Northeast

Grant's Farm is the 281-acre ancestral home of the Busch family, located of the city of St. Louis. The Farm is home to more than 1,000 animals representing more than 100 species from six continents. Grant's Farm, operated by Anheuser-Busch, Inc., has been a St. Louis tradition for more than five decades.

The Farm takes its name from our 18th president, Ulysses S. Grant. In the 1850s, Grant founded and farmed a portion of the 281 acres. Today, this land is preserved as a living symbol of the Busch family's love for animals and Anheuser-Busch's commitment to wildlife conservation and preservation.

Admission to Grant's Farm is free to all ages. Open some Mondays on holiday weekends. There is a lot going on at grant's farm; see our Web site for details and schedules.

We offer a wide variety of float trips on the Meramec River, from Onondaga Cave to Meramec Cavern. Float trips range from five to 15 miles in length. Whether you choose a raft, canoe or kayak, you will enjoy the beauty and peacefulness of the Meramec River.

All of our floats include shuttle service, paddles and life jackets. We provide shuttle service. Excursions on the Meramec provide opportunities for floating, fishing and cave exploration. Gravel bars provide spots to picnic, swim and sunbathe.

We are one hour southwest of St. Louis, off of I-44, at exit 225; five miles south of Sullivan off Route D.

Nearly 7,000 acres of outdoor recreation; more than 30 lakes; several hiking trails, including a three-mile trail for hiking and biking; a full-service rifle, pistol, trap and skeet range (Fri.-Mon, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., and Tue., 2 p.m.-8 p.m., for a fee); and a field archery range. Missouri hunting seasons and regulations apply.

The visitor center features educational displays and naturalist-led programs in aquatic and forest ecology, reptiles, birds and trees. (Programs require reservations.) Picnic facilities include barbecue grills, benches and a covered pavilion.

From I-64; south on Route 94; west on Route D 1.5 miles. Closed holidays and Thanksgiving weekend.

A microbrewery and restaurant located beside the Katy Trail, overlooking the Missouri River Valley. Our beer selections change seasonally. Great food and great beer are available throughout the day. We offer a children's menu and our own Rocket Root Beer, so bring the kids. We offer a beer dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings. There is live music Sunday afternoons in the summer. We have an indoor dining area and outdoor seating. The dinner menu changes monthly, so check our Web site for the latest offerings. We prepare our food on site. (Closed from mid December through mid January; limited hours November thru April.)

Augusta Winery features a year-round tasting room, gift shop, and a covered terrace. Our Wine and Beer Garden is open April through October with free, live music on the weekends. Bring your own picnic or purchase cheese, sausage, snacks, and beverages at the winery. Closed on New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. No outside alcohol or beverages allowed.

At this site, Union troops defeated the pro-south Missouri State Guard in 1861; it was the northernmost Civil War battle west of the Mississippi River. The site features camping, picnicking, hiking, fishing and boating. History tours from one to six hours in duration are available. Guided natural history tours and hikes lasting up to two hours are offered. The site is located 10 miles north of Kahoka.

This area, operated by the Missouri Department of Conservation, features 1,064 acres of mostly woodlands, savannas and crop fields. Regulated hunting, fishing and trapping by permit. Primitive camping near parking areas. Hiking and biking on trails that connect to the Thousand Hills State Park trail system. Access is from Rainbow Basin Trail parking lot.

Birk's Gasthaus occupies the Herzog Mansion. There are nine guestrooms, seven with private bath. There is a game room with a 50" Plasma TV, a poker table and a full size pool table. We serve homemade food and pastries. We offer Murder Mystery weekends; see our Web site for schedules. The park-like setting and wraparound covered porches all set the theme to enjoy our local wines and your stay in Hermann.

This home, built in 1864, has been beautifully restored with the charm of high ceilings, antique furnishings and a sitting porch. All rooms have sitting areas, air conditioning, fluffy bathrobes, and ceiling fans. The inn has common areas decorated with antiques.

We are in the Frenchtown district of St. Charles, 25 minutes west of downtown St. Louis, 15 minutes from Lambert Airport.

Blumenhof is German for Court of Flowers. Our vineyards were established in 1979. Enjoy estate bottled wines. Bring a picnic, or buy one at the winery. No outside alcohol may be brought onto the premises. Large outdoor seating area; limited indoor seating. Tours by appointment. See the Website for live music schedules.One mile from the Katy Trail Dotzow Trailhead. Closed Thanksgiving, 25 December and 1 January.

Cameron Cave offers a different underground adventure; you will tour the cave by lantern light, seeing it as it was when first discovered. The only changes made were those necessary to make the tour more comfortable and to meet Missouri State Safety regulations for show caves. This guided tour takes you through this complex maze cave. The tour lasts about 90 minutes. This is a unique cave experience. Open Memorial Day-Labor Day. Co-located with Mark Twain Cave; one mile south of Hannibal on Route 79.

