With so many places to see and attractions to enjoy, Missouri is a great place for a vacation either as a family or going it alone. Whether you are looking for small town hospitality or big city fun, this state has it all ready and waiting for you.
The Northwest region of Missouri has a mixture of big city fun combined with some rural culture and history. Kansas and Independence are two great cities to visit in this region with their diverse architecture, great attractions and entertainment, and many historic and cultural places to visit.
The next region is the Northeast region, boasting entertainment, history, art and culture throughout the area. A trip to St Louis will give you sights like the 630 foot Gateway Arch or the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, or you could visit the City Museum, the Fox Theater or the Forest Park. There is, however, lots more on offer in this region with numerous art galleries, museums, wineries and state historic and civil war sites to look around.
Home to the state capital, Jefferson City, and packed with more water based fun than you could ever imagine the Central Region is one for sightseers and adventurers alike. With the Lake of the Ozarks, Stockton, Truman and many others you will be able to take in the picturesque beauty of this region or involve yourself with activities like boating, swimming, water skiing or fishing to name but a few. Then for a historic trip around the state there are museums, churches, historic river towns and lots of other great places to visit.
In the Southwest Region you will find natural beauty and the live entertainment capital of America. With forested hills and stunning lakes like the Bull Shoals Lake or the Table Rock Lake sightseers will love it here but if you are after a little more fun then this region is going to be worth the visit. In the city of Branson you will find every kind of entertainment with music to suit all tastes, comedy, acrobatics and even magic shows. When you add to that museums, aquariums and many historic sites then you will know that this region has something for everybody.
For adventurers and explorers the Southeast region will be like heaven with almost limitless activities and places to visit. Whether you want to swim, climb, trek or just explore this region will let you do it with rivers, lakes, canyons and caverns spread across the whole region. For those looking for a quieter trip then you can try places like the Ste. Genevieve Museum or the Trail of Tears State Park in Jackson or one of the many historical or cultural sites this region has to offer.
So whether you are after thrills and excitement or just want to take in the sights Missouri will provide you with the means for a great vacation.
Kansas City, located in the western part of the state, is the largest city in Missouri. With over 200 fountains, Kansas City has the second most fountains in the world, after Rome. The city also has more boulevards than any city except Paris, but barbeque is what makes this city famous. Arthur Bryant's may very well be the best barbeque restaurant in the world, but locals may argue the same for: BB's Lawnside Barbeque, Danny Edwards Famous Kansas City Barbeque, Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue, Gates Bar-B-Q, Hayward's Pit Barbeque, LC's Barbeque, Oklahoma Joe's Barbeque, Rosedale Barbeque, and Smokehouse Bar-B-Que. When you are not eating, there is a seemingly endless amount of attractions, museums, entertainment venues, and shops to visit. The Harley-Davidson Vehicle and Powertrain Operations plant is just one of the many attractions in Kansas City that offers free admission.
Blue Springs is a suburb of Kansas City. Blue Spring's Adams Pointe Golfe Club is a public championship 18-hole golf course with stone-lined ponds, trees along the Bermuda fairways, and thirteen bridges. Zarda Bar BQ is a great choice for some authentic Missouri barbeque.
St. Joseph is northwest of Kansas City. It is where the Pony Express began, and where Jesse James was killed. Visitors can see the bullet hole from the shot that killed James, at the Jesse James Home Museum. Other points of interest are the pony-express stables, which is now a museum, the poet Eugene Field's home, and the city museum with noted Native American relics.
Independence is located near Blue Springs. It was the starting point of the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon trails. Independence was the home of President Harry Truman. Truman remembered Independence as "a bustling place without the troubles of Kansas City, providing the best of small-town life." The same is true today. Visitors should spend some time at the Truman Presidential Library, which has many interesting exhibits and artifacts.
Riverside is north of Kansas City, on the edge of the Missouri River. This is a fun town with a long history of racing and gambling. There a local firework stands along the roads and a casino on the river. Famous places include the Red X store, which sells cheap beer, wine, cigarettes, and gasoline and the Corner Café, where President George W. Bush ate in 2007.
