100 Places in Missouri Everyone Should Visit at Least Once

One of the current tourism themes of Missouri is that the state has "MO places". While that's clever marketing, it's also a fact as I have counted at least 100 locations in my birth state that you really should try to visit at least once in your lifetime.

Let's begin the ultimate bucket list of Missouri destinations that are worth your time:

Gateway Arch — St. Louis — Missouri's unmistakable landmark and one of America's great monuments.

You should visit the Gateway Arch because, duh, it's one of the most iconic places in Missouri. It was constructed in 1966 and many don't know that it's exactly as high as it is wide which doesn't look right to the eyes, but it's fact. It's 630 feet high and 630 feet wide. Now, you know. There's also a special secret that was installed at the top of the Gateway Arch. Be sure to ask the tour guides about that.

Forest Park — St. Louis — A massive urban park containing the zoo, art museum, history museum and Science Center.

Forest Park has always been a favorite of our family. Specifically, we love the St. Louis Zoo which offers free admission and even free parking if you can find an open space along the street outside the zoo. The art museum and science center are also must-visit places.

Saint Louis Zoo — St. Louis — One of the country's best free zoos.

I've added the St. Louis Zoo as its own entry because it really is special. It's often mentioned as one of the best zoos in America and there's a reason for that. They have a wild variety of animal types from polar bears to tigers and monkeys plus the sloth is now an animal you can see without appointment now. I was once bitten by a duck there, but we don't talk about that.

Saint Louis Art Museum — St. Louis — An outstanding collection in a beautiful Forest Park setting.

I must confess that I've never been inside the Saint Louis Art Museum. That's my loss as it contains:

• Ancient & Non-Western Art
• European Painting & Masterworks
• American Art
• The Sculpture Hall

Busch Stadium - St. Louis - Home of the St. Louis Cardinals

I remember when the original Busch Stadium had the arch design going around the top of the stadium and the field was Astroturf. The current Busch Stadium was constructed in 2006 and it's been the scene of some of the most iconic sports moments in Missouri history (thanks again, David Freese). If you're a sports fan and you plan to be in Missouri at some point, grab a couple of tickets to see the Cardinals. You need to do it at least once.

Missouri History Museum — St. Louis — A great introduction to St. Louis and Missouri history.

It's stating the obvious to say the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis contains...well, history, but many don't realize there are many aspects of the museum that would appeal to kids. That's why it's a great family option that works great with a zoo trip.

Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis — St. Louis — Famous for its extraordinary collection of mosaics.

Construction started in 1907; mosaic installation spanned from 1912 to 1988. This beautiful building contains Old and New Testament scenes, local St. Louis Catholic history, and American saints.

Anheuser-Busch Brewery — St. Louis — A classic St. Louis experience.

There are few places that capture the spirit of the St. Louis area quite like the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. They offer tours every day and there's even a VIP experience that includes the world-famous Clydesdales that's highly recommended.

City Museum — St. Louis — One of Missouri's most unusual attractions.

The City Museum in St. Louis bills itself as "weirdly wonderful" and that's accurate. The thing about the City Museum is it's never the same experience twice. They're constantly adding new features and nearly all of them are interactive. Nearly guaranteed to entertain your kids if you have young ones.

Soulard — St. Louis — Historic architecture, restaurants, bars and the famous farmers market.

I have to confess that I didn't realize that there was more to Soulard than the restaurants and the farmer's market. I envy those who work in the part of St. Louis where Soulard is within walking distance. You could go there for lunch every day of the year and never eat the same thing twice.

Old Courthouse — St. Louis — One of the city's most important historic buildings.

The Old Courthouse in St. Louis is one of the most important historic buildings not just in Missouri, but the entire country. The National Park Service offers tours and it's worth your while at least once.

Lafayette Square — St. Louis — Beautiful Victorian-era homes surrounding one of the city's oldest parks.

The oldest historic district in St. Louis featuring meticulously restored 19th-century Victorian "Painted Ladies" and Second Empire townhouses surrounding 30-acre Lafayette Park. This area survived a devastating tornado in 1896 that destroyed some of the upper levels of buildings and required a restructuring of the homes in that region.

St. Louis Union Station — St. Louis — Historic railroad architecture turned entertainment complex.

