12 Unforgettable Missouri Day Trips, One for Each Month of the Year

Three cheers for a new year! Let’s make this our best yet, the year we get out and explore our beloved Missouri. There is so much fun to be had across the state, and these fun trips in Missouri – one for each month of the year – promise an abundance of fun for the whole family. (Each of these short day trips links to more information to help you plan your adventures.) Even better? You can kickstart the fun in January or any time of the year when the wanderlust strikes.

Note: Remember to contact the attractions featured in the day trip before visiting to check for current hours, and prices (if applicable), and to ensure it is still open.

1. January – Hidden Valley Ski Resort in Wildwood

Let’s get outdoors and enjoy the snow this month. We’ve got several spots in Missouri to go snow tubing, but Hidden Valley Ski Resort just might be the best. It is home to Polar Plunge, a snow tubing park with the largest snow tubing run in Missouri. Zip down the hill on your snow tube and hitch a ride on the conveyor lift to take you back up. When you need a break, grab a tasty bite and a drink from the snack bar.

2. February – Splash Country Indoor Waterpark in Branson

Starting to suffer from cabin fever? Sure, you can start counting down the days until spring, or you can enjoy a blast of summer at Splash Country Indoor Waterpark at Grand Country Resort, one of the most fun attractions in Missouri. The epic indoor waterpark offers something for the whole family, including a wave pool, a lazy river, waterslides, and hot tubs.

3. March – Long Row Lavender Farm in Wright City

Early March typically signals the return of visitors to Long Row Lavender Farm, a family-friendly day trip in Missouri. Stroll past rows and rows of lavender plants on a crisp spring day, snap photos, and work up a hearty appetite. The cafe at the farm serves such lunch favorites as soup, salad, sandwiches, and pastries. After you've explored the fields and had a bite, check out the gift shop, where you'll find lavender-centric items. If you're on the lookout for "fun trips near me," this spring, earmark a day for a visit to this popular lavender farm.

4. April – Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly Garden in Chesterfield

Embrace spring with some of the season’s most beautiful creatures – butterflies. The Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House is home to more than 1,500 butterflies, which includes around 60 species. Stroll through the butterfly house, where you can interact with the butterflies, admire a gushing waterfall, and marvel at an expansive insect collection. The butterfly house sits at the top of the list of family-friendly fun attractions in Missouri.

5. May – Wine and Waterfalls in Missouri

Can you think of a better way to spend a day than sipping wine and gazing at cascading waterfalls? If not, you’ll love this wine and waterfalls day trip in Missouri, which will take you from Cave Vineyard in Ste. Genevieve to Rocky Falls Shut-In. Don't forget to bring your camera on this Missouri day trip.

6. June – Cape Splash Aquatic Center in Cape Girardeau

Summer’s all about fun under the sun and in the water, right? Swing by Cape Splash Aquatic Center for a day of swimming in the pool, leisurely meandering on the lazy river, and slipping down slides. Or, just grab a beach chair and relax under the golden sun. The popular water park in Missouri typically opens for the season in late May.

7. The Fugitive Beach - Rolla

Cool down and feel like a kid again at The Fugitive Beach, a former quarry-turned-waterpark and one of the most fun attractions in Missouri for visitors of all ages. Lounge on the sandy beach; glide into or jump off of a cliff into the cool water, and meander on a tube. Keep your stamina going with a delicious meal from the snack bar that serves such summer classics as burgers, hot dogs, fries, and ice cream.

8. August – The Landing in Van Buren

August can be a scorcher in Missouri, so why not spend it on the water? Slip into an inner tube for a leisurely float along the Current River. If you opt for the all-day trip, you’ll be on the water for around six hours. While my favorite way to float is in a tube, the Landing also rents canoes, kayaks, and rafts.

9. September – Fun Farm Pumpkin Patch in Kearney

Fall’s just around the corner (this month – yay!), and that means the return of fall festivals and tons of autumn fun. Plan an autumn day trip to Fun Farm Pumpkin Patch, where you can go pumpkin picking, climb aboard a hayride, or get lost in one of the corn mazes. Only 25 miles from Kansas City, the popular fall farm boasts more than 30 attractions and a full menu of fall goodies.

10. October – Mina Sauk Falls in Middle Brook

Chasing waterfalls is my favorite way to spend a few hours, especially on a brisk fall day in Missouri, and the best is also the tallest waterfall in Missouri. Slip on your hiking boots for a scenic fall hike along Mina Sauk Falls Trail and try to time your adventure for the peak of the fall foliage. The three-mile hike boasts spectacular scenery, including the breathtaking Mina Sauk Falls, which tumbles down 132 feet.

11. November – Silver Dollar City in Branson

Marvel at one of the largest Christmas trees in the country at An Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City. The theme park transforms into a Christmas wonderland, drenched in twinkling lights and hosting a nightly parade during the holiday season. Mark your calendar for a wintertime visit to Silver Dollar City, which is open from the beginning of November until late December for its epic Christmas celebration.

12. December – Santa’s Magical Kingdom in Eureka

Pile the whole family into the car for a drive through Santa's Magical Kingdom (otherwise known as Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park). Admire the countless Christmas lights from your car or a train car. Afterward, stop in Kringle’s General Store to meet Santa and buy souvenirs.

If you've been searching for "day trips near me," you've just found a dozen to help you get started. What are your favorite fun trips in Missouri? We'd love to know. Nominate them and we might share one, or more, in a future article.

Ready for more adventures? If you love chasing waterfalls, follow this road trip to the best waterfalls in Missouri. However, before you hit the road, check out the OnlyInYourState road trip essentials packing list.