“Explore. Dream. Discover.” — Mark Twain
Ready to explore the Show-Me State’s best-kept secrets and iconic spots? These top places to visit in Missouri offer everything from vibrant cities to peaceful parks—ideal for weekend getaways or full-blown road trips.
Highlights:
- Wander the historic streets and music shows of Branson.
- Explore underground wonders at Meramec Caverns.
- Stroll through art, food, and culture in St. Louis—don’t miss the Gateway Arch !
- Relax by the water in Lake of the Ozarks State Park.
- Visit the fascinating museums and jazz clubs of Kansas City.
Unique Places to Visit in Missouri:
1. St Louis
St. Louis is a large city and a major river port in Missouri on the banks of the Mississippi River. The city’s symbol and its most visible icon is the 30-foot Gateway Arch , which commemorates the 1804 start of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Charming replicas of traditional Mississippi paddlewheelers tour the river, offering views of the city and the arch. The best spot to try famous St Louis barbecue and hear some real blues is the Soulard district. To learn more about the Lewis and Clark Expedition, visit the Museum of Westward Expansion and other unique attractions. Don’t miss the Cardinals Hall of Fame & Museum, check out the beautiful Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, and take the Anheuser-Busch beer factory tour. Take the kids to the Magic House or go on a stroll through the lush Forest Park.
2. Branson
Branson is a small Missouri town in the Ozark Mountains, a popular vacation destination for the region, famous for its diverse and lively entertainment offers. The theaters along 76 Country Boulevard once hosted only famous country music performers, but today include all kinds of music. One of the most popular attractions is Silver Dollar City, created as an 1880s town, with all manner of entertainment as well as tours of the famous Marvel Cave. Check out the Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction in Branson, created in the Wild West style, the Hollywood Wax Museum Branson, White Water, Ziplines, the National Tiger Sanctuary, the Butterfly Palace, the Rainforest Adventure, Ripley's Odditorium and several wineries.
3. Columbia
Columbia is a lively Midwestern college town with a reputation for progressive politics, powerful journalism, excellent public art and unique attractions. Visit the Museum of Art and Archaeology to learn about the city’s past, enjoy modern art at the Columbia Art League, have fun at the old-fashioned cornfield mazes at the Shryocks Callaway Farms, take a kayak to the tranquil Finger Lakes State Park, and catch a magnificent view of the whole area from the Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area. A visit to the campus of the University of Missouri will take you to the fascinating symbolic pillars at the Francis Quadrangle.
4. Kansas City
It comes as a surprise to many that Kansas City is not actually in Kansas, but in Missouri, on the state’s border with Kansas. Today one of the largest cities in the States, Kansas City was founded in the 1830s as a river port at the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri rivers. Kansas City is famous for its unique barbecue, jazz, craft breweries, and major league teams. Visit the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art with its world-class collection, stroll by the huge National World War I Memorial, take the kids to the Kansas City Zoo, catch a Chiefs game at the Arrowhead stadium, and enjoy the fragrant Lose Park Rose Garden.
Romantic Places to Visit in Missouri:
5. Springfield
Springfield is a modern, thriving city in the Ozark Mountains with three universities that give it a lively vibe. The city was the site of some fierce battles during the Civil War and is famous for the legendary shootout between Wild Bill Hickok and Davis Tutt in the town square. The location of the shootout is marked by a brass plaque in the pavement on Park Central Square. Get the feel of the city by taking a stroll through historic C-Street District, enjoy a history tour, or even better a ghost tour of the magnificent, spooky Pythian Castle. You can catch a game of the city’s pride, the Springfield Cardinals, or take a jeep-drawn tram tour of the Fantastic Caverns and go on an easy stroll through the Springfield Conservation Nature Center.
6. Carthage
Carthage is a small Missouri town which, just like its Greek namesake, has had a turbulent history with historic battles during the Civil War as well as wild west outlaws, Fortune 500 capitalists, ragtime musicians, and women’s rights pioneers. Burned to the ground during the Civil War, the city was rapidly rebuilt with beautiful Victorian architecture spread across four districts and more than 600 buildings, all listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. The massive Jasper County Courthouse particularly stands out. Learn about Carthage’s history at the Battle of Carthage State Historic Site. Stroll through Red Oaks II, a reconstructed 19th-century town created by artist Lowell Davis. Enjoy the curious Precious Moments chapel and the art gallery created by artist and creator, Samuel J. Butcher. He was inspired by Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel to create colorful mural depicting scenes from the Bible.