St. Louis Union Station opened way back in 1894. Today it features tons of attractions:

• Grand Hall
• 3D Light Shows
• Headhouse & Clock Tower
• St. Louis Aquarium
• St. Louis Wheel
• Dining and Hotel

I stayed in the Union Station hotel in 1998 when the Missouri Broadcasters Association had their awards there. As I remember it, it was like living in a mall with all the things to do.

Missouri Botanical Garden — St. Louis — One of the country's premier botanical gardens.

One of the most prestigious botanical gardens in America, the Missouri Botanical Garden has become famous partially for the blooming of the rare Corpse flower.

Grant's Farm — St. Louis County — Historic Busch family property with animals and family attractions.

A 281-acre historic property and wildlife preserve in St. Louis County, Missouri, Grant's Farm is famous for their stables of Clydesdale horse, but the farm also includes deer park tram ride, sampling of beer and German foods plus lots of presidential history, too.

Laumeier Sculpture Park — St. Louis County — Huge outdoor sculpture collection.

It's hard to describe the Laumeier Sculpture Park to someone who's never seen it, but it's an open-air museum and the variety of sculptures will blow your mind.

St. Charles Historic District — St. Charles — Brick streets and historic buildings along the Missouri River.

Trip Advisor describes this area of St. Charles as "a scenic 16-block area featuring 19th-century brick-paved streets, restored 1800s buildings, and vibrant riverfront views" and pretty well sums it up.

Daniel Boone Home — Defiance — Historic home associated with the legendary frontiersman.

No Missouri history trip would be complete without seeing the home built by Daniel Boone's son Nathan which he eventually passed away in back in 1820. It features:

• Architecture: Four stories with 2.5-foot thick limestone walls and seven fireplaces.
• Access: Interior visits require a paid, guided tour.
• Admission: $8 for adults, $6 for seniors (60+), $5 for children (5–12), and free for military and kids 4 and under.
• Surrounding Village: Includes over a dozen relocated 19th-century historic buildings like a old schoolhouse, grist mill, and blacksmith shop.

Weston — Platte County — One of Missouri's best preserved historic river towns.

So much to do in Weston, Missouri including:

• Antebellum Architecture
• Weston Historical Museum
• McCormick Distillery
• Snow Creek
• Local wineries and breweries

Weston Bend State Park — Weston — Particularly notable for its expansive Missouri River overlook.

If you're going to take in all the potential activities in Weston, make sure the state park is one of your destinations. Plenty of picnic tables and dozens of campsites.

Hermann — Hermann — Missouri's famous German-American wine country town.

If you're in Missouri, but would like to pretend you're in a small town in Germany, Hermann is your place. Hermann is a fun place no matter what time of year you visit, but the Fall months and especially October are highlights for this Missouri place.

Deutschheim State Historic Site — Hermann — A fascinating look at German immigration to Missouri.

This historic Missouri place includes:

• Pommer-Gentner House: A grand 1840 neoclassical brick home reflecting early immigrant success and domestic life.
• Strehly House & Winery: Built in the 1840s, this site once published a German-language newspaper and includes an original carved wine cask.
• Historic Gardens & Barn: Features a traditional 19th-century kitchen garden (Gemüsegarten) and a half-timbered agricultural barn.
• Print Shop: Displays a working era-appropriate Washington hand press.

Augusta — Augusta — Historic wine-country community west of St. Louis.

August was founded in 1836 by Leonard Harold, a follower of Daniel Boone. When most people think of wine country, they don't think of Missouri, but Augusta is proof that they should. The Augusta Winery is there and there's also direct access to the Katy Trail, too.

Shaw Nature Reserve — Gray Summit — More than 2,400 acres of gardens, prairies and woodland.

Shaw Nature Reserve features 2,400 acres of diverse native landscapes along the Meramec River. There's a wildflower garden there, hiking trails and the historic Bascom House built in 1850.

National WWI Museum and Memorial — Kansas City — One of the world's great World War I museums.

The National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City offers:

• Main Gallery: Offers a comprehensive look at global events from 1914 to 1919.
• Liberty Memorial Tower: Provides an open-air 360-degree observation deck overlooking the city skyline.
• Poppy Bridge: Features a glass floor suspended above 9,000 red poppies, symbolizing combatant casualties.
• Trench Recreation: Immersive walk-through exhibits bringing battlefield conditions to life

There's also a bit of modern movie history there as some scenes from the 1983 flick "The Day After" were shot near the stairwell there.

Country Club Plaza — Kansas City — Missouri's most famous shopping district.

