Adventure Awaits on These 20 Fun Day Trips From St. Louis
St. Louis, home of the Gateway Arch, famous pizza, barbeque, beer, and museums, is one of the most famous cities in the Midwest. With so many claims to fame and decades of history, residents and visitors could easily spend a few days discovering all St. Louis has to offer.
But the Gateway to the West is also a great starting point for people who love to travel and want to explore more of the Midwest.
From journeys on historic Route 66 to interesting small towns in Illinois to beautiful scenery in the heart of the Ozarks, consider these day trips from St. Louis if you’re getting the itch to travel.
Cahokia Mounds
About 15 minutes away
History buffs will love a trip to Collinsville, Illinois and this ancient Native American city. It’s the largest pre-Columbian site north of Mexico and covers over 2,000 acres. Believe it or not, 72 of the civilization’s remaining 80 mounds are found here, providing a fascinating glimpse into ancient North America.
RELATED: Check out other hidden gems in Illinois.
Mastodon State Historic Site
About 30 minutes away
The Midwest has many paleontological sites and this one — just south of St. Louis in Imperial, Missouri — preserves evidence of ancient human activity and the presence of extinct mastodons. A museum here showcases replicas of mastodon bones and artifacts and a walking trail that leads to the Kimmswick Bone Bed, where mastodon bones were unearthed.
St. Charles, Missouri
About 30 minutes away
Hidden in St. Louis’ shadow, the site of Missouri’s first state capital is a perfect destination for every visitor: History buffs, foodies, shoppers, antiquers, and outdoor enthusiasts. St. Charles is a no-brainer day trip destination with a historic downtown, access to the Katy Trail, and so much more to experience.
Great River Road
About 40 minutes away
Sometimes the best day trips involve scenic drives and the Great River Road is one such drive, leading travelers along the Mississippi River. From St. Louis, visitors can head north, passing through several small towns. In Alton, Illinois, visitors can hunt for antiques. In Kampsville, Illinois, travelers can cross both the Mississippi and Illinois rivers on a ferry.
No matter where you stop, the Great River Road offers a pathway to day trip adventures!
Ste. Genevieve, Missouri
About 1 hour away
Ste. Genevieve is one of the oldest towns west of the Mississippi River and visitors can see that history up close as they tour the town’s historic district. Ste. Genevieve is also home to several museums, including the Felix Valle House State which showcases the town’s history and heritage through exhibits and artifacts.
Onondaga Cave State Park
About 1 hour, 20 minutes away
This park is a captivating destination in Southwest Missouri and is well known for its spectacular cave system and natural beauty. Visitors can take a trip underground on guided tours to see intricate stalactites, stalagmites, and other unique formations as they explore the system’s vast chambers.
Elephant Rocks State Park
About 1 hour, 30 minutes away
This geological wonderland in Southeastern Missouri is renowned for the elephant-shaped granite boulders scattered throughout the park and affords visitors the chance to explore numerous trails to discover this unique landscape on their own.
Springfield, Illinois
About 1 hour, 40 minutes away
Before he served as president, Abraham Lincoln called Springfield, Illinois home for nearly 25 years. The spirit of Lincoln is alive and well in the numerous historic sites in the city, including the Lincoln Tomb, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, and the Lincoln Home Historic Site.
RELATED: Lincoln enthusiasts can explore many more Lincoln-related sites throughout the Midwest!
Maramec Spring Park
About 1 hour, 45 minutes away
Maramec Spring Park is one of Missouri’s many trout fishing hotspots, but visitors also come to see the huge spring in the center of the park — which churns 96 million gallons of water a day. Inside the park, visitors can also enjoy wildlife viewing, camping facilities, and two museums.
Hannibal, Missouri
About 1 hour, 45 minutes away
As the hometown of author Mark Twain, Hannibal served as an inspiration in Twain’s famous novels, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Hannibal visitors can tour the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum, exploring Twain’s childhood home and learning about his life and many famous works.
