20 Most Lovely Locations To Go to In Missouri

Well-known for offering the inspiration and backdrop for the legendary ‘Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, ‘ the state is positioned within the Midwestern United States.

Bordering Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Arkansas, Kansas, and Nebraska, it’s a laid-back place full of wide-open areas, a well-known sprawling mountain vary, in depth plains, meandering rivers, and lovely hidden gems. Listed below are my favourite spots I’d prefer to share…

1. Ozark Mountains and Lake of The Ozarks

Made well-known by a preferred Netflix sequence and an enormous sprawling expanse masking Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and the far southeastern nook of Kansas, for my part this can be a must-see (and keep!).

The realm contains three separate areas: Boston, Springfield, and Salem Plateaus, and it’s closely forested. 

It’s a tranquil place and a household trip favourite. There are lots of nice issues to do right here, together with mountain climbing, {golfing}, boating, tenting, and exploring the numerous quirky little gems dotted across the space.

I extremely advocate not lacking the Lake of the Ozarks, a reservoir created by impounding the Osage River and one among Missouri’s premier trip locations! 

• Location: southern a part of the state 
• Location Map
• Finest time to go to: summer time

My favourite highlights…

• Photographing the magnificent rock formations on the Bridal Cave, often called one of the scenic caverns in America.
• Visiting the ruins of the Twentieth-century citadel in Ha Ha Tonka State Park the place I noticed spectacular views of the lake.
• Tasting the scrumptious flavors of handmade dipped chocolate, fudge and saltwater taffy at Grandma’s Sweet Kitchen.

2. Blue Spring

Situated in Eminence Township, the spring is beautiful with its clear turquoise water! It has been round for over 4 a long time, and I believed it was a beautiful pure attraction.

Surrounding the spring are trails that you would be able to hike for roughly three miles; they finish proper the place the spring is. Each the path and the spring are very straightforward on the attention.

Even when all you need to do is go to the spring and take images (sadly, you possibly can’t swim right here to protect its magnificence), it’s nonetheless price a visit to Eminence Township.

• Location: Close to Eminence, within the Ozark Nationwide Scenic Riverways
• Location Map
• Finest time to go to: Could to September

My highlights…

• Snapping an Insta-worthy shot of the colourful blue water.
• Admiring the surroundings alongside the mountain climbing path to get to the Blue Spring and going for a picnic alongside the best way.

3. Wah’Kon-Tah Prairie

This can be a beautiful and unspoiled spot to discover in Missouri. It’s an enormous 3,350-acre space, and a big a part of it’s a conservation space owned by The Nature Conservancy of Missouri.

The belief goals to revive native grasslands and shield the prairie ecosystem that after lined a a lot bigger a part of Missouri.

It’s a shocking and tranquil spot dotted with wildflowers equivalent to purple coneflowers , uncommon crops, and wildlife equivalent to deer and coyotes, and is properly price exploring along with your digital camera, particularly in the course of the fall when the leaves change.

• Handle: Wah’Kon-Tah Prairie Conservation Space State Freeway 82 El Dorado Springs, MO 64744
• Location Map
• Finest time to go to: late spring to fall.

My private highlights…

• Experiencing the tranquillity of the realm and admiring the attractive wildflowers.
• Going for a stroll by the unspoiled space earlier than catching a wide ranging sundown.

4. Massive Cedar Lodge

Massive Cedar Lodge is positioned in Ridgedale on Desk Rock Lake. It’s a stunning trip resort that many individuals go to yearly. It sits within the coronary heart of the Ozarks and provides an unimaginable view no matter the place you’re.

With mountains within the background and loads of bushes to get pleasure from, you’ll love Massive Cedar Lodge, no matter which season you select to go to.

Certainly, from the intense orange and crimson leaves within the Fall to the nice and cozy temperatures of the summer time, I promise you’ll fall in love with this place identical to I did! 

• Handle: 190 High of the Rock Street, Ridgedale, MO 65739
• Location Map
• Finest time to go to: late spring to early fall

My highlights…

• Taking the two.5-mile golf cart tour and discovering the rock formations and waterfalls surrounding the High of the Rock Misplaced Canyon.
• Enjoying a spherical of golf on the award-winning course designed by well-known gamers.
• Staying in a single day at a super-cute glamping tent at Camp Lengthy Creek. 

5. Dogwood Canyon

With water, bushes, and many stuff to do, this facility in Lampe actually provides one thing for everybody. You possibly can go driving, bike driving, and even take a Segway tour for distinctive enjoyable!

There’s a restaurant and an awesome view of some improbable waterfalls, so in case you’re on the lookout for a enjoyable and beautiful place, I might recommend this one! 

