Meramec Caverns, Sullivan

(This sign says Stanton but the website says they are in Sullivan)

Location: 1134 Highway W, Sullivan, MO 63080

Website: https://www.americascave.com/

Amenities include cave tours, riverboat rides, gift shop, restaurant, canoes, zipline, rock mining, camping, & more.  Children 4 and under are free. The tour is an hour and 20 minutes long and probably uses the same script they've been using for the last 50 years, but it's still enjoyable! There is a lot of walking (1.25 miles round trip) and about 50 stairs at the end. There is nowhere to sit along the way and no restrooms so keep that in mind for little guys. The walkways are uneven and wet so I would baby wear if you have little ones. Tours leave every 30 minutes or so and there are plenty of benches for you to sit and wait for your tour to start, plus informative information around to look at. It's 58 degrees in the cave and water drips everywhere so I would wear closed-toed shoes and bring a jacket as well. I had flip-flops on and almost fell on a slick spot.

"Proof of Jesse James usage of the caverns as a hideout is found through collaborative factual evidence. This evidence consists of sheriffs reports, eye witness accounts, and physical material found inside the cave. Among the artifacts found inside the cave (at Loot Rock) were strong boxes traceable to the train robbery at Gadshill, MO, rifles, and shackles. Additional information can be obtained by visiting the Jesse James Wax Museum nearby."

This onyx mountain was amazing. The water dripping created the largest flowstone in the world. It's mostly made of calcite so I'm not sure why it's named onyx mountain.

These formations are in the wine room, which is so named because they look like grapes.

The theatre room is at the end of the tour and they show a short inspirational video on the wall. The formation looks like a stage curtain.

They have a large gift shop with all kinds of cute souvenirs. You can also buy fudge here and it is delish!

Cave map

The Meramec Mining Company offers an area where kids can pan for gold and gemstones. My kids did this activity at Deanna Rose Farmstead in Kansas City and LOVED it so we did it again here. You can buy the small bag of dirt for $7.99 and you get a TON of gemstones out of it!

These are the gems from just one bag of dirt! My kids love trying to figure out what they got by matching them up to the chart. 

They have a playground near the campground. It's just one play structure and it's older but it's still functional. There is a slide, a tunnel, and various bars and poles. 

There are 4 sling swings and some sand to play in. 

If you want to make the most of your drive to Sullivan, you could visit the Riverside Wildlife Center, Wild Animal Adventure Park, and the Route 66 splash pad.