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Photography By Chris Malacarne, Illustrations By Vidhya Nagarajan
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When the last school bell rings and the thermometer begins to climb, parents panic. In summertime, the living isn’t easy. Mom and Dad sweat to keep their kids active and happy during those lazy, hazy days without homework, tests, teachers, and after-school activities. But we’re here to help. We’ve compiled a guide to local camps, trips, and events to make sure that those idle days of summer are anything but. One thing’s for sure: Your kids will have plenty of material for their “How I Spent My Summer Vacation” essay.
DESTINATIONS
Chicago, Ill.
Chicago is an ideal big-city getaway for families who want plenty to do. With attractions like Millennium Park, the Lincoln Park Zoo, and Navy Pier, the city will be a hit with the kids. On a breezy day in the Windy City, catch a home game at Wrigley Field—while wearing your Cardinals cap, if you dare—and follow it up with a slice of Chicago-style pizza at a classic stop like Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria or Giordano’s. Or go south-side and see the White Sox battle opponents at U.S. Cellular Field. The Shedd Aquarium offers a chance to learn about the world’s underwater critters, with entertainment such as the “Jellies” exhibit. The Field Museum features interpretive stations that engage children in hands-on activities. To give the kids a place to run around on warmer days, head for Chicago beaches, such as the popular North Avenue and Oak Street beaches. Before leaving town, make it a point to peer down at the city from the Western Hemisphere’s tallest perch, Willis Tower, and walk out on The Ledge, a 10- by 10-foot glass box on the 103rd floor.
Kansas City
It might be hard to do everything that Kansas City has to offer in a short weekend—but that’s the best kind of challenge. Dip into the history of Kansas City and the U.S. at the Arabia Steamboat Museum, the National Airline History Museum, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, or the American Jazz Museum. Take your budding numismatist to The Money Museum at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City—or for all-ages delight, go to the Toy & Miniature Museum of Kansas City. For the ultimate science experience, stop off at Kansas City Union Station to explore Science City, as well as check out the Burns & McDonnell Engineerium. The stickiness of Missouri summers can be relieved with a trip to Oceans of Fun or a breezy ride on a Worlds of Fun roller coaster. Make sure a Royals baseball game at Kauffman Stadium is on the list, too.
Hannibal
Mark Twain’s stories come to life in this small river town. Get to know Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, and Becky Thatcher a bit better at The Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum, which just celebrated its 100th anniversary. Travel through the Mark Twain Cave Complex, learn about Mississippi River legends and history on the Mark Twain Riverboat, or meet the man himself (so to speak) at Planters Barn Theater. After walking the pages of Twain’s past, stop at Sawyer’s Creek Family Fun Park. The attraction features bumper boats, miniature golf, and forts for water wars, plus the tiny, chugging Too Too Twain and fish-feeding. The sweet shop at Sawyer’s offers hand-dipped chocolates and ice cream, pralines, and novelty candy. Your final destination: a kid-friendly Haunted Hannibal Ghost Tour.
Jefferson City
The state capital possesses many gems of Missouri history and provides a great stop for a quick but interesting trip. When you arrive, point the car toward Central Dairy Ice Cream Parlor, established here in 1932. Thus satisfied, stop next at the historic Missouri Governor’s Mansion, whose grounds include a variety of flowers in season. Older kids may enjoy tours of the former Missouri State Penitentiary, the Museum of Missouri Military History, the Missouri Supreme Court, and of course, the Missouri Capitol. And for the animal lover, a visit to the Missouri Veterinary Medical Foundation Museum or Runge Nature Center might be in order.
Columbia, Mo.
Widely known as the home of the University of Missouri Tigers, Columbia is a destination that just might inspire your college-bound teen. A traditionally yummy favorite, Shakespeare’s Pizza will fuel a walk through downtown. Saunter over to Sparky’s Homemade Ice Cream (573-443-7400) for dessert. Take a stroll on the nearby Francis Quadrangle to visit the historic columns that frame Jesse Hall. While you’re there, visit the Museum of Art and Archaeology for a guided tour and to see new exhibits. For the avid or casual biker, runner, or nature lover, the Katy Trail is a great place to spend time in the spring, with an entrance close to Mizzou’s campus. Relax afterward with an indie flick at Ragtag Cinema. To experience a whimsical Columbia tradition, visit for Kite Flying Day, taking place Saturday, April 6, from noon to 2 p.m. at Douglass Park.
