4 Great Spots for Camping Near St. Louis, MO
Camping is a great way to spend a weekend in the great outdoors, and for residents and visitors of St Louis, MO, there are plenty of nearby campgrounds where everyone can get away from the city for a few days. Whether you prefer the ruggedness of a tent or the comfort of an RV, you’ll find your new favorite spot on this list.
1. Washington State Park
This hidden gem on the Missouri River to the west of St Louis is perfect for hiking, fishing, boating, and swimming. The park is also an area of high historical importance, with the largest collection of ancient petroglyphs in the state, as well as buildings constructed by the Civilian Construction Corps in the 1930s.
The park’s campground has something for everyone, offering both basic and developed sites with electrical outlets, and a special-use area. There is also a dedicated family campsite that includes roomier pitches, with enough space for everyone. The campsite is open year-round, but facilities are more limited during the off-season, from November to March.
2. Cuivre River Campgrounds
Located just under an hour’s drive from downtown St Louis, the campground at Cuivre River make an excellent base for exploring the rugged mountains of northern Missouri’s Ozarks. The park is full of natural beauty, despite its proximity to the city, and its wilder nature means it’s one of the parks most beloved of hikers.
The nearby Lake Lincoln is perfect for swimming, boating, or fishing, or visitors can observe the teeming wildlife in the miles of woods and mountains that make up the park. Campsites vary from simple dirt plots to full RV hookups, with access to sewage, electricity, and water.
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Test-Drive the 2021 Chevy Suburban
It’s not going to be hard for the new 2021 Chevy Suburban to impress you. This incredible SUV is a vehicle up for anything. If you’d like to learn more, here’s why you should head to your dealership to test-drive this car.
The Basics
SUVs make great vehicles because of their versatility. If you’re looking for a large SUV that’s up for any adventure that you’re planning on going on, then the new Chevy Suburban is the car for you. With its big, bold looks and impressive engine options, what’s not to love?
The Chevy Suburban has already solidified itself as a fantastic vehicle in the eyes of drivers everywhere. But the new year had provided it with additional features, like an independent rear suspension, that makes it even better.
Trim Levels & Pricing
Looking for just the basic vehicle without any fancy features? You’ll want to go with the LS model, which will cost you around $53,995. If the basic vehicle doesn’t offer quite enough for you, then you might want to consider the LT trim which costs about $58,695. If that still isn’t quite enough for you, consider going with the RST trim for around $61,795.
You may want to look into the more luxurious trim levels if you’re on the hunt for something truly outstanding. The Z71 trim will cost you around $63,895, and the Premier about $67,195. Finally, you have the High Country model which will run you about $74,095.
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4 Great Parks in and Around St. Louis, MO
The magnificent parks in and around St. Louis, MO, offer visitors an endless amount of sports and recreational activities, art, culture, and history. The city boasts one of the best and urban open spaces in the country and scenic trails that meander through forests, meadows, and along the banks of lakes and streams where wildlife is in abundance.
1. Forest Park
The 1,300-acre oasis, the city’s greatest civic treasure, is considered one of the country’s best urban spaces. The park boasts various historic landmarks, statues, and monuments, and the region’s most important cultural institutions: The Missouri History Museum, Saint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis Science Center and James S. McDonnell Planetarium, Saint Louis Zoo, and The Muny, an outdoor musical theatre.
In addition to the wide range of cultural and sports activities, the lakes and lagoons offer excellent fishing opportunities, and scenic paths that wind through forests, nature reserves, over meadows, and past lakes and streams.
2. Castlewood State Park
The park runs for 5 miles along the Meramec River that cuts through majestic white limestone cliffs, oak and hickory forests on the north side, and past a rare indigenous bottomland forest on the south side. On the hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails that wind through the park, nature lovers often spot white-tailed deer, kingfishers, great blue herons, and wild turkeys.
The river is popular with paddlers and anglers who regularly hook largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish. The World Bird Sanctuary in the park showcases a range of bird species and interpretive displays on birds of prey.
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Getting a Chevy oil change regularly is essential if you want your Chevy to continue working correctly. Oil changes ensure your engine runs smoothly, your gas mileage remains steady, and your car doesn’t stutter or break down while driving. However, how often should you really get an oil change?
Has It Been 3 Months?
If it has been three months since your last oil change, it might be time for another one. Generally, experts recommend changing your oil every three to six months. Twice a year should be the minimum. Alternatively, you can go by miles and change your oil every 3,000-6,000 miles.
