Situated in the Midwest region of the United States, Midwest is the 21st biggest state in terms of physical size and 18th largest in terms of its population. Missouri covers an area of 69,715 square miles and has an estimated population of 6.1 million. The Mississippi River runs along the eastern edge of the state, and Missouri has borders with eight other states: Tennessee, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. It has more borders than any other state.
Missouri was part of the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 and saw a lot of growth and development through the 19th century. Missouri is known for its combination of Midwest and Southern culture and cuisine. The capital city of Missouri is Jefferson City, but its largest city is Kansas City. The Greater St Louis area, which encompasses parts of both Missouri and Illinois, is the biggest metropolitan area in Missouri. Here are some more details and overviews on the largest cities of Missouri. CDC information for travelers. Hours/availability may have changed.
1.Kansas City
Located in Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Cass Counties, Kansas City is the largest city in the state of Missouri. The city was originally simply called Kansas and was incorporated in 1850, being constructed at the confluence between the Missouri River and Kansas River. With the establishment of the Kansas Territory in 1854, people began to get confused between the city and the territory, so the name of the city was changed to Kansas City to minimize confusion.
Kansas City is located in the western part of Missouri and covers an area of 319.03 square miles. It has an estimated population of 488,000, with over 2.1 million living in the surrounding metropolitan area, which also extends into the state of Kansas. As the state capital, Kansas City is a major cultural, commercial, touristic, and economic hub for Missouri.
2.St Louis
A major port city on the banks of the Mississippi River, St Louis is an independent city and the second largest city in the state of Missouri. Known as the 'Gateway to the West', St Louis is situated on the western border of Missouri and has close ties with Illinois.
St Louis covers an area of 66 square miles and has an estimated population of 308,000, with over 2.8 million in the surrounding Greater St Louis metropolitan area, which is the biggest metro area in Missouri and the 19th biggest in the nation. The city was founded in 1764 and was named after King Louis IX of France.
3.Springfield
Situated in Greene County, of which it is the county seat, Springfield is the third largest city in the state of Missouri. The city is located in the southwestern corner of the state and is known as the 'Queen City of the Ozarks' due to its location among the Ozark mountains.
Springfield covers an area of 82.31 square miles and has an estimated population of 167,000, with over 540,000 in the surrounding metropolitan area. Springfield is also known as the 'Birthplace of Route 66' as the famous route originally ran through the city and the idea of the route was co-created by John Woodruff, a resident of Springfield.
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4.Columbia
Located in Boone County in the central part of the state, Columbia is the fourth biggest city in the state of Missouri. This city was settled in 1818 and founded in 1821, being incorporated a few years later, in 1826. Columbia covers an area of 63.5 square miles and has an estimated population of 121,000, with over 178,000 people living in the surrounding metropolitan area.
Columbia is home to the University of Missouri and is therefore a popular college town with a large student population. The city has also earned the nickname 'Athens of Missouri' due to its classical architecture and distinctive beauty, and is also known as 'CoMo' among locals.
5.Independence
Located in Jackson County, of which it is the county seat, the city of Jackson is the fifth biggest city in Missouri and one of just five cities in the state to have a population exceeding 100,000 people. Founded in 1827, Independence covers an area of 78.25 square miles and has an estimated population of 117,000.
The city is nicknamed 'Queen City of the Trails' as it was historically a key starting point for trails across America like the Oregon and California trails. Independence is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area and is classed as a satellite city of Kansas City. The city is a key location for the Mormon faith in Missouri, with the first ever Latter-Day Saint temple site, Temple Lot, being located in Independence.
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5 Of the Largest Cities in Missouri
- Kansas City, Photo: SeanPavonePhoto/stock.adobe.com
- St Louis, Photo: porbital/stock.adobe.com
- Springfield, Photo: Christopher Boswell/stock.adobe.com
- Columbia, Photo: SeanPavonePhoto/stock.adobe.com
- Independence, Photo: gnagel/stock.adobe.com
- Cover Photo: Courtesy of Carlos Santa Maria - Fotolia.com
Attraction Spotlight: Kansas Loose Park
Jacob L. Loose Park is a fantastic 75-acre park that makes for an interesting and leisurely day out. Located in Kansas City, the park is home to rich historical and natural settings. One of the most outstanding parts of the park is the rose garden, which covers 1.5 acres and contains almost 4,000 roses from 150 different varieties.
The Laura Conyers Smith Rose Garden features a circular design and contains a plethora of roses in all colors and fragrances to delight the senses. Beautiful stone pergolas are strategically placed throughout the rose garden, lending an air of romance to the space and making it a must-have venue for couples getting married.
For those who want to sit back and take in the views of a traditional Japanese garden, the Japanese Tea Rooms, available only in the company of a tea master, offer the chance to enjoy some cultural entertainment and can seat up to four people, including the tea master, who can be recommended beforehand.
The park also features shelters that can seat up to 128 people and provide all the necessities needed, such as restrooms, electricity, grills, lighting, and scenic lake views. These make for a weatherproof gathering space for parties and events and can be hired from $95 per day, bookable online before your arrival.
Loose Park features everything the whole family could need for a fun day out and makes for the perfect picnic space. Play parks keep the little ones entertained, while fitness facilities such as tennis courts are available for keep-fit fanatics, a garden center provides all the plants any green-fingered gardener could desire, and a visitor center unwraps the deep historical roots of the park’s past.