7. Elephant Rocks State Park
Elephant Rocks State Park is located in the Saint Francois Mountains in southeastern Missouri. It is a geologic reserve and a popular hiking area with a very unusual outcropping of granite boulders that resemble a train of walking elephants. The elephant-looking rocks were formed about 1.5 billion years ago from a dome of molten magma that fractured and became eroded, exposing the old granite. The area was quarried in the 19th century and today is a popular rock climbing and hiking area and a heaven for geology buffs. The main trail through the park is the Braille Trail, which winds among the rocks, leading eventually to an old abandoned railroad engine house. There are picnic areas with benches and tables in the shade of the trees all over the park.
Family-friendly Places to Visit in Missouri:
8. Grant's Farm
Grant's Farm is a 281-acre fascinating historic farm and landmark in Grantwood Village, St. Louis, Missouri. It was originally built and farmed by Ulysses S. Grant and later bought by the Busch family, known for their love of animals. In 1954 they turned it into a popular tourist attraction and animal reserve with buffaloes, elephants, donkeys, kangaroos, camels, goats, the famous Budweiser Clydesdales, peacocks, and many others. There is a tram tour through the deer park, where the Clydesdales graze near their barn. A cabin called Hardscrabble, built by Ulysses S. Grant in 1856, was brought to the farm from another property.
9. Ha Ha Tonka State Park
Ha Ha Tonka State Park is a 3,700-acre public recreation area on the Lake of the Ozarks, about 5 miles from Camdenton, Missouri. The park is breathtakingly beautiful with a number of fascinating geological features. There is a 70-feet wide natural bridge that has a span of 60 feet and is over 100 feet high. A steep sinkhole called The Colosseum is 300 feet wide and 500 feet long. The 150-foot-deep Whispering Dell sink basin has two caves – Robber's Cave and Counterfeiter's Cave – both known to have been hide-outs for 19th-century criminals. A 250-foot-high bluff towers over the gorge through which the Ha Ha Tonka Spring runs, discharging about 58 million gallons of water every day. High up on a bluff are the stone ruins of a castle built at the turn of the 20th century by a Kansas City businessman. There are over 15 miles of well-maintained trails in the park, which pass by natural sinkholes, bridges, and caves, ending at a lovely clear blue lake.
10. Hannibal
Hannibal is a city on the Mississippi River about 100 miles from St. Louis, best known as the childhood home of author Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain. Many of Tom Sawyer’s and Huckleberry Finn’s adventures were set in Hannibal. The Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum is one of the popular attractions. Rockcliffe Mansion is a beautifully restored museum home with many original furnishings and décor. Kids will love exploring Mark Twain Cave and Cameron Cave on a hot summer day, especially if they read about them in Tom Sawyer’s adventures. The Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse is worth the steep climb as it offers fantastic views. Get a real feel of the place by taking one of boat tours on the mighty Mississippi.
📔 I get asked this a lot so I decided to include it:
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What defines the landscape of Missouri?
- Missouri is defined by the magnificent Ozark Mountains, caves, lakes, and the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.
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What historical significance does Missouri have?
- Missouri was once known for its thriving, rough frontier towns, as well as outlaws and adventurers who shaped its history.
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What cities and towns should visitors explore in Missouri?
- Missouri is home to modern metropolitan centers like Kansas City and charming, tourist-friendly towns like Branson, perfect for a day trip.
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What types of vacation experiences does Missouri offer?
- Visitors can enjoy:
- Great scenic beaches
- Full-service resorts
- And much more for a memorable Missouri getaway.
Best Time to Visit Missouri
- April to October – Warm and pleasant, ideal for hiking, river adventures, and exploring vibrant cities.
- May & September – Mild weather and fewer crowds, great for outdoor festivals and scenic drives.
- June to August – Hot and humid, but lively with concerts, lake trips, and summertime events.
- November to March – Cooler months with festive charm, museum visits, and cozy small-town escapes.
- Mid-October – A sweet spot for peak fall foliage in the Ozarks and along the Mississippi River.
Plan Your Trip