Whitecliff Park

Most people in the area drive right past this one, which honestly keeps it pretty great. The walking path winds through tree cover and opens up to views of the old quarry — it’s the kind of thing you don’t expect to find tucked into a St. Louis suburb. Keep an eye out for the bird sculpture along the way; it’s a small detail but it sticks with you. Plenty of picnic tables and shade trees make it easy to stay a while, and the playground gives kids something to do while adults actually decompress for once.