Country Club Plaza is more than 100-years-old. It's a historic 55-acre, 15-block open-air shopping and dining district located about 4 miles south of downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Along with the shopping options, there are outdoor fountains, too.

Union Station — Kansas City — Monumental Beaux-Arts architecture and museum space.

Union Station is full of history. It was built in 1914 and features the grand hall, science city, exhibitions, dining shopping and many railroad things. It was also the scene of an infamous attack by Pretty Boy Floyd during the prohibition era.

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art — Kansas City — A world-class art museum.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art features 42,000 art objects spanning 5,000 years. I'm not math genius, but even I know that's a lot of years and they have a lot of art.

Kauffman Stadium — Kansas City — A must for baseball fans.

Kauffman Stadium was built in 1973 although it wasn't called Kauffman back in those days. I'm a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan, but my family visited friends in Kansas City back in 1977 and I'll never forget the gorgeous fountains in the outfield or how I yelled at Reggie Jackson as he was coming in from outfield practice before the game. I don't remember what I said, but Reggie didn't seem to be happy about it. It was probably something about my disdain for the NY Yankees or something.

Arrowhead Stadium — Kansas City — One of the most recognizable football stadiums in America.

I have only been to one game at Arrowhead Stadium now known as GEHA something or other. It was back in 1992 before the Kansas City Chiefs were as good as they have become in recent years. As I remember it, John Elway led the Broncos to a victory over the Chiefs at that game which sounds about right because he did that frequently in the 90's.

Kansas City River Market — Kansas City — Historic market district with restaurants and shops.

If you're in the KC area, the market includes:

• The Farmers Market
• Dining & Cafes
• Shopping
• History & Culture

18th & Vine — Kansas City — The heart of Kansas City's jazz heritage.

Dining, live music, events. 18th & Vine has all of those things including the rich history of jazz in the Kansas City area.

American Jazz Museum — Kansas City — Essential for understanding Kansas City's musical history.

The American Jazz Museum in KC is a must-visit if you are interested in the history of this music genre. Lots of events at the Gem Theater next door and even some historic instruments from famous artists like original horns and items from legends like Charlie Parker.

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum — Kansas City — One of the most important sports museums in the country.

No fan of baseball should miss visiting the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. There's no other place like it revealing the rich history of players in this league and how it eventually impacted Major League Baseball and society as a whole.

Kansas City Stockyards District — Kansas City — A reminder of the city's cattle-trading past.

Founded in 1871: Businessmen built the yards to handle huge cattle drives from the West. Today it includes:

• Old Brick Buildings: Massive stone and brick barns still stand along the streets.
• New Uses: Old spaces now house art studios, local shops, and creative offices.
• Restaurants and Bars: Visitors find barbecue spots and local taverns nearby.

Arabia Steamboat Museum — Kansas City — A remarkably preserved time capsule from a sunken Missouri River steamboat.

• The Sinking: On September 5, 1856, the sidewheel steamboat Arabia struck a submerged tree snag on the Missouri River.
• The Cargo: It carried 222 tons of supplies destined for 16 frontier towns, including clothing, hardware, and bottled food.
• The Discovery: The river shifted course over the decades, burying the wreck 45 feet underground. A family of local historians and treasure hunters excavated the site in 1988.

Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum — Independence — Essential Missouri presidential history.

This destination of Harry S. Truman presidential history features immersive galleries, a replica Oval Office, and Truman's presidential papers. There's a 14-foot interactive globe, sound-and-light theaters, exhibits on civil rights and the Cold War, and the courtyard grave site of Harry and Bess Truman.

Harry S. Truman National Historic Site — Independence — Includes Truman's longtime home.

This long-time home of the 33rd President of the United States is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Vaile Mansion — Independence — One of Missouri's most spectacular Victorian mansions.

Built in 1881, this is one of the most beautiful mansions you'll see in the Midwest. Oh, and just about everyone who's stayed there believes it's also one of the most haunted, too.

National Frontier Trails Museum — Independence — Explores the Oregon, California and Santa Fe trails.

• The Major Trails: Deep dives into the founding and usage of the Oregon, Santa Fe, and California trails.
• Pioneer Life: Real diaries, personal accounts, pioneer artifacts, and covered wagon displays.
• Early Frontier History: Context on the local area as a major "jumping-off" supply point, alongside exhibits touching on the fur trade, Lewis and Clark, and local Native American tribes.

Liberty Historic District — Liberty — One of Missouri's oldest communities with an excellent historic downtown.

