After months of snow and cold weather Spring has finally arrived. Unfortunately, not everyone has the luxury of packing up the car or hoping on a plane for a nice long week at the beach. Don’t let everyone’s piña colada pictures get you down—there are still amazing attractions right in your own backyard.
1. Wonders of Wildlife: Explore over 1.5 miles of immersive galleries that take you into the natural habitats of the animal kingdom at Wonders of Wildlife. Get up close and personal with big game and other mammals in the Wildlife Galleries, and dive into the ocean world in the Aquarium Adventure. This will be one experience you will never forget!
2. Silver Dollar City: Silver Dollar City is an internationally awarded 1880s-style theme park located in Branson, Missouri, that features over 40 thrilling rides & attractions, live shows & concerts, 100 resident craftsmen demonstrating America’s heritage crafts, 18 award-winning restaurants and 60 unique shops – all sitting atop one of Missouri’s deepest caves. World-class festivals and events are showcased from spring through Christmas.
3. The Gateway Arch: The 630-foot Gateway Arch soars above downtown St. Louis, reflecting sunlight and glowing different colors depending on the time of day. Visitors can take a four-minute tram ride up the hollow arch legs to get a panoramic view from the top. Check out the newly renovated visitor center and museum or get a new perspective on this magnificent monument while cruising the Mighty Mississippi. With a variety of sightseeing, dinner, and specialty outings to choose from, a riverboat cruise is a fun and relaxing addition to your Gateway Arch experience.
4. St. Louis’ Forest Park: one of the biggest city parks in the country, Forest Park has a lot to offer, and the best part—the majority of the attractions in Forest Park are completely free. Whether it’s the Missouri History Museums, Art Museum, the Science Center or the Zoo, Forest Park has something to offer for everyone. You can enjoy lunch at the Boathouse or play a few holes at the beautiful Forest Park Golf course.
5. Ha Ha Tonka State Park: If you drive about 80 miles northeast of Springfield, you will find Ha Ha Tonka State Park. Most visitors head straight for the stone ruins that overlook Lake of the Ozarks. And with good reason—no other state park has skeletal remains of a bluff-top mansion. But Ha Ha Tonka also has a variety of nature trails, which snake along a hilltop, along a spring-fed river and under a natural bridge giving you one breathtaking view after the other.
6. Katy Trail: The nation's longest rails-to-trails bike path starts northwest of St. Louis in St. Charles and loosely follows the Missouri River west for 225 miles, through small towns, farmland, prairie and wine country. Ultimately, the 20-year-old Katy Trail will link to city and county bike paths to Kansas City, making it possible to pedal across all of Missouri.
7. Elephant Rocks State Park: About 90 miles south of St. Louis visitors can't resist this 129-acre preserve's billion-year-old, large humps of smooth granite. You can crawl and scramble over the boulders. You can take one of the many trails and explore the small lake. A self-guiding Braille trail for the visually impaired winds through the state park, which also includes an easy paved trail with gentle slopes that attracts walkers of all ages.
8. Hannibal: The tales of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn began in this riverfront town, where the author himself, Samuel Clemens or better known as Mark Twain, grew up. At the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum, explore the Hannibal of Clemens' childhood. After, explore the Mark Twain Cave Complex, which lets visitors climb through the underground passages where Clemens played as a boy and the same caves which were later immortalized in his books. You can also cruise on the Mark Twain Riverboat, and cruise the Mississippi River on an old-fashioned paddle wheeler.
Make your friends wish they would’ve stayed in town this spring break and head to one of the many amazing attractions that Missouri has to offer. Sometimes the best experiences are waiting for you just a short drive from home. Let’s be honest the best part of spring break anyway is having a great time with the ones you love. Enjoy!
This post was created by St. Louis Magazine Partner Studio on behalf of Bass Pro Shop. Visit their website to learn more about their newest attraction, Wonders of Wildlife.