Signs You Need a Chevy Oil Change
If you have not been keeping track of how long it has been or how many miles you have driven since your last oil change, some other telltale signs can tell you if it is time for an oil change. The first thing to look at is your OLS. OLS stands for Oil Life System, which is an oil monitoring system.
Most Chevys will have this light, which will turn on when it is time to service your car. It monitors things such as how many miles you have driven and engine temperature. Other signs you might need an oil change include a rattling engine or dirty oil. Since oil is vital for the lubrication of the engine, rattling noises may mean you need new oil. Shaking, excessive exhaust, and engine stuttering can also be signs you need an oil change.
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Get to Know the 2021 Chevy Equinox
Looking for a car that can keep you connected when you need to be, but let you slip off the grid whenever you want? Look no further than the 2021 Chevy Equinox. A striking look, spacious cabin, and impressive gas mileage make for an unforgettable ride that feels great to drive and looks even better.
It’s an Unmissable Drive
With seamless six-speed automatic transmission and accurate, responsive steering, drivers love how pleasing of a ride the Equinox presents. The 2021 model comes with a 1.5 turbo engine with 170 horsepower and will see you enjoying 31 miles to the gallon, which is excellent for a compact SUV. An impressive 252-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged engine is available and gets you a zippy acceleration if you’re often taking on highways and cruising.
All-wheel drive equips you for all kinds of conditions. The car’s design is the perfect blend of well-proportioned and compact to get you into tight spaces and around corners, so feel unperturbed by even the most crowded parking garage.
Customize It to Your Heart’s Content
While the base model already looks great and drives excellently, we wouldn’t fault you for wanting to upgrade. The Sport Edition, for example, has an athletic look highlighted with some sharp accents, and pairs whatever color you choose for your exterior with a black front grille and 19-inch glossy black aluminum wheels to create a striking, bold look. Inside, perforated leather seating rounds out this sporty aesthetic.
The Midnight Edition, meanwhile, is chicly all black: from the metallic black color, a black grille, and glossy black wheels on the exterior to black leather seats on the interior, it’s bound to catch some eyes. There are a number of other features you can help yourself to in the Equinox, including automatic climate control, a panoramic roof, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
If you are a fan of Mexican restaurants, then you are going to love seeing just how many great spots the St Louis, MO area has to enjoy. While most people don’t necessarily think of the region as having some of the best Mexican food around, the opposite is true. Let’s explore together as we investigate some of the region’s most appealing spots for great Mexican cuisine.
El Tapatio Authentic Mexican Restaurant
Those who must order from a restaurant that respects all the time-honored traditions of authentic Latin cuisine will love their visit to El Tapatio Authentic Mexican Restaurant. The menu here presents a range of dishes that are each prepared fresh daily with high-quality ingredients and historic recipes straight from Latin America. The restaurant also has a large drink menu to take things to new heights. Alcohol is intended for adults of the legal drinking age only.
Some rotating weekly specials, such as Gaviota Wednesdays and Chicken Fajitas Sundays, make it so that diners are always excited by the offerings here. Of course, there are plenty of strong items that you can order off of the menu at any time, such as the Arandas Cheese Steak and the Nachos El Tapatio. If alcoholic beverages aren’t your thing, the restaurant also has some great alcohol-free beverages like Horchata and Mexican Soda.
Taqueria El Bronco
Taqueria El Bronco has received plenty of accolades from local media outlets over the years, with news sources awarding the restaurant with the title of best St. Louis Tacos and being named one of the top ten Mexican restaurants in the city. With so much praise floating around, it’s no surprise that the restaurant has recently expanded to meet demand.
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Fixing your car’s transmission problems can range from a simple repair to a costly rebuild. But how do you know if your vehicle needs minor repairs or has serious issues that require immediate attention? Watch out for the signs below that you need to have your transmission checked and serviced at your trusted Chevy dealer.
1. Foul Smells From the Engine
A long trip can lead to discovering new scents on the road. However, keep an eye out for odors that appear to be coming from your engine. A smoky or foul-smelling odor is a sure sign of transmission system problems. When transmission fluid becomes low, it is prone to overheating and burning. In addition, your engine might have to exert more power, causing the temperature in your car to rise and result in a heater core meltdown.
2. Clunking, Machine-Like Sounds
Strange noises suggest that something must be wrong with your transmission system. If you’re driving a car with a manual transmission, you may notice machine-like sounds while you’re shifting gears. As soon as you hear the odd sounds, it’s best to schedule a maintenance service to address the issue right away before your transmission system completely fails.
