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Missouri Quick Facts

What to do in Missouri

Uniquely Missouri: Hannibal, the childhood home of Mark Twain
Must-See: Ozark National Scenic Riverways
Most Unusual: Elephant Rocks State Park
Highest Point: Taum Sauk, 1,772 feet
Food to Try: Ozark Pudding

What to Do in Missouri:

1 Visit the historic Jesse James Home

2 Explore all of the fun and historic attractions in St. Louis

3 Learn about the unique and fascinating history of the Ozarks

4 Drive Route 66 in Missouri, stop in Rolla along the Route

5 Visit Jamesport, and learn about its large Amish community

Off The Beaten Path | Missouri

Missouri is certainly not lacking in interesting and exciting destinations and attractions. Visitors can enjoy outdoor activities and recreation in some truly beautiful spots. Throughout a trip to Missouri, visitors will find plenty of excitement and interest. Here are just a few of the amazing destinations and attractions that Missouri has to offer.

Branson

Known as the Silver Dollar City, Branson is a fabulous destination for live entertainment. Visitors will find more than 50 live entertainment venues. Some of the shows include music, including country, gospel and rock n' roll, as well as comedy shows, dinner shows and even magicians. Branson's downtown area has plenty of shopping for visitors to enjoy. The area also has three fabulous lakes with opportunities for fishing. Golfers will also enjoy a visit to Branson, as they can test their skills on the twelve golf courses in the area.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways

The Ozark National Scenic Riverways was the first National Park area created to protect a river system, it is made up of two spring-fed rivers. At Ozarks National Scenic Riverways has many stunning caves and springs that visitors can enjoy, as well as mills and even a waterfall. Some notable spots include Round Spring and Cave, Alley Spring and Mill, Blue Spring, Rocky Falls and Welch Spring and Hospital. The ruins of Welch Hospital is located over the opening to welch cave. Blue Spring is one of the most beautiful springs in Missouri, it is named for its bright blue color and it is also 310 feet deep, making it a very unique spot within the park. Visitors can also enjoy tours of Round Spring Cave during the summer months, as well as ranger programs teaching traditional skills, more cave tours and nature hikes.

St. Louis

St. Louis if full of things to do. Visitors to St. Louis have to take the time to stop at the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. The Memorial is home to the Gateway Arch, which at 630 feet is the tallest man-made monument. Visitors to the Gateway Arch can even take a tram to the top of the arch to enjoy the views of the city. In addition to lots of entertainment and dining, St. Louis is also home to the Museum of Westward Expansion, and the National Museum of Transportation, which has a carefully reconstructed piece of the Coral Court Hotel. Another great attraction in St. Louis is Forest Park, at 1,300 acres is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. At the park, people enjoy biking, jogging, skating at the rink and much more.

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

This destination is the site of the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi. Visitors to the Battlefield can learn all about the history of the battle. The Battlefield remains much the same today, except for some vegetation, and is in near pristine condition. Visitors to the battlefield can take a self-guided auto tour, which has eight stops and five walking trails, to learn all about the history of the battle. Each year the anniversary of the battle, on August 10, is observed with a ceremony and special program. In addition, the Living History Programs allow visitors to learn about the life of Civil War soldiers, and have musket and artillery firing demonstrations. Visitors can also stop at The Ray House, which served as a temporary field hospital, and they can visit the Wilson's Creek Civil War Museum, to see the great collection of artifacts from the Civil War west of the Mississippi.

The Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, Chesterfield

Located within Faust Park, the Butterfly House is a division of the Missouri Botanical Garden and is a unique treasure within the state. It is home to more than 1,000 live tropical butterflies, which visitors can see flying around in the glass conservatory. Native and migratory species of butterfly's can be found in the Butterfly Garden. For butterfly lovers there are plenty of classes on differing subjects and designed for all different ages.

St. Joseph

St. Joseph is an American city filled to the brim with unique American history. The city located on the river bluffs of the Missouri, is the site where the Pony Express was founded, and it is also the location where Jesse James met his end. On top of these unique historical facts, St. Joseph has also preserved a great deal of its historical architecture. Visitors won't want to miss the Patee House Museum, which was both a hotel and the headquarters of the Pony Express. The Pony Express National Museum is a great spot to learn all about the historic mail service. St. Joseph also has the Jesse James Home and Museum, which is the home where Jesse James was killed in 1882. Visitors may also want to stop at the St. Joseph Museum to learn about the history of the whole city.

