Just 30 Minutes From Columbia, Boonville Is The Perfect Missouri Day Trip Destination
By Beth Price-Williams|Updated on April 29, 2024(Originally published May 05, 2022)
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
A day trip provides the perfect opportunity for a brief getaway that allows us to relax and have a bit of fun when we don’t have enough time or the funds for a longer vacation. Fortunately, Missouri has a ton of potential day trip destinations – from its big cities like St. Louis to small towns like Hannibal. For the perfect day trip destination in Missouri that offers a little something for everyone, head to the quaint town of Boonville. With hiking trails, an aquatic park, great restaurants, and more, it’s guaranteed that this little gem will become one of your favorite small towns in Missouri for a quick getaway.
Almost smack dab between St Louis and Kansas City, Boonville oozes charm and Midwestern friendliness, making it a picture-perfect spot for a day trip.
Boonville, which sits along the Katy Trail, boasts so much to do that you’ll probably want to plan what you’re going to do ahead of time. If you’re a fan of the outdoors, explore one of the town’s dozen parks.
With a pool, a spray park, and concession stands, Boonville Aquatic Center is a must-visit on those hot summer days. It’s open from Memorial Day through the middle of August and offers a fun and relaxing way to cool off.
If you love animals, visit on a day when tours are offered at Warm Springs Ranch, the breeding facility for the Budweiser Clydesdales. Tours are offered seasonally from April through October.
Stop by the Visitors Center or join a walking tour to learn more about the town’s rich history, or if you’re visiting during the holiday season, keep an eye out for the Christmas in Historic Homes Tour.
All that exploration is sure to result in a hearty appetite. You’ll find a little bit of everything in Boonville – pizza joints, fast food, diners, and pubs.
What do you think is the perfect Missouri day trip destination? Let us know in the comments! Craving something oh-so-sweet? Plan a visit to the small town in Missouri that boasts world-famous pie. (Can you guess where it is?)