Ideas for Scenic Drives Near St. Louis
When sunshine peeks between the clouds, the open road calls! Take advantage of the best scenic drives near St. Louis and relish the pleasant stops along the way. Expect epic scenery that can be appreciated in all seasons.
Great River Road
When sunshine peeks between the clouds, the open road calls! Take advantage of the best scenic drives near St. Louis and relish the pleasant stops along the way.
Leading this list of the best St. Louis scenic drives is the Great River Road. This National Scenic Byway follows the Mississippi River from Mexico to Minnesota, guiding drivers down winding roads framed by blue waters and epic rock bluffs. Lucky for us, St. Louis is ideally positioned for residents to take visit some of the road's picturesque highlights. Local spots worth visiting include:
When sunshine peeks between the clouds, the open road calls! Take advantage of the best scenic drives near St. Louis and relish the pleasant stops along the way.
Leading this list of the best St. Louis scenic drives is the Great River Road. This National Scenic Byway follows the Mississippi River from Mexico to Minnesota, guiding drivers down winding roads framed by blue waters and epic rock bluffs. Lucky for us, St. Louis is ideally positioned for residents to take visit some of the road's picturesque highlights. Local spots worth visiting include:
Alton, Illinois
This scenic river town is located only half an hour from St. Louis, but it offers an entirely different vibe. Situated north along Route 3, the community provides historic charm. Here, one-of-a-kind eateries offer delicious flavors, including Grafton Fudge and Ice Cream and Finn Inn Restaurant. Plus, bonus, this is the hometown of Mile Davis!
Grafton, Illinois
Just a few miles down the road from Alton is the tourist-friendly town of Grafton. Explore cute boutiques, restaurants, wineries, and markets. Plus, you can participate in unique activities, including the Raging Rivers Water Park and the Grafton Sky Tour aerial lift.
Pere Marquette State Park
Follow scenic Route 3 north of St. Louis for about one hour to reach the largest state park in Illinois. Tall bluffs offer great vantage points for spotting bald eagles, and charming nature paths provide opportunities for biking, hiking, and horseback riding. Those looking for an overnight adventure can enjoy cabins and campsites.
Louisiana, Missouri
Also known as "the City of Murals," this river town is well worth the scenic drive up from St. Louis. The 20+ murals throughout the area honor the region's rich history. Plus, multiple parks provide peaceful places to enjoy views of the Mississippi.
Hannibal, Missouri
Soak in the beauty of the river on Highway 79, found on the Missouri side. While there are many stops to be enjoyed, Hannibal may be the most noteworthy. Located a little over 2-hours away from St. Louis, this town invites you to visit Mark Twain's childhood home and the cave which inspired The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Hannibal hosts many fun festivals, some honoring its star author and others find inspiration in the eclectic, such as the Big River Steampunk Festival. Regardless of your interests, this riverside destination makes for the perfect road trip or weekend getaway.
Nauvoo, Illinois
Nauvoo is a hotbed of history, cultural events, and nature, and it even has a centrally located state park! Whether your idea of a good time is to explore antique shops, vineyards, or family-oriented adventures, this river town has something for you. For a full day sightseeing the best Nauvoo has to offer, we recommend checking out the outside of the beautiful, one-of-a-kind Mormon temple (regardless of your faith) and Rheinberger Museum for historic reenactments, followed by strolls through Hike Nauvoo State Park and the historic shopping district. If you feel like ditching the car, you can even get around using a horse-drawn carriage! In short, This stop along the Great River Road is well worth the longer yet scenic drive from St. Louis
Route 21 Towards Mark Twain National Forest
An hour and a half from St. Louis, Mark Twain National Forest offers an astounding 1.5 million acres of Ozark beauty. Boating and fishing is made possible by the many pristine rivers and lakes, and hikers can enjoy trails of varying difficulties and length. Venture off of Route 32 and your car or motorcycle will guide you through scenic backroads that weave through thick forests. One of the closer scenic byways is found in the Silver Mines Recreation Area, located near Ironton. Make sure to stop and view the St. Francis River rapids and perhaps partake in a hike or swim.