Elephant Rocks State Park

This State Park not only has some stunning geological features, but it is also has the first state park trail in Missouri designed for visitors with physical and visual disabilities. Elephant Rocks is named for the gigantic red granite rocks standing end-to-end, reminiscent of a train of circus elephants. These boulders were formed over billions of years, approximately 1.5 billion years ago magma was pushed to the surface and cooled into a red granite tor. When the Ozark Plateau was formed about 250 million years ago the joints in the tor became more pronounced which started the process of weathering creating the red granite boulders that visitors can see today. Visitors can see these unique boulders along the Braille Trail, which is designed to accommodate visitors with visual and physical disabilities. The one mile trail is paved and has signs written in both braille and regular text. Visitors can explore different areas of the park from several alternate paths. One path takes visitors to an overlook to see an old quarry site. Another path leads to the top of an outcrop where visitors can explore a maze of the stunning boulders.

Missouri | Fun and Funky Things to Do

Missouri is a state filled with culture, from St. Louis to Kansas City. Visitors to the state will have all sorts of fun exploring all of the different destinations and attractions. Here are a few of the state's funky, fun and otherwise not to be missed destinations.

Arabia Steamboat Museum

This museum is dedicated to the Steamboat Arabia, which was at one time an important part of transportation on the Missouri River. The Steamboat Arabia sunk in the muddy waters of the Missouri and many years later it was raised. Today, visitors to this museum can learn all about the Steamboat, its purpose and influence while on the river, as well as the process of excavation that brought it back to the surface.

Encounters Aquarium & Herpetarium

The Encounters Aquarium & Herpetarium is one of the few places where you can see bull sharks, as well as feed the live bull sharks. In addition, there are many other types of fascinating sea life, as well as snakes, frogs, lizards and more at the Aquarium and Herpetarium.

Meramec Caverns

A great destination for families, the Meramec Caverns are filled with fun attractions as well as the excellent caverns. In addition to cave tours with unique formations, Meramec Caverns laos has riverboat rides, canoe floats, panning for gold and much more.

Mount Rushmore with Fake Celebrity Heads

Branson, Missouri is home to many interesting Missouri attractions, but the Mount Rushmore with Fake Celebrity Heads is a site worth seeing. Carved into the stone there are four heads resembling famous celebrities.

Talking Rocks Cavern

Located right in the Ozarks, this beautiful set of caves is filled with living crystal formations. Visitors can take tours through these amazing caves and can even enjoy activities on the surface before and after the tour.

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Mississippi Quick Facts

Mississippi Things To Do At a Glance
Uniquely Mississippi: The Mississippi Sandhill Crane
Must See: Old Natchez Trace
Most Unusual: World's largest cactus plantation in Edwards
Highest Point: Woodall Mountain, 806 feet
Food to Try: Cajun Crawfish and Sweet Potato Pie

What to Do in Mississippi:

1 Explore the Biloxi Lighthouse

2 See the Civil War Earthworks in Corinth

3 Enjoy the cajun crawfish at the Country Cajun Crawfish Festival

4 Learn about Tennessee Williams at the Mississippi Welcome Center

5 Experience Civil War ear Mississippi at a Civil War reenactment

6 Learn about prehistory in the area at the Mississippi Petrified Forest

Off The Beaten Path attractions in Mississippi

Mississippi is an amazing state. Visitors will find a wide range of activities and attractions to enjoy. Throughout the state there are many places of historical significance, as well as many places to enjoy recreational activities. Throughout this beautiful state there are many places to go, here are a few of these excellent destinations.

Vicksburg National Military Park

Vicksburg National Military Park commemorates the action at Vicksburg during the Civil War. When Vicksburg surrendered on July 4, 1863 and Port Hudson, Louisiana was captured just days later, the Union gained control of the Mississippi River, which was an important turning point in the war. Today, visitors can learn all about the history of Vicksburg at the National Military Park and on the tour road. Within Vicksburg National Military Park there are monuments, the USS Cairo Museum and Gunboat, and much more.

