Make your next escape a healthy one by packing up your bike and heading to the Meramec Greenway in Fenton to pedal your troubles away. The Meramec Greenway is a five-mile bike and hike trail that follows the banks of the Meramec River from Olde Towne Fenton to St. Louis County's Unger Park . The trail is flat and paved with beautiful views of the river along a well groomed city park. Click here for a trail map of the Meramec Greenway. You can park at a trail head underneath Hwy 30, or extend your ride by parking in nearby Fenton City Park. You can add a mile or two to your ride by circling …

If you’re looking to indulge in some creative “me time,” For Keeps Sake is the perfect place to escape. You can save your sanity (by getting out of the house sans kids) while saving your memories in the form of a beautiful photo scrapbook. For Keeps Sake is a scrapbooker’s paradise, located in South County at 4530 Lemay Ferry Road. This locally owned shop offers all the scrapbook supplies you need to start a book of memories—racks full of paper, adhesives of every type, stickers, stamps, inks, markers, brads, ribbons, cutting tools and even albums to put your masterpiece in when you’re done. …

You don’t have to drive all the way to The Hill to enjoy date night at one of St. Louis’ most popular Italian restaurants. Rich & Charlie’s Italian Restaurant has been serving up classic pasta dishes since 1967 - and one of their five locations is in South County at 4487 Lemay Ferry Road. Rich & Charlie’s has a full bar, so go ahead and order a cocktail or glass of wine before your meal. Start out with their signature Rich & Charlie’s Famous Salad and choose an interesting appetizer like Spinach and Artichoke Stuffed Toasted Ravioli or BA-DA Bing Shrimp. For dinner you can choose from more …

All moms could use a little “me time” to unwind and de-stress from noisy children and a hectic schedule. There’s no better way to spend quality alone time than at a day spa that offers luxury services right in your own neighborhood. Port Salon and Day Spa is located in Fenton next to Dierbergs and offers a huge range of services from hair and makeup to a full body massage with hot stones. The “Total Make-Over Package” is more than five hours of complete pampering, quite literally from hair to toenail. This package gives you a perm or color treatment plus a cut and style. Then you’ll relax …

Moms, the next time you're planning a Great Escape date, try the Pink Galleon Billiards & Games, a friendly neighborhood pool hall in South County. Sure, it’s a little gaudy with all the pink pool tables and air brushed pirates, but what guy is going to turn down a night of pool and beer with his best gal? The Pink Galleon has more than 20 neon pink pool tables for a casual game of 8 Ball. If you really want to feel like a kid again, challenge your hubby to a game of ping pong, shuffle board, air hockey, foosball or darts. Pool is $9.50 an hour, ping pong is 75 cents and the steel tipped …

Moms looking for an escape from their kids can take a healthy break at the Arnold Recreation Center and Jefferson County Library. Here you can enjoy a kid-free workout or settle down with a cup of coffee and a good book. If you have the time, why not try both? The Arnold Rec Center and library share a facility off Astra Way and Missouri State Road. You can start your time here with a work out at the gym, run a few laps around the indoor track, dive in for a refreshing swim, then stroll down the hall to the library. Life Change Café is nestled between the two facilities, selling coffee, cold …

Glazed and Confused in South County is a “paint your own pottery” shop where you can have a fun and creative ladies night out - or just a private escape from the house. The shop provides everything you need: a large selection of green ware, unlimited supply of paint in a rainbow of colors, brushes, stencils and even creative tips from the helpful artists who work at the shop. Pottery is fired in the shop’s kiln and you can pick up your masterpiece in about a week. Normal studio fees are $5, and you can spend as much time as you need to complete your work of art. The price of the pottery is …