Elephant Rocks, Johnson's Shut-Ins and Taum Sauk
A long day in Missouri's oldest mountains from St. Louis: the French colonial streets of Ste. Genevieve on the way down, the giant granite boulders of Elephant Rocks, the rock-walled pools of Johnson's Shut-Ins, and the state's highest point on Taum Sauk Mountain, with the parking, river-flag and no-food rules that catch first-timers.
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In September and October the St. Francois Mountains usually bring warm to mild, mostly dry days: often in the 80s in early September, falling to the 60s by late October, with nights in the 40s and 50s and the first frosts possible late in the month. The bare granite at Elephant Rocks heats up on sunny afternoons in early September and stays cold and slick after rain. Passing cold fronts can bring a day of rain and thunderstorms, which raises the Black River and can close the shut-ins. The river water is cold by October, so expect a paddle rather than a swim. These are seasonal expectations, not a forecast for your travel date; check the NWS forecast.
Admission and parking are separate. Check current conditions before departure.
A loop through Missouri's German wine country from St. Louis: a house tour at Deutschheim in Hermann, the stone cellars of Hermannhof and Stone Hill, lunch above town, then back east along the river on Highway 94 to Augusta's hilltop wineries and an evening walk on the Katy Trail near Defiance.
A classic St. Louis day: the tram to the top of the Gateway Arch and its free museum, a walk down to the Mississippi levee, the free Saint Louis Zoo and Art Museum in Forest Park, and an Italian dinner on The Hill, with the parking, ticket and closing-time details that shape the day.
A full Kansas City day: the Spanish-style Country Club Plaza, the free Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, ribs and the Z-Man at Joe's original gas-station barbecue, the Negro Leagues Baseball and American Jazz museums at 18th & Vine, Union Station's Grand Hall, then Arthur Bryant's and a live jazz set in the Blue Room.
A two-night summer weekend at Lake of the Ozarks from Kansas City. Drive down Friday afternoon, settle into Osage Beach and stroll the Bagnell Dam Strip after dinner. Saturday is for land: the castle ruins, spring and natural bridge at Ha Ha Tonka State Park, a Bridal Cave tour and a late-afternoon swim at a state park beach. Sunday morning you take the wheel of a rented pontoon, then head home after lunch.