1) The Magic House, St. Louis
The Magic House is a fascinating indoor playground for children of all ages. Shop at the pretend grocery store, deposit a check at the bank, work at the TV station, catch dummy fish in the river, crawl through tunnels and build magic sand castles. The fun never ends. You practically have to drag your kids out of there when it’s time to leave.
Cost: $8.75 (ages 1 and above).
Note: Closed on Mondays and doesn’t open until noon on weekdays during the school year. It can get very crowded on weekends.
2) The City Museum, St. Louis
The City Museum is a multistory, humongous jungle gym for children and adults of all ages. Do arts and crafts, climb through tunnels and walkways, and jump into a gaping dark hole taking you into a near free-fall ride down a monster slide. Take a picture of the world’s largest pencil, a 76 feet long utensil that writes and erases, and hang out with sharks, stingrays, and seahorses in the 13,500 square ft. aquarium on the museum’s second floor.
Cost: $12.00 per person. $8.00 on weekends after 5 PM. Aquarium tickets are $5.00.
3) Forest Park, St. Louis
Forest Park is the largest urban park in the US and the home of the third-largest zoo in the country, The Saint Louis Art Museum, The Saint Louis Science Center and The History Museum. Attend dolphin shows and art exhibits, and observe magic illusions and old trolleys, all in one and the same gigantic park. Take a stroll down the hidden paths, climb over small bridges and enjoy the sights of the beautiful water ponds. Next to the History Museum there is a wonderful outdoor playground with creative swings, see saws, a larva-turns-to-butterfly garden and two jungle gyms for toddlers and tweens. Parents can relax on nearby benches while the kids play.
Cost: General admission to the park, the Science Center, the Museums and the Zoo are free. Parking at the zoo is $6. The safari pass, which can be purchased for $10, gives you free access to train rides, two 3-D movies, two simulator rides, two animal shows and entrance into the children’s zoo.
4) Adrenaline Zone, St. Charles, Missouri
One of the State’s largest multi-level laser tag arenas, coupled with Demolition Ball. Team members must work together to defeat the opposing players. You never know what to expect, as you work your way through the jungle maze. Great for company team building, birthday celebrations and bachelor or bachelorette party events.
Cost: $12.00/person (minimum 4 people). Single court: $179. Both courts: $358
Note: Opens at noon Monday through Saturday and at 2 PM on Sundays. Accepts groups from 10 to 500. Minimum age: 7 years.
5) Wine Country Gardens, Defiance, Missouri
Wine Country Gardens feature waterfalls, swans and spine-tingling daylilies in all areas of the color spectrum. Enjoy indoor or outdoor dining at a reasonably-priced restaurant that serves mouth-watering grilled salmon and pork tenderloin and offers a great selection of domestic and imported wines. Their Mother’s Day menu offers a magnificent buffet with items such as Egg Strata, stuffed pork tenderloin, fresh strawberry salad, Gourmet pastries and double chocolate bread pudding with vanilla sauce.
Cost: Main courses: $10-18. Mother’s Day Brunch: $23. Children 6-12: $10. Children 3-6: $3. Children 0-3: Free
Note: Check out the website for special events during the year.
6) Fantastic Caverns, Springfield, Missouri
Fantastic Caverns prides itself on being America’s only ride-through cave. You are taken on a guided tour of a breathtaking cave in a jeep-drawn trailer. The tour guide explains the amazing history of the cave and makes frequent stops to answer questions. Great for people with mobility problems or with small children, as no walking is required.
Cost: Adults: $ 21.50. Children 6-12: $13.50. Children 0-5: Free.
Note: Opens at 8 AM. The trailers depart every 20 to 30 minutes throughout the day, and each tour takes about an hour.
7) Missouri Wine Country, Hermann, Missouri
The small town Hermann is one of the jewels of Missouri located in the hills in Missouri wine country. Embrace yourself in the charm of the old German architecture, indulge in fine-wine tasting at Missouri’s prize-winning wineries and shop for unique items at the local boutiques.
Cost: Varies
8) Ice Zone, Hazelwood, Missouri
The Ice Zone skating rink is the official practice site of the St. Louis Blues. This indoor rink gives both the professional and the novice an opportunity to take joy in the wonders of ice skating regardless of whether it snows or rains or the temperature approaches 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The most popular activities are the public skating sessions and the special events. But you can also sign up for classes and learn figure skating or ice hockey. Or host your birthday party or bridal shower at the rink.
Cost: Admission: $5.50 for ages 6 and above, $3.00 for ages 0-5 (includes skate rental), skate rental: $2.50
Note: See the website for the time schedule for scheduled events and public skating sessions
9) Shryocks Callaway Farms, Columbia, Missouri
Having farmed in Northern Callaway county since 1889, the fourth- and fifth-generation Shryock family offers fun activities for the whole family, including a life-size corn maze, group hayrides, sizzling campfires, and a pick-your-own pumpkin patch. The old-fashioned barn in the traditional red and green color scheme is one of the major attractions of the farm and provides a nice opportunity to relax once you have managed to escape from the unpredictable tracks of the corn maze.
Cost: For pricing information, email the Shryocks at:[email protected]. Or give them a call. Tel: (573) 592-0191
Note: Check the website for the varying opening hours during different seasons. Call in advance to set up reservations for hayrides and campfires.
10) Loose Park Rose Garden, Kansas City, Missouri
This beautiful park features a lake, 1.48-mile and 1.04-mile walking trails, Civil War monuments, picnic areas, and the Laura Conyers Smith Rose Garden with 4,000 roses of 150 varieties. The Japanese tea room hosts group events. The garden’s playground offers a great opportunity for the kids to burn energy while you and your friends take turns improving your serve and practicing your tennis split step at one of the four tennis courts.
Cost: Varies for different activities. Consult the website for more information.
