Missouri is one of the top destinations for road-trippers in the United States. This Midwestern state is surrounded by gorgeous lakes and rivers, ancient cities, and magnificent caves. It is also known for its healthy food habits.
A perfect example of the beautiful landscape of the state is the Lake of the Ozarks. This lake is a popular vacation destination with thousands of miles of beachfront. Visitors can swim, fish, kayak, and other water sports in the lake.
The Ozark Mountains are another top attraction in the state. They provide a majestic backdrop for nearby forests and rock formations.
Another must-see is the Gateway Arch. It is the tallest man-made monument in the country. To reach the top, visitors can ride a tram. You can also go on a riverboat cruise.
Another destination is the Missouri Botanical Garden. This Victorian-era garden spans 79 acres and has a variety of beautiful plants. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Linnean House, Japanese Garden, and the Climatron dome.
Other places of interest in the state are St. Louis, the Missouri State Museum, the Governor’s Mansion, and the Missouri State Penitentiary.
Branson is a prime destination for families, and is a great place to enjoy a wide variety of entertainment options. In addition to live music and restaurants, the town has numerous museums and activities for kids.
There are plenty of things to see in the city of Jefferson City. Some of these sites include the Lewis and Clark Monument, the Governor’s Mansion, the Missouri State Museum, and the Missouri State Penitentiary.
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is one of the largest art museums in the country. It is located in Kansas City, Missouri. It has a collection of more than 40,000 works of art. The museum displays a variety of styles and cultures.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art offers a wide range of activities and attractions. It is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 10 am to 5 pm. There are family events every month. The museum also offers tours and a creative cafe.
The museum has a large collection of American paintings. These include works by Frederic Church, George Caleb Bingham, Thomas Eakins, and John Singleton Copley. Some of the pieces are from the early 19th century, while others are modern.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum also features an extensive collection of Asian art. Some of the collections consist of Chinese ceramics and sculptures. It also has a Chinese art gallery. The museum offers guided group tours and audio players.
The museum has a sculpture garden. It has more than six thousand photographs in its Hallmark Photographic Collection. It also has a diorama of soil layers from the region. Some of the minerals are displayed in ultraviolet light, creating a glowing effect.
The museum also offers a Ford Learning Center. This facility is a part of the museum’s $200 million renovations. The building includes classes and workshops for educators. It is free to enter.
The museum offers a variety of educational programs for elementary and secondary school students. They also have presentations for school groups.
Silver Dollar City
Silver Dollar City is a family-friendly theme park. It features over 40 rides, attractions, live shows, shops, and restaurants. It is located in Branson, Missouri.
The park features dozens of thrilling rides and attractions, including a roller coaster, a log-flume ride, and a water-powered gristmill. It also boasts a multitude of entertainment options, including live shows, taffy pulling, and heritage craftsmanship demonstrations.
For those who don’t like to spend too much money, Silver Dollar City offers a season pass. It’s cheaper than buying two one-day passes, and it gives you access to the park throughout the year. However, there may be a fee for reservations on peak days.
The park hosts numerous festivals throughout the year. The Southern Gospel Picnic and Bluegrass & BBQ Festival are just a few examples. During the National Harvest Festival, visitors can enjoy crafts and cowboy demonstrations.
If you’re a fan of sweet treats, head to Hannah’s Ice Cream Parlor. The ice cream is crafted in a four-bucket churn. In addition to ice cream, the shop also offers fresh cinnamon rolls, coffee, and other baked goods.
For thrill seekers, the rides include the Fire-In-The-Hole, the Grand Exposition, and the Outlaw Run. For younger visitors, the Elephant March is a great option.
There’s also a river rafting ride, the Mystic River. Other popular spots to cool off are the Cokes And Floats, which features fountain drinks and snacks.
The park is open year-round, except on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. If you are planning to visit the park during peak seasons, be sure to plan ahead.
Missouri Botanical Garden
The Missouri Botanical Garden is a garden lover’s paradise. Founded by Henry Shaw in 1859, the garden is one of the oldest botanic institutions in the country. The garden is also a National Historic Landmark.
