoors. (About 2 hours)
Adventure
Go Ape (Maryland Heights, MO) Offers amazing views of the natural lake and surrounding woodlands. Navigate suspended obstacles, Tarzan swings, and ziplines. (About 1 hour)
Great Cities
Branson, MO: A fantastic experience for all ages including toddlers and grown ups. (About 4 hours)
STE. Genevieve, MO: The area is one of the newest additions to the National Parks System with French Colonial Architecture and Structures dating to the 1700's. (About 1.5 hours)
Grafton, IL (About 1 hour)
Ladue, Missouri Experience gourmet foods, fashion boutiques and upscale menswear, jewelry stores, European and American antiques, interior design resources and local restaurants. (About 1 hour)
Jefferson City, Missouri: Visit the Missouri River, tree lined bluffs, historic buildings, architectural treasures, and landmarks. There are also museums, fine cuisines, quaint boutiques, and beautiful parks. (About 3 hours)
Memphis, Tennessee: Lots to do and great food. Date night at Flight for great food. Try Fam for Asian and the Beauty Shop for brunch. They are known for BBQ. Kids adore the Memphis Zoo. Also visit Shelby Farms Park, Botanical Gardens, Zoo, and Meeman-Shelby State Park. (About 5 hours)
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Macon, Georgia
STE. Genevieve, MO: The area is one of the newest additions to the National Parks System with French Colonial Architecture and Structures dating to the 1700's. (About 1.5 hours)
Grafton, IL (About 1 hour)
Ladue, Missouri Experience gourmet foods, fashion boutiques and upscale menswear, jewelry stores, European and American antiques, interior design resources and local restaurants. (About 1 hour)
Jefferson City, Missouri: Visit the Missouri River, tree lined bluffs, historic buildings, architectural treasures, and landmarks. There are also museums, fine cuisines, quaint boutiques, and beautiful parks. (About 3 hours)
Memphis, Tennessee: Lots to do and great food. Date night at Flight for great food. Try Fam for Asian and the Beauty Shop for brunch. They are known for BBQ. Kids adore the Memphis Zoo. Also visit Shelby Farms Park, Botanical Gardens, Zoo, and Meeman-Shelby State Park. (About 5 hours)
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Macon, Georgia
