• Hikes,  Hiking,  Illinois,  Kids,  Missouri,  St. Louis

    The Best Fall Hikes Near St. Louis

    Fall is our favorite time for hiking. The weather is cooler, the bugs are almost gone, and the leaves put on a spectacular show. There are so many great spots near St. Louis that offer great vistas and beautiful fall colors. Here is a round up of 10 fall hikes we love within 90 minutes of St. Louis. Castlewood State Park – Ballwin, Missouri Castlewood is one of the most well-known hiking spots near St. Louis and with good reason. Make…

  • Illinois,  Kids,  Missouri,  Playgrounds,  St. Louis

    The Best St. Louis Area Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes

    While you could buy a ready to go pumpkin from the grocery store, it’s a lot more fun to make the trip to one of the many St. Louis area farms that offer pick-your-own patches. Not only do they present a beautiful backdrop for choosing the perfect pumpkin, but most of these patches have a variety of family friendly activities and entertainment. Read on for the best St. Louis are pumpkin patches to explore no matter which side of the…

  • Hiking,  Illinois,  Kids,  Missouri,  St. Louis

    Walk Route 66 Over the Mississippi on the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge

    One of the most unique and longest pedestrian bridges in the world can be found just north of downtown St. Louis. This bridge allows you to get your kicks on Route 66 in two different states. The old Chain of Rocks Bridge was completed in 1929 and spans the Mississippi River between Missouri and Illinois. The main feature that sets this bridge apart is that there is 22-degree bend midway across the mile long span. When construction began on the…

  • Hikes,  Hiking,  Illinois,  Kids,  St. Louis,  Trips

    Pere Marquette -Illinois’s Largest State Park

    Pere Marquette is one of the very best parks in the state of Illinois. Over 8,000 acres of lush forests and rugged hills are waiting to be explored just an hour north of St. Louis along the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway. Fall brings a spectacular display of colorful foliage while winter is prime time for eagle watching. The expansive views and overlooks of the Illinois River and its backwaters can be viewed any time of year.…

  • Hikes,  Hiking,  Illinois,  Kids,  St. Louis

    Exploring Caverns and Rock Art at Piney Creek Ravine in Illinois

    Piney Creek Ravine Nature Preserve is a bit of a secret hike. Visit this spot even on a summer weekend and you may still have the whole trail to yourself. So many don’t realize this dramatic and historic spot exists tucked deep in the farm fields of southern Illinois. Not only does the preserve feature dramatic canyons and trickling creeks, but the main claim to fame here is the biggest display of prehistoric petroglyphs and pictographs in Illinois. You can…