bdl wrote:

I'm based on the North side of St. Louis (3SQ). I guess I'm looking for
"interesting" cross-country flights in the Missouri, Iowa, Illinois,
Arkansas, Tennesee area. Any "must visit" places? Any good restaraunts,
etc.

Ah, you're right in my neck of the woods, I can help

A nice short trip is Lake of the Ozarks. Two airports. The smaller,
K15 (Grand Glaize), has a very nice Italian restaurant/antique mall/brew
pub at the end of the runway. You can also request Unicom to call
the van for Tan Tara resort, and go play a game of golf, miniature
golf, swim, take a boat cruise, have dinner, dance, or stay for
the weekend. Tan Tara has a somewhat pricy but superb Sunday
brunch. I believe there's a boat cruise afterwards. BK (before
kids) DH and I liked to fly down on Fri or Sat eve, have dinner,
dance to live music, then fly back under a nice full moon. They
also have an arcade of little shops. About an hour or so away.

The larger, AIZ, used to (at least) have a courtesy car. It's
got a wonderful lodge with a fireplace. But, it's further away
from everything.

For a less pricy Sunday brunch, fly in the other direction and
try MVN (Mount Vernon, IL). The restaurant is right in the terminal
building. About 50 minutes. Nothing fancy.

SIK Sikeston MO is a "must go" on the 100 dollar hamburger list.
Lambert's Cafe will pick you up at the airport and roll out the
red carpet for you (if there's a long line, you won't be asked to
wait in it). About an hour and a quarter.

A little further on are the two Kentucky State Resort Parks,
Kentucky Dam and Lake Barkley (1M9). Both will pick you up at the
airport in a van. You can spend the day, rent a boat, swim, eat,
camp, stay at the lodge. I prefer Lake Barkley which has a beautiful
indoor "health center" with pool, spa, etc. Free to guests but
you can pay a fee for day use. About an hour and a half--hour
and 45.

Some folks like Branson. If your wife likes shopping, could be
worth flying into PLK, renting a car, touring the outlets, maybe
taking in a show. About 2 - 2 1/4 hrs.

How do you feel about grass? Two very nice trips are Amana, IA
(Amana colonies, great food and great shopping and tourist
attraction) up by Jay in Iowa City, or in the other direction
Gaston's Resort in N. Arkansas.

Also a little further away in N. Arkansas, check out Mountain Home
or Eureka Springs.

Going a little further afield -- about 3 hrs-ish check out Bowling
Green KY and visit Mammoth Cave (BWG). Or try Coshocton, Ohio
(I40) and visit Roscoe Village (~3 1/2 hrs). Head NW and check out
Pioneer Village in Minden, NE (0V3) (again 3 1/2 hrs) Go a bit further
-- depending on winds might need a fuel stop -- and try whitewater
rafting on the Ocoee from Copperhill, TN (1A3 I think). All places
well worth a weekend IMO.

Niagara Falls (IAG) is about a 5 1/2-6 hr flight. A good fuel
stop is around Sidney, OH (I12). Very nice folks, will lend you
a courtesy car to take into town for food. Just something to think about.

I could go on a bit but perhaps that'll do for starters? Any further
questions, just ask.

Hope this helps,
Sydney