Franklin County: River Landscapes, Museums, and Route 66

When choosing accommodation in Franklin County, it is worth first considering the focus of your stay. This allows you to tailor your trip to river landscapes, culture, or special collections without having to limit yourself to just one type of attraction.

Water, Riverbanks, and Caves

The Meramec River shapes several nature experiences. In Robertsville State Park, it forms the park’s northern and western boundaries; to the east, Calvey Creek marks the boundary. Fishing is possible in the park on the Meramec River and at a small pond near the park office. For a stay that combines nature with museum visits, this creates a clear focus on the water.

Meramec State Park in Franklin County also combines various activities: There are opportunities for camping, fishing, and rafting on the scenic Meramec River. In addition, guided cave tours led by naturalists are offered. Meramec Caverns is considered the largest commercial cave in the state of Missouri. The options therefore differ significantly, ranging from river activities and guided exploration to spending time in a large commercial cave.

The Whitmire Wildflower Garden offers a different nature focus. The grounds cover 10 acres and showcase the beauty of Missouri’s native plants. In New Haven, a scenic, quarter-mile-long riverfront walkway along the levee in the downtown area has also been completed. These destinations complement the water-based offerings with garden and riverfront experiences, each with its own focus.

Washington: History, Collections, and Wine Country

Washington is particularly well suited to a stay focused on cultural history. The Washington Historical Society Museum extends over two floors and features exhibits as well as historical and genealogical paper records. The exhibits focus on the history of Washington and its immediate surroundings. Anyone interested in local history, genealogy, or regional development will find several topics brought together in one museum.

The Missouri Meerschaum Corn Cob Pipe Museum offers an unusual specialized collection. It presents 156 years of corn cob pipe history. Staff also explain how local resident Henry Tibbe made corn cob pipes in Washington. The museum is located at the corner of Front Street and Cedar Street in Washington and overlooks the Missouri River. Washington is also located in the heart of Missouri Wine Country, allowing historical sightseeing and a connection to the regional landscape to be combined.

Route 66, Pacific, and Historic Places

Route 66 runs through the center of Pacific. The Red Cedar Inn on Historic Route 66 is also a museum, visitor center, children’s museum, and gift shop. Along the historic route, the focus is therefore not only on the road itself but also on a destination with several functions. In New Haven, the John Colter Museum and Visitor Center features exhibits with Native American artifacts.

The St. Clair Historical Museum is located in an old firehouse. One room recreates St. Clair’s Main Street as it looked around 1917. Another exhibit covers the local mining history over a period of 100 years and focuses on lead, iron, barite, and copper. The opening information is specific for planning purposes: The museum is generally open year-round on Saturdays from 12 to 4 p.m., except on holidays.

Museums for Children and Special Interests

The Iron Spike Model Train Museum displays model trains from various scales and eras and conveys the history of model railroading. Children can enjoy an interactive area with books, videos, a wooden play table, and a LEGO station. The research library contains 20,000 volumes on model railroading, railroad history, personal life stories, and maps. This makes the museum a destination for curious children, model train enthusiasts, and visitors interested in in-depth research.

The Purina Event Center also has its own focus. It serves as a venue for indoor and outdoor dog and cat shows.

Travel and Accommodation with the Right Focus

For travel to the area, Amtrak offers daily service from St Louis and Kansas City to the Washington station and visitor center. Those choosing Washington as their cultural focus can incorporate this connection into their plans. When selecting accommodation for a stay in Franklin County, it is also helpful to determine in advance the desired mix of Washington museums, Meramec experiences, Route 66 destinations, historic sites, or activities for children. This way, your hotel selection is guided by the day trips that are actually of interest, without assuming a particular location, availability, or set of amenities.

For the broader travel overview: Missouri.