4 of the Best Golf Courses Near St Louis, MO
St Louis, MO is known for its iconic gateway arch that rises 630 feet from the ground. The area also has attractive golf courses, and if you fancy playing the gentleman’s sport, here are a few places to check out.
Glen Echo Country Club
The Glen Echo is one of the oldest golf clubs west of the Mississippi because it was opened in 1901. Another historic and unique fete the club is known for is being the only one to have hosted the Olympic golf games in the US. Held in 1964, this was the third Olympic games tournament after the event launched in 1896.
Currently, you can join via regular, corporate, junior, social, or gold medal membership to enjoy the pristine golfing facilities. There’s also a swimming pool, tennis court, a wide variety of dining options, and grounds for weddings or private events.
Forest Park Golf Course
This facility is only 10 minutes from downtown St. Louis, and it is the only public golf option in the area. It is located in the gently rolling hills of Forest Park, which is the second-largest municipal park in the country.
The actual golf course is named Norman K. Probstein, and it boasts of being one of the best in mid-America. It has three par-35 9-hole layouts (27 in total) that you can play in different combinations. This makes it ideal for fun or competitive playing for golfers of all ages. At the same time, you get a beautiful backdrop with mature trees, natural water features, and undulating greens.
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3 Standout Features of the 2021 Chevy Colorado
The 2021 Chevy Colorado is a mid-size pickup with a lot of charm. It outshines the competition through several standout features that any driver will love. If you don’t believe us, let’s explore those features together to see if we can change your mind.
1. Teen Driver Safety Features
The Chevy Colorado has a feature that doesn’t exist in many competitors we’ve come across, making it a highly desirable and exclusive find. The Teen Driver System technology is designed for parents of new drivers who wish to monitor their teen’s driving behavior. First, the Chevy Colorado lets you set a maximum speed so you’re limiting how fast your teen can drive anywhere. After that, you can download an app to monitor what they’re doing.
Monitoring your teen’s driving habits is a fantastic way to gauge what they need to do to improve and drive more safely. Knowing that you’re watching their every move may also influence your teen driver to be safer by default. If you want to make the vehicle even safer for your teenager and you, add the optional lane departure warning and forward collision alert safety features to your chosen trim.
2. Off-Roading Models
The Chevy Colorado has a trim that’s perfect for those of you who want to hit the trails and have some fun on the rough terrain: the Chevy Colorado ZR2. The ZR2 comes with an array of features that make it the perfect truck to tackle any terrain. It has a heavy-duty suspension, four-wheel drive, and hill descent control. Traction-wise, the Chevy Colorado ZR2 has locking front and rear differentials. There’s also rocker protection and special shocks.
If you want a similar trim but without the shocks and rocker protection, consider the Chevy Colorado Z71. It has equal prowess on various terrains. It shares most of its features with the ZR2; it’s only those last two exclusive features that the Z71 lacks.
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3 Favorite Coffee Shops Near St. Louis, MO
There’s nothing like a cup of joe to start your morning and power your day, and St Louis, MO is home to a wide range of coffee shops and cafes that are perfect for all types of coffee drinkers. Whether you like your caffeine in a sugary latte or delivered through plain black coffee, one of the three places listed below is the spot to go.
1. The Mud House
The Mud House is one of our favorite places in the city to enjoy a cup of coffee either by itself or paired with a deliciously hearty breakfast. Espresso lovers can customize their beverage with non-dairy milk like oat, almond, or soy and add a housemade syrup flavor such as vanilla, chocolate, caramel, lavender, rosemary, and honey. We recommend the Kukicha Green for a caffeinated tea choice and the Royal Treat-mint if you prefer a decaf drink.
Breakfast is served all day at The Mud House, and we’re having a hard time choosing between the Veggie Breakfast Sandwich with goat cheese, cucumber, and apricot chutney and the Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sandwich made with white cheddar and smothered in maple-mustard sauce. Try the Mud Slinger with two sunny side up eggs, or make it vegan with tofu and potatoes. Diners who prefer a sweet breakfast will love the French Toast with lemon mascarpone.
2. City Coffee & Creperie
City Coffee & Creperie is a European-style coffeehouse that specializes in pastry items, delectable breakfasts, and handcrafted espresso drinks to wash it all down. Adventurous diners can try the Coffee of the Day, while latte lovers will enjoy either the Tuxedo Latte or the Red Velvet Latte. Enjoy a smoothie in flavors such as blueberry, banana, raspberry, strawberry, and mango, or go with a Mexican Hot Chocolate paired with a homemade scone fresh from the kitchen.
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