If you only have a day to get away, then these trips are a perfect fit. You can take a walking tour of historic buildings constructed in the 1700s, spend the day floating down a lazy river, explore a cave, or walk across one of the oldest wooden bridges in Missouri. And all are beautiful short drives any time of year in Missouri. Check out this list of the best day trips from St. Louis to help you plan your next adventure:

1. Steelville, Missouri
Josh C. /Yelp
Steelville, MO 65565, USA
Jonathan/Flickr
Called by some "The Floating Capital of Missouri," Steelville is known for its great springs and rivers. The Huzzah, Courtois, Yadkin, Whittenburg, and the Meramec River are all accessible in Steelville for floating, swimming, and boating. But it is the great float trips that bring people here. And there are still plenty of warm days to get in one more float trip before summer ends. This is one of the best day trips near St. Louis you can take.

Learn a little more about the lovely town of Steelville, Missouri in this video from Missouri Life:
2. Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site - Hillsboro, Missouri
Missouri State Parks
Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site, 2545, 9001 Old Lemay Ferry Rd, Hillsboro, MO 63050, USA
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
Built in 1872 and still standing today, this red bridge was one of six built to give passage to St. Louis from Jefferson County. This is a perfect place to plan a romantic day getaway or spend the day viewing history firsthand. You can find more information on the official website: Missouri State Parks. It's one of the most beautiful getaway spots near St. Louis.
3. Purina Farms - Gray Summit, Missouri
Anne McCormack/Flickr
Purina Farms, 500 William Danforth Way, Gray Summit, MO 63039, USA
Allison M. /Yelp
On a visit to Purina Farms, you will see cows, horses, pigs, and many more traditional farm animals. But it is the dog shows that set Purina Farms apart from other interactive farm adventures. Held in a huge arena, the event is a must-see for dog lovers everywhere. They also feature a petting zoo, hay rides, cow milking demonstrations, and much more. You can find more information about a visit here: Purina Farms. It's one of the most unique things to do near St. Louis.
4. Alton, Illinois
Clicked by Avik Chakraborty / Moment via Getty Images
Alton, IL, USA
Curtis Albert/Flickr
Alton, Illinois has so many attractions to see on a day trip that it is hard to highlight only a few. The Great River Road is beautiful this time of year and a perfect sightseeing trip. But Alton has something else that can only be seen there: it is the Piasa Bird drawn on the bluff side. Created by the Native American people who once lived in the area, it has been fully restored to its original greatness. Find more information about the Piasa Bird and visiting Alton on the official website: Visit Alton.

Take a closer look at the fascinating Piasa Caves and the Native American Piasa Bird in this video from K-Brew:
5. Hannibal, Missouri
Jens Bludau via Wiki Commons
Hannibal, MO 63401, USA
City of Hannibal
You can learn all you ever wanted to know about Mark Twain on a visit to Hannibal, Missouri. There is a museum dedicated to Mark Twain's early life and tours of his boyhood home. Hannibal also offers a haunted house, ghost tours, steamboat rides, and trolley sightseeing trips. You can also view Steve McQueen's motorcycle at the Karlock's Kars & Pop Culture Museum. Read our previous article to learn more about Hannibal, Missouri.
6. Fort de Chartres - Prairie Du Rocher, Illinois
Christian Y./Yelp
Fort de Chartres State Historic Site, 2006, 1350 State Rte 155, Prairie Du Rocher, IL 62277, USA
Christian Y./Yelp
Built in 1753, this fort was one of the last forts built by the French in the area. Completely restored and preserved by the Illinois Department of Resources, this old relic will take you back to colonial times. You can view artillery of the day, take walking tours of the grounds, and outside the fort area there is a picnic shelter and barbecue grill. It's one of the most historic day trips near St. Louis. For more information about a visit to Fort de Chartres, read our previous coverage.
7. Meramec State Park - Sullivan, Missouri
scgerding / iStock via Getty Images Plus
Meramec State Park, Sullivan, MO 63080, USA
Missouri State Parks
A short drive down Highway 44 will take you to the amazing Meramec State Park. Beautiful and peaceful, this park is worth the drive just for the river views. But this natural oasis has so much more to offer! You can tour a cave, go canoeing, camp overnight, or hike along the 13 miles of trails in the park. Visit Missouri State Parks for more attractions offered here. You can also learn about one of the many extraordinary hikes in Meramec State Park in our previous article. This state park is one of the best day trips near St. Louis.

Head to Meramec State Park with A Sunny Adventure to enjoy one of the best day trips from St. Louis for nature lovers:

Are you ready to embark on one of these day trips from St. Louis? Are there any day trips near you in Missouri that we should all make sure to take? Share your experience and photos with us in the comments.

State parks are a wonderful way to get out of the city and connect with nature. Check out these 10 amazing state parks near St. Louis for your next outdoor adventure.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

More to Explore

Best Day Trips Near St. Louis

Melissa M. | July 01, 2022

What are some of the most unique things to do in and around St. Louis?

Some of the most unique things to do in and around St. Louis include:

 

There are countless strange, unusual, and, dare we say, unique places to visit in and around St. Louis, Missouri. When choosing St. Louis day trips keep these in mind. From the Miniature Museum of Greater St. Louis where thousands of tiny objects are displayed throughout the museum’s 6,200 square feet to Laumeier Sculpture Park in Sappington, you’ll see things that will make your jaw drop. 

What are some of the best road trips to take from St. Louis?

Some of the best road trips to take from St. Louis include:

 

Take a scenic drive along a section of Historic Route 66 from St. Louis to Joplin, Missouri. Pass through small towns that were developed in a bygone era, take in the scenery, and stop at the many quirky roadside attractions for photo ops. This will be one road trip you won’t soon forget!

What are some of the best getaway spots near St. Louis?

Some of the best getaway spots near St. Louis include:

 

Do you want to find a place to rest and relax? Do you need some time away from city life? If you answered “yes,” then you should go on a weekend getaway. You can take a trip to one of the many small, charming towns not too far from the city. Explore places like the picture-perfect village of Hermann, head across the river to historic Grafton, Illinois, or head to Mark Twain National Forest to immerse yourself in nature.

Related Articles