Content Produced in Partnership with Visit Missouri
Travel to the Show-Me State for relic-filled road trips, fantastic food and drink, outdoor adventure, intriguing history, and a medley of music styles. Hit the open road in Missouri for a nostalgia-fueled trip down Route 66. Along the way, explore motor courts and mom-and-pop shops, retro diners and roadside attractions, colorful murals and history museums. Tree-lined routes will take you deep into the Ozarks for nature views, hiking, canoeing and kayaking at dozens of state parks, conservation areas and the Ozark National Scenic Riverways – the country’s first national park area to protect a river system.
Along Highway 36, the Way of American Genius, discover creativity and ingenuity from Missouri’s past. Highlights include the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum in Hannibal, the Walt Disney Hometown Museum in Marceline and the Pony Express National Museum in St. Joseph.
In St. Louis, ride a tram to the top of the Gateway Arch for breathtaking views of the Mississippi River and the city’s skyline. Head to the National Blues Museum where interactive exhibits, programs and concerts celebrate the genre – considered the foundation of American music. The Blueberry Hill restaurant and music club pays tribute to Chuck Berry, the father of rock and roll. The city is known for its award-winning cuisine, from gourmet fare to local specialties, including toasted ravioli and gooey butter cake. Tour the original Anheuser-Busch Brewery, dating back to the 1850s, and artisan distilleries that transform Missouri-grown fruit and grain into flavorful spirits.
Forest Park is an urban oasis in the middle of the city that offers more than 1,300 acres of trees, lakes and streams, as well as the Saint Louis Zoo, Saint Louis Art Museum, Missouri History Museum, Saint Louis Science Center and The Muny, the oldest outdoor theater in the United States.
Leave your car behind and travel across the middle of the Show-Me State on the Katy Trail, the longest developed rail-trail in the United States. Cycle along the Missouri River and through historic wine country and trailside towns filled with locally owned inns, shops, wineries, breweries and restaurants.
In Kansas City, pitmasters at more than 100 barbecue restaurants turn out meat smoked to perfection and served with a selection of sweet and tangy sauces – earning the region a reputation for the best barbecue in the nation. The historic 18th & Vine district commemorates Kansas City’s contributions to jazz. Visit the America Jazz Museum and spend an evening at one of the area’s iconic jazz clubs.
History buffs are drawn to the city’s remarkable museums. The National WWI Museum and Memorial contains the world’s most comprehensive collection of World War I artifacts. The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum pays tribute to some of the greatest athletes to play the game and examines how baseball helped break through America’s segregated past.
An array of live entertainment – classic country, pop and rock – attracts music lovers to more than 20 theaters in Branson. The southwest Missouri town is surrounded by the stunning beauty of the Ozarks where state parks and sparkling lakes are a prime destination for hiking, biking and water sports. The city is home to dozens of family-friendly attractions, including Silver Dollar City theme park, featuring thrilling rides and artisans displaying their craft.
For more information, visit VisitMo.com
