Hike along the bluffs of the Missouri River, through deep valleys, and explore a small cave on the Lewis and Clark Trail loop at the Weldon Spring Conservation Area. The complete loop covering the Lewis and Clark trails is 8.4 miles long and gains 883 feet in elevation. This includes a short detour to the Katy Trail and various lookouts, which I also visited. If…
A scenic hike around a large lake and Dardenne Creek, abundant with waterfowl, can be enjoyed at 370 Lakeside Park, located just north of Missouri Highway 370 in St. Peters. This 3.5-mile loop is paved and mostly level, with 33 feet of elevation gain. Beginning the Hike I parked to the left of the prominent Corporate Pavilion, which can accommodate up to 300 people. This…
Spanning 600 acres, Wilderness Resort is America’s Largest Waterpark Resort. During winter, you can enjoy three different water parks, one of which features an indoor wave pool. The resort features three lodging locations: The Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort (Main Lodge), Glacier Canyon Lodge (where we stayed), and Wilderness on the Lake (off-property, reached by shuttle bus or summer ferry). During summer, there are four…
The 2024 Top Ten Hikes includes the longest cave in the world and what was once the largest city north of Mexico before Columbus. This year’s list was compiled from summer travel, midwest hikes, and amazing natural beauty. (Waterfall at Letchworth State Park in New York in Main Photo). Click the Titles for the Full Story. Broemmelsiek Park Hikes Hiking alongside a brook and discovering…
Here are my top five summer travel books for 2024, featuring walks through various cities and beautiful spots we have explored as a family or plan to visit soon. Secret Walks: A Walking Guide to the Hidden Trails of Los Angeles by Charles Fleming This book features exciting urban walks through parks, canyons, and neighborhoods unknown and unseen. Each walk is rated for duration, distance,…
These are my Top five Hiking Books for 2024, which include learning about new areas to explore and national parks to visit. We traveled in the Midwest and discovered books that allowed us to connect with nature while exploring the area. Below are the 2024 Top 5 Hiking Books: Best East Day Hikes Acadia National Park by Dolores Kong and Dan Ring This book includes…
See more than a million twinkling lights at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in St. Louis and best of all it is free.
Listen to Christmas music, as you check out the North Pole and drive under jumping deer at the Winter Wonderland in Tilles Park in Ladue. This St. Louis area holiday tradition began in 1987. Glimmering lights are fashioned into over 100 displays of festive characters and winter scenes in seventy-five acres of parkland. At the Entrance You can only enter the Christmas drive-through display from…
See the First Missouri State Capitol and where Lewis and Clark camped during their first expedition as you stroll around downtown St. Charles. This 2.5-mile walk comprises sidewalks, paved, and crushed limestone sections that are fairly level with only 39 feet of elevation gain. The hike goes through Frontier Park and the streetscape of downtown St. Charles, which includes the historic Missouri’s First State Capitol….
Visit the open-air Belleville Christkindlmarkt with food, entertainment, European crafts, and beverages this holiday season. Our Time at Belleville Christkindlmarkt The open-air market in Belleville, Il., is modeled after the Christmas Markets in Germany. It is located at the corner of Main and Illinois streets in downtown Belleville. We parked in a nearby lot by A and High Streets and then walked down High Street…