Dogwood Canyon is much-loved however not well-known to vacationers exterior the state, so the power is working exhausting to make this occur.

• Handle: 190 High of the Rock Street, Ridgedale, MO 65739
• Location Map
• Finest time to go to: spring to early fall

My favourite highlights…

• Hiring a motorbike and biking by the designated paths to view the picturesque surroundings.
• Discovering nature on a wildlife tour on an open-air tram (Segways excursions have been additionally accessible).
• Going mountain climbing on a path to discover Dogwood Canyon. 

6. Elephant Rocks State Park

Situated in Belleview, Elephant Rocks State Park provides beautiful views and plenty of mountain climbing trails for many who love mountain climbing or jogging.

It additionally provides picnic tables for anybody wishing to calm down and luxuriate in a pleasant lunch.

In my view, the spotlight of all the park is the set of rocks formed like elephants in an old style circus line!

• Handle: 7406 Freeway 21, Belleview, MO 63623
• Location Map
• Finest time to go to: spring to early fall

My highlights…

• Capturing the uniquely fashioned rocks for Instagram.
• I hiked alongside the Braille Path, which was a simple hike. I noticed putting rocks and an outdated railroad engine home.
• Strolling to the lookout level which then took me all the way down to a sheltered cove and a small swimming spot.

7. Missouri State Capitol and Governor’s Mansion, Jefferson Metropolis

These are each spectacular historic points of interest so as to add to your Missouri itinerary. Situated within the capital of Missouri Jefferson Metropolis, the State Capitol Constructing was accomplished in 1918 and covers a sprawling three acres within the downtown space.

It’s a gorgeous Neoclassical-style Dome constructing and can be residence to The Missouri State Museum, the place you possibly can study concerning the state’s historical past. Free guided excursions are additionally provided year-round, and I recommend happening one in case you can.

The Governor’s Mansion is one other nice historic attraction. In-built 1871, the three-story brick mansion is a positive instance of Renaissance Revival Structure. It provides excursions that enable friends to step again in time and study concerning the state’s historical past.

When within the metropolis, I extremely advocate visiting Jefferson Metropolis’s points of interest, together with the Carnahan Memorial Backyard, Missouri State Penitentiary Museum, and the Missouri State Penitentiary.

• Handle: 201 W Capitol Ave, Jefferson Metropolis, MO 65101
• Location Map
• Finest time to go to: 8:00 a.m. to five:00 p.m

My private highlights…

• Occurring a historic tour contained in the Governor’s Mansion was like stepping again in time!
• Wandering by the town to admire the beautiful structure and well-known landmarks.
• Exploring the numerous markets and boutiques across the space. 

8. Prairie State Park

Situated at NW one hundred and fiftieth Lane in Mindenmines, it’s the state’s largest remaining tallgrass prairie. Its good mixture of lush inexperienced grass that blooms many of the yr and tons of beautiful wildflowers in the course of the summer time months makes it a must-visit place.

Image a gorgeous area full of lavender wildflowers and wholesome inexperienced grass dotted with buffalo, birds, deer, and snakes, and also you’ll perceive what makes this state park so distinctive.

I’m an enormous fan of the pure magnificence and colourful landscapes right here!

• Handle: 128 NW one hundred and fiftieth Lane, Mindenmines, MO 64769
• Location Map
• Finest time to go to: spring to fall

My private highlights…

• Visiting the coast and having fun with a picnic on the seashore.
• Climbing alongside the Prairie Creek Redwoods Stroll (this path is great for all talents).
• Testing the 50-foot-tall canyon lined with majestic primal ferns.

9. Gateway Arch, St. Louis

This St. Louis icon guarantees to not disappoint, and it is without doubt one of the most recognizable spots within the state. In case you are wherever close to St. Louis, I extremely advocate exploring this iconic landmark.

I recommend visiting the museum and cruising the waters surrounding the Arch for a good higher look.

I might additionally advocate visiting the Arch at nighttime to see the way it lights up the sky and makes all the space look beautiful! 

• Handle: 11 N 4th St, St. Louis, MO 63102
• Location Map
• Finest time to go to: all yr spherical

My private highlights…

• Taking a journey within the historic Otis Traction Elevator.
• Taking a riverboat cruise tour and admiring the town skyline.
• Photographing the Instaworthy Bridge.

10. Ha Ha Tonka State Park

This can be a stunning park with beautiful protected surroundings. It spreads throughout over 3,700 acres and is positioned on the Niangua arm of the Lake of the Ozarks.

It’s residence to caves, lakes, sinkholes, a big pure bridge, towering bluffs, and Missouri’s twelfth-largest spring.