You definitely don't want to miss this part of Missouri featuring the Jesse James Bank Museum, the Liberty Jail and William Jewell College. There's also over 30 unique independent shops and restaurants line the historic square and adjacent streets.

Battle of Lexington State Historic Site — Lexington — One of Missouri's most important Civil War battlefields.

The location of a brutal 3-day battle during the Civil War in 1861, the site says you can "marvel at the bullet holes still in the walls and evidence of the cannon shots".

Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site — Lawson — Home to the only 19th-century textile mill in the U.S. with its original machinery still intact.

This legendary Missouri mill has over 50 major textile machines, a steam engine, and a 30-foot riverboat boiler. The Watkins home is there built by owner Waltus Watkins over a 50-year period. Entry to the grounds and visitor center is free; guided tours of the mill and home charge a small fee.

Wallace State Park — Cameron — A peaceful northern Missouri getaway.

Wallace State Park is a quiet 500-plus-acre outdoor getaway located six miles south of Cameron, Missouri. It features Lake Allaman, hiking trails, picnicking and more.

Ha Ha Tonka State Park — Camdenton — One of the state's most spectacular combinations of caves, bluffs, springs and castle ruins.

Ha Ha Tonka State Park is the romantic stone ruins of a grand mansion built by Kansas City businessman Robert M. Snyder, which burned down in 1942. There's a A 70-foot-wide, 80-foot-high arch carved out of solid dolomite rock called The Natural Bridge there. There's a castle trail, the quarry trail and the Turkey Pen Hollow trail.

Lake of the Ozarks — Central Missouri — One of the Midwest's legendary lake destinations.

Lake of the Ozarks features 1,150 miles of shoreline which is more than the state of California. Tons of family attractions including waterparks plus dockside restaurants and live music venues you can get to either by vehicle or boat.

Silver Dollar City — Branson — Missouri's signature theme park and one of the state's biggest attractions.

USA Today readers have voted Silver Dollar City the best amusement park in America for several years-in-a-row. They often feature live entertainment, have legendary rollercoasters and some of the best food options in southwestern Missouri. Marvel Cave is also there which is a fun guided tour of a massive underground cave system.

Branson's Entertainment District — Branson — Live music, theaters, attractions and restaurants.

The entertainment district in Branson features over 100 live shows across 30-plus theaters, interactive family attractions, varied dining, and shopping centers. The Titanic Museum attraction is popular there along with numerous celebrity dinner theaters that suit just about every taste.

Table Rock Lake — Branson area — A huge destination for boating, fishing and swimming.

Table Rock Lake is a massive 43,000-acre reservoir located just south of Branson, Missouri that has some of the best fishing in Missouri featuring largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass, plus crappie and bluegill. Pontoon boats, ski boats, wave runners, and kayaks are available for rentals.

Table Rock State Park — Branson — Scenic shoreline and easy access to the lake.

This is one Missouri state park that has access to Table Rock Lake, of course, but also hiking areas, picnic spots and multitudes of camping options.

Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery — Branson — One of the state's best-known trout facilities.

This is the largest trout production facility in Missouri. It raises over a million rainbow and brown trout and is free for the public to visit.

Talking Rocks Cavern — Branson West — A spectacular underground cave experience.

Above ground, you can play mini-golf and pan for gemstones. Below the ground, you can check out a vertical cave featuring stunning crystal formations, concrete walking paths, a constant 63°F year-round temperature.

Fantastic Caverns — Springfield — America's only ride-through cave.

The only ride-through cave in North America. A tour takes about an hour, but is more than worth the time. It's not far from Route 66 and fun Springfield things.

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield — Republic — A nationally significant Civil War battlefield.

One of the biggest Civil War fights west of the Mississippi River. You can see a restored 1852 home used as a field hospital during the engagement. You can also take a 4.9-mile tour in your vehicle on a paved loop with eight interpretive stops.

George Washington Carver National Monument — Diamond — Preserves the birthplace and legacy of the famous scientist.

The George Washington Carver National Monument is a 240-acre farm where the renowned scientist was born and raised. You can even visit the final resting place of the Carver family near the natural springs there.

Route 66 Drive-In Theater — Carthage — A nostalgic stop along historic Route 66.

It's only $15 for a carload to go to the movies at the Route 66 Drive-In Theater. Open April through September or October depending on the weather.

