The best things to do in Franklin County

Meramec Lakes Golf Course keeps it friendly and fun with 18 holes that play nice for beginners and still bite back for low handicaps. Voted a Golfers' Choice 2025 Top 10 Value Course and rated #8 public in Missouri, plus leagues, lessons, and tournaments worth talking about.

From the Union newsletter, October 10, 2026

Oasis Lanes mixes classic lanes with an arcade and a grill & bar, plus leagues, tournaments, and a pro shop for fine-tuning your roll. Cosmic bowling, birthday parties, and group packages make it an easy win for family nights or spontaneous plans close to home.

From the St. Clair newsletter, October 9, 2026

Birch Creek Golf Club keeps things fun and playable with wide, approachable greens, tree-lined fairways, and those sneaky bunkers that make pars feel earned. Rolling elevation, valley views, and a friendly clubhouse make it a reliable local go to for casual rounds or easygoing group outings.

From the Union newsletter, October 2, 2026

If your idea of a perfect "I do" is towering trees, river breezes, and zero banquet-hall vibes, Lost Hill Lake Events is an outdoor forest venue on 200 acres along the Meramec in St. Clair with wedding and elopement packages, glamping, and a friendly, seasoned team from a decades-old family farm.

From the St. Clair newsletter, September 29, 2026

Great Eight Cinema keeps it easy for Union locals with stadium seating, first-run flicks plus the occasional 3D, and a stacked Now Showing lineup that makes weeknights feel like an event. Grab the popcorn you pretend to share, check the schedule, and rack up rewards while you’re at it.

From the Union newsletter, October 1, 2026