Need a getaway? These 7 summer destinations are worth the road trip from the metro-east
If you’ve got a break from school this summer or you’re taking some time off work, you may be looking for interesting day or road trips within a few hours drive of southwestern Illinois.
There’s no shortage of destinations near the St. Louis region, from nature-forward activities to college towns, cities and more.
Road trips may be a little more affordable this summer, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports gasoline costs are down 19.7% from last year. You can also utilize Amtrak and take a train trip to Independence, Kansas City or Chicago.
We’ve rounded up a list of seven destinations within a few hours’ drive of the St. Louis region that might entice you.
Shawnee National Forest
This popular southern Illinois destination encompasses 289,000 acres and features camping, horseback riding and hiking trails. You can also enjoy swimming, tubing and waterskiing, or rock climbing in certain areas.
Shawnee National Forest offers more than 300 miles of marked trails (30 miles of which are for hiking only), providing plenty of scenery for those looking to embark on a backpacking trip.
What else to do:
Sangchris Lake State Park
Nestled in central Illinois just outside of Springfield, Sangchris Lake State Park is the place to go for picnics, boating, camping and fishing.
Explore more than 3,000 acres, including 120 miles of shoreline at this state park. There’s also a public archery range, a permit-only dog training area and metal-detecting for those with permits.
You can reserve a campsite or cabin online for overnight stays, or reserve a shelter for a group picnic.
Brookdale Farms
While Eureka might be best known for being the home of Six Flags St. Louis, there are also plenty of family activities to do 15 minutes away at Brookdale Farms.
Brookdale Farms will host a Balloon Glow in July, and you can make appointments throughout the summer for a float trip or horse-drawn carriage ride.
For a fall adventure, check out the corn maze, petting zoo, cow train, inflatables and hayrides.
Cache River State Natural Area
For the chance to see more than 100 endangered and threatened species in Illinois, visit Cache River State Natural Area in Belknap.
The site spans 14,960 acres across Johnson, Pulaski and Massac counties, including areas where you can hike, canoe and bike.
Here’s some of the wildlife to try to spot at Cache River State Natural Area:
Bald eagles
Red-tailed hawks
Great horned owls
Red-headed woodpeckers
River otters
Bobcats
Bird-voiced tree frogs
Cottonmouths
Timber rattlesnakes
Copperheads
Gray foxes
Champaign
As the home of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, this city offers college-town favorites and a bustling downtown area.
If you’re looking to pick up a new read or two, check out the three stories of Jane Addams Book Shop, which carries used and out-of-print books. Whether you’re seeking poetry, cookbooks, graphic novels or mysteries, you’re likely to luck out.
You could also check out UIUC’s Krannert Art Museum, which is free and open to the public. The museum houses more than 11,000 works of art in various media.
What else to do:
Evansville, Indiana
Cross through Southern Illinois to this mid-sized Midwest city for museums, libraries, nature and more.
The Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden is open this summer and has an $11 admission charge for adults and $10 for children ages 3 to 12. The zoo features hundreds of animals, including zebras, Mexican gray wolves, penguins and more.
More attractions in Evansville:
Jefferson City
History buffs can enjoy museums and heritage sites galore in Jefferson City, which is accessible by Amtrak.
Dig into the Missouri State Archives or make a stop by the Missouri State Capitol. Jefferson City is also home to the Katy Trail State Park, Runge Nature Center and Miller Performing Arts Center.