Springfield, Mo.
Missouri’s third-largest city is great for sightseeing. For an animal-packed day, head to the Dickerson Park Zoo to meet more than 150 species of critters from around the world. Continue the adventure at Wild Animal Safari in nearby Strafford. Or head to Knight’s Action Park for rides, arcade games, batting cages, go-karts, and miniature golf. Then cool off at the adjoining Caribbean Water Adventure, where you can dive into the Caribbean Wild River or Giant Wave Pool. When the weather is unpredictable (or too hot even to swim), go underground at one of the area’s many show caves, such as Fantastic Caverns and Smallin Civil War Cave. Or visit the indoor Discovery Center or wander through the Bass Pro Shop’s Outdoor World to get a few fishing tips and check out aquariums, with live feedings. Then you have one more stop. Regardless of what else you do, a Springfield trip isn’t complete without a visit to the home of “throwed rolls,” the Ozark Lambert’s Cafe, where you can enjoy a hearty country meal.
Branson
Famous on the tourism map as a hootin’, hollerin’ city of country music and live entertainment, Branson can make a good family vacation spot. At Silver Dollar City, crafts, musical acts, and festivals (National KidsFest is June 8 through July 21) are just some of the attractions. Enjoy multiple roller coasters, including the new Outlaw Run, or visit Marvel Cave, the park’s first attraction. Starting May 18, plunge into White Water, Branson’s only outdoor water park. For an anything-but-stuffy history lesson, take a ride on the Branson Scenic Railway, hit the Titanic Museum Attraction, or be dazzled by the New Shanghai Circus. After a full day of Branson fun, dine at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede, an experience complete with four courses and knee-slappin’, boot-stompin’ musical performances.
Lake of the Ozarks
For more adventures, head to the Lake of the Ozarks. Continue to explore at Ha Ha Tonka State Park in Camdenton, where you can hike through the ruins of an early-20th-century castle built by a Kansas City businessman. Go fishing and caving nearby; among many caverns in the area, Bridal Cave is famous for its onyx formations and deep-rooted history. To give the kids a chance to let off some steam indoors, check out Miner Mike’s Indoor Family Fun Center or Timber Falls Indoor Water Park at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach. A visit to Main Street Music Hall will get your feet tapping. And look into the local horseback-riding opportunities at Hayburner Ranch and Ozark Homestead Riding Stables.
ARTS & CULTURE
The country’s oldest outdoor theater performs two majorly kid-friendly shows this summer. Based on the 2001 animated film about an introverted ogre on a mission to reclaim his swamp, Shrek the Musical runs June 24 through 30. And Mary Poppins hits the stage July 25, combining elements of both the 1964 Disney film and the popular children’s books by P.L. Travers. Bonus: New superquiet fans should help keep audiences cool—and your kids happy—during this summer’s shows. 1 Theatre, Forest Park, 314-361-1900.
A best bet for young history buffs, the museum houses artifacts from St. Louis’ past—check out items from the Corps of Discovery and the 1904 World’s Fair, as well as a replica of Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis aircraft. Through June 2, you can explore Missouri’s ties to the Union and the Confederacy with the exhibit “The Civil War in Missouri.” All summer, the museum offers kid-friendly activities including storytelling, special performances, and make-and-take workshops. 5700 Lindell, Forest Park, 314-746-4599.
If works by Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, and George Caleb Bingham don’t capture your youngsters’ attention, head over to the museum’s impressive collection of Egyptian mummies and suits of armor. What’s more, weekly Family Sundays include free hands-on art activities and a family tour of the galleries. 1 Fine Arts, Forest Park, 314-721-0072.
On a breezy summer day, this contemporary art museum has at least one advantage over the city’s other offerings: It’s almost entirely outdoors. More than 70 sculptures are spread across 105 acres of rolling green space and walking trails. To give your kids an interactive experience, check out Niki de Saint Phalle’s Ricardo Cat, Tony Rosenthal’s House of the Minotaur, and of course, Alexander Liberman’s The Way. 12580 Rott, 314-615-5278.
ANIMALS
Cool off inside Penguin & Puffin Coast, hop on the Zooline Railroad to catch a breeze while seeing the park, and watch sea lions swim above you in the underwater tunnel at the recently opened Sea Lion Sound. Over in the Children’s Zoo, kids can pet goats, watch fennec foxes, and even spy a kangaroo that lives in trees. 1 Government, Forest Park, 314-781-0900.
