Missouri
Explore
Jefferson City, Missouri
Along the Missouri River, Jefferson City draws visitors to the gold-domed State Capitol, leafy riverfront trails, the Katy Trail for cycling, and barbecue joints that trade history for local stories.
Explore
Kansas City, Missouri
Barbecue smoke hangs over the streets: Kansas City is famous for burnt ends and sauce-lined ribs.
Explore
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield brands itself with Route 66 history and the original Bass Pro Shops; visitors like nearby Ozark trails, craft breweries and local barbecue.
Explore
Independence, Missouri
Independence keeps American history on display: Truman’s home and presidential library, the 19th-century square where the Oregon and Santa Fe Trails began, and barbecue joints that steady local commuters.
Explore
Columbia, Missouri
A college town centered on the University of Missouri, Columbia offers live music on The District, college bars on Ninth Street, the Columns and easy access to Rock Bridge State Park’s caves and trails.
Explore
St. Joseph
History buffs turn up in St.
Explore
St. Charles
Strolling brick Main Street in St. Charles feels like stepping into river-trade history: 19th-century storefronts, riverboat rides and Lewis & Clark sites.
Missouri at a Glance
Missouri is a Midwestern crossroads where the plains meet the South, home to St. Louis’s Gateway Arch, Kansas City barbecue and the Ozark hills.
Known for: the Gateway Arch, barbecue, and river-town history
Don’t miss: the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, barbecue and jazz in Kansas City, and the Ozarks
When to go: spring and fall
About Missouri
Missouri sits at the crossroads of the American Midwest, where rolling plains meet the forested hills of the Ozarks and two great rivers, the Missouri River and the Mississippi River carve broad valleys and fertile lowlands. The state’s landscapes range from gentle prairies and river bluffs to the rugged, lake‑dotted highlands of the south.
Big, lively cities and small historic towns sit side by side: St Louis is the cultural anchor with world‑class museums and the iconic Gateway Arch, while Kansas City is famed for jazz and its barbecue scene; Branson packs live shows and family attractions like Silver Dollar City, and river towns such as Hannibal, Cape Girardeau and Ste Genevieve highlight Missouri’s frontier and literary roots.
Outdoor lovers will find caves to explore, clear Ozark streams to paddle, miles of hiking and bikeways, and dozens of state parks and conservation areas for camping, fishing and wildlife watching - from the long rail‑trail that follows the Missouri River to secluded springs and bluffs in the south.
Missouri’s food and drink scene is as varied as its landscape: smoky Kansas City barbecue and St. Louis specialties sit alongside a growing wine route and tasting rooms in places like Hermann, plus lively microbreweries and a strong farm‑to‑table movement built on Midwestern ingredients.
Why Visit Missouri
Missouri serves up a mix of big‑city culture and small‑town charm - ride to the top of the Gateway Arch in St Louis, sample legendary barbecue and live jazz in Kansas City, catch a family show in Branson and paddle or hike among the scenic streams and bluffs of the Ozarks.
Best Things to Do in Missouri
Museum
Saint Louis Art Museum
Comprehensive art museum with global collections
Park
George Washington Carver National Monument
Birthplace memorial honoring agricultural scientist and educator Carver
Park
Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site
Historic home preserving Ulysses S. Grant's residence and artifacts
Arch
Gateway Arch
St. Louis stainless steel arch commemorating westward expansion
Stadium
Arrowhead Stadium
Kansas City stadium home to the NFL's Chiefs
Park
Missouri Botanical Garden
Historic botanical garden in St. Louis, extensive collections.
Park
Francis Olympic Field
Historic Washington University stadium in St. Louis
Museum
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Major Kansas City art museum with encyclopedic collection
Missouri Bucket List
Don't Miss
Gateway Arch - Ride the tram to the top for sweeping views of St. Louis and the riverfront skyline.
Forest Park - One of the nation’s largest urban parks, home to museums, a zoo and extensive walking paths.
Silver Dollar City - A Branson theme park blending roller coasters, craft demonstrations and Ozark heritage.
Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum (Hannibal) - Explore the riverside town that inspired Twain’s stories and visit historic exhibits.
Great Outdoors
Ozark National Scenic Riverways - Clear springs and spring‑fed rivers ideal for canoeing, kayaking and fishing in a scenic limestone landscape.
Lake of the Ozarks - Popular for boating, watersports and lakeside recreation with plenty of marinas and beaches.
Katy Trail State Park - A long, flat rail‑trail perfect for multi‑day cycling and riverside riding across central Missouri.
Meramec Caverns - An extensive cave system offering guided tours and a taste of Missouri’s subterranean geology.
Local Flavor
Kansas City barbecue scene - Sample slow‑smoked ribs and burnt ends at historic joints and modern BBQ restaurants.
St. Louis specialties - Try toasted ravioli and gooey butter cake for classic local comfort food.
Hermann wine country - Visit family wineries and tasting rooms in this historic wine‑producing region along the Missouri River.
Breweries and brewpubs - Explore a growing craft‑beer scene in Kansas City and St. Louis with city‑center taprooms and beer trails.
Best Time to Visit Missouri
Missouri has a continental climate with hot, humid summers and cold winters; the southern Ozark highlands are generally milder and more wooded, while northern and western parts of the state experience wider temperature swings.
Spring
Spring brings warming temperatures, blooming dogwoods and ideal conditions for hiking, paddling rivers and visiting wineries before summer crowds arrive.
Summer
Summers are hot and humid, great for lake and river activities like boating and tubing, outdoor concerts and Branson’s show season.
Autumn
Fall offers crisp air and colorful foliage across the Ozarks - perfect for scenic drives, hiking and cycling on trails such as the Katy Trail.
Winter
Winters are cool to cold with occasional snow; it’s a quieter time for museums, cozy restaurants and off‑season outdoor activities like trout fishing and brisk hikes.
Getting Around Missouri
Most visitors explore Missouri by car - driving gives the most flexibility for small towns, state parks and lakes - while Amtrak, regional flights and city transit cover major urban areas.
Major Highways
Major interstates cross the state: I‑70 runs east - west connecting St Louis and Kansas City; I‑44 links St. Louis with Springfield and points southwest toward Tulsa; I‑55 follows the Mississippi River south from St. Louis toward Memphis; I‑29 runs north from Kansas City toward the Iowa border, and I‑49 serves the southwest corridor toward Arkansas.