It’s almost fall, y’all! This is a time of year my family and I love to get out and explore (in the hopes that cooler temperatures provide for a more pleasant outing with little ones!). Of course, we love to explore all the fun St. Louis has to offer in the fall, but we also like to venture out into the state of Missouri, too! Here’s a list of nearby road trip ideas for you and your family to enjoy this fall!
Sunflower Hill Farm
245 Terry Rd, Augusta, MO 63332
Sunflower Hill Farm is a picturesque spot located in Augusta, perfect for a quick day trip! Your littles will love the chance to visit the chicken coop and feed the chickens! Plan on staying for lunch, which you can enjoy on their beautiful patio! You’ll enjoy gorgeous views of the farm and the rolling hills.
Noboleis Vineyards
Shryocks Callaway Farms
2927 County Road 253, Columbia, MO 65202
It’s hard to miss Shyrock’s Callaway Farms from the highway if you’re heading west on I-70! This is such a gem and well worth the hour drive to adventure through the life-size corn maze, pick pumpkins, enjoy a hayride, and even reserve an evening campfire! Don’t miss the inside of the barn for refreshments and the world-famous THREE story gumball roller coaster!
Make a day out of it and head a bit further west to Columbia where you can eat at the world-famous Shakespeare’s pizza and stroll the Mizzou campus!
Train Ride to Washington, MO
Washington, MO
Hop aboard a short Amtrak train ride from Kirkwood to downtown Washington, MO! Downtown Washington is charming, with lots of history, restaurants and architecture to enjoy! The Iron Spike Model Train Museum is a great spot for your train lover but it’s a hefty trek from the station so you might want to save that for a day when you come by car. There are many wineries to enjoy nearby as well!
Glamping at Lost Hill Lake
2300 Mill Hill Road, St. Clair, MO 63077
Looking to get away for a nearby weekend fall trip? Reconnect with nature and enjoy the outdoors? Want to do some camping but not ready to brave all the elements? Rent one of Lost Hill Lake’s glampers and enjoy a unique, family-friendly getaway!
Grafton
Grafton, IL 63670
Spend the day in charming Grafton! If you’re coming from St. Charles, be sure to arrive via the Grafton Ferry, which provides a direct route between the two! There’s so much to do while you’re there – enjoy a ride on the sky lift, venture up to Aerie’s Resort for a spin on their Alpine Coaster, have lunch at the Loading Dock! Talk about a perfect fall day.
St. Genevieve
St. Genevieve, MO 63670
This historic French colonial village should be on your bucket list if it isn’t already! Spend a day or two exploring charming downtown and the surrounding area’s beauty, historic homes, wineries (HIGHLY recommend Chaumette Winery and staying the night in their villas). There’s also St. Genevieve Museum and Learning Center for a dinosaur experience. Stop into Hawn State Park for a great little hike!
St Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway
252 E. Jackson Boulevard, Jackson, MO 63755
If you have a train lover, you’ve GOT to check out the St. Louis Iron Mountain Railway! This traveling history museum has passenger cars that are 95 years old! And this is no ordinary train – train robberies, treasure hunts, music, dinosaurs, you never know who will show up for the ride! Check out their upcoming calendar for their Saturday afternoon rides, in addition to other themed rides they have planned.
Cahokia Mounds
Looking for a lesson in history? Larger than London in AD1250, Cahokia Mounds was the center of the prehistoric Mississippian culture. If you’re up for the challenge, take the 154-step climb to the top of Monks Mound. At 10 stories tall (or three school buses), it is the largest, man-made earthen mound in North America. Once you get your breath at the top, stop for a snack break as you look westward at the Gateway Arch.
Bloomsdale Family Fun Farm
Bonne Terre
185 Park Avenue, Bonne Terre, MO 63628
Bonne Terre is another small city south of St. Louis worth your visit! Plan a hike and picnic in St. Francois State Park, or jet over to Cadet to hunt for quartz at Haunted Ridge Rocks. But most notably, don’t miss a chance to visit the historic Bonne Terre Mine!
From their website:
“Take a 45 minute guided walking tour OR 60 minute walk/boat tour through the first and second levels of the mine along the “Old Mule Trail”, showing where miners dug with a pick and shovel in the 1800’s. The earliest shaft was dug in 1864. Along this tour, you will see Huge Pillar Rooms, Grand Canyon, Billion Gallon Lake, Trout Pond, Underground Flower Gardens, Beautiful Calcite Falls, and ancient Abandoned Mining Tools and Rail Systems and Billion Gallon Lake.”
Hermann, MO
Hermann, MO 65041
If you have never visited Hermann, MO, fall is the perfect time to check it off your bucket list! This historic town with German roots is nestled in the heart of Missouri wine country. But October in Hermann is all about Oktoberfest! The oompah bands are playing, the colors of the Missouri countryside are vibrant and the smells of authentic German brats and beer is in the air. There is an endless list of charming places to stay in Hermann, but we love Hermann Hill and the Inn at Hermannhof. You can also take the train here, but you might find you prefer the flexibility of having a car. Check out our Hermann, Missouri Getaway Guide here!
Caledonia
Caledonia, MO 63631
Step back in time with a visit to historic Caledonia, MO! Our team recommends making a trip for Pumpkin Fest, and don’t leave town without a visit to the old-time mercantile store for treats! Nearby you can also visit Johnson’s Shut Inns, Elephant Rocks or both! Both are short hikes or just see the sites kind of places. You can also camp at the Shut Inns if you choose. Don’t miss Thee Abbey Kitchen Kitchen for delicious lunch and ice cream too!
Potosi
Potosi, MO
A quick hour drive from St. Louis, there’s much to do and see in Potosi! Reid’s Relics is a treasure trove of antiques with a snowcone stand. Edg Clif Winery is a beautiful and family friendly spot! They have live music, yard game, and tons of space to spread out (not to mention good home-brewed beer!). Nearby, the Starlite Drive-In is an old fashioned drive-in with a lot of kids movies!
Innsbrook
Innsbrook, MO
(MAP)
Head west of St. Louis for a trip to Innsbrook! On site, there are horse stables with a little farm and animals to see, hikes/waterfalls, lakes and beaches, two pools (one with a restaurant and pool service), concerts on summer nights on Saturdays, fireworks display, holiday events (Easter bunny, Memorial Day party, etc), pickleball, a welcome center with a workout gym and playground! Go a bit further west to visit Cedar Lake Cellars) or Big Joel’s Safari and a pumpkin patch in the fall!
Great Info ………..
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