Top Spots To Go With Your Family For The Weekend In St. Louis

The YMCA's Trout Lodge in Potosi is an ideal getaway for families. The sparkling lake is surrounded by wooded Ozark foothills, offering a breathtaking setting for a weekend escape. Even better, the Lodge has all-inclusive pricing, so you won't be suprised with a bill at the end of your visit. Each family member will get a wristband that allows them to check out bikes, sailboats, "funyaks" and other gear. The lake has a sand beach and waterslides for swimmers, and every day is packed with activities you can choose to join, from beach parties to ghost stories around the campfire. Meals are served buffet style, with a special mini-buffet for the kiddies. A few activities cost extra, like horseback riding or climbing activities. 

If you love woodland settings and hiking, Giant City is the perfect getaway for your family. Choose a room in the lodge or a cabin, or pitch your tent at the nearby campgrounds. Splash around in the outdoor pool and savor home-cooked meals served family style in the lodge restaurant (fried chicken dinners are the specialty). Hike among giant rocks in the Shawnee Natural Forest or schedule a trail ride and enjoy the forest on horseback. A challenging backpacking trail surrounds the park for those who like their terrain extra rough.

Don't let the name put you off, you do not need an RV to stay here. The Pin Oak Creek campground offers RV camping, campsites and cabins. The park's specialty is activities for those older kids who are notoriously hard to please, like paintball, karaoke, fishing, arcade games and swimming. If you have preteens to entertain, Pin Oak is the perfect spot for you. 

Related: Top Hiking Trails in St. Louis

We tend to think of Branson as a getaway for growups, but there's a great deal for families in this Midwestern playground. The town is full of family-friendly hotels, shows and restaurants. Silver Dollar City amusement park is a blend of wholesome, old-fashioned country goodness and rip-roaring amusement park adventure. The park offers a full day of fun, with rides and shows to please all ages. The lake offers boating and fishing adventures, and the entire town is filled with bumper boats, go-kart tracks and other kid-friendly fun. 

Blue Springs Ranch is just an hour outside of St. Louis and is a paradise for families who want outdoor adventure. Rent a charming little wooden cabin or pitch your tent on a campsite. Let Blue Springs staff set you up with a float trip in a canoe or raft. It'll also set you up with trail rides, zip lines and other outdoor adventures. Relax in the evening and roast marshmallows around your campfire, or cool off with a dip in the small swimming pool. 

Related: Top Weekend Getaways In The St. Louis Area