Natchez Trace Parkway

The Natchez Trace Parkway is a nationally designated parkway that travels for over 400-miles through Mississippi, and continues into Alabama and Tennessee. Visitors to Mississippi can take an amazing scenic drive across the state while following the parkway, and enjoy many other activities along the way. While enjoying the natural beauty along the drive, visitor can stop to camp, bike, hike, fish and more. There are also many fascinating places to stop and explore along the way, including a prehistoric mound site, scenic overlooks and archeological sites.

Mynelle Gardens

The Mynelle Gardens are a great attraction in Jackson. Covering seven acres in the city, visitors can enjoy seeing a wide variety of botanical gardens, water features, and even a variety of bird species. Visitors can explore the gardens on the paths, enjoy the pond, cross the bridges onto the island within the pond. Mynelle Gardens was originally a private garden, but today it is owned by the City of Jackson and welcomes visitors throughout the year to enjoy the beauty of these magnificent southern gardens.

Beauvoir

Beauvoir is the retirement home of Jefferson Davis. Today it is owned and operated by the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Visitors can tour this historic home, as well as learn about the Confederate President and the Civil War. Beauvoir also has an Annual Fall Muster, which is a great way to learn about the Civil War through experiencing the sights and sounds of Civil War battles.

Longwood Plantation

Located in Natchez, Longwood Plantation is one of the most unique mansions you will find. Rather than the usual Greek Revival style plantation home, Longwood is an octagonal, six story mansion with a byzantine style dome on top. The mansion was designed by Samuel Sloan for Haller Nutt, unfortunately the house was never finished due to the start of the Civil War. Today, visitors can tour this historic building, and explore the 32 rooms, of which only 9 were ever finished.

Gulf Islands National Seashore

This National Seashore is divided into two districts, the Mississippi District and the Florida District. Visitors to Mississippi can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities during a visit to the Gulf Islands, including swimming, hiking, wildlife watching, boating and more. Start a visit to the National Seashore at the visitor contact center in the Davis Bayou Area. Here visitors can learn about the islands as well as enjoy the boardwalks and nature trails. Visitors can also take a private boat to any of the islands. In addition, there is a passenger ferry to West Ship Island, where visitors can enjoy swimming in the designated area as well as enjoying the beautiful white sandy beaches.

Country Cajun Crawfish Festival

Each year, Mississippi celebrates one of the favorite dishes in Mississippi at the Country Cajun Crawfish Festival. Visitors can enjoy this festival held at the Coast Coliseum over two weekends in April. Along with excellent food, there is music, rides and much more. The Country Cajun Crawfish Festival is a great way to explore some of the culture and cuisine of Mississippi.

Fun & Funky Things to Do in Mississippi

Mississippi is a beautiful state filled with fascinating destinations. This state has been the site of important points in American history and is filled with fun attractions. For those visitors that are looking for attractions and destinations that are maybe a little funky and always a lot of fun they will find plenty to do in Mississippi. Here are a few of the states fun and funky destinations.

Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum

Located in Vicksburg, this museum commemorates the first bottle of Coca-Cola every produced. Visitors to this museum will see the types of equipment used to bottle the first ever Coca-Cola, as well as Coca-Cola memorabilia and more. This is an excellent museum to learn about one of our nation's iconic beverages.

Cotton Row

On the National Register of Historic Places, Cotton Rw is the second largest cotton exchange in the country. This district represents a very important piece of the country's cotton industry. The buildings in the Cotton Row Historic District are examples of the type used post-Civil War in the sale of cotton.

Mississippi Museum of Natural Science

Visitors to Jackson should be sure to stop and explore the wonderful exhibits at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. With both indoor and outdoor exhibits, including nature trails, which opens the natural environment of Mississippi to visitors and residents alike.

Choctaw Indian Fair

The Choctaw Indian Fair is a great destination for visitors to see a game of Stickball in person. Stickball is a Choctaw tradition, sometimes used to resolve disputes and played for fun. Today the tradition is kept alive and at the Choctaw Indian Fair visitors have the chance to watch a traditional game of Stickball as well as many other traditional arts and crafts of the Choctaw Tribe.

Ohr-O'Keefe Museum

Located in Biloxi, this museum displays the unique art of George E. Ohr. Throughout the museum visitors can see and learn about the important Mississippi. In addition, the museum buildings, designed by Frank Gehry, are a fun architectural experience.