The Missouri Botanical Garden is located on 79 acres of land. The gardens include a 14-acre Japanese strolling garden, the nation’s largest authentic Japanese garden, as well as a 14-acre Chinese Garden. The garden is designed in a traditional Japanese style with lanterns, foot bridges, and a large lake.
The garden is a great destination for families. It features paths that lead visitors through woodlands and streams, a treehouse, and a pioneer village. There is also a splash area and rope bridge for little ones.
The garden also contains several art exhibits. The Linnean House is the oldest operating greenhouse conservatory in the United States. It also houses the Climatron, a glasshouse that simulates a rainforest climate.
The Missouri Botanical Garden is open year-round. During the fall season, there are numerous festivals taking place in the gardens. Some of the events are seasonal and some require booking in advance.
The Missouri Botanical Garden is an oasis in the bustling city of St. Louis. It is a great spot for families looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The gardens are accessible by MetroBus 8, 14, and 80. Parking is free. It is recommended to avoid parking on residential streets, as vehicles parked there may be towed at your expense.
City Museum
The City Museum in St Louis is a fun and exciting place to visit. With over 600,000 square feet of space, there is something for everyone to do.
From giant slides to secret tunnels, this museum is sure to have something for you to enjoy. If you have a child, they can even get in on the fun.
City Museum is located in a 600,000 square foot warehouse. When the building was built, it was a shoe factory. It has been converted into a steam punk wonderland filled with strange sculptures and activities. You will also find a huge aquarium and the largest Wurlitzer organ in the country.
This funky, steampunk fantasy wonderland is the brainchild of Bob Cassilly. He created the “city within a city” using salvaged materials. He sourced old buildings, bridges, chimneys and tiles, and transformed them into a variety of attractions.
Visitors can also climb the ten-story Enchanted Caves. Inside, they can walk through fake cave formations and cave walls. They can also see the “puking pig”, an old boiler topped with an iron pig’s head.
There are also a number of other large sculptures and interactive artwork. One of the most unique features of this museum is its “No Maps” button, which allows staff to answer questions without providing visitors with a map.
City Museum also has a large, four-story Ferris wheel on the roof. Another unique attraction is a 3,000-pound praying mantis statue. Also, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a ride on an out-of-commission school bus.
Gateway Arch National Park
The Gateway Arch is the tallest man-made structure in the Western Hemisphere. It is 630 feet high and is located in St. Louis, Missouri. It was erected in honor of Thomas Jefferson, one of the country’s founding fathers.
The park features exhibits that cover the history of the region. It also has a museum that tells the story of the arch’s design and construction. The museum is not free, but it is worth a visit.
The museum is located beneath the Arch. It is well done and tells the tale of America’s westward expansion. You will learn about the early explorers who traveled westward and the men who led the way. The museum has a handful of interactive displays.
The main attraction at the Arch is the tram ride to the top. You can spend as little as three minutes to the bottom or as long as an hour at the top. You’ll need to purchase tickets online before you go.
While you’re at the top, you can take in the view of the Mississippi River from one side of the Arch. The views are spectacular, especially in the springtime.
The museum is also well-done and worth a look. There are six main exhibit areas. Each area tells a different aspect of the history of the region. You can learn about the history of the arch, the pioneers who travelled westward, and the Native Americans who inhabited the area.
There’s also a film about the arch. The 35-minute documentary is worth the trip, but it’s not free. Without an America the Beautiful pass, the price is $7.
Forest Park
Forest Park is the largest urban park in the United States, covering more than 1,300 acres. It’s an ideal place to spend a day soaking up the sights and sounds of St. Louis, Missouri.
You can find a wide range of activities in and around the park, including golf, biking, swimming, tennis, and picnicking. It’s also home to important cultural institutions like the Saint Louis Science Center and the Missouri History Museum. These museums are free to visit.
Another great thing to do in the park is to check out the famous Saint Louis Zoo. It’s free to visit and you can see more than 12,000 animals! This zoo is also home to a carousel and ropes course, making it a fun family day out.
