"Historic State, Beautiful State, Notorious State" Top 5 Page for this destination Missouri by deecat

Missouri Travel Guide: 4,148 reviews and 6,470 photos

A State With Rich Diversity: Missouri

If you like forests, hills, caves, bluffs, and rivers, then you will love Missouri. It is a state that is covered with forests and many rolling hills. It has more than 5,000 caves!
The Lake of the Ozarks area, I think, is among the most beautiful in our nation. Saint Louis is a wonderful small city with culture, historic sites, and excellent restaurants. It's zoo is among the best in the nation, and it has a nationally acclaimed Botanic Gardens.
Kansas City, Missouri has more fountains than any city in the world except Rome. In addition, it has miles and miles of tree-lined boulevards (more than any other American city.) It's the up-and-coming city of the future with its artistic enclaves, wonderful restaurants, and lovely shopping areas.
"Missouri" first appeared on maps that the French explorers made in the 1600s. It was the name of a group of Indians who lived near the mouth of a large river...and the Indians called it "river of the big canoes". The Missouri River was big, swift, and quite difficult to navigate before the locks & dams of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers tamed it (at least, they attempted to tame it!)
Missouri is known as The Show Me state. It has a reputation for people who are individualists, stubborn like the Missouri mules...that's not a bad thing either. Missouri people want proof. They will change if need be; however, with such a colorful past, they strive to preserve their history.

Missouri is divided into five unique areas:
Northwest Missouri with St. Joseph.
Central Missouri with Kansas City.
Southwest Missouri with Springfield.
Southeast Missouri with both Jefferson City and St. Louis.
Northeast Missouri with Hannibal and Columbia.

What a diverse state it is...a state worth exploring.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Diverse, beautiful, historic, and independent
Cons:Only when the Cardinals beat the Cubs!
In a nutshell:The "Show Me State" Shows Us Its History, Natural Beauty, and Culture

Last visit to Missouri: Apr 2004
Intro Updated May 14, 2004
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Reviews (29)

Card from First Capitol Trading, Inc. in Saint Cha - Missouri

For classic gifts... Shopping (3)

Please CLICK THE PHOTO While staying overnight in Saint Charles, Missouri, on the way back from Arkansas, Allan and... more travel advice

Comfort Suites, Rolla, Missouri - Missouri

Best Place To Stay in Rolla, Missouri Hotels (6)

On the way to Arkansas, Allan and I stayed in Rolla, Missouri at the Comfort Suites. Allan and his buddies always stay... more travel advice

A camel transported via open truck - Missouri

Driving Offers Unusual Sights Transportation (1)

While driving from St. Charles, Missouri toward Chicago, we saw a most unusual sight [which we never could have seen in... more travel advice

Allan eating pizza at Talayna's in St. Charles, Mi - Missouri

Italian Restaurant in St. Charles,... Restaurants (4)

While staying overnight in St. Charles, Missouri, Allan and I walked both sides of the mile-long Main Street. While... more travel advice

Travelogues (1)

Written May 11, 2004

8 photos

Timber Creek Resort:Home Base in Missouri in April

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Comments (25)

toonsarah Jan 11, 2012 at 3:53 AM Report Abuse

I have never thought about Missouri as a possible destination for one of our road trips but I may have to think again! St Louis seems to have a lot to offer, but it's the history and countryside that would attract me most. I would love to drive part at least of the Great River Road and see some of those restored old towns. But I won't count on seeing a camel on a truck ;-)
Yaqui Dec 8, 2010 at 9:19 AM Report Abuse

Love the historic charm of this state. The caverns look marvelous and the historic hotels are beautiful. A page packed with all kind of great information.
misterrabbit Nov 20, 2009 at 9:52 AM Report Abuse

This is spectacular, Dee. It is so filled with vital and interesting information for a travler to Missouri.
hunterV Nov 9, 2009 at 6:43 AM Report Abuse

Missouri is among very attractive American States, I'm sure... Thanks for your description, Dee! ><><
Kuznetsov_Sergey Sep 13, 2008 at 7:56 AM Report Abuse

Thanks you Dee for showing this state covered with forests and rolling hills. Loved Meramec Caverns with its "Mother-In-Law's Tongue" Formation. Missouri Mules look very amusing.
traveldave Feb 6, 2008 at 12:26 PM Report Abuse

So far, my only visits to Missouri have been to St. Louis. I'd love to see the Ozarks, and some of the other places highlighted in your tips. Looks like a beautiful state.
RafaelTheSecond Oct 2, 2007 at 6:53 AM Report Abuse

Mules are very common working animals in the NorthEast specially in Maranhão State, we call them as JUMENTO, and I am very fond of mules, poor souls thay work day by day. MISSOURI IS VERY COOL!
Nemorino Jan 1, 2007 at 12:45 PM Report Abuse

Another one of your definitive State pages, with comprehensive and enthusiastic details, as always. Amazing natural and man-made caverns.
Redlats Apr 2, 2006 at 1:33 AM Report Abuse

The mule is the state animal? Does that mean Missourians are stubborn? There is lots of information here. Well done.
Stephen-KarenConn Jan 3, 2006 at 6:16 AM Report Abuse

Excellent updates! You set a new standard for state pages here. But when you list the famous people who have a Missouri CONNection, you forgot to mention that I was born there.