Summer is almost here, which means you may be itching to get outside and enjoy (or endure) the warmer weather. The St. Louis region has a lot to offer when it comes to summer fun, from parks to aerial obstacle courses. And if you’re willing to drive an hour (or four), you can enjoy the broader sites and adventure that Missouri has to offer.
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Branson, Missouri
It’s a classic for a reason: Silver Dollar City has much to offer families. The 1880s-themed amusement park boasts about 40 rides and attractions. But perhaps the highlight of the park is the craftspeople, who provide demonstrations and sell such handcrafted goods as candies, wax candles, blown glass art, leather clothing and accessories, clay ceramics, and more. You can also catch live entertainment at the park, including variety acts, live bluegrass, and other shows. And on hot days, nearby White Water also offers a wealth of fun, with plenty of slides and opportunities to splash, as well as a relaxing wave pool.
Lake Lincoln–Cuivre River State Park
Troy, Missouri
Living in a land-locked state can make it feel like your only options for swimming are neighborhood or public pools. Just an hour’s drive from St. Louis, however, Lake Lincoln in Cuivre River State Park provides a summertime oasis, with a public swimming beach (yes, beach) and everything else that the park has to offer. Whether you’re feeling the urge to swim, boat, kayak, fish, hike, or camp, the lake offers a quick getaway.
Rolla, Missouri
A different type of water park, Fugitive Beach is a former quarry that’s now an attraction. Guests can jump from cliffs, go down a 60-foot water slide, or take a turn at a large inflatable swing. The park also offers beach volleyball, cornhole, and onsite restaurant. (Note: Fugitive Beach typically opens for the season around Memorial Day weekend.)
Lin Creek, Missouri
If a family trip to Lake of the Ozarks is in your summer plans, then you’ll want to plan a day at Super Splash USA. The popular water park recently added more than 20 acres of new slides and water features. Now, you can zoom down a five-story speed slide and play at the new aquatic pool. For relaxation, book a private, air-conditioned cabana that comes with a stocked fridge and a private restroom. Key Largo Landing is an adults-only retreat with hammocks, chaise lounges, and plenty of adult beverages.
Kansas City, Missouri
Take your own Around the World in Eight Days adventure at Worlds of Fun in Kansas City. The park is organized into areas highlighting a range of cultures and has a range of rides and attractions. Roller coaster enthusiasts will want to check out the high-speed Mamba and the classic wooden Timber Wolf. When you need to cool off, head to Oceans of Fun, where you’ll find more than 40 water attractions, including the world’s largest mat racing slide.
Elephant Rocks State Park and Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park
Belleview and Middle Brook, Missouri
Elephant Rocks State Park is named after the massive granite boulders that are said to resemble a procession of elephants. Located just over a 90-minute drive from St. Louis, the park offers opportunities for hiking and bouldering. Nearby Jonnson’s Shut-Ins State Park has natural waterslides and several campgrounds if you want to make a weekend of hiking, swimming, and maybe even s’mores.
Closer to Home
There are also no shortage of options in the St. Louis metro area. Consider Maryland Heights alone.
Ryze Adventure Park offers four stories of adventure. The ropes and aerial obstacle course includes zip lines, “free fall” rappelling, and nearly 100 obstacles ranging in difficulty. For kids ages 4–7, the Little Ninja course is a fun, worry-free introduction to the challenges of the main adventure tower. Or if the obstacle course isn’t in your comfort zone (some of us are scared of heights, after all), Ryze also has an observation deck where you can relax while friends and family enjoy the course, as well as an 18-hole mini golf course and free yard games.
And nearby, the Aquaport offers many aspects of a water park without the drive. The outdoor water park includes a variety of water slides, a lazy river, and a separate section for younger kids. A recent addition called the FlowRider provides a thrilling combination of surfing, bodyboarding, and wakeboarding. And, of course, the park has plenty of space to lay out and enjoy the sun or take a dip in the pool.
