Route 66 / St. Louis - "The World's Largest?"

[BensDaddy]

Hello all,

We're going to Disneyland in the fall but I didn't want to just ignore spring break. We live in Arkansas so we're going to do a little mini-Route 66 getaway in March and wanted to get your opinions.

The theme for this vacation is: "The World's Largest"

1. After leaving our home town the first stop will be the World's Largest Wind Chimes just south of Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

2. We'll head to Branson, Missouri and see the World's Largest Banjo and the World's Largest Violin, along with the World's Largest Rooster statue. Yup. Really.

3. Then we'll spend the night at Branson Landing. The next morning we'll drive to Springfield and stop along the way to see the World's Largest Fork.

4. We'll head up Interstate 44 towards St. Louis with a few stops along Route 66... like the World's Largest Rocking Chair!

5. In St. Louis we are going to visit the Magic House Children's Museum, the Gateway Arch, and at the City Museum... the world's largest pencil!

6. We'll also be visiting the World's Largest Bottle of Ketchup before heading home.

We're going to take pictures of my son in front of all of these large things and make a poster. Know anything else "world's Largest" in Southern Missouri? Please drop me a note!

Thank you!

 

[MichiganKris]

I don't have anything else to add, but it's a great idea.

 

[Neesy228]

I don't have anything else to add, but it's a great idea.

Me either, but I just wanted to say that this is awesome! I keep saying that I want to do something just like this! Have fun, I'm so jealous!

 

[NotUrsula]

Branson also has the world's largest ball of string. (I wouldn't suggest going there just to see it, but since you'll be in the neighborhood ...)

 

[Momma2PrinceNPrinces]

That sounds like a fun trip! I live in St. Louis...you'll have a great time here!

 

[FoundMyPrince]

While it's not the "world's largest", it is the U.S.'s largest home -- between Branson and Ozark I believe. Check out "Pensmore". http://www.kspr.com/news/local/kspr-huge-highlandville-home-spans-01132011,0,7101009.story

 

[BensDaddy]

Branson has the largest ball of string?? How did I miss this?!

 

[Chelley00]

Have you seen the Worlds Largest Things website?

[URL="http://www.worldslargestthings.com/"]http://www.worldslargestthings.com/[/URL]

If you can find the "Big List" it has attractions by state

 

[laurafergie]

Have you seen the Worlds Largest Things website?

[URL="http://www.worldslargestthings.com/"]http://www.worldslargestthings.com/[/URL]

If you can find the "Big List" it has attractions by state

You beat me to it. But here is Missouri. There is a World's Largest PECAN!

http://www.worldslargestthings.com/missouri/missouri.htm

 

[megan160]

Try roadsideamerica.com They list out all sorts of oddball tourist attractions, and you can look by state on a map.

 

[kim929]

I'm jealous..... I have been telling my dh for years I want to take this very road trip. Have fun, and post pictures when you get home.

 

[BensDaddy]

Thanks Meg,

I actually started planning this trip by reading roadside America! Now I have their iPhone app too!

 

[Momma2PrinceNPrinces]

You beat me to it. But here is Missouri. There is a World's Largest PECAN!

http://www.worldslargestthings.com/missouri/missouri.htm

It says the worlds largest ark is in St. Charles...but it's been torn down for at least a couple yrs now. I wonder when this site was last updated?

 

[BensDaddy]

That sounds like a fun trip! I live in St. Louis...you'll have a great time here!

Cool. Do you think my little guy will do ok at the City Museum? It seems as though it might be geared towards older kids. Ours will still be 5 (and on the small side)

Thanks!

 

[jedijill]

Eat at Lambert's Cafe in Ozark. I swear its the World's largest all you can eat skillet. And the "throwed rolls" are the best!

Jill in CO (formerly of MO!)

 

[nchulka]

Cool. Do you think my little guy will do ok at the City Museum? It seems as though it might be geared towards older kids. Ours will still be 5 (and on the small side)

Thanks!

He will LOVE the City Museum! It is the coolest place ever. We live in the St. Louis area, and I can honestly say it's the best place I've ever been, even better than Disney. Kids can do whatever they want, no one tells them not to do anything. EVERYTHING is for climbing on! We first went when the kids were 2 & 3 and they had a blast, climbing and crawling everywhere. That trip we stayed one on one with them. After that we've let them go on their own. We pick a general area to stay in such as outside, the cave area, the first floor, the skateless skate park, the roof, etc. Then the kids can run around anywhere they want but know not to leave that area. The areas are very well seperated, on different floors etc. If you plan to crawl around all over with him, get yourself some kneepads, you're crawling through concrete and metal! Make sure to check out all the underground stuff. There are lots of little holes that you can disappear down that will lead you to awesome underground areas with more slides, tunnels, etc. Don't miss the 10 story slide in the enchanted cave area. Check out the roof, it had a working ferris wheel on the top!

 

[Plantlady]

You should check out "the best road trip ever" app. it is put on by the guys that do Roadside Revelations on PBS. Great app.

 

[BensDaddy]

That sounds great! thank you so much! I was worried it might be a little bit advanced for him, but as long as there aren't big kids pushing him around I think it sounds like he's going to do great at City Museum! Can't wait. We have one day left to fill. Depending on the weather we'll either do the St. Louis Zoo or the Science Center.

Oh, and I also got tickets to go to the top of the arch. - Sadly, I don't think it's the world's largest Arch...

 

[MollyMcDaniel]

I'm in St. Louis and people love the City Museum. I have mixed feelings...it can be fun but it is NOT child proofed. I think a 5 yr old will have a good time, but will need supervision. The past decade has seen 25 personal injury lawsuits. I'm aware of this because we have a neighbor whose 2 year old child fell through a section of MonstroCity (the child was climbing with her mother and slipped thru a section) and fell 3 stories to the pavement below. She fractured her skull and crushed most of the bones in her face. It was a gruelling recovery. Did not mean to sensationalize or deter you in any way from going....just wanted you to be aware.

The Magic House is just a couple of miles from my house and is awesome and geared more toward your childs age. You could spend the better part of the day visiting. The zoo is another excellent choice. It is totally free and there is parking available on the street so no need to pay for parking either. Also in the same area is the Science Center. Another free venue with certain exhibits that require $....also has an IMAX. Not sure if you ski, but Hidden Valley is a ski resort about 20 minutes west of St. Louis County. It also has a tubing park called the polar plunge.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Do they even have snow at Hidden Valley this year?