World’s Biggest Attractions
About 2 hours away
Casey, Illinois may be a small town, but it’s filled with huge, attractions — many of which are the World’s Largest. Visitors can travel through town to gaze upon the World’s Largest Wind Chime, the World’s Largest Key, the World’s Largest Golf Tee, and many other giant attractions.
Mark Twain Cave Complex
About 2 hours away
Hannibal pays tribute to Mark Twain in many ways, but adventurers can also journey near the city to see the cave that inspired The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Guided tours offer the opportunity to explore fascinating underground passages, and marvel at unique rock formations.
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park
About 2 hours away
St. Louis’ Gateway Arch may be the most famous arch in the Midwest, but the Rockbridge Natural Arch in the heart of the Ozarks is another must-see spot. The arch spans 225 feet and rises 50 feet above the valley floor, creating a striking visual spectacle against a beautiful backdrop of forested hills.
Jefferson City, Missouri
About 2 hours away
Missouri’s capital city has all the ingredients for a fun day trip: Historic landmarks, shopping, theatres, great views, and even a few curiosities. Visitors can tour the Missouri State Capitol and the Missouri State Penitentiary Museum, watch live performances at the Capital Region Amphitheater, or explore downtown shopping and dining options.
Metropolis, Illinois
About 2 hours, 30 minutes away
Known to many as the “Home of Superman,” this charming Illinois town is the perfect Midwest hidden gem. Comic book fans and curious visitors can explore the many wonders of Metropolis, including gigantic statues of Superman and Lois Lane and the Super Museum, which houses a massive collection of Superman memorabilia.
Blue Spring
About 2 hours, 30 minutes away
The stunning turquoise waters of Blue Spring have been called the “Spring of the Summer Sky,” and fascinated visitors for years. Blue Spring produces more than 90 million gallons of water each day, creating a scenic pool that’s more than 300 feet deep — perfect for some nature photography.
Big Oak Tree State Park
About 2 hours, 40 hours away
Daytrippers who love nature won’t want to miss a trip to Big Oak Tree State Park in East Prairie, Missouri. The park is home to some of the largest and oldest trees in the region, including the 350+-year-old Big Oak Tree. The park is also a great spot for bird-watching and enjoying an afternoon of tranquility.
Big Spring
About 2 hours, 45 minutes away
Big Spring is one of the nation’s biggest springs and the largest spring in Missouri, renowned for its bright blue waters. With a daily flow of more than 250 million gallons of water into the Current River, it’s well worth a day trip for those who love the sight and sound of rushing water.
Jim the Wonder Dog Museum
About 2 hours, 45 away
Nestled in Marshall, Missouri, this museum pays tribute to Missouri’s famous “Wonder Dog” Jim, a Llewellyn setter. Jim gained fame for his powers of prediction, correctly guessing things like the sex of unborn babies and Kentucky Derby winners. A bronze statue can be found on the museum grounds and travelers can stop inside to learn Jim’s incredible story.
Route 66
St. Louis to Springfield, Illinois: About 1 hour, 30 minutes away
St. Louis to Springfield, Missouri: About 3 hours, 15 away
The Mother Road is one of the most famous highways in the US and travelers who like adventure can choose their own adventure on Route 66.
Heading north toward Springfield, Illinois, travelers can see the historic Chain of Rocks Bridge on the Mississippi River. The bridge — which used to be part of Route 66 but is now a walkway — is noted for its 22-degree bend in the middle. The historic Ariston Cafe — the longest operating Route 66 restaurant — in Litchfield, Illinois is also worth a stop.
Heading southwest along Route 66, travelers can head toward Springfield, Missouri — the birthplace of Route 66. Along the way, travelers can stop in Sullivan to explore Meramec Caverns, known as Misouri’s Buried Treasure, and stop in Springfield at the original Steak n’ Shake.
Set Off From St. Louis on a Fun Day Trip
Whether you’re looking for a slice of tranquility as you escape into nature, jonesing to shop in quaint small-town boutiques, or simply trying to shake off cabin fever, these day trips from St. Louis offer something for everyone. From quick journeys to all-day excursions, a day trip from St. Louis is the perfect way to get out of the house and give in to your sense of adventure.