Kayleigh and I were talking about her small town and when she told me it was really quaint, I didn’t realize how cute it really is. To think that this quiet little town is nestled among the craziness of a Large city (St. Louis) is refreshing.  Without further adieu, here is her town of Oakville Missouri!    Much Love, Chrissy

An Overlook of Oakville, MO

When I’m out of town and casually mention I’m from Saint Louis, the response is undoubtedly always the same:  Something along the lines of “Saint Louis, the most dangerous city in the country?” Now, while that may be the statistic, our city is filled with beautiful architecture, the best coffee shops and cafes. Attractions that draw visitors in include the Arch, Union Station and the Saint Louis Zoo.  Since it is a major city in our country, you’ve probably already heard about these spots. Today, I’m here to explore the surrounding communities and suburbs of Saint Louis.

The little town I’ll be taking you on a tour of is the one I call home, Oakville Missouri.  Oakville is filled with remarkable parks, tasty food and different varieties of entertainment. I’ve lived here my entire life and like to think I have a bit of expertise in our greatest spots.

The first stop on our tour today is Jefferson Barracks Park.  Throughout this little piece of nature, you’ll find tidbits of its history.  JB Park was formerly a U.S. Army post from the 1826 to 1946. To this day, its museums hold educational seminars, exhibits and war reenactments.  Several times a year, its amphitheater is filled with several hundred people there to enjoy a concert or performance. Driving through the park, you’ll notice a large beautiful cemetery that is exclusive to those who served our country.  One of the main attractions that draw people to this park is its three-mile paved trail with exercise courses approximately every 100 feet.  Members of the community use this trail for biking, walking and jogging.  This park is filled with deer so expect to see some wildlife on your exploration.  In addition to the above mentions, JB also includes a Frisbee golf course and a recreation center with an outdoor pool open in summer months.

If fishing is your forte, there are two parks in Oakville that bring in fishers for their beautiful ponds.  The first of these two being Bee Tree Park.  Bee Tree has gravel trails flowing through nature, a lookout that overlooks the Mississippi River and an abundance of picnic sites.  Come take a walk around the large fishing pond and observe geese, turtles and more.  Bring your lawn chairs and set up a fishing spot for the day.  If you have children, Bee Tree also houses a playground with equipment suitable for toddlers and older children alike.

Our next park equipped for a day of fishing is Suson Park.  Suson’s pond brings in an abundance of people of all ages hoping to catch their daily limit.  In addition to its fishing, the park has a free-admission farm.  At the farm, you’ll find pigs, horses, ponies, cows, chickens, turkeys and goats.  The barn is open from 10:30 am to 3 pm each day.  If you are visiting on a Friday in the summer months, Suson also hosts Farm Fridays.  Farm Fridays include wagon rides, pony rides, instructor-led fishing for children, face painting and more.  This park also has a well-maintained playground with a toddler climber, adolescent climber and a rock climbing structure.  It incorporates swings for all ages, including a “mommy and me” swing.  No matter your age or family dynamic, Suson has something for everyone.

Our community is home to several family-owned pub and grills.  One that my family frequently visits is Dulany’s Grill and Pub.  Dulany’s has been serving food and drinks to the residents of our community for over twenty years now.  The restaurant was opened by a local family in 1994 and continues to thrive today.  They were previously named “Best Neighborhood Bar in South County” from the Riverfront Times.  They are best known for their burgers and wings. If you love spicy, you’ll love their wings. However, their menu encompasses a variety of food also including pasta and pizza.  Since opening, they’ve expanded their space and their menu.  It has a bar, separate dining area and a patio area all filled with televisions showing the latest sporting event.  Dulany’s is family-friendly and reasonably priced with exceptional customer service. Stop in for lunch or dinner and enjoy!

Everyone needs a sweet treat after dinner on a hot day, so the next stop on our tour is a Rich’s Frozen Custard.  Rich’s is a locally owned and operated ice cream shop in Oakville opened in 2000.  Their menu includes concretes, sundaes, shakes, floats, smoothies and custard pies so whatever you fancy, there’s something for everyone.  They offer over thirty sundae toppings ranging from strawberry to brownie bits in mini, regular or large.  Enjoy their treats at home after going through the drive thru or get out and order at the window and relish in it at their patio tables.

The last stop on our tour today pertains to night-life in our little community.  The Firehouse Bar and Grill is locally owned by active firefighters, their families and friends.  They frequently host fundraisers to support local charities in the community as well as offering a discount on food to police, military and EMS. This little spot hosts trivia nights, has live music, karaoke, bingo and more monthly events.  Their menu includes a variety of appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, salad and desserts.  Come in with your family at lunchtime to enjoy a meal or come back later for the entertainment.

So don’t let those “dangerous” statistics scare you from visiting us.  Come explore all that the St. Louis Missouri’s outlying suburbs have to offer. The communities are filled with family-owned businesses thriving off people just like you, and all can enjoy our nature spots.

Author Bio:

Kayleigh is former educator turned wife and stay-at-home-mom of two.  Her blog “Minimalistic Mama” features articles written about tackling motherhood and family-life while attempting to lead a minimalistic life.  She aims to raise her children to be open-minded and adventurous individuals who embrace diversity, appreciate nature and dream big.  Kayleigh is also an advocate of mental health and includes the topic in many of her articles.

Connect with her on her website and social media: Instagram and you can email her for collabs: kayleighake@gmail.com