Route 66 State Park — Eureka — One of the best places to experience Missouri's Mother Road.

This state park is located on 419 acres on the site of the former town of Times Beach. There's a 1935 roadhouse visitor center, vintage memorabilia, and over 10 miles of scenic trails along the Meramec River according to Missouri State Parks.

Meramec Caverns — Stanton — One of Missouri's most famous cave attractions.

Meramec Caverns is a massive 4.6-mile, multi-level limestone cavern system that legend says was visited by Jesse James and his gang. Open 9 to 6 daily, they offer fully-guided, family-friendly walking tours along lighted concrete paths.

Onondaga Cave State Park — Leasburg — A spectacular underground cave system.

Onondaga offers a 1-mile, 1.25-hour guided walk along paved, electric-lit paths showcasing the famous Lily Pad Room and King's Canopy. I can't remember if my family ever visited this Missouri cave, but we vacationed to most of them so Onondaga was almost certainly on our list.

Meramec State Park — Sullivan — Scenic bluffs, river scenery and hiking.

13 miles of hiking trails, lots of fun things to do on the river, caves to explore and overnight camping options. You could easily spend an entire weekend here and not do half of the available activities.

Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park — Middle Brook — One of Missouri's most spectacular natural swimming areas.

This is one of Missouri's most natural waterparks and is also one of the most popular in the region. Be aware that it's also known to be the home of many Copperhead snakes, though.

Elephant Rocks State Park — Belleview — Giant granite boulders that look almost impossible to balance.

Elephant Rocks State Park features:

• A huge boulder shaped like an elephant.
• Braille Trail: A paved, accessible path with handrails and audio signs.
• Climbing: Visitors can climb and scramble directly on top of the giant rocks.
• Quarry Ruins: Remains of an old 19th-century granite quarry are near the site.

Taum Sauk Mountain State Park — Middle Brook — Home to Missouri's highest point.

Taum Sauk Mountain State Park has paths that will lead you to the highest point in the state of Missouri which also happens to be located on the remains of ancient volcanoes. The good news is they're probably dormant. Maybe.

Mina Sauk Falls — Taum Sauk Mountain — Missouri's tallest above-ground waterfall.

If you're looking for the most scenic waterfall in Missouri, this is it. Just be prepared to do some hiking to see its beauty.

St. Francois Mountains — Southeast Missouri — Ancient mountains and some of the state's best scenery.

The St. Francois Mountains feature some of the oldest exposed rock in the Midwest. Taum Sauk Mountain is the high point of ground that was lifted up by an ancient volcano system.

Dillard Mill State Historic Site — Davisville — One of Missouri's best-preserved historic mills.

The classic red Dillard Mill is one of the most iconic sights in Missouri that's off the beaten path. It's situated along the spring-fed Huzzah Creek, preserving original machinery with scenic hiking, fishing, and picnicking in the Ozarks.

Sam A. Baker State Park — Patterson — Beautiful Ozark foothills and the St. Francis River.

This Missouri state park features:

• Year-round floating on the St. Francis River and seasonal kayaking or tubing on Big Creek.
• Hiking Trails: Miles of scenic paths, including climbs up Mudlick Mountain for views of forest bluffs.
• Fishing: Excellent spots for smallmouth bass, sunfish, and catfish.

Echo Bluff State Park — Eminence — Spectacular cliffs overlooking Sinking Creek.

Echo Bluff State Park features Echo Bluff (obviously), Sinking Creek, Betty Lea Lodge and lots of wildlife.

Current River — Ozark National Scenic Riverways — One of America's great spring-fed rivers.

If you only do one Missouri thing in your life, make it a float trip. The Current River has many spots where that's possible. Arguably the most beautiful part of Missouri.

Jacks Fork River — Ozark National Scenic Riverways — A beautiful wilderness river perfect for floating.

Another great Missouri river where a float trip can happen. You can bring your own gear or there are many rental places available, too.

Alley Spring — Eminence — One of Missouri's most photographed springs.

If you see a picture of a Missouri spring on Instagram, it's probably from Alley Spring as this is one of the most photographed in the state.

Big Spring — Van Buren — One of the world's largest natural springs.

Yes, Big Spring lives up to its name as one of the world's largest springs, but it also has a campground, a picnic area, a dining lodge, trails and housekeeping cabins.

Blue Spring — Eminence — A stunningly blue spring along the Current River.

