Aloha Mini Golf & Shave Ice, Valley Park

Location: 13502 Big Bend Rd, Valley Park, MO 63088

Website: http://alohastl.com/

The current owners fixed this place up in 2012 and are doing well. The 18-hole mini-golf course is rather plain, but my kids enjoyed it, especially the one hole that goes over a pond next to a bridge.

The things this place offers are mini-golf (all you can play, all day), shaved ice, and a golf flight range. All-you-can-play mini-golf is $8 per person and under 3 is free. Groups of 10+ are $6 per player.

Shaved ice is very good here.  They put a ton of syrup in there and the ice was fine and not chunky. They were delish!

The "building" is an old train car which my kids loved. The restrooms are here and bonus- they are air-conditioned.

 It was challenging for them to get the ball over the bridge!

Water cooler for anyone who would like a cool drink on a hot day

They also have a small playground

 Golf flight cage (old batting cages)

The man said if we started playing and found it was too hot we were welcome to come back at night and finish our game. He said it was good for playing all day! It is lit at night.

In 2023 they added another 18-hole island course. It's next to the original 18-hole course. 

Lone Elk Park, Valley Park

Location: 1 Lone Elk Park Rd, St. Louis, MO 63088
(I-44 North Outer Road west of Highway 141, adjacent to the World Bird Sanctuary)

Amenities: picnic shelters, trails, lake with fishing, animal viewing

Website: https://stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-departments/parks/places/lone-elk-park/

Lone Elk Park is a wildlife management area, with bison, wild turkey, waterfowl, elk and deer. The first half of the park contains a lake for fishing, some picnic shelters and picnic areas. The second half of the park is drive through only (Motorcycles are prohibited), as the larger animals freely roam this part of the park. The photos below are taken from the car with no zoom, to give you an idea of how close to the road they are, and what a good view you get! There is no playground, and you cannot pet or interact with the animals, but this park does give kids a close up view of animals they would not ordinarily get to see. Note: Domestic animals are not allowed, even if confined in a vehicle.

It's a gorgeous place to drive around and there are places to pull over and look at the scenery, or animals if they happen to be nearby. 

The visitor's center with restrooms

People have been seriously injured here by trying to interact with the animals, so I just wanted to mention again, DO NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR under any circumstances. Also the ticks are really bad here, so picnic at your own risk. 

Entrance and exits added late 2020