Route 94 Through Wine Country
Hop on Route 94 headed towards Augusta, Missouri for one of the best driving roads near St. Louis. Short but sweet, this adventure has you cruise underneath leafy canopies that will no doubt inspire you to try the many nearby hikes that are easily accessible from Route 94. While they're all scenic in their own right, the Klondike Trail is one of the best! Easy enough that almost anyone can do it, this park has splendid views well worth your time. Once done hiking, continue along this scenic driving route to some of the best wineries in the St. Louis area. Just remember to drink responsibly, considering the beautiful drive ahead!
Villa Antonio Winery
Only seven minutes away from the Sandy Creek Covered Bridge, this Hillsboro gem offers it all: wine, Italian food, live music, and picturesque scenery. The drive leading to the winery is well worth the trip alone, as it steers you through charming, windy roads that transport you away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Just remember to have a designated sober driver!
Sandy Creek Covered Bridge
Situated less than an hour from St. Louis, the Sandy Creek Covered Bridge is the star of this lovely historic area. It's one of the regions remaining covered bridges and is arguably the most attractive, making it the perfect place to take photos, picnic with the family, and outright relax. No, you can't drive across the bridge itself, but the trip there is a joy on its own. We recommend journeying down Old Lemay Ferry Road rather than Route 21 to explore pretty backroads.
Kiefer Creek Road Near Castle Wood Park
Though less known than the other St. Louis scenic drives on this list, it is worthy of being included. Take this short drive through the park to be enveloped by trees and plenty of opportunities for picnics and hikes. The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? Lincoln Beach! This recreation area grants elevated views of the river and walking paths downward toward the water's edge. Best yet, Kiefer Creek Road is only half an hour from Downtown St. Louis and 15 minutes from Bo Beuckman's Ellisville location. After you stop by our dealership and buy yourself a new car, we suggest having a celebratory drive to one of Greater St. Louis's best scenic destinations.Lone Elk Drive in Valley Park and World Bird Sanctuary
Lone Elk Drive, located half an hour from downtown St. Louis. Take a scenic drive through the natural splendor and, chances are, you'll encounter elks, deer, wild turkeys, raccoons, and bison. Only two minutes away from Lone Elk Park is World Bird Sanctuary. Families can view and learn about endangered birds, including eagles, falcons, hawks, and parrots. There are also trails you can explore to enjoy the country air. The drive from St. Louis to these destinations surrounds you with greenery and offers noteworthy stops along the way. Highlights like Missouri Botanical Garden, Tower Grove Park, and Laumeier Sculpture Park are only short detours that families can combine for a full day of fun. Who would have thought that it'd be so easy to take a walk (or drive) on the wild side so close to the big city?
Wild Horse Creek Road
Looking to whip about epic curves during your next scenic drive from St. Louis? Venture out to beautiful Wild Horse Creek Road! Branching off of Historic 66 near Wildwood, this bendy route ventures deep into nature, skimming the edge of Babler State Park and its namesake creek. You can choose to enter the park itself for additional scenic driving or head back in the direction of St. Louis, eventually meeting up with the prominent Avenue of the Saints.
Finger Lakes State Park
For a full day or an overnight getaway, hit the road and drive down scenic Interstate 70 toward Finger Lakes State Park. Located two-and-a-half hours from St. Louis, this waterside oasis offers space for picnicking, swimming, boating, biking, and even off-road ATVs and motorcycling. If you want to stay overnight, you can camp within the park or stay in the nearby community of Columbia. The drive itself offers opportunities for pitstops with natural beauty, including Howell Island and Graham Cave State Park.Got Other Ideas for Scenic Drives Near St. Louis?
These are only a few of the scenic drives located near St. Louis. So climb behind the wheel, put your foot on the gas, and explore what makes this beautiful region so great. And don't forget to tell us which is your pick for the best scenic driving road near St. Louis!
Looking for the right car or truck to make your next scenic drive possible? Come to Bo Beuckman, one of the best-rated dealerships in the St. Louis area. For more tips exclusive to our region, read St. Louis Car Loans - Scoring Good Rates & Deals and Gifting a Car in Missouri vs. Selling it for $1.00?. And, for fun, why not check out one of the many car shows happening in the St. Louis area this year?
By Sara Beuckman FaronSarah Faron is the Marketing Manager at Bo Beuckman Quality Ford and represents the third generation of the Beuckman family to help run the dealership. She lives in Wildwood, Missouri with her husband and their three children.
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Bo Beuckman Quality Ford
15675 Manchester Road
Ellisville, MO 63011
- Sales: 636-227-5700
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