Odessa is located near Kansas City. The I-70 Speedway racetrack is in Odessa and features both dirt and asphalt racing. The track hosts stock car racing and kart racing events. The track offers a twin-billing Saturday night dirt track and asphalt track show.
Columbia is located midway between Kansas City and St. Louis, and is known as "College Town U.S.A." because it is the home of the University of Missouri and Stephens College. The city was ranked number two of Money Magazine's Top 100 Places to Live in the US. The University of Missouri's Museum of Art and Archaeology has over 14,000 examples of art and archaeological items on display in five galleries, and admission is free. Columbia's largest fine arts venues are The Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts and Jesse Auditorium. The Blue Note is a popular a rock and pop venue downtown.
St. Louis, in east Missouri, is the second largest city in Missouri. The most famous tourist attraction is the Gateway Arch, which rises 630-feet over the Mississippi River. You can ride to the top for an amazing view. St. Louis offers some world-class attractions, for free , including: the Art Museum, Zoo, Science Center, Anheuser-Busch Brewery, Grant's Farm, and the Missouri History Museum. The nearby Chokia Mounds are ancient creations of a Native American civilization. St. Louis has the full gamut of professional sports events and six casinos.
Brentwood is a small suburb of St. Louis. Brentwood's proximity to St. Louis makes it an idea destination for visitors who would like easy access to the city, but would prefer not to stay in an urban environment. A local favorite place to eat is Jimmy John's Restaurant.
Creve Couer is a wealthy suburb of St. Louis. There are seven parks and the Dielmann Recreation Complex which has an Ice Arena and golf course. Visitors can purchase some beautiful works of art from the Mirroz Gallery.
Also a suburb of St. Louis, Fenton is home of NASCAR drivers Ken Schrader and Rusty Wallace. Fenton is known as the "City of Parks" because it has over 340 acres of parkland. In addition to the parks, Fenton has a 70,000 square foot recreation has indoor and outdoor pools, basketball courts, an indoor walking track, and a full gym.
Like many cities in Missouri, Hazelwood is a suburb of St. Louis. Hazelwood has some fantastic shopping areas and restaurants. It is located close to many of St. Louis's top attractions.
Maryland Heights is a St. Louis suburb, near Creve Coeur. The city has four parks, dozens of fine restaurants, and aquatic center, the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, and Harrah's Casino. Maryland Heights's "Celebrate the World" festival features music, food, entertainment, and crafts from around the world.
Bridgeton is another suburb of St. Louis, not far from Maryland Heights. Visitors can purchase local craft souvenirs at the Gallery Mountain Art and Furnishing. Bridgeton owns an operates a well maintained golf course, Berry Hill, but it is only 9-holes.
Eureka, near St. Louis, is home to Six Flags St. Louis, which has a variety of exciting rollercoasters, ride, and games, for the whole family to enjoy. Eureka is known for its antique shopping. There is a candlelight walk is held in old town Eureka, once a year. During the night, people tour the numerous antique shops within walking distance of each other. Visitors should go to the original Joe Boccardi's Ristorante and Eureka Wine House.
Berkeley is a suburb of St. Louis. Bring a pole and a some bait for a relaxing day at Ramona Lake. You can purchase a Missouri State Fishing License, bait, tackle, or concession items, from the caretaker. There is plenty to catch here because the lake is stocked with 400-600 lbs. of catfish every week.
Chesterfield is also a suburb of St. Louis, and hometown of famous athletes Ryan Howard and Kurt Warner. Chesterfield's Faust Park has a playground, historical village, walking trail, and a carousel. The Butterfly House, with a botanical garden and variety of butterflies is also located in the park.
Sikeston is in southeastern Missouri, halfway between St. Louis and Memphis, Tennessee. Visitors should try some of the famous "Throwed Rolls" from Lambert's Café. Golfers have their choice of the Boothel Golf Club or the Sikeston Country Club and Golf Course. Race fans can see some action at the SEMO Raceway and Sikeston Race Park. Sikeston also has a 22-store outlet shopping center.