Lone Elk Park and World Bird Sanctuary
Pack a lunch, grab a spot at a picnic table, and keep your eyes peeled for the buffalo, elk, deer, and foxes roaming freely through the forested park. The World Bird Sanctuary next door is also worth a stop—visitors can watch hawks fly, feed chickens, and converse with a parrot. 1 Lone Elk Park, 314-615-4386; 125 Bald Eagle Ridge, 636-225-4390.
Take a tram ride through Deer Park to discover bison, antelopes, and zebras while a tour guide explains the rich history of the park. The farm also features a petting and feeding zoo for goats and camels; elephant shows; and the iconic Budweiser Clydesdale stables. 10501 Gravois, 314-843-1700.
From mid-March through mid-November, kids can milk a cow, pet piglets and bunnies, ride on a tractor-drawn wagon, crawl through a hayloft, and more. Purina Farms also hosts dog and cat shows—you might get to watch talented canines catch a flying disc, run down a ramp, or maneuver through a series of jumps and hoops. 200 Checkerboard, Gray Summit, 314-982-3232.
Get lost in the lush, tropical conservatory, and spot more than 2,000 butterflies of 80 different species as they take flight and feed on flowers and fruit. An educational butterfly film plays throughout the day, and living bug exhibits teach kids about spiders, scorpions, and other invertebrates. Faust Park, 15193 Olive, 636-530-0076.
SPORTS & RECREATION
Kids can drive go-karts and bumper boats, perfect their miniature-golf swing, and warm up at the batting cages. When temperatures rise, they can beat the heat indoors by hitting the arcade, playing jump-shot basketball on a trampoline, crawling through a soft playground of tunnels and slides, or bowling. (Some attractions are only available at the Fenton location; call or visit the website for details.) 335 Skinker, Fenton, 636-349-7077; 3541 Veterans Memorial Pkwy., St. Charles, 636-947-4487.
To get the kids off the couch, check out what this 30,000-square-foot indoor entertainment center has to offer. Between laser tag, dodgeball, rock climbing, an inflatable obstacle course, miniature golf, and an indoor playground for the under-6 set, there’s sure to be something here that’ll set them in motion. 140 Long, 636-536-6720.
St. Louis is no stranger to hot, humid summer days; Raging Rivers provides an antidote. Find refuge from the heat on the aquatic park’s many slides, body flumes, and pools, including the gigantic Breaker Beach wave pool. 100 Palisades Parkway, 618-786-2345, Grafton, Ill.
Daredevils in the family, take heed. This theme park offers more than 40 rides, including Scooby-Doo, Daffy Duck, and Marvin the Martian rides designed for kids. Brand-new this year is the “stomach-crunching” Boomerang, a 125-foot-tall roller coaster that does exactly what the name implies. 4900 Six Flags, Eureka, 636-938-5300.
SCIENCE & EXPLORATION
Budding scientists can experiment with magnets, learn about the properties of water, and much more in the Discovery Room. Then view a meteor shower in the Planetarium, or see nature at its most in-your-face in the OMNIMAX Theater. In between, catch speeders on Interstate 64 with those handy radar guns. 5050 Oakland, 314-289-4400.
A staple in Kirkwood for 34 years, The Magic House offers kids the opportunity to sit at the president’s desk, solve a mystery, discover secret passageways, and see their hair fly as they touch a Van de Graaff generator. Don’t miss Waterworks or the Bubble Room. 516 S. Kirkwood, 314-822-8900.
Kids of all ages can enjoy a former factory’s worth of fun, from the rooftop Ferris wheel down to the labyrinthine tunnels of the Enchanted Caves. The warmer months offer an opportunity to explore the roof’s additional amenities, including the Splash Pond, a giant rope swing, and the iconic school bus that dangles over the edge. Other activities include hands-on encounters with turtles, sharks, and stingrays at the World Aquarium; arts and crafts at Art City; shows at Circus Harmony; and climbing and sliding in the Skateless Park. 701 N. 15th, 314-231-2489.
The city’s newest addition to the museum circuit offers interactive experiences in science and the arts. Think dinosaur digs, musical trash cans, laser harps, and magnetic bridges. 283 Lamp & Lantern Village, 636-220-7930.
By Caroline Federer, Heather Riske, Brittany Ruess, And Hilary Weaver
