Apple picking, carnival rides, a petting zoo, and even pig races are a few activities that you can do at Eckert’s Millstadt Fun Farm east of Belleville, Ill. Arriving at the Farm We parked in the gravel lot near the entrance road. I do this since it makes it easier to find the car when we leave. Next, we headed to the Ticket Booth. I…
Hawk Ridge Park in Lake St. Louis, Missouri, offers a scenic lake walking trail and fun playtime at castle-themed Zachary’s Playground. Overview of Zachary’s Playground Zachary’s Playground is named after a neighborhood kid who wanted a place where he could play, even though he is confined to a wheelchair. This playground was one of the first of its kind and was built in 2007. It…
Elephant rocks
Take in the views of far-off hills and be near the shorelines of lakes and ponds in St. Ellen Park in O’Fallon, Illinois. The 85-acre park was originally part of a coal strip mining operation from 1854 until the mine closed in 1960. With the changeover to a park, the topography includes a hill, numerous ponds, and a lake. This hike is on a 2.4-mile…
Hiking along ravines, wooded river hills, and high above Creve Coeur Park is a walk on Bootlegger’s Run in Maryland Heights, Mo. Located on the upper level of Creve Coeur Park. I hiked 4.2 miles with 269 feet of elevation gain along the well-worn natural surface path. Parking for the Bootlegger’s Run Hike I hiked with a group and we all met at the parking…
The 41-acre Tiemeyer Park in St. Ann, Missouri, features a lake with a boardwalk and a one-mile paved trail for exploration. This one-mile walk with 69 feet elevation gain includes two loops with an out and short out and back section between them. If you explore the lake area on side trails, the length is more than one mile. Before Starting the Walk I parked…
Faust Park includes numerous historic buildings, a former Governor’s Mansion, the Butterfly House, and a hike along Missouri River hills. I hiked a trail that goes along the Missouri River hills along with doing a walking tour of the historic village. FAUST HISTORIC VILLAGE Many St. Louis County 19th-century structures were lost to St. Louis County’s suburban development. The St. Louis County Parks Department rescued…
Ancient Native American petroglyphs, a cave, and historic stone overlooks along Big River can all be enjoyed at Washington State Park about an hour south of St. Louis. History of Washington State Park Native American The highlight of this park is the petroglyph area near the main entrance of the park. Thousands of years ago the Middle Mississippian culture found in Cahokia, Ill., built a…
Near St. Louis is Cliff Cave Park with panoramic Mississippi River views and a cave to check out along its trails. CLIFF CAVE HISTORY The cave was first recorded in 1749 by John Baptiste D’Gamache, one of the French founders of St. Louis, who received the cave and land in the Spanish Land Grant. Later, during the 18th century, French fur trappers operated a tavern…
Soar 300 feet above the Mississippi River on the Grafton SkyTour and then feel the rush down an alpine coaster, all part of the day at Aerie’s Resort. We headed out on a warm fall day along the Great River Road north of Alton, Ill., to have some fun in Grafton, Ill. Along with the amusement park-like attractions, we also checked out a few other…