St. Charles is in eastern Missouri on the Missouri River, northwest of St. Louis. St. Charles hosts one of the largest Christmas Festivals in the US, and has an impressive Fourth of July fireworks display. Other Events include an Oktoberfest celebration, Bluegrass Festival, and Fete de Glace ice carving competition. The Riverfront area and Main Street is the cultural center of the community and has shops, many trendy restaurants, and offices.
Clayton is an upper-class suburb of St. Louis and is one of the major financial centers in the Midwest. The city is home to banks, mortgage firms, and over 39 Fortune 500 Corporations. Clayton's downtown business district has many art galleries, boutiques, fine restaurants, and European style outdoor cafes. Clayton hosts several major cultural and culinary events throughout the year, including the St. Louis Art Fair and the Taste of Clayton food festival.
Washington is between St. Louis and Jefferson City, set in the heart of Missouri's wine country. The corn cob pipe was first created here, so that's the souvenir of choice. The Wolf Hollow Golf Club is a challenging par 71 that plays through a 175' elevation change. American Bounty Restaurant has a classic Midwestern fine dinning menu. Balducci Vineyards servers delicious food with wine parings.
Jefferson City is the capital of Missouri, located in the center of the state, and has a State Capital Building designed after the US Capitol Building. The Missouri State Museum has many interesting Civil War artifacts, among other natural and historical treasures. The Runge Nature Center features a variety of creatures and a 3,850 gallon aquarium. Jefferson City has five golf courses, a go-kart raceway, batting cages, skating rink, bowling alley, and other great activities. Native Stone Winery and Summit Lake Winery both produce excellent varietals and offer tours and tastings. The Central Dairy is famous for its fresh ice cream. Jefferson City has great art galleries, shopping, performing arts, parks, and festivals throughout the year. This is truly a city that has it all.
Marshall is north of Jefferson City. The "Jim the Wonder Dog Garden Park" is dedicated to a hunting dog that was able to follow instructions given to him in any foreign language, shorthand, or Morse Code. Witnesses were amazed by his remarkable intuition and his fame spread in newspapers and magazines across the country. Jim was featured in Ripley's Believe it or Not. The Saline County Historical Museum has an extensive exhibit on Jim the Wonder Dog.
St. Robert is in central Missouri, near Jefferson City. Mizeki Japanese Sushi Bar & Grill and Miller's Grill are good places to eat. For drinks, go to Chicken Bones, Moon Star Lounge, or Big Louie's Too.
Lebanon is south of Jefferson City in central Missouri. Lebanon was famous for its "magnetic waters" which were said to have healing and rejuvenating powers. A worker discovered the waters while digging in a well; the water magnetized his tools. It is unknown how accessible the waters are currently. Today, the water that attracts people is for fishing at Bennett Spring State Park, which is constantly stocked with trout.
Rolla is near Lebanon. Rolla was a popular stop on Historic Route 66. There is a University of Missouri campus in Rolla which has a half-scale replica of Stonehenge made of solid granite. It is impressive. Other notable sites are the old Phelps County Courthouse and Phelps County Jail.
Warsaw is west of Jefferson City. This town bills itself as being on the quiet end of the Ozarks, away from all the hustle and bustle of the Lake of the Ozarks. Serious fishermen will take note that this is one of the few places that still has a season for spoonbill. Swinging Bridge and the Harry S. Truman Dam are popular attractions.
Sedalia is east of Warsaw. It is the site of the Missouri State Fair, Scott Jolin Festival, and former location of the infamous Ozark Music Festival. Visitors will be thoroughly impressed by the Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site, the massive stone mansion built in 1897. The Daum Museum of Contemporary Art features some impressive works from Andy Warhol, Robert Motherwell, Rudy Autio, and Betty Woodman, among others.
