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The Best Christmas Lights around St. Louis
One our family’s favorite holiday traditions is to drive around and look at the colorful light displays. Some of these trips are through elaborate set ups in various parks with millions of lights. Other displays are put up by festive homeowners who go all out to celebrate the season. No matter which side of the river you are on, here is a list of some great spots to check out this year. *List has been updated with new events and…
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View Historic Ruins at Fort Belle Fontaine Park
Fort Belle Fontaine is a St. Louis County Park steeped in history. This site was established in 1805 as the United State’s first military installation west of the Mississippi River. The fort took its name from a nearby spring named “Belle Fontaine” which means “beautiful fountain” in French. Lewis and Clark camped near this site at the start of their famous expedition and also stayed at the newly established fort and trading post on their return in 1806. The fort served…
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Explore Turquoise Waters and History at Maramec Spring Park
Missouri is known for having an abundance of beautiful natural springs. One of these springs can be viewed 90 minutes west of St. Louis at Maramec Spring Park. An area of stunning beauty, the park contains the fifth largest spring in the state. An average of 100 million gallons of water flows from the spring daily into a pool of deep blue water. Park History After being told of the spring and iron deposits in the area by local Native…
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Best Hikes in Shawnee National Forest
The Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois is one of our favorite areas to explore. You forget anything you ever thought about Illinois’s flat landscape when you view the rugged bluffs, trickling creeks, and dramatic overlooks that can be found in Shawnee. Shawnee has an amazing amount of scenic areas and parks to explore. There are trails available for all ages and abilities from a quarter mile easy trek to a multi-day backpacking adventure. It’s hard to pick our favorite…
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Explore Mighty Views and Rugged Terrain at Illinois’s Little Grand Canyon
Arizona is not the only state that can claim a Grand Canyon. Illinois has its own version. While nowhere near as large or as grand, this rugged area is still an amazing sight. Not designed for the beginner hiker, this rough and tumble trail requires you to literally scramble up and down a slick waterfall in and out of a steep ravine. However, the constant stunning views both from above and below the bluffs are well worth the effort. Little…