Park trails lead you from one breathtaking sight to the next while helping you see the best that the park has to offer. During the hot summer days, you can take shelter beneath a mighty weeping willow beside the lake and enjoy the peace and serenity surrounding you or simply enjoy ambling along through the network of paths and trails covering the park’s 75 acres.
The park’s historical connections to Missouri’s past, including the Osage Indians and the Battle of Westport in 1861, can be found throughout the park's landscape, including the battlefield, the Civil War Parrott cannon, and markers.
If you enjoy connecting with nature and stepping back into the rich history of times gone by, then Loose Park will prove to be the perfect place for young and old alike to while away the day surrounded by some of the most astounding beauty nature has to offer.
Admission and Opening Hours
The park is open all year round from 5:00 am to 12 midnight 7 days a week. Admission into the park is free for all, while the amenities inside vary in price, depending on seasonal availability.
The Japanese Tea Room is open Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 4:00pm.
The fee is$35 for a 3-hour time slot and $30 after hours.A fee is added on slots after 5:00pm*
*Does not include the fees for the required tea master.
Address
5200 Wornall, Kansas City, MO 64112
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Attraction Spotlight: Kansas City Museum
The Kansas City Museum was built as a private residence forRobert Long and finished completion in 1910 at an estimated cost of $1 million. Named Corinthian Hall, it was designed by local architect Mr. Henry F. Hoit in a beaux arts style.Upon Mr. Long's death in 1934, his daughters Sally and Loula took it upon themselves to remove the decorative artifacts and belongings from the mansion for installation in their own properties.
In the fall of 1934, they held a 2-day auction to sell off the remaining furniture and contents, after which the mansion stood empty until they donated it to the Kansas City Museum Association in 1939.
During the 1950s and 1960s, it housed a display of taxidermy, featured a planetarium, and played host to a soda fountain that served up ice cream. It was at this time that the museum saw its heyday.
In the 1970s, the museum was seen as too small to house all of the historical artifacts, and so the museum was split into two locations. The main attractions of Corinthian Hall were the residence building and the carriage house.
Tours of Kansas City Museum
Learn about Kansas City's bold and vibrant history as you are led around the building and its grounds by a knowledgeable guide. Discover the stories behind some of the historical artifacts and learn about the city’s cultural heritage.
If you don't feel like being part of a guided tour, you also have the option of performing a self-guided tour with the use of a museum map and guide. This will allow you to take as much time as you like to explore all that the building has to offer.
Special Events
August the 11th, 2017, sees two fantastic events taking place at the Kansas City Museum. The first is the Kansas City Summer Concert, which runs from 7:00pm to9:00 pm and is free for all to attend.
The second is the Prelude to the Solar Eclipse, which runs from 6:30pm to9:00pm and will feature sky tours, Q&As, meteor viewing, and plenty of up-to-date information regarding this spectacular astronomical event.
Following the prelude, additional observation can be performed at the Warkoczewski Observatory at the University of Missouri-Kansas City until 11:00pm.
Hours of Operation and Entry Fees
The Kansas City Museum is open from Wednesday to Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm and admission is free.
Entry into the Museum
Tours of the first floors of Corinthian Hall and the carriage house are free and start at 10:30am and 2:00 pm.
Exhibition tours are also free, self-guided, and run from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
Room Hire per Hour
Carriage House - meeting room: $50 per hour
Corinthian Hall - grand hall and select first floor rooms: $200 per hour (2-hour minimum)
Kansas City Museum Grounds: $100 per hour (2-hour minimum)
Photography Permit: $125 per hour
Address:
3218 Gladstone Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64123, Phone: 816-513-0720
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Attraction Spotlight: Science City at Union Station
Science City in Kansas City is a place where people are encouraged to open their minds and have a “push the button” attitude. The largest collection of real-life mummies ever to be put on display is available to for viewing at the Mummies of the World Exhibition. The Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium is located inside a 60-foot dome and offers a mesmerizing high-definition look of the stars and beyond.
The Planetarium
In addition to several space-themed events, there are Dinosaurs at Dusk: the Origins of Flight; Magic Tree House: Space Mission; One World, One Sky;and Phantom of the Universe: The Hunt for Dark Matter.
There is also a whole host of laser shows, which will bring your imagination to life while keeping both old and young thoroughly entertained.
Dinolab and Digsite
For those younger ones who love everything T-rex, the Dinolab and Digsite will keep them entertained for hours on end,allowing them to explore with their hands and minds as they unearth dinosaur fossils and prehistoric artifacts. They also get an opportunity to learn about the discovery, restoration, and preservation of dinosaur-related materials.
Test Kitchen at Science City
The test kitchen allows you and your children to indulge in a little bit of cooking with chemistry. Here, visitors can not only experiment with foods, but also understand just why popcorn pops, cola fizzes, and ice-cream melts. The test kitchen is currently also running a program for little ones, encouraging them to not only eat vegetables, but also enjoy them as a delicious and nutritious addition. The Eat Your Vegetables program aims to explore the levels of sugar, starch, fat, and carbohydrates contained in everyday food.
Mummies of the World Exhibition
These mummies come from Africa, Egypt, South America, and Europe, dating back over 4,500 years. Marvel at the preservation techniques used to keep the mummies in a pristine condition and discover what life was like for them at the time of their life and death.
No matter how big or small your children are, they will be united in experimentation, fun, and learning by the more than 50 interactive parts of Science City.
Address
30 West Pershing Road, Kansas City, MO 64108, Phone: 816-460-2020
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