Branson, in south Missouri, is a top tourist destination, drawing millions of visitors each year. There are over fifty theaters, some featuring live over-the-top country music shows. For some cold-war era laughs, be sure to visit the Yakov Smirnoff Theater. Other popular attractions include Veterans Memorial Museum, the Roy RogersDale Evans Museum, a scenic railroad, lakes, and caverns.
Butler is located near Branson, in western Missouri. It is called the "Electric City" because it was the first city west of the Mississippi to have electric power. Visitors can tour Bates County Museum of Pioneer History complex and learn how Butler may have been where the Civil War began. There is an historic square on original brick streets with historic homes and buildings nearby, including the Bates County Courthouse. There are several shops to purchase antiques and baked goods.
Lees Summit is in western Missouri southeast of Kansas City. Paradise Park is a family entertainment center with arcade games, mini-golf, batting cages, a rock climbing wall, go-karts, and bumper cars. The adults will have fun at the Stonehaus Farms Winery or.
Lees Summit's three public golf courses. Marina Grog and Galley is the best restaurant for steaks and seafood.
Clinton is in western Missouri, on the edge of Truman Lake and the western end of the Katy Trail State Park. The area has top quality golf, hunting, fishing, shopping, family fun, and festivals. Clinton is home to Missouri's largest downtown square filled with shops and historical sites. Visitors should tour the Henry County Museum and Cultural Arts Center, which is housed in a former Anheuser-Busch Distribution Center.
Richmond is located in northwestern Missouri. The most popular event of the year is the Mushroom Festival in May, which has mushrooms, other food, live music, BBQ, a tractor pull, talent show, 5K race, crafts, a carnival, a parade, and Mr. and Miss. Mushroom contest. It is a memorable event for golfers to play a round at the top rated Shirkey Golf Course.
Chillicothe is near Richmond northwestern Missouri. It is know as "The Home of Sliced Bread," because, the Chillicothe Baking Company began selling the first commercially available pre-sliced bread in 1928. There are souvenirs available in the different stores throughout Chillicothe that you can purchase to have something to go along with the saying "greatest thing since sliced bread." If that's not interesting, you might want to go to Saales Tavern or the Playhouse Bar & Grill.
Kearney is not far from Chillicothe. It is famous as the birthplace of Jesse James, and Kearney throws a festival in the third weekend of September to honor the Wild West gunslinger. Kearney has an outdoor amphitheater which features live shows throughout the year. Outlaws Barbeque is the place to go for authentic Missouri food like Jesse James may have eaten.
Carthage is in southwest Missouri. Tourist sites include the log-cabin courthouse, built in 1842, and the George Washington Carver National Monument, site of Carver's birthplace. Goad's Antique Mall, located on the north side of the historic Carthage square, has over than fifty dealers. You might find a great gift at Carthage True Value Hardware, a 130-year old store that offers much more than hardware. Golfers should book the 7:00 AM (first available) tee time at the Carthage Golf Course in advance. The whole family can enjoy a meal and a show at the Stone's Throw Dinner Theatre.
Springfield is located in southwest Missouri. It is the "Gateway to the Ozarks," part of a resort area with the largest cave in North America, an outdoor exotic animal park, and Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, one of the most-visited tourist attraction in Missouri.
Oak Grove is a small town in southwest Missouri, near Springfield. Side Pockets Blue Springs is a good place to shoot pool, get a drink, eat, or do all three. Other good choices are the 54th Street Grill & Bar, Iron Skillet, Raymels Grill House, and PT's Family Restaurant.
Joplin is in southwest Missouri near the Kansas border west of Springfield. It is in the "four states" region encompassing Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas, at the edge of the Ozark Mountain region. Joplin's George A. Spiva Center for the Arts features a continuous rotation of famous exhibits, a regional focus gallery, and art lessons. Joplin's Memorial Hall is a popular venue for concerts and other entertainment events.
Lamar is a modest town near Springfield and was the home of frontier lawman Wyatt Earp. An interesting attraction is the Stilabower Public Observatory. It is open to the public and has a 14-inch telescope with computerized tracking, and a digital imaging system. This allows visitors to input the information for the area they want to see and the telescope will locate and track it automatically.