There are lots of wonderful mountain climbing trails (together with some paved walkways) right here, a special-use tenting web site, and wildlife equivalent to prairie grasses, wildflowers and valley woodlands.

I might extremely advocate visiting the ruins of the Ha Ha Tonka citadel, inbuilt 1905 by businessman Robert McClure Snyder.

Regardless that it was severely burned in a hearth, it’s nonetheless a photogenic sight on a 250-foot bluff. The park provides cabins, a campsite, and an RV park for vacationers.

• Handle: 1491 State Street D, Camdenton, MO 65020
• Location Map
• Finest time to go to: late spring to early fall

My highlights…

• Visiting the naturally fashioned bridge over 100 toes tall was as soon as the citadel’s entrance.
• Climbing up the 316 wood steps from the spring head to the highest of the bluff.
• Kayaking and exploring the river path.

11. Grand Falls

Grand Falls, positioned in Joplin, is one among Missouri’s many unimaginable waterfalls. It’s the largest constantly flowing pure waterfall within the state.

In my view, it’s breathtaking, and whereas these unimaginable waterfalls encompass you, you possibly can get pleasure from a picnic on the shore and even dip within the cool water.

Most individuals in Missouri take into account this essentially the most stunning waterfall within the state, and when you go to it simply as soon as, I’m positive you’ll perceive what the fuss is about! 

• Handle: 5400 Riverside Drive, Joplin, MO 64804
• Location Map
• Finest time to go to: spring is when the waterfall is essentially the most swollen after the wet season.

My favourite highlights…

• Going for a swim within the nonetheless swimming pools positioned downstream of the falls (in case you go don’t overlook your water footwear).
• Watching a dramatic and vibrant sundown go down over the west facet of this location.
• Embarking on a kayak journey within the calm water swimming pools by the waterfall earlier than heading downstream with the present. 

12. Jacob L Free Park, Kansas Metropolis

Kanas Metropolis is thought for its fountains, nice buying, and jazz heritage. There are lots of superior issues to do in Kansas Metropolis, however I personally suppose one of many prettiest points of interest is Jacob L Free Park, a significant vacationer web site and the third largest park within the metropolis.

It’s residence to a beautiful lake with a central fountain, a shelter home, Civil Warfare markers, and leisure highlights equivalent to tennis courts, a water park, picnic areas, and a Rose Backyard.

It’s positioned at 51st Road and Wornall Street. After you have explored it, I like to recommend visiting a few of the different points of interest within the metropolis, together with the attractive Union Station, The Vine District, Arabia Steamboat Museum, and its many wonderful Craft Beer Breweries.

• Handle: 5200 Wornall Rd, Kansas Metropolis, MO 64112
• Location Map
• Finest time to go to: summer time

My highlights…

• Admiring the attractive rose backyard which is full of almost 3,000 flowers throughout 1.5 acres of land.
• Testing a horticultural exhibition on the Backyard Middle which additionally hosts a library.
• Wandering alongside the paths all through the park and discovering the fantastic greenery.

13. Clifty Creek Pure Bridge

I really like this place! This beautiful pure bridge is 40 toes lengthy and is positioned on the finish of the two.5-mile Clifty Creek Pure Space Path.

Providing breathtaking views and surroundings, the bridge is one thing you’ll need to see when visiting this city that sits virtually smack-dab in the midst of the state!

Mom Nature gives us with some superb pure phenomena, and I extremely advocate not lacking this one!

• Location: Clifty Creek Conservation Space, close to Dixon, MO
• Location Map
• Finest time to go to: spring to fall

My favourite highlights…

• Taking the scenic 2.5-mile path that led me from the conservation space proper to the bridge.
• Photographing the putting stone bridge.

14. Cape Girardeau

This metropolis, perched on the western financial institution of the Mississippi River, has been named one of many prettiest cities within the state.

The town is positioned in Cape Girardeau and Scott County within the state of Missouri within the U.S., with over 250 bars of historical past.

I recommend heading for the historic Outdated City for essentially the most charming half. You’ll additionally discover an awesome assortment of eating places, boutique retailers, and historic landmarks right here.

Different superior issues to do in Cape Girardeau embrace the Path of Tears Nationwide Historic Path, the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Middle, the Missouri Wall of Fame, the numerous Vintage Retailers, and in addition the close by Bollinger Mill State Historic Web site, which is residence to one of many solely few lined bridges within the state and is extremely beautiful within the Fall.

• Metropolis Corridor Handle: 401 Independence Road, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
• Location Map
• Finest time to go to: late spring to early fall

My highlights…

• Visiting the Wall of Fame and testing the murals created by well-known Missourians.
• Spending a day buying on the West Park Mall.
• Discovering the historic web site of Fort D, which was constructed in the course of the civil struggle.

15. Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park

This has a humorous identify, but it surely’s an awesome place! This state park is positioned in Little Brook, and if there’s one factor you possibly can say about it, there may be a variety of water surrounding it.

You’ll see plenty of massive rocks and swimming holes, so in case you go there any time in the course of the summer time, take into account bringing your swimming swimsuit! 

Right here, you possibly can hike, view waterfalls, picnic, and discover some critically beautiful and distinctive terrain. I extremely advocate visiting in case you’re on the lookout for an awesome family-oriented exercise! 

• Handle: 148 Taum Sauk Path, Center Brook, MO 63656
• Location Map
• Finest time to go to: spring to fall

My favourite highlights…

• Stopping by the customer heart and studying all of the park and its historical past.
• Climbing by the forest to the valley, alongside the stream mattress and as much as the ridge on the Scour Path loop.
• Taking a fast refreshing dip within the cool waters after mountain climbing alongside the paths.

16. Meramec Caverns

Meramec Caverns is positioned in Sullivan, and it’s a wide ranging and fascinating attraction! The realm is the most important cave than permits vacationers within the state and the massive limestone deposits which have been fashioned over hundreds of thousands of years are an unimaginable sight!

You possibly can select between a half-hour tour or a barely longer one once you ebook right here.

Once you come up above floor, you possibly can get pleasure from actions equivalent to zip-lining and an awesome climbing wall to make a fun-filled day! 

• Handle: 1135 Hwy W, Sullivan, MO 63080
• Location Map
• Finest time to go to: late spring to early fall

My private highlights…

• Exploring the caverns and seeing the spectacular pure mineral formations which have taken hundreds of years to create.
• Hovering by the sky and throughout the Meramec River on a enjoyable zip line.
• Stopping for home-style meals on the restaurant positioned by the caverns.

17. Desk Rock Lake

Situated in Branson, this massive man-made provides beautiful clear water, beautiful pure views and over 800 miles of gorgeous shoreline.

Though no areas are thought of official seashores, you possibly can nonetheless swim there in a number of areas, equivalent to kayaking, canoeing, and boating.

It’s such a flexible lake I really like spending all the day right here, and I’ve by no means get bored it’s only a very enjoyable place.

I like to recommend heading to Moonshine Seashore, Hint Hole Resort, Indian Level and Desk Rock Lake Dam for a few of the greatest locations to get pleasure from this river.

For those who love stunning sunsets and water-based actions, then I extremely advocate you go to!

• Location: in southwestern a part of the state.
• Location Map
• Finest time to go to: summer time

My highlights…

• Going kayaking on the lake.
• Watching a stay nation music band at Black Oak Amp. 
• Absorbing the beautiful views and tranquil vibes! 

18. Meramec River and State Park

I’m an enormous fan of the Meramec River, good for rafting, canoeing, or just enjoyable on the shore. It provides sand, plenty of inexperienced bushes, and water!

Many actions are on provide right here, together with mountain climbing and biking, however I might recommend getting concerned within the enjoyable rafting!

My highlights…

• Taking a guided tour contained in the fascinating and enormous Fisher Cave.
• Going rafting alongside the magnificent river.
• Enjoyable and having a picnic alongside the river shores.

19. Powell Gardens

Powell Gardens is positioned in Kingsville, Kansas Metropolis. It consists of seven themed gardens, tons of gorgeous wildflowers to admire, and distinctive sections such because the Fountain Backyard, the Heartland Harvest Backyard, and the Perennial Backyard.

For those who love flowers, pure grasses, and many shade, then I personally suppose you’ll love Powell Gardens. It’s a excellent spot for flower-lovers and nature-lovers alike, and only one journey there’ll provide help to perceive why that is one among Kansas Metropolis’s hottest vacationer points of interest, particularly in case you’re a nature lover!

My highlights…

• Attending an fascinating gardening ideas class.
• Wandering round and admiring the attractive backyard shows and unimaginable modern structure.
• Testing the fascinating Customer Schooling Middle which additionally had a restaurant.

20. Taum Sauk Mountain

For those who love mountains, don’t skip this place! These mountains are on the highest elevations in all the state and provide views such as you’ve by no means seen earlier than.

From distinctive rock formations to the majesty of the totally different close by forests, I personally suppose you’ll by no means tire of mountain climbing to the highest of those mountains and searching on the surroundings and the improbable panoramic views. For those who’re close to Freeway CC in Ironton, I like to recommend stopping by! 

My private highlights…

• Climbing to Mina Sauk Falls which is the very best wet-weather waterfall in Missouri.
• Witnessing the spectacular panoramic views from the highest of the mountain.