ST. LOUIS — Many have good reasons why they can't take the trip of their dreams. But there are numerous affordable alternatives in St. Louis' backyard.
Last year, Expedia Vacation Deprivation Global reported that vacation deprivation is at its highest globally in ten years. The joy of exploration and adventure is seen as optional.
The 2023 Expedia report also showed that Gen Z was the most deprived generation, parents are the most deprived in the population and people working in the airline, agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting industries are the most deprived workers.
The Harvard Business Review also published an article in 2023 about the benefits of vacations on your mind, body, and soul, which makes the request for time off even more critical to human battery life.
5 On Your Side has compiled a list of places perfect for a quick getaway. The following list includes destinations within two hours of downtown St. Louis.
Day trips
- Explore the historic Cahokia Mounds in Collinsville, Illinois.
- Take a float trip, ride a horse, or camp at the Huzzah Valley resort in Steelville, Missouri.
- Shop at thrift shops, boutiques, and gift shops in Kimmswick in Windsor Township, Missouri along Market Street.
- Drive to Kansas City for Monster Jam on June 15 in Kansas City, Missouri.
- Take a hike on the Giant City State Park in Makanda, Illinois.
- Take a tour of the Bonne Terre Mine by boat or scuba dive into the underground lake.
- Marvel at the Ha Ha Tonka Castle Ruin in Camdenton County, Missouri.
- Enjoy Raging Rivers Waterpark in Grafton, Illinois on a hot day.
- Drive to the Monster truck, Bigfoot's, home in Pacific, Missouri, and attend their open house on June 15.
- Hike at Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton, Illinois.
- Drive to Hannibal, Missouri to visit the Mark Twain Cave.
- Enjoy the food and drinks at the Blue Sky Vineyard in Makanda, Illinois.
5 On Your Side has also concocted a list of places that require more driving and perhaps a little longer stay.
Weekend trips
- The Silver Dollar City, Titanic Museum, and Dolly Parton's Stampede Dinner in Branson, Missouri nearly four hours away.
- The Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in Omaha, Nebraska is over six hours away.
- The Lake of the Ozarks is nearly three hours away.
- The Scott Family Amazeum in Bentonville, Arkansas is just under five hours away.
- The Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield is just over three hours away.
- The Bluey X Camp in Chicago, Illinois is nearly five hours away.
- The Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana is nearly four hours away.
- The Children's Museum of Indianapolis in Indiana, Indianapolis is nearly four hours away.
- The Legoland Discovery Center in Kansas City, Missouri is nearly four hours away.
- The Black-n-Bluegrass Roller Girls in Covington, Kentucky is five hours away.
- The Indiana Dune's beach in Porter, Indiana is nearly five hours away.
- The New Buffalo Beach in New Buffalo, Michigan is five hours away.
- The Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin is nearly six hours away.
- The U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama is six hours away.
- The Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City, Kansas is nearly four hours away.
- The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee is less than five hours away.
- The Blue Bank Resort in Hornbeak, Tennessee is less than five hours away.
- The RC Cola MoonPie Festival is June 15 in Bell Buckle, Tennessee is less than six hours away.
- The Mammoth Cave National Park is in Mammoth Cave, Kentucky is nearly five hours away.
According to an anonymous survey conducted by SurveyMonkey and shared by Travel experts, over 75% of American adults plan to take a road trip this summer. The 75.42% with these intentions accounts for nearly 196 million people. While many Americans will take shorter road trips of less than 100 miles or less than 250 miles, more than 33% or almost 87 million people will take a road trip more than 250 miles from home. 5.82% or about 15 million people will road trip more than 1,000 miles from home!
Recharging does not have to look expensive or elaborate. Sometimes it just looks like getting in the car, turning on your favorite playlist, and driving.
