The McCord family was ready for a getaway and Missouri was ready to show them the meaning of family fun.
Traveling from Chicago, the McCords enjoyed a Missouri adventure in the Gateway City, St. Louis, and learned more about one of the Show-Me State’s favorite sons, Mark Twain, in Hannibal.
Six Flags St. Louis: Determine for yourself who wins the battle of Batman vs. Superman when you experience Batman The Ride and Superman Tower of Power, or join the heroes on the Justice League: Battle for Metropolis adventure. Capes are optional.
Saint Louis Zoo: It’s world-renowned for exhibits like Penguin and Puffin Coast and Sea Lion Sound, but there’s another feature at Saint Louis Zoo that families really enjoy – especially when they’re watching a budget. General admission to the zoo is free!
City Museum: Chances are, you’ve never seen anything like this museum in downtown St. Louis. Its unique fun includes five- and ten-story slides, a rooftop Ferris wheel and much more. It’s the ultimate showcase for repurposed materials: everything that’s found a second life at the museum was found in the city or immediate area.
Gateway Arch: At 630-feet tall, the Gateway Arch is the tallest man-made monument in the U.S. Journey to the top for breathtaking views of St. Louis. An ongoing construction project means you can’t access the Museum of Westward Expansion (which is getting an extreme makeover) but don’t miss the adjacent Old Courthouse, one of Missouri’s most historically significant properties.
Citygarden: An urban oasis in downtown St. Louis, Citygarden combines art, plants, fountains and architecture. This playful area offers a vibrant blending of lush plantings and internationally-renowned sculptures with water, stone, architecture and design.
Busch Stadium: Home to one of baseball’s most-storied franchises, the St. Louis Cardinals, this stadium is a great venue for watching a game and enjoying great food and drink. Join fellow fans before or after the game for revelry at Ballpark Village.
Forest Park Grand Basin: Located in Forest Park, home to the 1904 World’s Fair, the Grand Basin is lined with classical promenades, eight fountains and can be accessed by paddleboats – a great family-fun experience – from the nearby Boathouse or numerous paths. The St. Louis Art Museum overlooks this gem.
The Fountain on Locust: A unique restaurant and ice-cream bar, The Fountain on Locust is home to delicious made-from-scratch, caf-style food and award-winning, handcrafted desserts and drinks, including the Ice Cream Martini.
Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum: The streets of Hannibal, along the Mississippi River in northeast Missouri, served as great inspiration for Samuel Clemens, better known to the world as author Mark Twain. Learn about his work and life, and discover the legacy of one of the state’s cultural icons.
Mark Twain Cave: This cave played a role in five of Twain’s novels, including “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” One of the few labyrinth-style caves in the world, guided tours take you throughout the passages that also served as a hideout for outlaw Jesse James.