Missouri is a river state, where people once traveled by water, boasting natural beauty and numerous legends, including the adventure of Lewis & Clark and the tales of Mark Twain. Once a gateway city to the west, St. Louis is today a cosmopolitan city filled with fashionable restaurants and smoky jazz clubs. Visit historic communities, such as Laclede's Landing and The Hill, that offer fine restaurants, art galleries, and craft shops. Kansas City is a city of art and music and a distinctly European flavor. It features more than 40 museums and numerous galleries. Kansas City is well known for its steaks and barbecue, as well as its jazz festivals and summer music events. Branson, the capital of live music and entertainment, boasts more than 30 theaters. Its seemingly unlimited entertainment features various shows, including rock 'n' roll, gospel, country music and dance performances. Minutes away from Branson are the peaceful wooded hills of the Ozarks, where you can enjoy outdoor activities. Table Rock Lake is known for its bass fishing. Guided fishing trips and cruise trips are available at numerous local marinas. If you are looking for relaxing recreation with soothing scenery, visit North Missouri. The great outdoors of Kirksville boasts two large state conservation areas. St. Joseph, in Pony Express country, offers many museums. 

ATTRACTIONS

Northwest   Northeast   Central   Southwest   Southeast   National Parks

Northwest

American Royal Museum & Visitors Center - See the significance of agriculture in the history of Kansas City. Visit the beginnings of the American Royal. Observe horse shows, rodeo and livestock show clothing, saddles and memorabilia. See how your weight compares with chickens, market hogs and feeder steers. Visit the reading corner, play computer games, learn about livestock judging and have a great time.

Children's Museum of Kansas City - Hands-on activities offer fun learning experiences. Explore a museum that invites kids to ""Touch everything!"" Exhibits are designed to stimulate the imagination and creativity of children ages two through eight and encourage all-age family interaction.

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum - The new Negro Leagues Baseball Museum features a 10,000 square-foot multi-media exhibit including two film exhibits, two video exhibits, and 15 computer interactive stations. The gallery is arranged on a time line of African American and baseball history from the 1860s-1950s.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art - Rich collections bring together masterpieces from every culture and period of the world, from ancient times to the present day. Free tours of sculpture inside the Museum are available for youth groups and are led by teen guides.

The Coterie Theatre - Kansas City's professional theatre for youth and family audiences.

Airline History Museum - The museum contains a collection of photographs, artifacts, printed material, and audio/visual displays that will bring you the true flavor of an age gone by. Uniforms, galley items, instrumentation, logbooks, personal mementoes, and so much more to bring to life the propeller-driven era.

Kansas City Zoo - The Zoo features over 200 acres of animal fun as well as the first IMAX Theatre in a Zoo. Embark on a safari through Africa including Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Uganda and the Congolese Forest.

Conception Abbey - Benedictine monastery founded in 1873. See The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, a Romanesque basilica housing a rare example of Beuronese murals.

Pony Express Historical Association - This association maintains two historical museums. The Patee House Museum served as the Pony Express Headquarters from 1860 to 1861. The Jesse James Home Museum contains a number of items owned by Jesse James with a new exhibit on the 1995 exhumation of the infamous outlaw, including coffin handles, bits of wood, and a pin Jesse James wore in his death photo.

Pony Express Museum - Historic stables where Pony Express began in 1860, restored as museum illustrating need, operation and end of famed mail service.

American Jazz Museum - Inside the American Jazz Museum, the essence and living spirit of jazz legends fill the atmosphere as the story of jazz and her greatest performers is told through the sights and sound of one the most interactive museums in the country.

Kansas City Museum - Exhibitions and programs on science and technology, Regional and Natural history, planetarium, and a 1910 Soda Fountain.

Toy and Miniature Museum of Kansas City - The museum contains twenty-four rooms filled with antique dolls, dolls' houses, cast iron toys, trains, and scale miniatures.

Arabia Steamboat Museum - Explore this museum and learn how the handsome steamer Arabia prospered on the rivers, perished in 1856 and was finally rediscovered 132 years later, precious cargo intact. This exhibit is many things: history, ingenuity, tragedy, adventure, perseverance, preservation and a tribute to the pioneer spirit.

Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun - Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun combined offer over 235 acres of exciting rides, awesome shows and great attractions including two of the top 20 ranked roller coasters in the world. Oceans of Fun offers over 60 acres of water excitement, including 8 water slides, a million-gallon wave pool, areas just for adults and just for children and much more. 

Hallmark Visitor's Center - Step through a giant keyhole into an oversize artist's studio—a room filled with six-foot pencils, markers and paintbrushes. Climb atop huge paint jars to view a video on how Hallmark artists draw, letter, paint, sculpt and stitch designs. Then watch a real technician creating dies for cutting or embossing cards.  2450 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, (816) 274-3613.

Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art - The Albrecht-Kemper is home to an extraordinary group of colonial portraits, rich holdings of American landscapes as well as distinguished examples of American Impressionism and post-Impressionist artists of the Boston School. The museum also features work by important 20th century artists and a growing contemporary collection.

National Military Heritage Museum - Exhibits depict the history of military service-abroad and at home-during war and between wars. A visit to the museum allows you to learn about all five branches of our military and their roles throughout world history, along with the civilians who served on the home-front.

St. Joseph Museum - Nineteenth-century mansion houses Native American, local and natural history exhibits. Also home to a variety of seasonal family activities.

   Northeast

Mark Twain Riverboat - Enjoy one hour cruises with commentary on river history, legends, and sights. This cruise features an open snack bar with sandwiches and beverages. Dinner cruises and Jazz cruises also available.

St Louis Children's Aquarium - Fun, interactive and educational public aquarium for children. Pet a shark, pick up turtles and explore a cave.

Six Flags St. Louis - Six Flags St. Louis is home to some of the biggest, fastest rides in the county including The Boss. Or, for a slower pace, try the family rides and attractions.

Lewis & Clark Boat House and Nature Center - The Lewis & Clark Boat House and Nature Center is the Discovery Expedition's permanent home. Situated beside the Missouri River at Bishop's Landing in charming historic St. Charles, Missouri, the educational facility features exhibits relating to the Lewis and Clark expedition, historic St. Charles, and the Missouri River ecosystem.

International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame - Opened in 1984, the Museum displays the entire panorama of bowling's international history, from ancient Egypt to modern tenpins. The Museum also honors the individual efforts of bowling's legends with our halls of fame.

The Magic House - The Magic House, St. Louis Children's Museum is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing hands-on learning experiences for children in a creative and stimulating environment.

St. Louis Zoo - Visit one of America's best zoos. Enjoy a sea lion show, see Asian elephants, cheetahs and spotted hyenas in their habitats, or ride the zooline railroad.

Science Center - The St. Louis Science Center is a playground for your head. The center features a planetarium, an OMNIMAX® theater, a variety of hands-on exhibits and lots more.

Mark Twain Cave - The Mark Twain Cave is the oldest show cave in the state of Missouri, giving tours for over 114 years. The cave has also served as a place of hiding for Indians, trappers of animals for trade, the infamous Jesse James and slaves searching for freedom via the Underground Railroad. 

Sawyer's Creek Funpark - Located in Hannibal on the banks of the Mississippi River, Sawyer's Creek Funpark offers visitors the opportunity to relive The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn in the town where Mark Twain lived as a boy...America's Hometown...Hannibal Missouri.

American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog - The American Kennel Club Museum is home to the world's finest collection of art devoted to the dog. The 14,000 sq. ft. facility, which includes historic Jarville House (1853), displays over 500 original paintings, drawings, watercolors, prints, sculptures in bronze and porcelain, and a variety of decorative arts objects depicting man's best friend throughout the age.

The Saint Louis Art Museum - One of the leading art museums in the nation. The museum features permanent and visiting collections.

Meramec Caverns - Learn how Mother Nature built an ancient limestone 'Wine Table' and an entire 7-story mansion... all underground. On tour you will see both the rarest and largest cave formations in the world.

Missouri Botanical Garden - The Missouri Botanical Garden's mission is to discover and share knowledge about plants and their environment, in order to preserve and enrich life. Today, more than 140 years after opening, the Missouri Botanical Garden is a National Historic Landmark and a center for research, education and horticultural display.

Central

Auto WorldCar Museum and Kingdom Expo - In addition to about 70 rare cars, the museum has arrowheads, china doll heads (400 or more), military patches beautifully framed, Keen Kutter tools, hit and miss steam engines, and a collection of books and memorabilia about the Kennedy family and newspapers covering their eventful lives.

Museum of Art and Archaeology - The Museum's galleries house art and artifacts from six continents and five millennia. This comprehensive collection of more than 14,000 works represents many periods and cultures from prehistory to the present. The permanent collection is supplemented by special exhibitions as well as lectures, symposia, gallery talks, film series, and educational programs.

Jacob's Cave - Jacob's Cave is famous for it's depth illusion, reflective pools, ceiling sponge-work, prehistoric bones and the world's largest geode. On the mile-long tour, you will see every type of cave formation imaginable, from millions of ""soda straws"" and massive stalactites and columns, to delicate helectites. Evidence of six ice ages and three earthquakes can be seen in the cave.

   Southwest

General Sweeny's Museum of Civil War History - The museum displays artifacts and weapons of the war in the Trans-Mississippi, more familiarly known as the area west of the Mississippi River. The collection consists of several thousand artifacts that have been accumulated over the last 25 years. It is a unique collection, displayed in over 50 exquisite and professionally designed cases.