Marshfield is located in southern Missouri. Marshfield strives to be a community that provides things to do throughout the year. In addition to the oldest Independence Day celebration west of the Mississippi, Marshfield also has a Cherry Blossom Festival, Children's Easter Egg Hunt, Fiber Fair, sanctioned ACRA/MRCA Rodeo, Webster County Fair, Truck & Tractor Pulls, ATV Rodeo, Demolition Derby, Pow Wow, Equine Events, Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch, and Christmas Events. Marshfield is also the birthplace of Edwin Hubble, creator of the Hubble Telescope. A ¼ scale replica stands outside the courthouse.
Osage Beach and Ozark, in southern Missouri, are at the Lake of the Ozarks. This is considered the Golf Mecca of the Midwest, but also offers top fishing, shopping, spas, and dining. The lake resort offers all the amenities the discerning vacationer could want.
Farmington is located in southeastern Missouri. Farmington is home to two high quality wineries and vineyards, Crown Valley Champagne House and Twin Oaks Vineyard, both of which offer tours and tastings to the public. Tourists can visit several interesting historical sites, including the Missouri Mines Historical Site and the Fort Davidson State Historic Site. There is family friendly entertainment at the Farmington Family Fun Center, with bowling and arcade games, Roller Zone indoor skating rink, and the St. Francois County Raceway.
Cape Girardeau is in southeast Missouri on the Mississippi River southeast of St. Louis. It is an affluent college town of Southeast Missouri State University. The Cape River Heritage Museum has a display on the Missouri State Flag, an interactive exhibit of life on the Mississippi River, and an exhibit on police and fire history.
Charleston is near Cape Girardeau. Charleston has some of the most beautiful natural scenery in Missouri, including the Big Oak Tree State Park, with its unique Cyprus swamp, and the 110 acre Robert G. Delaney Lake, offering year-round catfish, crappie and bass fishing. Visitors can take the Dorena-Hickman Ferry, one of the only remaining riverboat ferries in the US, across the Mississippi for a day-trip to Kentucky.
Jackson is in southeastern Missouri. Jackson has many interesting tourist attractions including: Bollinger County Museum of Natural History, Bollinger Mill State Historic Site, Brookside Veteran's Memorial, Cape Girardeau Conservation Campus, Cape Girardeau County Courthouse, Indian Sculpture, Iron Mountain Railway, Jackson Historic District, and Trail of Tears State Park.
Annapolis is a very small town near Jackson. Clearwater Lake is a scenic place for water sports, camping, hiking, biking, fishing, or hunting. Have breakfast or lunch at Mrs. B's Café, and dinner at Little Italy.
Helena is a small community in northeast Missouri. There is not much here of particular interest to tourists, but visitors may enjoy the small town atmosphere.
Hannibal, in northeast Missouri, is the hometown of Mark Twain. His house has been preserved, and there is a museum, statue, lighthouse, and bridge across the Mississippi to commemorate him. The famous Mark Twain cave is also located nearby. Visitors can take a short cruise on the Mark Twain Mississippi Riverboat.
Warrenton is near Hannibal. Thierbach Orchards has a vine maze, rope maze, corn maze, and fruit picking. The Reifschneider Conservation Area has free fishing, hunting, and an unsupervised shooting range. The Country Lake Golf Course is a 18-hole par 71 with a driving range.
Troy is not far from Helena. Stefanina's Pizzeria is a local favorite with a full Italian menu. For prime rib, Calvin's Restaurant & Lounge is the place to go.
Missouri has a variety of regional cultures that combine to make the state a unique destination in the center of the USA. Once a frontier outpost, Missouri retains the traditions of the past while growing into an important commercial and cultural focal point of the Midwest. The Ozarks have some of the most beautiful untouched nature in the country, while the metropolises of Kansas City and St. Louis tie together a state that is constantly growing and changing. Love it or leave it, no one will contest that Missouri is unlike any place in the world.
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