When we think of St. Louis we think of the Gateway Arch, the Anheuser Busch Clydesdales, and of course ancient caverns mined for saltpeter! Okay, maybe that last one isn’t as obvious, but the Meramec Caverns are a must-see when visiting St. Louis. Estimated to be approximately 400 million years old, these ancient caverns have housed Native Americans, provided elements for gunpowder during the Civil War, and have even staged the hideout of the infamous outlaw Jesse James.

Buffalo and elephants and kangaroos – oh my! These are just some of the animals you’ll find at Grant’s Farm in addition to the famous Budweiser Clydesdales. Not only are these puppy-loving horses famous, but so is the man who built the cabin next to their barn. His face isn’t on the cabin, but it is on a $50 bill – Ulysses S. Grant! Feel free to walk around the farm or ride on the back of a camel if that’s more your style.

In St. Louis you can quickly go from the farm to the concrete jungle and get lost in the massive City Museum. Though "museum" may be in the name, it’s far from your average museum. This 600,000 square-foot playground of urban caves, tunnels made from salvaged bridges, a 10-story slide, and two abandoned planes is fun for all ages.