How to find places to see closer to home?

90 minutes north is Springfield IL. Home of Abe Lincoln.
Camp at Lincoln's New Salem State Historical Site which is the reconstructed village where Lincoln grew up. About 15 miles NW of Springfield near Petersburg, IL. There is usually something going on in the village. Camping is $20/night. Admission to the village is free. Depending on the weekend there may be a play at Theatre in the Park in the village. http://www.theatreinthepark.net/
There's a free bluegrass festival in Sept but get your reservations in early if you want to camp.
Plenty of Lincoln history in Springfield. Visit the Lincoln Presidential Museum. You can easily spend an entire day. It's not like any other presidential museum. Make sure you see the performances in the museum. Designed by Disney and historic info.
Visit Lincoln's Home which is a national park.
Stop in Lincoln's law office. See the old state capitol building.
Visit Lincoln's Tomb. Be sure to take the tour inside. You'll be surprised were the statues came from on Lincoln's Tomb. I believe it's on Tuesday evening when the Civil War reenactors do a lowering of the flag ceremony at the Tomb and they give the flag to someone in the crowd. Don't forget to rub Lincoln's nose for good luck.
Visit the IL State Museum. Lots of good history of the Native American life in IL and surrounding area.
Many people miss the IL Military Museum at Camp Lincoln. Along with a lot of military history you'll see Santa Ana's leg (Santa Ana from the Alamo fame). Also see a target that Lincoln shot while he was president. The story is something that would never happen today. A guy name Spencer invented a new rifle. He went to the White House, knocked on the door, and told the servant he wanted to see Lincoln. The servant got Lincoln. Spencer was carrying his new rifle wrapped in a blanket. Lincoln, Spencer, and some others took the rifle to the area where the Washington Monument is now located, hung shingles on trees, and they took turns shooting Spencer's new rifle. Lincoln ordered 5000 of Spencers rifle.
Visit the IL State Capitol. It's taller than the US Capitol building. You might recognize some of the area inside from various movies. Legally Blonde was partially filmed in the building.
There are additional museums and sites in Springfield if you need to fill more time.

ependydad wrote:
My daughter wants us to start hitting some of the weird roadside attractions. I think there is a web site for them.

I think there is a book for each state: "Statename Oddities" as well as the more general "Roadside America" book that has evolved into a web site. Other sites as well, if you search on roadside oddities.

I have "Roadside America" and it gets consulted when a new trip is planned.

Lokin, we're from Oakville, MO and have been camping in southern Missouri our entire married life, (43 yrs, I think?) (yeah, that's right, I'm told)! We research things to death and then some. As stated earlier, depending on your interests. We love Roaring River SP in southwest MO, as it is a trout park and we both like to fish. But it is loaded with other things to do in that general area. Eureka Springs, AR is a short drive, the Pioneer museum in Golden is a hidden gem, Table Rock is nearby as is Dogwood Canyon, Big Cedar Lodge and a bunch more. Missouri offers the W.O.W. program in early Oct at RRSP (Roaring River SP) that is incredible!!! Fills up early and might even be to late by now, but still worth checking out for future reference.
Out of state there are even more options. I have a whole catalog of websites I refer to, pending what I'm looking for.
PM me with your specifics and I'll try to help any way I can.

My daughter wants us to start hitting some of the weird roadside attractions. I think there is a web site for them.

Thanks for all the suggestions and links looks like I have some homework to do! That's all part of the fun!

I do it all on the computer with google and mapquest.
Mapquest can tell you how many miles away a city is to keep within your desired distance. Google the city by typing ie, "things to do in St Louis" or whatevere city mapquest says is close. Then when something seems interesting google a review of it. Ie "St Louis xyz museum reviews." Usually there are hundreds of reviews.
You can even use google maps to see if the area is city or woodsy.
I also check out state park/national park books from the library. These might give me ideas, then I use trip advisor or google reviews to see what others have said. Obviously if 100 peopele say it's a great place for retired folks but not for kids, we will locate another area.
I also google certain phrases like, "best campgrounds in xyz for kids," or "top rated state parks in xyz," or "best hiking trails in xyz," or "vacation ideas for xyz."
Actually,this has turned into a favorite night time habit. Some people watch tv at night, I surf the internet for potential camping/vacation destinations.

I start with 'what do I want to do?' like ziplining, horseback riding adventure, trout fishing weekend, (insert any activity)
once I know what I want to do...google the state and activity. USUALLY a big list comes up by cities/towns. then narrow it down.

state parks are easy. google your state parks and then check out their maps to see locations and drive hrs for you. they have activities in the area listed for additional fun.

for me most weekend or close to home trips are 'what do I want to do....or see'
after that I track it down on the internet. then I hit my driving maps to check the hrs on the road.

I can do this so fast it is scary. eliminate or hit some great places and bookmark them for future trips.

My sources are books (there is a travel category in the library's classification system) and state tourist offices, both online and travel guides distributed at welcome centers. There will often be guides for each region of a state.

My own recommendations, depends on what you mean by "attractions" and "a few hours" because different people have different ideas about these. Less than a day can take you anywhere in Missouri, or to Chicago or Memphis. Or Branson. I could be in Chicago three years and visit galleries, museums, parks and zoos every weekend and still not seeeverything, so I keep going back. I keep going back to Hannibal, too, and Springfield Mo and Springfield Ill, and many people make St Louis a vacation destination.

But if you mean theme parks, the closest to a big one might be in Branson, but that is not my thing and I don't see that it offers me more than any of the Six Flags or Worlds of Fun franchises, one of which is really close to St Louis.

TexasShadow wrote:
Your State Tourism office will send you their annual publication for tourists if you call them or you can probably request one on line. They give it free at the Interstate Highway welcome centers. It will have all kinds of things to see or do.
Also, look up MO State Parks on line and read up on each one, history, etc.

Double ditto. Use your interests and hobbies as a guide. If you want to relax in natural settings, your state parks are an excellent retreat.