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Further Afield – Day trips from St. Louis
Missouri Sites | Missouri Outdoor Activities | Illinois Sites | Lewis & Clark Information
I. Missouri sites
1. Shaw Nature Preserve
A division of the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Shaw Nature Preservation features native Missouri prairie lands and wildflowers. There are several trails.
Shaw Nature Reserve is open year round from 7 a.m. till sunset. Visitor Center hours are 8 - 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and 9 - 5 p.m. on weekends. The Nature Reserve is open to hikers every day, but the Visitor Center is closed on some major holidays. Naturalist guided adult tours are available for groups.
SNR is on I-44 in Gray Summit, MO, approximately 32 miles southwest of the Missouri Botanical Garden (in St. Louis) and 22 miles west of the I-44/I-270 interchange. The Gray Summit I-44 exit is # 253, just two exits west of Six Flags (Allenton/Eureka).
Shaw Nature Reserve - Hwy. 100 & I-44 - Gray Summit, MO 63039
636-451-3512
2. Six Flags St. Louis
General Admission at park $42.99
Children (48" and Under) $26.99
Kids 3 and Under FREE
FROM I-64/US 40 (coming either east to St. Louis or west from St. Louis): Go to I-270 south to I-44 west to Exit 261/Six Flags Road exit.
3. Hermann, MO
Hermann, founded in 1836 by German immigrants who sought to preserve their traditions and ure, Hermann retains substantial “old world charm.” The community is known far and wide as “Little Germany on the Missouri.” Hermann remains a most picturesque community nestled among the
beautiful hills, bluffs, and streams along the south bank of the Missouri River in central Missouri. Located some 80 miles west of St. Louis, Hermann currently has a population of approximately 2,700 residents plus nearly again that many residents within a 10 mile radius of the city.
Hermann can be reached by Amtrak. Hermann also has several wineries. For more information, click here.
4. Washington, MO
A beautiful, historic river town with a distinctive German heritage located in the heart of Missouri Wine Country… Washington is just minutes off I-44 between St. Louis and Branson. Washington's rich history includes such famous individuals as Daniel Boone and Lewis & Clark. The earliest settlers, arriving in 1799, were followers of Daniel Boone. Washington has excellent restaurants. Click here for visitor information.
5. Missouri River Wine Country Tourism Development & Marketing Assoc.
Missouri River Wine country contains historic communities providing lodging, dining and recreation within panorama of rolling countryside and limestone bluffs among eleven vineyards. Just 45 min. west of St. Louis
323 West Main
Washington, MO 63090
636-239-2715
Open Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
6. St. Charles, MO
St. Charles has the distinction of being the organization point of the Lewis & Clark Expedition in 1804 and serving as Missouri's first state capitol. Today, it serves as the county seat of the state's fastest growing county and is the second largest city in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Close to the wine growing region. There is a historic riverfront area and a casino on the Missouri River.
7. Ste. Genevieve, MO
Founded in 1735, Ste. Genevieve is an architectural gem located one hour south of St. Louis on the banks of the Mississippi River.
Directions to Ste. Genevieve Missouri:
From St. Louis take I 55 South to second EXIT for Ste. Genevieve (exit 150) Hwy 32.
East on Hwy 32 5 miles to four way stop light at Hwy 61.
Straight through stop light crossing Hwy 61 across RR tracks to stop sign (4 way stop).
Amoco on right, huge church steeple in front.
You are on 4th stopping at Market.
To the right at 3rd & Market is the Town Square. This is the Historic District.
Tourist Information Center is at the corner of Market & Main.
8. Hannibal, MO
From St. Louis , take I-70 west to Highway 61 north. Hannibal is 120 miles north.
Mark Twain’s Hannibal
9. Kimmswick, MO
Founded in 1859, Kimmswick is 20 miles south of St. Louis.
10. Lewis and Clark sites (See below)
11. The Ozarks & Lake of the Ozarks
12. Meramec Caverns
Come and tour these amazing caverns known to be the hideout of the infamous Jesse James.
