The New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia

Distance: 386 miles | Drive time: approximately 6.5 hours

Home to more than 70,000 acres of public lands, this park has been a hallowed spot for locals for centuries. The recent designation as the nation’s newest national park invites travelers to visit, explore, and discover. It’s one of West Virginia’s most photographed areas. Widely known as the second oldest river in the world, the New River cuts through extensive geological formations that make way for diverse flora and fauna. Bald eagles and peregrine falcons call this park home, and you’ll often spot a few along your travels. Hiking trails here take you to spectacular overlooks and through remnants of old coal mining towns.

Book a full adventure with Adventures on the Gorge or ACE Adventure Resort, featuring white water rafting, horse back riding, guided hikes, kayaking, paddle boarding, zip lining, and more.

St. Louis, Missouri

The Gateway Arch reflects St. Louis’ role in the Westward Expansion of the United States during the nineteenth century. The park is a memorial to Thomas Jefferson’s role in opening the West, to the pioneers who helped shape its history, and to Dred Scott who sued for his freedom in the Old Courthouse.

St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station, www.stlouisaquarium.com

For years, St. Louis Union Station was one of the largest and busiest passenger rail terminals in the world. Now it’s home to more than 13,000 animals at the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station, the 200-foot St. Louis Wheel, a carousel, an 18-hole mini-golf course, the mirror maze, a ropes course, the train park, and several restaurants. The Aquarium will take you on an aquatic journey like no other. From alligator snapping turtles and personalized interactive experiences to zebra sharks and communitybuilding activities, the aquarium has something for everyone.

The Magic House, www.magichouse.org

The Magic House engages all children in hands-on learning experiences that spark imagination, pique curiosity, enhance creativity, and develop problem-solving skills within a place of beauty, wonder, joy and magic. This is the perfect place for family fun. a

Looking

Distance: 378 miles

Drive time: approximately 5 hours, 45 minutes