77. Silver Dollar City Trip Report

Marvel Cave at Silver Dollar City is a must-see attraction that makes a trip to this park worthwhile.

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St. Louis, Missouri is not exactly a mecca for theme parks. I’m envious of podcasters and bloggers that live close to Orlando or Anaheim and can easily visit those Disney resorts. That doesn’t mean there’s nothing to visit nearby, however. Six Flags St. Louis is not the best spot, but there are several great options for a weekend getaway or even a quick day trip. A prime example is Silver Dollar City, which has a lot more to offer than a typical amusement park. Located about a four-hour drive from St. Louis, this excellent regional gem deserves more attention.

A few weeks ago, I took a quick one-night trip to Silver Dollar City with my daughters. This bonus episode of The Tomorrow Society Podcast is all about our experiences there. I had not planned to record a podcast documenting our trip, but I changed my mind because we had such a great time. We only visited Silver Dollar City for one day and could have easily spent another full day there. The light crowds and mild weather made it easy to accomplish a lot, but there was definitely more to see.

The Flooded Mine at Silver Dollar City is a classic attraction that remains a fun boat ride for a wide range of guests. — Photo by Dan Heaton

During this episode, I describe the roller coasters, dark rides, and impressive variety of attractions at Silver Dollar City. We also spent time in the two kids’ areas, The Grand Exposition and Fireman’s Landing, and enjoyed both lands. The highlight for us was Marvel Cave, which is a destination unto itself. Other vintage attractions like The Flooded Mine and Fire in the Hole were also big hits with my girls. There is an effective mix of thrill rides and interested themed sections that help to make Silver Dollar City much more than your typical local park.