Blue Spring is a water source that dives down 310 feet deep, it is the deepest spring in Missouri and pumps out roughly 90 million gallons of crystal-clear water every day.

Round Spring — Ozark National Scenic Riverways — Another spectacular spring and cave destination.

Looking for an active spring that pumps out 26 million gallons of water daily? Round Spring in Missouri does that.

Grand Gulf State Park — Thayer — Missouri's “Little Grand Canyon,” created by a collapsed cave system.

Grand Gulf State Park near Thayer features:

• Collapsed Cave: Formed over 10,000 years ago when a massive underground karst cave system gave way.
• Natural Bridge: A remaining 250-foot-long, 75-foot-high span left over from the original cave roof.
• Water Flow: Brussell Branch creek drains directly into the rocky chasm and flows underground to emerge miles away at Mammoth Spring in Arkansas.
• Overlooks & Trails: Safe viewing is available via paved and wooden upper boardwalks and stairs with informative signs

Missouri State Capitol — Jefferson City — One of the state's most impressive buildings.

If you're looking for a must-see location in Missouri, why not make the state capital something near the top of the list. Even if you don't enter the capital on a tour, snapping a pic outside is a must.

Katy Trail State Park — Statewide — One of America's great long-distance recreational trails.

The Katy Trail is one bucket list place to experience in Missouri. You can hike it or bike it all at once or in bite-sized portions. It crosses the entire state of Missouri and is a special place especially during the Spring and Fall months.

Columbia — Downtown & The District — Missouri's quintessential college-town experience.

If you say "MIZ" in Missouri, someone nearby will almost certainly respond "ZOU". Some of the best shopping in Missouri is in Columbia and the downtown area is full of life (and students when Mizzou is in session).

Rock Bridge Memorial State Park — Columbia — Natural bridges, caves, springs and sinkholes.

Along with all of the things mentioned above, make sure you hike to see the Devil's Icebox. It's not evil, but really interesting underground Missouri sights.

Stephens Lake Park — Columbia — A beautiful urban outdoor destination.

Columbia calls it "the crown jewel" of the parks in that part of Missouri. Free public sand beach and large splash play areas help them make that case.

Finger Lakes State Park — Columbia — Former coal-mining landscape transformed into an unusual recreation area.

Built over a former coal-mining area, it's a favorite for cycle and four-wheeler riders. It's one of only 2 ATV parks that are a part of the Missouri state parks system.

Mark Twain National Forest — Southern/Central Missouri — Vast forests, trails, springs and remote scenery.

Mark Twain National Forest is full of Missouri's natural beauty. Oh, and there are many who claim that a Bigfoot (aka Mo-Mo) creature lives there, so beware while you enjoy.

Pomme de Terre State Park — Pittsburg/Hermitage — A 7,800-acre lake destination especially famous for muskie fishing.

World-class muskie fishing happens here and that's what you need to know.

Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site — Florida — See where Samuel Clemens was born.

This is where the life of one of America's most famous writers began. Before he spent his childhood in Hannibal, Samuel Clemens life started in Florida, Missouri.

Mark Twain's Boyhood Home - Hannibal - where Samuel Clemens spent his formative years

No trip to Missouri is complete without visiting Hannibal where the inspiration for the tales of Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn and all of the characters in Mark Twain's books happened.

Thousand Hills State Park — Kirksville — Home to ancient Native American petroglyphs and Missouri's first DarkSky-designated state park.

This is the place in Missouri you want to visit after the sun goes down. There is no better place in Missouri to take star pictures than Thousand Hills State Park.

Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge -  Mound City — Extraordinary birding, especially during migration.

If you love birds, this is a must-visit Missouri place. When migration is at its peak, literally hundreds of thousands of birds travel through this part of Missouri. The best air show in the state.

Big Lake State Park — Craig — A peaceful wetlands destination in northwest Missouri.

Big Lake State Park features:

• Over 600 acres, popular for powerboating, canoeing, and jet skiing.
• Fishing: Holds species like catfish, crappie, and bass.
• Wildlife: Prime spot to view blue herons, soft-shelled turtles, and rails.
• Camping & Lodging: Offers modern electric/sewer sites, basic gravel sites, and cozy camper cabins.Amenities: Includes clean showerhouses, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and a seasonal swimming pool

Crowder State Park — Trenton — Hiking, camping and lake recreation amid northern Missouri's rolling hills.

More than 17 miles of hiking, bicycling, backpacking and equestrian trails in this rugged Missouri place.