13. Branson, MO
Branson is considered "The Live Music Show Capital of the World" with over 30 theaters playing host to over 60 shows. It is in the Ozarks.
14. Rocheport, MO The Katy Trail, wonderful gourmet restaurants, a bluff-top winery, bed and breakfast lodging, art galleries, antique shops, a local museum, bike rental, sales and repair, many other unique small businesses, well preserved architecture and a slow, small-town way of life make Rocheport a memorable destination--for a day or for the whole weekend.
II. Missouri outdoor activities (See our Outdoors Activities Guide.)
1. Float Trips: Come and float down the some of Missouri’s scenic rivers on rafts, in canoes, or in inner tubes. Camp out under the stars in after the float, or rent a cabin or pitch your own tent.
2. The Katy Trail - The Katy Trail is a 225-mile long, flat hiking and biking trail that stretches from St. Charles (near St. Louis) to Clinton (near Kansas City), following the Missouri River valley for much of the way across the center of the state. Stop off in historic Rochporte.
3. Sierra Club - Hiking, canoeing, etc.
4. American Youth Hostel - Hiking & biking
5. Visit a MO State Park (See our State Parks Guide.)
III. Illinois
1. Shrine of our Lady of the Snows
442 South Demazenod
Belleville, IL 62223
From the St. Louis area, the Shrine is located on Highway 15 in Belleville, Illinois, only one mile east of I-255 (take Exit 17A).
The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows is a ministry of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and is one of the largest outdoor Shrines in North America. Twelve devotional areas are located throughout the Shrine grounds. Each provides a unique setting for prayer, reflection, and meditation. There is a gift shop and restaurant.
2. Alton, IL
Alton is one of America's great river towns. It is filled with historic homes, great shops and diverse industry. More than 50 antique and specialty stores along Alton's "Antique Row," as well as some of the best dining in Southwestern Illinois. There is also a casino.
3. Springfield, IL
Springfield is both the state capital and the home of many site devoted to President Lincoln including the A. Lincoln Presidential Library
Museum of Funeral Customs
The Memorial area surrounding Lincoln's Tomb houses a wealth of tiny museums and attractions including the Museum of Funeral Customs. Inside, the history of embalming, mourning attire and general funeral practices are displayed in a sensitive and captivating manner. A sample of its collection offers a peek at a re-created Middle-calss American home funeral setting, circa 1870, and rare books on embalming as early as the 16th century. This gem of a museum is well worth its three dollar suggested donation.
1440 Monument Ave.
Springfield, IL 62702
217-544-3480
funeralmuseum@ifda.org
4. Cahokia Mounds
The remains of the most sophisticated prehistoric native civilization north of Mexico are preserved at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site. Within the 2,200-acre tract, located a few miles west of Collinsville, Illinois, lie the archaeological remnants of the central section of the ancient settlement that is today known as Cahokia.
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, is located just eight miles from downtown St. Louis at:
30 Ramey Street,
Collinsville, IL 62234
Interpretive Center: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Grounds: 8 a.m. - dusk. Closed Mon.& Tues.
Directions from St. Louis:
Take I-55/70, 64 or Highway 40 & 44 across the Poplar St. Bridge into Illinois. Follow I-55/70, not 64, to Exit 6 (Highway 111). Exit and turn right onto Highway 111 South. At stoplight make a left onto Collinsville Road . The Interpretive Center is about 1.5 miles on the right.
Lewis and Clark sites
Lewis and Clark State Historic Site
Hartford, IL
Wed. – Sun. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
618-251-5811
Lewis and Clark Trail Guide
Lewis and Clark Trail – IL & MO
Lewis and Clark Adventure Trail
Lewis and Clark in St. Charles
25 Ways to Follow in the Footsteps of Lewis & Clark in St. Louis
The trail in MO & IL
Lewis and Clark 200
The Great River Road
KWMU (Public Radio) Lewis and Clark site
Lewis and Clark Across MO
Plaque on University City Walk of Fame for William Clark
MO & KS sites
St. Louis Public Library Resources
St. Louis Public Library Kid’s page
Educational Guide
MO Historical Society
February 3, 2006
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