While exploring Queeny Park, I discovered horses jumping obstacles across hilly terrain, as well as shoreline walks near tranquil ponds. Up on the Hill I turned into the park off Weidman Road and then made the first left onto a road that led to a parking lot upon the ridge in the park. Starting the Hawk Ridge Trail I headed down a short trail from…
Arches National Park has over 2,000 natural stone arches, hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive rock fins, and giant balanced rocks. We had one day to see the park with our young son and opted for short hikes to keep it easy and fun for everyone. Entering the Park We entered after 4 p.m., so we didn’t need a timed admission. This is required and done…
Take a walk through Elsah, a 19th-century village of Victorian cottages on the Great River Road, Illinois Highway 100, 40 minutes north of St. Louis. The village is in a narrow valley tucked between towering river bluffs along the Mississippi River. This paved 1.5-mile walk has 66 feet of elevation gain along sidewalks and streets. At the Trailhead First, I parked in the parking lot…
Explore Bellefontaine Cemetery and find the limestone mausoleum built for beer baron Adolphus Busch and the grave of the famous explorer William Clark. The tour covered about 1.5 miles on paved roads, with a few hills to walk up and down. I joined a Bellefontaine Cemetery Walking Tour led by Master Guide Cathleen. She showed us the graves of Civil War generals and members of…
Follow a paved path that winds through 150 different types of trees and plants at the Bethalto Arboretum in Illinois. The arboretum is next to Central Park, where parking is available and the path begins. This peaceful area was once a railroad route near downtown Bethalto, but now it’s a welcoming green space. The walk through Central Park and Bethalto Arboretum is 1.3 miles round-trip…
Larue-Pine Hills boasts stunning views and features Snake Road, a migratory route for snakes in spring and fall. This area is part of the Shawnee National Forest and has a diverse habitat to explore. SNAKE ROAD MIGRATION This area is perhaps most famous for the biannual “Snake Migration” across the Larue Road at the base of the bluffs, adjacent to LaRue Swamp. This road is…
Take a hike crossing back and forth over a pebble-filled creek, and then let the kids play on a unique playground at Crestwood Park. This is a 0.8-mile walk in Crestwood, Mo., on a paved surface with 56 feet of elevation gain. It is stroller and kid-friendly. Start of the Walk I parked in the lot off of Meadowfern Drive. Paved trails go throughout the…
We took our cart to the center of the Relleke Pumpkin Patch and looked around at the wide variety of pumpkins available. All different types, plump, ribbed, bumpy or warty then colors of robust orange, pale yellow to dark rouge. Our three-year-old son bounded out of the cart and began to jump over the pumpkin vines and touching and inspecting ones that were nearby. Last…
Find your way around a free corn maze and check out 19th-century farm equipment at the Agriculture Educational Garden at Broemmelsiek Park north of Defiance, Mo. Walking through the Corn Maze and exploring the garden was a 0.5-mile walk with 10 feet of elevation gain. This is a gravel and natural surface walk. Corn Maze Before exploring the education garden, I made my way to…
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…
