Local trips

“One of the most fun experiences I’ve had so far was the class float trip! Over half of the class went to Ozark Outdoors on a five-mile float trip on the Meramec River. It made for great class bonding and a chance to experience outdoor activities in Missouri.” 

Janessa S., M1

“Eckert’s Farm is the place to go for your apple and pumpkin-picking needs. Go with a big group of friends, a significant other, or alone — you’ll have a great time and come away with delicious, affordable produce! It’s a bit of a drive away, so it’s a fun mini-day trip, too. Plus, it’s a great excuse to explore outside St. Louis! And for those who’d rather have a photoshoot than a bag full of fruit, there are few backdrops as beautiful and oh-so-typically fall as an orchard (but why not both?).”

Jen C., M1

[caption id="attachment_12151" align="alignleft" width="1024"] M1s Caroline, Emma, and Kristin apple picking at Eckert's Farm.[/caption]

The largest option for all your apple, berry, and pumpkin picking needs is the expansive Eckert’s Farm. Eckert’s has multiple locations, with the Belleville location being the largest. Does apple picking make you crave cider donuts? Braeutigam Orchards is right down the road from the Belleville Eckert’s, and they have hot coffee, frozen (or hot) apple cider, and their bakery sells incredible apple cider donuts, pumpkin donuts, and ‘apple stick’ pastries. They also have lots of cool farm animals (feed the baby goats!). You can definitely hit up both Eckert’s and Braeutigam in the same day (we recommend stopping at Braeutigam first for snacks before heading to Eckert’s to apple pick).

Pre-Columbian Native American mound city, located just outside St. Louis in Illinois. Cahokia Mounds, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the largest, most complex archeological site north of Mexico.

In the market for a tree this holiday season? Ted Drewes (South City location) sells them from their parking lot each year, but the real fun is in bundling up and heading over to Eckert’s Farm in Belleville to cut down your own. Either way, there’s nothing like the smell of fresh pine to make your place feel cozy and festive as finals approach.

[caption id="attachment_12155" align="alignleft" width="720"] M1 float trip down the Maramec River.[/caption]

River float trips are a tradition in Missouri. Take the lead on planning the unofficial M1 float trip, or get away with a small group of your friends, though this really is a more-the-merrier type of activity. You can rent inner tubes or bring your own. Ozark Outdoors Resort on the Meramec River and Sunburst Ranch on the North Fork River are both good options to look into.

Zip-lining tours near Creve Coeur Lake. Check goape.com for more information.

[caption id="attachment_12153" align="alignleft" width="768"] Water sport rentals at Creve Coeur Lake.[/caption]

Rentals available during good weather. Check crevecoeurlakerentals.net for more info.

The main attraction here is the Blue Owl Restaurant & Bakery, which features the Levee High Apple Pie (one of Oprah’s Favorite Things). Expect Midwestern homecookin’ and waitresses in old timey dresses. If you’re feeling twee, the town also holds an Apple Butter Festival the last full weekend of October.

If you want the best yellow rolls you’ve ever had thrown at your head, or if you’re craving fried okra, sweet tea, and other Southern delights, take a road trip for lunch out to Lambert’s in Sikeston. Expect long waits, full stomachs, and some laughs.

Go for the holiday lights and get some holiday shopping done in the many gift shops along the cobblestone Main Street. Or if you prefer, go during the warmer months and have lunch before renting bikes at the local shop and exploring this small portion of the enormous Katy Trail (a 240-mile bike trail that extends from St. Louis, almost to Kansas City).

Purina Farms is located just outside St. Louis, and their nationally televised agility shows happen here during the good weather months. If watching Border Collies and Aussies zig zag between fence poles is your idea of a good time, check out their calendar online.

Pack some food, a cooler full of drinks, and a car or two full of your classmates, and head to the river for a day of pontoon boating. Choose a sunny day, but in case your future derm classmates forget to remind you: wear sunscreen. Various pontoon rental companies can be found with a quick google.

Dinner cruises, Blues music cruises, and short trips up the Mississippi. Visit the Gateway Arch website to buy tickets.

Six Flags and their sister waterpark. Go for Fright Fest in October for additional scares in the form of haunted houses. Pro Tip: If you want to avoid the lines and support St. Louis Children’s Hospital, go for Children's Hospital Night — tickets for the event are pricey, but you get dinner, a t-shirt, and unlimited, lineless coaster rides (they only sell 3,600 tickets).

Looking to splurge on a getaway while still sticking around? Here are some hotel options worth checking out (keep a lookout for discounts because prices swing widely): Moonrise Hotel, The Cheshire, the Four Seasons, Lumiere Place, the Chase Park Plaza, Hotel St. Louis, the Inn at St. Albans, the Ritz-Carlton.

Don’t miss this. There are a number of winery regions on the outskirts of St. Louis, some with a higher winery density than others. If it’s your first visit, the Augusta area wineries are the easiest to get to and are usually quite lively, but the Hermann wineries are also worth checking out (and reachable by Amtrak for $20; once you get there, take the Hermann Trolley to the wineries for $20/day). It’s best to go any time the weather is tolerable, as most wineries are predominantly an outdoor experience, with pretty views and live music (check their websites for music schedules). Plan ahead and pick wineries that are near each other. Some recommendations include: Blumenhof, Chandler Hill, Montelle, Noboleis, Augusta Winery, Cedar Lake Cellars, and Stone Hill.

Think bowling but golf. A bit of a drive to the western edges of West County, but totally worth it.