Unique Things to Do in Missouri
After countless road trips through Missouri, I’ve discovered just how many unexpected gems this Midwestern state holds. Beyond its well-known cities and landmarks, Missouri surprises with quirky attractions, hidden caves, natural wonders, and cultural experiences you won’t find anywhere else. These are the unique spots and activities I’ve explored and would recommend to anyone looking for something a little different.
1. Fantastic Caverns
Fantastic Caverns was unlike anything I’d done before. Instead of hiking or squeezing through narrow passages with a flashlight, I climbed aboard a red tram that rolled gently into the dark. I learned when I was there that this is the the only cave tour in North America where you can completely ride through! The cave opened around us, cool, cathedral-like, with formations older than memory.
The guide pointed out stalactites and soda straws, explained how water and time sculpted the stone. But what moved me most was the silence, the kind that made you listen harder. In one cavern, the guide dimmed the lights. Total darkness. Absolute stillness. It was eerie and comforting all at once. After we checked into Hotel Vandivort for a night in downtown Springfield and had dinner at Vantage, the hotel's cool rooftop lounge. Next day, we returned to St Louis, a 3-hour drive.
2. Soaking up elegance at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City looked like something out of a dream, gleaming metal curves rising into the sky like a series of sails. Inside, it was even more stunning. I arrived early for the symphony to take in the view.
The music started, and everything else fell away. The acoustics were incredible! every note landed perfectly.
After the performance, Corvino Supper Club is great for a late dinner. Courtyard by Marriott Kansas City where we spent the night is very close by.
3. Rolling through the Ozarks on the Branson Scenic Railway
Next day we drove to Branson form Kansas City for 3 hours and 15 minutes to ride on the The Branson Scenic Railway ($69.14 Adult and Child). It was pure Americana, from the vintage train cars to the slow rhythm of steel on steel! We boarded in the heart of Branson and sank into a plush booth seat, sunlight catching on the polished brass.
The ride curved through tunnels and over trestles, into the folds of the Ozark Mountains. A guide pointed out landmarks and told stories of the region’s mining days and Civil War skirmishes. I wandered between cars, some with domed glass ceilings, and felt like I’d stepped into another time. It was slow travel in the best sense that completely won me over.
When we returned to Branson, I found a seat at Farmhouse Restaurant just off the main strip and ordered the chicken-fried steak with mashed potatoes and cream gravy. Simple, hearty. We stayed the night at the 4-star Chateau on the Lake Resort Spa and drove back to St Louis next day.
4. Making unexpected moves at the World Chess Hall of Fame
Back in St Louis, The World Chess Hall of Fame (free) in St. Louis caught me off guard, in the best way. I walked in expecting strategy and trophies, but what I found was a space full of art, intellect, and playfulness.
There were oversized chess sets and historic boards, but also contemporary exhibits exploring identity, competition, and culture through the lens of the game.
The vibe was quiet and curious. Upstairs, I admired sets carved from bone, wood, and glass, each one telling a different story. And outside, I couldn’t miss the world’s largest chess piece standing tall in the courtyard, as if guarding the mind palace inside.
I walked just around the corner to Kaldi’s Coffee afterward for a light lunch. A turkey and cranberry sandwich with arugula, paired with an oat milk latte, gave me the brain food I didn’t know I needed.
That night we stayed at The Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta is just a short drive away. It's elegant, classic, and walking distance to Forest Park.
5. The Old Courthouse, St. Louis
In the 1840s and 1850s, The Old Courthouse was where Dred and Harriet Scott fought for their freedom. The ruling against them (declaring African Americans were not citizens and had no right to sue) propelled the nation toward Civil War. Standing there, I felt the gravity of a courtroom that shaped both suffering and change.
I looked up at the murals painted across the dome. The artwork was bright and expansive, but underneath it I could still feel the tension of those trials. It reminded me that beauty and injustice often coexist in the same spaces.
I sat in the old courtroom pews, the wood polished smooth by time. The air carried a faint mustiness of paper and plaster, and I tried to imagine the Scotts waiting here, hoping the law might finally see their humanity. Later, I walked outside into the Missouri sun, the Arch rising nearby like a promise that the story of freedom was still being written.
6. Defiance Ridge Vineyards in Missouri
We drove west from St. Louis, less than an hour along rolling roads lined with fields and patches of forest. As we neared Defiance, the hills rose gently, and the vineyards spread out like green ribbons across the landscape.
My plan for the day was easy: relax among the vines, enjoy a meal with a view, and take in the calm rhythm of Missouri’s wine country.
Defiance Ridge felt unhurried and open, terraces overlooking the hills, rows of vines catching the afternoon light, a sense that time stretched differently here. The breeze carried the earthy scent of grapes and soil, mingled with herbs from the kitchen garden nearby.
I enjoyed walking the paths near the vineyard before sitting down for lunch. The air was warm, the leaves shifting softly, and the scene felt both rustic and elegant.
A downside? Weekends drew big crowds, and finding a quiet spot on the patio took patience. The atmosphere was still friendly, but if you’re looking for solitude, a weekday is better.
Conclusion
Missouri met me with contrast, underground mystery, high art, slow trains, and silent trails. It gave me a rhythm that moved between reflection and revelation, where caves told ancient stories and modern museums asked new questions. What stayed with me most, though, were the moments in between: quiet meals after bold adventures, sunrise light on limestone, and the whisper of wind through tall prairie grass. Missouri doesn’t demand to be discovered, but if you listen, it reveals itself with grace.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, buy the America the Beautiful Pass.
