How to find places to see closer to home?

I did what some others have said. I got in touch with the tourism dept. online and requested info on the entire state and some others close by. After I received the material I started looking into the different things to do with in a 5-6 hour radius of us. I found alot not just in my state to see but in our neighboring state as well and now I have started a bucket list on places to go.

The book "A Thousand Places to See Before You Die" describes many interesting places throughout the U.S.

I have found a lot of interesting places using these websites:
National Parks,
National Wildlife Rufuges,
State Parks,
Scenic Byways,
National Historic Trails,
Legends of America,
Roadside America,
Ghost Towns,
Slot Canyons,
Pow Wows,
Flea Markets,
Rock Art,
Native American Ruins,
Factory Tours,
Waterfalls,
Scenic Railroads,
State Fairs,
Lighthouses,
Breweries in the United States
Wineries in the United States,
Trip Advisor
State Tourism Websites
Frommers Guide
Fairs and Festivals
Scenic USA

Lokin4deer wrote:
I am curious how everyone finds attractions both big and small with in a few hour drive of you house. I live just outside of St Louis and we are looking to fill in a couple of short trips this summer with some things to do maybe 3-5 hours away. I don't mind smaller towns I just would like some neat things to see. I guess I am looking for web sites or books any way to find some things to see. Thanks!

Don't you live near that big River? I'd just grab one of those books Mark Twain wrote and start my adventure. Head North up to Hannibal and you could have the beginnings of your own Adventure.

BOL,

Do you like history? We followed the route of Lewis & Clark last summer in that area from St. Louis north up to South Dakota. "Along the Trail With Lewis & Clark" gave all the info needed, available from Amazon.

You can even camp where they did at Lewis & Clark State Park in Onawa, Iowa.

"Lewis and Clark State Park is an area full of history. The park is named for Meriwether Lewis, Secretary to President Thomas Jefferson, and Captain William Clark, United States Army, who were commissioned by President Jefferson in 1804 to head an expedition into the northwest to explore the vast territory purchased from France. With twenty-six men and supplies, Lewis and Clark led their expedition up the Missouri River from St. Louis by keelboat.
On August 9 and 10, 1804, Lewis and Clark spent time at the site where the state park is now. Please take the opportunity to view the full-size reproduction of Lewis and Clark's keelboat on display and constructed by local volunteers and park staff. Lewis and Clark State Park lies on the shores of Blue Lake, an ox-bow formed by the meanderings of the Missouri River many years ago."

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.

Go to your local book store and buy this book:

Click here.

And you'll have more than enough to keep you and your entire family occupied. And you'll be surprised what you'll find that is really close to your own home.

It is my goal to visit every site mentioned in the book "Weird Indiana". It makes our camping experience MUCH more interesting, RIGHT IN OUR BACK YARD!

Think of it this way... what is in YOUR geographical area that people will drive all across the country to see? You might have seen it a hundred times and take it for granted. Open your eyes and see your back yard n a new way! See it as a foreign visitor would, imagine their excitement seeing where you live for the first time! You do this and you'll find LOTS of places to go, visit, participate at, eat at, worship at, play at, admire, and take photos of us.

A few years ago, my wife and I decided to go out on a mission, to camp at every state park and every state recreation area in Indiana. We've been to many of them, but there are many we've never been to. So now, we only go to state parks or recreation areas in Indiana we've not been to yet. Then we drag out the book, "Weird Indiana" and see what's in the area! It's a perfect match to discover oddities RIGHT at home in your geographical back yard!

That's how we do it!

Check the websites for the county tourism and chambers of commerce. They usaully have lists of activities in the their areas.

Google is your friend. type a location and the type of place that interests you. click enter or search. dining, museums, entertainment, etc. you can also find campgrounds, fishing, horseback riding, or whatever interests you.

I would try the state tourism offices that is within your distance circle.
We find that much of it is commercial but we have found numerous out of the way places.