The state of Missouri is home to some fabulous cities, outdoor activities, food, and beer! Be sure to check out these four hot spots on your next vacation.
St. Louis
You’ll never get bored on a vacation to St. Louis, as the city offers something for everyone, no matter what type of traveler you are. Head to the top of the Gateway Arch and take in the city views, or catch a St. Louis Cardinals game at Busch Stadium. For some theme park action, plan a day at Six Flags St. Louis or an afternoon at the zoo. St. Louis has a large number of museums, or spend a quiet day exploring some of the city’s beautiful parks. When the sun goes down, there are entertainment areas, live theater, musical events, and a number of fun restaurants and bars.
If you’re a craft beer enthusiast, don’t write St. Louis off due to its association with big corporate beverage houses. Local brewers took home a slew of awards in the 2015 Rate Beer Awards held in January.
Kansas City
You might be wondering what Kansas City has to offer — quite a lot! Foodies already know that KC BBQ and steaks are some of the best in the United States. Catch a Kansas City Chiefs game here or cool off at the Schlitterbahn Waterpark. Kansas City has interesting art museums and historical attractions like Harry S. Truman’s home. Kansas City also has a lot of beautiful hotels, like The Raphael Hotel. This gorgeous hotel is an old apartment building built in 1927 and is included on the National Register of Historic Places. The hotel’s renowned Chaz Lounge features a Weekend Jazz Brunch, and the property is close the historic Country Club Plaza that dates back to 1923.
Branson
Located in the Ozark Mountains, Branson sees a large number of visitors each year, especially those interested in music. The city is renowned for its large number of entertainment theaters. Other attractions include the Hollywood Wax Museum, Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede, and Ripley’s Odditorium. Oenophiles will enjoy visiting Mount Pleasant Winery and Stone Hill Winery, while adrenaline junkies can take to the ziplines, go on cave tours, or spend the day at the Silver Dollar City theme park .
Some of the most popular shows in Branson include Rick Thomas, Grand Jubilee, Hamners’ Variety Show, Legends in Concert, The Baldknobbers, Pierce Arrow, and Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show.
Springfield
Springfield is the third largest city in Missouri, and a familiar name to fans of the television show, The Simpsons. However, there is a lot more to Springfield than you might realize. It’s also located only 44 miles from Branson, making it a great lodging option if Branson hotel prices are high. Did you know that Springfield, Missouri, was the birthplace of Route 66?
Plenty of reasonable lodging options exist in Springfield, including well-known chains like the Courtyard by Marriott Airport for under $150 a night. There are tons of value and budget friendly lodging options as well. Many hotels like America’s Best Value Inn come in well under $100 a night.