Dickerson Park Zoo - Home to more than 340 animals representing 120 species. The zoo is recognized for its successful Asian elephant, cheetah and maned wolf breeding programs.

The Precious Moments Chapel - Features include the chapel with 52 murals, Fountain of Angels--an inspirational water, light and sound show, and Precious Moments museum.

50's At The Hop - You'll have a rollickin', rock-n-roll time with Branson's Original 50's show in the Branson Mall Music Theatre. At this show you can 'Splish, Splash' with 'Dream Lover', 'Peggy Sue' and 'Jim Dandy'. The 50's At The Hop Show is fun, fun, fun!

Ride the Ducks - See the sights, cruise the lake and climb to the top of a mountain in just 80 minutes. Receive your own Wacky Quacker and become part of the show.

Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum - For over forty years, Robert Ripley- the modern Marco Polo and the real-life Indiana Jones- traveled the world collecting the unbelievable, the Inexplicable, the one-of-a-kind. All of it amazing and much of it extremely amusing. His collection Is In over 27 museums In 10 countries. Each museum's collection is 90% unique and different.

Branson Scenic Railway - A 40-mile roundtrip excursion thru Ozark foothills and tunnels. You will learn the history of the area as you cross bridges and trestles. Experience the luxury of rail travel from yesteryear.

Exotic Animal Paradise - A 9 1/2 mile drive through exotic animal theme park featuring over 70 different species and hundreds of animals from all over the world. Paddle boats, petting zoo, and more.

Talking Rocks Cavern - Take a 50 minute tour through this beautiful cave. If you are not the adventurous type, enjoy a 400 acre nature preserve of breathtaking Ozark Mountain Country views. Gentle nature trails offer beautiful views of the Ozarks country- side.

Southeast

Stars & Stripes Museum - Features collections of the Soldier's newspaper from Civil War to the current times and artifacts associated with the history of the American military.

National Parks

George Washington Carver National Monument - George Washington Carver's boyhood home consists of rolling hills, woodlands, and prairies. The 210 acre park has a 3/4 mile nature trail, museum, and an interactive exhibit area for students. The cultural setting includes the 1881 Historic Moses Carver house and the Carver cemetery.

Harry S. Truman National Historic Site - Harry S Truman National Historic Site includes the Truman Home in Independence, Missouri, and the Truman Farm Home in Grandview, Missouri.

Jefferson National Expansion Memorial - Jefferson National Expansion Memorial consists of the Gateway Arch, the Museum of Westward Expansion, and St. Louis' Old Courthouse. During a nationwide competition in 1947-48, architect Eero Saarinen's inspired design for a 630 foot stainless steel arch was chosen as a perfect monument to the spirit of the western pioneers. Construction of the Arch began in 1963 and was completed on October 28, 1965, for a total cost of less than $15 million.

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail - This site celebrates the heroic expedition of the Corps of Discovery, led by Captain Meriwether Lewis and Captain William Clark. Thirty three people traveled with them into unknown territory, starting near what is now known as Wood River, Illinois in 1804, reaching the Pacific Ocean in 1805 and returning in 1806.

Oregon National Historic Trail - As the harbinger of America's westward expansion, the Oregon Trail was the pathway to the Pacific for fur traders, gold seekers, missionaries and others. Beginning in 1841 and continuing for more than 20 years, an estimated 300,000 emigrants followed this route from Independence, Missouri to Oregon City, Oregon on a trip that took five months to complete.  The 2,170 mile long trail passes through Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho and Oregon.

Pony Express National Historic Trail - The Pony Express National Historic Trail was used by young men on fast paced horses to carry the nation's mail across the country, from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California, in the unprecedented time of only ten days. Organized by private entrepreneurs, the horse-and-rider relay system became the nation's most direct and practical means of east-west communications before the telegraph. Though only in operation for 18 months, between April 1860 and October 1861, the trail proved the feasibility of a central overland transportation route, and played a vital role in aligning California with the Union in the years just before the Civil War.

Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site - Established as a unit of the National Park Service in 1990, the park commemorates the life, military career, and Presidency of Ulysses S. Grant, as well as his wife Julia Dent Grant. The site, also known as White Haven, consists of 9.65 acres holding five historic structures (main house, stone building, barn, chicken house, and ice house).

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield - The battle fought here on August 10, 1861, was the first major Civil War engagement west of the Mississippi River, involving about 5,400 Union troops and 12,000 Confederates. Although a Confederate victory, the Southerners failed to capitalize on their success. The battle led to greater federal military activity in Missouri, and set the stage for the Battle of Pea Ridge in March, 1862. Wilson's Creek was also where the first Union general, Nathaniel Lyon, met his death. With the exception of the vegetation, the 1,750 acre battlefield has changed little from its historic setting, enabling the visitor to experience the battlefield in near pristine condition.