12 Inexpensive Road Trip Destinations In Missouri That Won’t Break The Bank
By Liz Oliver|Updated on July 09, 2023(Originally published July 04, 2023)
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Liz Oliver
Author
Liz is a Missouri native with a B.A. in English from Mizzou and a M.A. in Non-Profit Administration from Lindenwood University. She works for a STL metro-area community college and enjoys writing, traveling, and indoor cycling. Her true passion is forcing her encyclopedic knowledge of Missouri facts on uninterested strangers from across the globe!
Missouri is a great place to find inexpensive weekend getaways. In bigger cities, there are many free museums and modern city parks. Out in rural Missouri, you can find amazing state parks, gorgeous natural wonders, and historical sites well worth a visit. The road trip options are endless here! But even if you have already splurged a little this season, you don’t have to stop having fun under the summer sun. This list of 12 inexpensive road trip destinations features a lot of great free attractions that will only cost you a tank of gas!
1. Forest Park, St. Louis
Forest Park, Grand Drive, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Forest Park was recently named the best city park in the nation. It's easy to see why with well maintained grounds, endless opportunities for exercise, and the amazing free museums. Spend your day visiting the free zoo, art museum, history museum, or catch a showing at the Muny.
2. Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Camdenton
Ha Ha Tonka State Park, 1491 Missouri D, Camdenton, MO 65020, USA
Ha Ha Tonka State Park is a great place to camp, hike, or swim at the Lake of the Ozarks. The main attraction at Ha Ha Tonka is the castle ruins that sit on the bluffs overlooking the lake.
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3. Meramec Caverns, Sullivan
Meramec Caverns, 1135 Hwy W, Sullivan, MO 63080, USA
Meramec Caverns is one of Missouri's most visited caves. This amazing cave formation is open year-round and is always a cool 65 degrees. At one point in its long history, the cave was thought to be a hideout of the outlaw Jesse James.
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4. Danial Boone Home, Defiance
The Historic Daniel Boone Home, 1868 Hwy F, Defiance, MO 63341, USA
Daniel Boone moved to Missouri with his family in 1799. His home and other buildings from the early 1800s are now part of a small pioneer town in St. Charles County. Learn about what living in Missouri was like before it became a part of the union at this historic homestead.
5. Kauffman Memorial Gardens, Kansas City
The Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden, 4800 Rockhill Rd, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
The Kauffman Memorial Gardens are a small and beautiful oasis in Kansas City. This city garden is tended to by Powell Gardens staff which means you will always find stunning and well-maintained grounds.
6. Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, Lesterville
Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, 148 Taum Sauk Trail, Middle Brook, MO 63656, USA
Johnson's Shut-Ins is located in southeast Missouri and is one of the best natural swimming destinations in the state. Hike the trails through the park on a hot summer day then cool off with a swim before you head home!
The Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum sits on the banks of the Mississippi River in Hannibal. Mark Twain is a beloved American author who penned The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. See the homes of the people who inspired some of the most popular characters in American Literature.
8. Hammons Field, Springfield
Hammons Field, 955 E Trafficway St, Springfield, MO 65802, USA
It can be a bit costly to see an MLB game but minor league games are just as fun and half the cost! The Springfield Cardinals are a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. Hammons Field is considered one of the best minor league parks in the nation, there isn't a bad seat in the house.
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9. Grand Falls, Joplin
Grand Falls, 5685 Riverside Dr, Joplin, MO 64804, USA
You can find Missouri's largest waterfall in Joplin. Grand Falls is located just downstream from Wildcat Park which has a wonderful yet easy nature trail to hike. This easy-access waterfall in Missouri is definitely worth adding to your inexpensive weekend getaway in Missouri! For another cheap vacation in Missouri, add this waterfall to a longer waterfall road trip.
Mark Twain Lake at Jellystone Park is a great little water park north of Hannibal. This water park has fast water slides for thrill seekers and a great wave pool for those just looking to cool off.
11. Watkins Woolen Mill Historic Site, Lawson
Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site, 26600 Park Road North, Lawson, MO 64062, USA
Watkin's Mill is a historical site near Excelsior Springs where wool was produced into textiles. The mill opened in 1860 and is the only mill in the nation with its original machinery.
12. Grand Gulf State Park, Thayer
Grand Gulf State Park, State Hwy W, Koshkonong, MO 65692, USA
Grand Gulf State Park near the Arkansas boarder is one of the most breathtaking spots in Missouri. This mini grand canyon was created after a cave system collapsed after centuries of natural erosion.
Cheap road trips in Missouri don’t have to be boring! Each of these inexpensive weekend getaways in MO boasts tons of sights, photo ops, and memory-making opportunities.
What are some of your favorite ways to create a memorable vacation without breaking the bank?
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