Sitting right by the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, the city of St. Louis, MO is not only a well-known tourist destination with plenty of local attractions but also an excellent gateway to explore the state and take your family on new adventures. Whether you like cities or nature reserves, here are three fantastic weekend getaways you can go on from St. Louis.
3 Great Weekend Getaways in Driving Distance of St. Louis, MO
1. Mark Twain National Forest
Featuring the largest spring of any national forest in the United States, as well as a plethora of beautiful nature trails and picnic areas, Mark Twain National Forest is an excellent destination for a weekend getaway from St. Louis. Boasting an area of nearly one and a half million acres and established in the late 1930s, this nature reserve can be reached in less than one hour and a half via route MO-21.
Whether you are searching for a place to relax or to enjoy your favorite outdoor sports, visiting Mark Twain National Forest is always an excellent idea. Spanning 29 counties and representing more than 10% of all forested land in the state of Missouri, this place features breathtaking viewpoints, biking and horseback riding trails, wildlife-watching areas, swimming spots, and picnic tables.
2. Shawnee National Forest
Nestled between the Mississippi and Ohio rivers and just 100 miles south of St. Louis, Shawnee National Forest is another excellent destination to visit in your 2023 Chevrolet Equinox and enjoy some quality time with your loved ones. Established in 1933 and boasting a total area of more than 265,000 acres, this national forest can be reached in less than two hours by car via route IL-3.
Featuring breathtaking canyons, wetlands, and other unique geological features, Shawnee National Forest is a magnet for nature lovers and a place where you can spend a couple of days recharging your batteries away from the city. Some of the facilities available here include primitive and fully equipped campgrounds, picnic shelters, hiking trails, swimming areas, and public boat ramps.
3. Springfield
The state capital of Illinois is located a little under 100 miles northeast of St. Louis and is a great urban destination where visitors can find historical landmarks, great museums, and a thriving cultural scene. Settled in the late 1810s, Springfield features plenty of local attractions worth visiting, including the Illinois State Capitol, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Abraham Lincoln’s Tomb, and the Old State Capitol Historic Site.
If you are looking for the best car dealership in and around St. Louis, you’ve come to the right place! Hit the road today and visit us at Bommarito Chevrolet South County! Take a tour around our showroom, and find the perfect model for your next travels.
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