Two of the great cities of the Midwest—St. Louis and Kansas City—flank the state of Missouri and provide some of the state's best attractions. Read on to learn more about the top things to do and see in Missouri, in the cities and beyond.
One of the top literary sites in the nation, Mark Twain's boyhood home in Hannibal draws visitors enamored with the Missouri author's writing and wit.More »
Kansas City is one of the premier cities in the United States for barbecue, making the American Royal Barbecue Contest a pilgrimage for smoked meat connoisseurs. The annual contest takes place in the fall, roughly early September to mid-November. For the rest of the year, travelers will do well to visit some of Kansas City's best barbecue joints.More »
Two trails that mark America's expansion towards California have origins in Missouri. The Lewis and Clark Trail, which follows the trail of the famous explorers of America's interior, and the Pony Express Trail, the mid-19th century mail route that went from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, and was the fastest way to relay information prior to the invention of the telegraph.
•Gateway Arch
The unmistakable futuristic arch designed by Eero Saarinen is the symbol of St. Louis and the most popular attraction in Missouri. The Museum of Westward Expansion, is part of the Gateway Arch complex, details Thomas Jefferson's 1803 Louisiana Purchase, which set the stage for the United States's expansion west to the Pacific Ocean.More »•Harry S. Truman National Historic Site
The 33rd President of the United States Harry S. Truman was born in Independence, Missouri (outside of Kansas City) and the national historic site at his boyhood home contains thousands of objects pertaining to Truman's life before and during his presidency.More »•Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum
One of the top literary sites in the nation, Mark Twain's boyhood home in Hannibal draws visitors enamored with the Missouri author's writing and wit.More »
•Kansas City Barbecue
Kansas City is one of the premier cities in the United States for barbecue, making the American Royal Barbecue Contest a pilgrimage for smoked meat connoisseurs. The annual contest takes place in the fall, roughly early September to mid-November. For the rest of the year, travelers will do well to visit some of Kansas City's best barbecue joints.More »
•Anheuser Busch Brewery Tour
The Anheuser Busch Company has been making beer in St. Louis for more than 150 years, so a free tour of the factory (with opportunities for post-tour beer-tastings) are a fun thing to do when in town.More »•Historic Trailheads
Two trails that mark America's expansion towards California have origins in Missouri. The Lewis and Clark Trail, which follows the trail of the famous explorers of America's interior, and the Pony Express Trail, the mid-19th century mail route that went from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, and was the fastest way to relay information prior to the invention of the telegraph.