Missouri

Friendly, unassuming, full of surprises – that’s Missouri. Outdoor adventurers, urbanites, history buffs, families and road trip enthusiasts alike will find exciting activities and excursions in Missouri. Filled with open roads and hidden gems, the Show-Me State offers world-class museums, stunning scenery, thriving nightlife and delicious food – and that’s just the beginning!

Ha Ha Tonka State Park
Missouri Division of Tourism

Discover countless attractions, perfect for any age group. Immerse yourself in wildlife habitats at the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium. Learn about history at the National World War I Museum and Memorial. Delve into the strange at the Glore Psychiatric Museum. Plow into the country’s farming innovations at the American Tractor Museum. Reach new heights at the Gateway Arch National Park. Whether it’s your first time visiting Hamilton, a.k.a. Quilt Town, U.S.A., or you’re revisiting an old chapter at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home & Museum, we promise your Missouri trip will be unforgettable.

Gateway Arch
Explore St. Louis

Tune in for buzzing nightlife and entertainment. St. Louis has dozens of venues offering live performances. Take in a show and learn the history of Blues at the National Blues Museum. Kansas City plays to a different beat at the American Jazz Museum. Visit a local jazz club to hear smooth classics and modern arrangements. You can’t talk about music without mentioning Branson, the “Live Entertainment Capital of the World.” Offering over 100 shows, productions feature various genres across the music spectrum.

Anthems of Rock
Explore Branson

Hit the road along iconic routes sure to make a lasting impression. The Way of American Genius (Highway 36) leads you through hometowns of iconic, and infamous, natives like Mark Twain, Walt Disney, General John J. Pershing and Jesse James. For a nostalgic adventure, cruise down Route 66. Stretching more than 280 miles through Missouri, the Mother Road traverses through Springfield – the “Birthplace of Route 66” – and passes roadside attractions, scenic views and motor courts harkening to a bygone era.

Fanning 66 Outpost
Missouri Division of Tourism

To get a taste of Missouri, you really have to sample your way through the culinary scene. Known for our toasted ravioli, gooey butter cake, pork steaks, delicious barbecue and so much more, we recommend you take your vacation one bite at a time. Try gourmet James Beard award-winning restaurants, small town mom-and-pop diners, or sip a glass of Norton at one of Missouri’s 130+ wineries. If beer and spirits are more to your liking, you’ll find plenty of those, too.   

Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque
Missouri Division of Tourism

With 92 State Parks and Historic Sites and more than 1,000 Conservation Areas, outdoor recreation is thriving in the Show-Me State. Hike the rugged Ozark Trail, try your hand at sailing on Stockton Lake or bike the longest completed rail-trail, the Katy Trail. When the weather is extreme, seek solace in one of the many show caves located throughout the state.  

Onondaga Cave State Park
Missouri Division of Tourism

Missouri roots for the home team – and we have many. Watch the St. Louis Blues hit the ice during a thrilling hockey game. The city also welcomes Major League Soccer with the addition of the St. Louis City Soccer Club. Both sides of the state are wild about baseball, and it’s no wonder with teams like the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals calling Missouri home. And our beloved Kansas City Chiefs will have you sitting on the edge of your seat – or screaming from your feet.

Busch Stadium
Explore St. Louis
Photographer Dan Donovan

Regardless of your M-O, a perfect vacation awaits in Missouri.