The Missouri History Museum is a great way to learn about the history of the region. It’s been around for over 150 years and features depictions of the 1904 World’s Fair. The museum has a sister plane to Lindbergh’s “Spirit of Saint Louis,” which was the first solo transatlantic flight.
The National Museum of Transportation is one of the best sightseeing attractions in Missouri. It has more than 190 transport-related exhibits. Some of the items on display include the largest steam engine ever built.
Saint Louis Art Museum
Located on the top of Art Hill, the Saint Louis Art Museum is a cultural institution that shares original works of art from across the globe. Its collection spans 5,000 years of history and offers visitors the opportunity to see pieces from all over the world. This unique museum is a must-see for visitors to St.Louis, Missouri.
The museum offers free general admission. In addition, the museum hosts a variety of special exhibitions throughout the year. These include a rotating exhibit on the 1904 World’s Fair, which includes a collection of photographs and artifacts related to the event.
The museum also offers a number of educational programs for families. They offer tours for children and a number of family-friendly events every weekend, including family Sunday programs and free Fridays.
The museum’s extensive collection includes ancient art, sculpture, and modern art. It is considered one of the finest art museums in the country. The museum also boasts a variety of artifacts, including armor, a replica of a keelboat, and more. The museum is open from January to Memorial Day.
The museum has a number of different galleries, each containing a wide range of art. The first gallery, for instance, is known as the McNamee Gallery, which is home to exhibits from SLU faculty and students.
The second gallery, the Cathedral Basilica Museum, has exhibits that include mosaics, church objects, and more. The museum also features a throne that was used by Pope John Paul II.
Saint Louis Zoo
The Saint Louis Zoo is a unique Missouri attraction that is the ideal place for animal-loving families. This zoo has an extensive selection of animals from around the world.
The Saint Louis Zoo is spread over 90 acres in Forest Park. It features several different zones. The Big Cat Country exhibit is home to lions and tigers.
Among the other exhibits are Red Rock, Shark Canyon, River’s Edge, and Shark Lagoon. The Red Rock area is home to zebras, elephants, and rhinos. The River’s Edge area is a lushly planted natural landscape.
The Sea Lion Sound exhibit includes an underwater tunnel into a seal habitat. It also has shallow outcroppings.
Throughout the zoo, visitors can find a variety of restaurants, cafes, and rental facilities. They may change their fees in the future.
The Saint Louis Zoo has received accolades for its conservation efforts. For instance, the zoo has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The zoo offers plenty of services, including an Event Tent and a McDonnell Center at River Camp. There is also a train that carries guests for a 20-minute tour of the park.
The zoo is open year-round, but has special hours during certain times of the year. For instance, the zoo is closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
You can visit the zoo for free, or pay a nominal fee. However, there are special attractions that are only open to those who pay a fee. You can check out the zoo website to learn more about the special features.
Worlds of Fun
If you’re looking for something fun to do in the Midwest, Worlds of Fun is a great place to start. It offers a variety of thrill rides and world-class events. There’s also a water park attached to the amusement park, so you’re sure to find plenty to do at both locations. Plus, you can get a discount on tickets to both places when you use a Worlds of Fun coupon.
The amusement park offers a wide range of rides, including seven roller coasters. You’ll also find dozens of attractions and themed areas to explore. You can even get creative at the Kaleidoscope, which features art classes for kids and adults. Guests can also get a glimpse of life-size dinosaurs at Dinosaurs Alive. In addition to these attractions, you’ll find a wave pool and a lazy river, so you can cool off during the hot Kansas City summer.
Another attraction at Worlds of Fun is the new Planet Snoopy. This family-friendly area features 18 rides and daily character appearances. It even has a foam ball factory and a forty-foot hot air balloon ride. You’ll also find a brand new show to watch for the whole family.
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, the SpringHill Suites by Marriott is a great choice. It features an indoor swimming pool, Wi-Fi, a 24-hour gym, and breakfast. You can even take advantage of the hotel’s free parking. If you don’t want to pay for parking, you can book one of the Cozy Woodside Cottages for overnight stays.
