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MO, AR, OK
Have been reading another thread with just OK and AR and said we're planning a similar trip perhaps in the fall.
We also want to capture OK and AR as our 47th and 48th states. Would have up to two weeks of travel. Could drive from NJ, but think I'd prefer to fly closer and spend more time in the area. Looking for an arrival city, I thought of St Louis, but that could be changed. Tentative route with lots of detours along the way for back roads or interesting spots: St Louis>Fayetteville>Tulsa>Little Rock>Memphis My question. Would it be better to fly into a different airport and draw a smaller circle through AR and OK by eliminating MO? Is it a scenic area between St Louis and Fayetteville and St Louis and Memphis? Mainly looking for scenic, small town, natural areas with places to hike or sit at a cottage lakeside and relax. Like to meet the locals and see what an area is really like rather than hitting the tourist attractions. Would probably use smaller roads instead of interstates, with exception of I 44 between St Louis and Fayetteville. I have noted responses from other thread, but am wondering how big to make the circle. |
My favorite part of Missouri is in the Ozarks around Ironton, Lesterville- beautiful rivers to float in, interesting history- Ulysses S Grant received his commission in Ironton and there was a civil war battle fought in near by Pilot Knot.
You can explore Johnson Shut Ins ( which gets very crowded in the summer), Elephant Rocks- I used to love visiting the area Black River Lodge has cabins- not sure how long they stay open in the fall - http://www.blackriverlodgemo.com/cabins |
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Any more ideas on how large of an area to cover? Should we include Missouri?
Sunbum: I'll check out the places you mentioned. Is the area from St Louis to AR mostly in the Ozarks? |
No advice on how large an area to cover - I used to stay in Ironton ( had family home there) and do day trips from there.
Another spot on the map is Eminence - there is an old mill, you might do some canoeing - colors should be beautiful in the fall http://www.eminencemo.com |
It does sound like we are planning the same type of trip and have similar interests and travel styles.
I am interested to see if you get a more specific response - hope we both hear from spirobulldog! I am wondering if it is getting too late to book accommodations for middle of this October, but can't test that out until I have my itinerary set. Good luck, Lottie |
I don't understand your question. Looks like you need to visit OK and AR, but MO isn't a necessity. Are you looking for reasons to include MO (or exclude it)? Obviously, you can hit the two states without visiting MO. I'm assuming (don't know for sure) that you could fly into OKC, Tulsa or Little Rock, and visit the two states.
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St. Louis to Memphis is about 300 miles of interstate--nothing of real interest to see. St. Louis to Fayetteville is by I44 to Joplin, then dropping south about 50 miles. Have driven that many times and there is nothing to see. You would be spending a lot of time driving to see very little. Why not fly closer to where you want to be? Little Rock, Memphis, Tulsa or OKC would all be better choices.
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Moved four years ago from Springfield, MO, to Boston area. So am familiar with the area you'll visit. Glad to answer questions. Arrival St.Louis is good and then head in rental car south and west. Many scenic places and state parks and fishing.
No, you have to get off I-44 to be in the Ozarks. Yes, I have canoed Jacks Forks, camped at Eminence, Sam A Baker St. Pk., etc., splashed in stream at Johnson Shut Ins, climbed at Elephant Rock...nice forested areas. Also would recommend Onondaga Cave and Meramec Caverns along I-44 and the cave down at Silver Dollar City. Could check out wineries further north along I-70 such as Stone Hill and (specializing in sweet wines) and Les Bourgeois with a lovely restaurant with overlook. www.facebook.com/missouriwines I'd recommend town of Hermann on the Missouri R. with Stone Hill winery and also a brewery. www.hermannmo.com Well, St. James winery is right off I-44. And could give more recommendations for things around Columbia-Booneville. Of course one might mention Branson just south of Springfield with many music theaters and other entertainment attactions. Well known as a bus group tour destination... www.bransontourisminformation.com As for Arkansas many good camping and hiking areas, such as Buffalo River. And there is quirky Eureka Springs and a fav place for music from the hills, Mountain View with nearby Ozark folk museum with programs www.ozarkfolkcenter.com As for Oklahoma, not much to see (lived there six years) but could mention a few interesting places in Springfield area and headed SW on I-44 and into OK. Already I'm missing Missouri! [email protected] for questions |
Thanks for your comments. Yes, I was asking if there's as much to see in MO as there appears to be in AR and if the drive to and from St Louis is worthwhile. Guess I was also thinking it may be easier to use miles going into St Louis, but I'll check out the other airports.
Ozarksbill, will most likely be in touch. Thinking of this trip for fall. Any one have approx dates for good foliage or is it impossible to get reservations for that time? |
I forgot about Meramec Caverns- that is very interesting !
And south of St Louis in Bonne Terre is an old lead mine that is now an underground scuba dive site- you can take tours, don't have to dive and its pretty fascinating. That part of the country is still pretty uncommercialized and I don't think reservations will be a problem although in the Ironton area in late Sept there is a civil war reenactment which draws a lot of people so will be crowded at that time. I think Missouri is a beautiful state, lots to see and do that fit your description of scenic, small town, natural areas. |
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