Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.
-Lao Tzu
After Nashville, St. Louis was the next biggest city that made sense for an extended stop. We stayed 4 nights at St. Louis West/Historic Route 66 KOA Holiday (see blog post on this specific campground in “camping destinations).
Of course, being true to ourselves, we wanted to choose our activities once we arrived, steering clear of cliche, arch related activities (lol – jk but a little serious).
We woke up each day with no plans, other than to enjoy the amenities and what the Eureka area had to offer. Here are our recommendations, suggestions, and takes on the places we decided to experience while in the St. Louis/Eureka area. 🙂
#1: Sandstone Canyon Trail, Don Robinson State Park
For the first full day here, we were super enticed by the Sandstone Canyon Trail pictures online. Who wouldn’t want to experience standing in the middle of a mini canyon, right?! The trail was rated moderate, with a serious warning about ticks (both online and on posters throughout the parking areas and entry to the actual trail). We paid $0 to access this state park + trail which was super nice. There is even a picnic area with a view of the mountains right by the parking area + bathrooms. *NOTE: If you are visiting in the summer months or even early spring, PLEASE take the TICK notice SERIOUSLY. If you are bringing fur babies make sure they are up to date on flea/tick prevention. Sage collected at least 4 ticks throughout the trail, and myself collecting 3, all quickly brushed off + baths upon our return from the trails.
This state park is interesting – it all started with a man (Don Robinson) who acquired around 800 acres of undeveloped mountain land in Missouri. His goal was never to tame it, but to keep it wild, just like him. He lived in a stone house, which he added onto eventually, living out his mountain man life, and upon his death, the state began preparing it and eventually using it as a state park for everyone to enjoy. 🙂
TIP: If you do not want to do the 4 mile loop, or the 2 mile half loop + 1 mile connecter back,… Here is my suggestion: when you get to the end of the paved portion, and see a dirt trail to your right, and then a covered bench area on the right just after it, that is where you can enter the right loop of the trail. It is closest to the connector – take the connector (marked 1), then take another left; this will get you to the canyon fastest! Since the trails/etc. are not clearly marked IMO… we did not have this advice, went towards the left, hiked two miles to finally arrive at the canyon; when you see red partitioning off the trail, that is where the main canyon is! I slept 12 hours that night. LOL
#2: La Finca Coffee, Downtown Eureka
We lucked out and found some delicious Colombian style coffee in Downtown Eureka at La Finca Coffee. Still unmatched to Unlocked Coffee Roasters in Greenville, S.C., it was a close second. 🙂 The pour over had good depth and the energy was slow and peaceful there. If you are in either city and want some quality, well thought through coffee, we highly recommend these roasters.
#3: St. Louis Union Station
On our last full day in Eureka/St. Louis, it was rainy and a little dreary/overcast. We opted to explore just one touristy thing in the city, but it did not disappoint. St. Louis Union Station has a LOT to offer, from a ropes course to an actual aquarium with lots of restaurans trickled in between. We stayed about 3 hours and ended up paying around $15 for parking.
Christian loves ropes courses and zip lining. There is an actual ropes course with two brief zip lines in this “station”! For one adult, it cost $15 for a 30/45 minute access. He had a ball!
We did not intend to eat lunch here but since we got out and about so early due to the rain, we splurged and enjoyed the “Soda Fountain” restaurant that is on site here. They have shakes, burgers, fries, etc. It was yummy and we both grabbed adult floats. This is a kiddo friendly place, though, and I saw many families with kids enjoy shakes and meals together. 🙂
At 1:20 we wrapped up lunch – we had tickets for a 2pm aquarium entrance, but since we were early, we asked the ticket counter staff about entering early, and they said it would be just fine. We walked in with no line, other than standing for about 60 seconds in the holding area for this introduction video simulation they do (since it is a historic station and all). The video simulation is just a room set up like you are on a train and it does a “deep dive” into the history of the tracks quickly as it simulates riding in a train (without actually going anywhere, promise!).
This aquarium is really underrated – It has a ton of touch pools and educational experiences that boosts the small size and small variety it offers. We got to touch fish that nibble your hands, feed piranha, touch stingrays and jellyfish, and watch and educational talk on a tortoise who calls this aquarium his home! All for $27 each. We both really cherish animals and the authentic experiences life offers with them.
We think St. Louis and Eureka, M.O. have some cool things to offer off the beaten path, and a little bit on ;). If you’ve had your own experiences here, please share below!
PS: Our VLOG Post can be found here on St. Louis!