|
Things to do / Travel Guide
Arkansas and Missouri Getaways
Popular with families living in the surrounding states or driving through this part of America, the Ozarks offer visitors sports, recreation, mountains, and woodlands. The region features Branson, a crowded family entertainment hub, where the many shows are more "Nashville" than "Broadway" style.
St. Louis, MO Tourist Attractions
St. Louis is the one of the largest cities in this region, offering tourists with a number of attractions, entertainment venues, and historical sites. Nicknamed the "Gateway City" or the "Gateway to the West," St. Louis offers tourists a wonderful introduction to the Midwest region. The city is large enough to be considered an international metropolis, but offers a much more laid-back and "homey" environment than, say, New York City, Miami, or Chicago, in part due to its smaller size, and in part due to the friendly, chilled-out people who reside here.
The St. Louis cityscape is defined by the iconic Gateway Arch, a 630-foot tall structure located smack in the middle of the city. You can visit the arch's visitor center, take a ride to the top on the "tram," an egg-shaped elevator ride, and take in breathtaking views from the arch's observation area, located near the top of the arch—a must-do for any tourists visiting St. Louis.
There are other ways to experience the scenery, culture, and history of St. Louis other than from the perspective of the arch. For example, the City Museum offers a fantastic look into St. Louis history, the Steamboat Tom Sawyer offers some cultural and historic perspective, not to mention some scenic views, and St. Louis Union Station will provide a look into the bustling modern action of the city.
St. Louis also offers an impressive night life. Swanky bars, fine dining establishments, family-friendly restaurants, and Irish pubs dot the downtown landscape after the sun goes down. There are also casinos, spas, indoor rock climbing walls, wineries, and breweries (including the international brewer Anheuser-Busch) for luxury-seekers or those seeking a night-life experience a little bit off the beaten path.
Branson Attractions and Getaways
Don't drive through Missouri without including a getaway to Branson, especially if you're traveling with the kids. Here is an opportunity for you to take a break from museum-hopping and hiking excursions to have a little fun…or rather, A LOT of fun! This area boasts three major amusement parks, 52 live-performance theaters, helicopter tours, water tours, water rides, cruises, winery tours, outlet shopping, and more! Some refer to Branson as a "family-friendly Las Vegas"—Branson may not be a "Sin City" per say, but it is a "Fun City" par excellence. (And of course, if you ARE still interested in museum-hopping or hiking excursions, Branson offers those activities as well!)
Two attractions not to be missed in and around Branson include an outing to Table Rock Lake and a visit to Silver Dollar City.
First, Table Rock Lake, located in The Ozarks, is a dream paradise for fishing aficionados, especially those interested in bass fishing. The crystal-clear waters are also inviting to swimmers, boaters, and those interested in water sports, including scuba diving. The lake is located in Table Rock State Park, which offers hiking and biking trails, wildlife viewing opportunities, and camp sites, all along the lake. There's also ample shopping and dining located around Table Rock Lake. Wonderful bed & breakfasts also dot the area.
Next is Silver Dollar City, a theme park ranked number one by the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions. Silver Dollar City isn't your everyday amusement park, though; after all, it's not called "City" for nothing! Silver Dollar City offers an unimaginably large selection of rides, shows, craft demonstrations, and a huge swing that soars seven stories into the sky. Most of the park is 1880s-themed, adding another dimension of unique fun, plus a little history!
Kansas City Tourist Attractions
Don't get confused—we're not hopping over to Kansas quite yet; this Kansas City is located in Missouri, just before crossing over into Kansas. (Its neighbor is Kansas City, Kansas, which generally causes even more confusion!)
Kansas City, Missouri offers a number of exciting tourist attractions—it is, after all, the largest city in Missouri (bet you thought that St. Louis was number one!). Some highlights include the City Market, one of the Midwest's largest and most vibrant public famers' markets; the American Jazz Museum, an establishment that pays homage to the rich history of jazz in Kansas City and in the entire country; the Toy and Miniature Museum of Kansas City, a fascinating exhibition of things that have made children happy for centuries; plus many more tourist attractions.
Kansas City is also known for its casinos and night life—make sure to spend a night on the town, especially if you life Irish pubs!
Arkansas and Missouri Road Trip Getaway Planner
It takes about 7-10 days to fully appreciate the Ozarks. Spend an additional day or two in either St. Louis or Kansas City. Branson is a "must see" for families, but try to avoid weekends. Grab a map of the Ozarks and head clear across the state on a St. Louis to Kansas City road trip.
If you really want to go deep into the Ozarks, head to Arkansas. It is pronounced more like “Arkansaw”, the reason having something to do with a French interpretation of a Sioux word relating to a river.
Tourist Attractions and Highlights in Kansas City, St. Louis, Branson, Ozarks, MO, AR
Tourist-Attractions-Highlights
|
|
|