This park, with its panoramic view of Hannibal and the Mississippi River, is reached by 244 stairs which begin at the north end of Main Street. At the bottom stands the bronze statue, sculpted in 1925, of Twain’s most memorable and mischievous characters, Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn walking along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River.

This park, straddling the Meramec River, is an excellent location for canoeing and fishing. Open for day use only, the park features picnic sites and shelters, a boat ramp and hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails.

Enjoy a six-mile or an 11-mile float on the scenic Meramec River. Rentals are available April-September. Located at Meramec Caverns. Our shuttle takes you up river; you float back to the parking lot. Motel, campgrounds and a zipline thrill ride are available on-site.

The award winning Challenger Learning Center is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to continuing the mission of the astronauts who lost their lives in the 1986 Challenger shuttle accident. We provide hands-on space education programs to schools, corporations, community organizations and the general public. The center features a replica space station and Mission Control center where you can participate in a simulated space mission and be engaged in an unforgettable experience involving activities similar to those performed by NASA astronauts, scientists and engineers.

The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis is here to promote chess across the area by offering materials and mentors to individuals, schools and other groups. We also host tournaments and exhibitions and sponsor lectures and classes. But most important, we supply our members a place to play, and opponents to challenge, afternoons and evenings, six days a week.

Chesterfield Sports Fusion is a unique indoor family recreation facility, offering fun attractions for people of all ages in an inviting and comfortable atmosphere. Activities include: laser tag; rock climbing; mini golf; dodge ball; inflatable obstacle course; jumpshot (trampoline basketball); an arcade; a three-story play structure; and the Fusion Cafe.

We are a great venue for group functions, where the weather never spoils the event. Call us for your birthday party, anniversary, graduation, family reunion, team building, fundraising, or any group event.

Climb So iLL is St. Louis’ premier indoor rock climbing facility offering a unique indoor climbing experience. The Power Plant rock-climbing facility is located just south of downtown St. Louis in the former City Hospital Power Plant building at the intersection of interstates I-44 and I-55. The facility features world-class climbing walls for children, beginners, families, and recreational and professional athletes. The Power Plant also includes a fully stocked Pro Shop specializing in rock-climbing equipment, merchandise and apparel.

This facility is scheduled to open in February 2012; please call for more details.

Columbia Bottom is a mosaic of natural communities including wetlands, forests, prairie, and cropland. The area encompasses the 110-acre Duck Island on the Mississippi River, as well as more than six miles of river frontage. A semi-circular road runs through the area and features eight exploration stations along the way, where visitors can discover surrounding habitats in a self-guided learning experience. The confluence of Missouri and Mississippi Rivers – the fourth largest river system in the world – can be observed from the site’s Confluence Viewing Platform, located at the end of the semi-circular drive. The site office and visitor center has a number of educational displays designed to help guests get acquainted with the site. Naturalist-led educational programs are frequently offered for the public and school or scout groups. Please call ahead, as most programs require advanced registration. The area offers hiking and biking opportunities and river access. Columbia Bottom Conservation Area is in North St. Louis County. Take the Riverview Drive exit from I-270, then go north on Riverview about 2.5 miles.

Motel rooms, kitchenettes and private bedroom kitchenettes; pool; picnic pavilion; recreation room; boat parking; and fishing ponds. All ground level with ample parking.

We have 45 sites (15 pull-thru) with 30/50 amp hookups, water and sewer. We also have tent sites, showers, laundry, arena campfire, firewood, Wi-Fi, cable, mini-golf, banquet room, pavilion, soft-serve ice cream, Broaster food products and propane refills. Pets must be leashed. We are located nine miles from the Mississippi River. Open year-round.

Canoe and raft rentals for floating on the Meramec River. No dogs or fishing allowed in rafts. One block south of I-44 on Route W.

Age restrictions: You must be 21 years old to rent equipment from us. Children younger than age 5 will not be allowed to float in our canoes; children younger than age 3 will not be allowed to float in our rafts; children younger than age 3 will not be allowed on any of our float trips.

More than 38 miles of hiking, backpacking and equestrian trails wind through this 6,393-acre park. Camping, equestrian camping, a lake for fishing and swimming, picnicking, an organized group camp and a visitor center are features. The park is located three miles east of Troy. Visit the website for park office and visitor center hours.

Located about 10 miles northeast of Hermann, Daniel Boone Conservation Area makes for a nice diversion from Route 94, and it is a great spot for a picnic lunch.

A seven mile multi-use trail allows you to explore the area by foot, horse, or bicycle. You'll likely see many songbirds, and perhaps the elusive ruffed grouse.

Deep valleys, glades and rugged, wooded hills are there for outdoors enthusiasts. Several ponds supply opportunities to take catfish, sunfish and bass.

From Route 94: Route 19 north; Route Y, east. From I-70: Route Y at Jonesburg, six miles; southwest on Tower Road at the cantilever sign near Oak Grove Church; go three miles.