Welcome to Missouri

Welcome to beautiful Missouri, where endless grassy plains and the rolling Ozark mountains make for some of the most scenic and varied landscapes in the country. No wonder Mark Twain, one of the best-traveled writers of his era, called the Show Me State home.

St. Louis, sitting on the state’s eastern border beside Illinois, welcomes visitors with its iconic Gateway Arch (the tallest manmade monument in the country) and a big-city assortment of attractions, amenities and world-class restaurants. Highlights include the Missouri Botanical Garden, the St. Louis Zoo, the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis and Forest Park.

On the western border beside Kansas sits Kansas City, where you’ll find tons of jazz clubs, lots of barbecue joints and just about as many fountains as there are in Rome. Family-friendly attractions include the Kansas City Zoo, Sea Life Aquarium Kansas and Science City at Union Station.

Further inland, you’ll find Silver Dollar City and the Titanic Museum (both in Branson), the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame (in Springfield) and the stunning Shelter Gardens (in Columbia).

Adventure

The Show Me State is home to 87 state parks, Mark Twain National Forest, the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and more officially designated natural areas than you’d ever be able to visit properly in a single lifetime. Whether you’re looking to hike, bike, fish, hunt, kayak, canoe or zip-line, the state of Missouri is tailor-made for your perfect adventure.

In Mark Twain National Forest in southeastern Missouri, you can explore more than 750 miles of well-marked trails that are open to hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. The forest is also home to 350 miles of clean streams and rivers that are great for kayaking, tubing and fishing.

In central Missouri, Ha Ha Tonka State Park is a popular summer destination. Perched on the shores of the Lake of the Ozarks, the park is home to a varied landscape that’s full of sinkholes, rock bridges and caves. You’ll also find the ruins of a century-old stone castle crowning the top of one of the park’s many bluffs.

If you’re looking for a great place to boat, swim and fish, head for Table Rock State Park in southern Missouri. Sitting on the eastern shores of Table of the Rock Lake, the park features a marina, on-site boat rentals and lake tours.

Entertainment

When you’re ready for a break from exploring the great outdoors and visiting the Show Me State’s top attractions, you’ll find a steady flow of great fairs and eclectic events to take in with the whole family.

If you’re visiting the St. Louis area at the beginning of July, you’ll want to make time for “America’s Biggest Birthday Party” at the Fair Saint Louis, held from July 4th to July 6th each year. Amid the array of games and food stalls, the fair includes the Veiled Prophet Parade, which has been running for more than 135 years, and a mesmerizing air show.