Top Things to do in Missouri
Top Hotels in Missouri
- 1. Lodge of the Ozarks
- 2. Drury Plaza Hotel St. Louis at the Arch
- 3. Savannah House Hotel
- 4. Drury Inn St. Louis at Union Station
- 5. Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch
- 6. The Last Hotel
- 7. Drury Inn & Suites St. Louis Brentwood
- 8. Drury Inn & Suites St. Louis Convention Center
- 9. Branson Towers Hotel
- 10. Seven Gables Inn
Things to do in Missouri, United States: The Best Science Museums
From the riverboat casinos, breweries and historical neighborhoods in St. Louis and fabulous fountains and barbeque in Kansas City to the “Live Music Show Capital of the World, Branson, to the awesome outdoor lifestyle in the Lake of the Ozarks region, the state offers visitors a seemingly endless line-up of unique vacation experiences. You’re never far from a state park or historic site as there are 85 of them throughout the state. There are 840 miles of trail for hikers, backpackers, bicycle riders, off-road vehicle users and horseback riders. Some of the state’s top attractions include the Gateway Arch and St. Louis Zoo in St. Louis, Cameron Cave in Hannibal, and the American Jazz Museum and Worlds of Fun amusement park in Kansas City. Wine lovers will be pleased to know there are 96 wineries in the state where you can sample wines and take tours. For golfers, the picturesque Lake Ozark region offers play on gems like the Tan-Tar-A Resort Oaks Course and Old Kinderhook. Why not introduce your children to the real world of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn? Visit Hannibal, where your kids can immerse themselves in the world of Mark Twain with a tour of the author’s home, a cruise on the Mississippi River, an exploration excursion of the caves in his books and visits to various historic homes. Other great family-oriented activities throughout the state include hiking the Ozark Trail, splashing at a water park in Branson and visiting the Harry S. Truman home and presidential library in Independence.
Restaurants in Missouri
1. Del and Norma Robison Planetarium
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Located in Magruder Hall on Truman's campus, the Planetarium is an academic resource to support Truman courses in the sciences and fine arts, a community resource for regularly scheduled shows for the general public and an academic outreach by providing programming for local K-12 and homeschool populations.
2. Saint Louis Science Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,494 reviews
With the mission "to ignite and sustain lifelong science and technology learning", the Saint Louis Science Center is one of the top five science centers in the United States, and has been named one of the Top 10 Science Centers for Families by Parents Magazine and one of America's most visited museums by Forbes Traveler Magazine. The complex includes over 96,000 sq-ft of interactive science-technology exhibits that are part of the Science Center's free general admission. The most recent major permanent exhibit is GROW, a one-acre outdoor exhibit that will take visitors on a journey of food, to gain a deeper understanding of our food supply. The Science Center's ticketed areas include the OMNIMAX, a four-story IMAX Dome theater; the James S. McDonnell Planetarium, one of the world's largest planetariums; and the Discovery Room, an activity area for families with younger children.
Reviewed By DuneBug2 - Illinois, United States
We take our daughter (6) to the St. Louis Science Center regularly and it never disappoints! Admission is free, parking in the main lot is paid but there is free parking on the Forest Park side (entering through the Planetarium), there is a lot to do, and they have some great events. Things like the Omnimax, Discovery Room, and Planetarium shows do cost but there is plenty to see and do if you're looking for a very budget friendly outing. Some of my daughters favorite exhibits are the dinosaur dig, the bridge over the interstate, the Discovery Room, and the outdoor Grow exhibit. She also really enjoys the shows on the lower level. SciFest and the Fist Fridays events are great as well. We currently have a membership and plan to renew it when it is up. We usually visit 2 or 3 times a month and always look forward to our next visit!
3. Science City at Union Station
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 548 reviews
See how astronauts train for space missions or discover the chemistry behind some of your favorite beverages. Kids and adults alike will be entertained for hours at this center dedicated to showing how science is a part of our everyday lives.
Reviewed By roxzannethewanderer - Kansas City, United States
I used to struggle to find things I would want to do with my children when they were younger in the winter, so I wish we had lived here when they were young! Science City will keep kids and adults entertained, so this isn't something you'll come to and be bored with while the kids have fun- you can all have fun! The location is great, as they have the IMAX theater, the train museum, and several other activities close by. You can easily pass half-a-day or longer here, so well worth the money for entry.
4. Discovery Center of Springfield
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 198 reviews
Reviewed By laylas310 - Springfield, United States
its amazing it has so many cool things for kids to do and even the adults it is teaching kids science in a fun way
5. Myseum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 195 reviews
Discovery Center for children and their families. Fun and unique exhibits like a dinosaur dig, vet clinic, interactive video wall, slide with radar, magnetic ball wall and a giant UFO maze...just to name a few.
Reviewed By sherrylee89 - Saint Louis, United States
Love this place so much that I bought a gift card a few months ago! Our little one is under 2 but still gets a lot of of this place, it’s less overwhelming than science museum and feels a lot cozier with the layout of the difference zones/activities!
6. The Space Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By juliecL3943MN
This is no ordinary museum with a few things about space flight. This is a world class collection, and combined with a visit to the Bonne Terre Mine a block away, makes a trip to Bonne Terre a must. The docents here are highly knowledgeable and the collection is specific to outer space, not planes. It might not be too interesting to little kids, but older kids will find it cool. The museum is privately owned and curated by a gentleman who knew Gus Grissom's brother. It's a love affair of the years of moon travel.
7. Creation Experience Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 47 reviews
Experience the Bible like you never have before at the world's only creation museum offering free guided tours and free admission to all visitors. Take a free guided tour from Creation to Christ with Artifacts, Displays, Multi-media presentations, and more!
Reviewed By andyp256 - Paris, United States
A free museum in Branson is rare and this one though small is a really good visit. Here you are presented with a different point of of view which includes science. It is a guided tour. There is lots of stuff to see and hear. Plan on at least an hour from when your tour starts. How soon your tour starts when you get there depends on how long the tour before you has been going. Though smaller (they are planning on building a bigger place closer to branson) the exhibits are every bit as good as the larger creation museum in Kentucky, content wise. Do yourself a favor and try it, it's free so there is no risk.
8. Missouri Institute of Natural Science
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By TinytTraveler
Visited this museum as one of our homeschool class days. I was very impressed when the volunteer asked if we’d like a tour. There’s SO much information inside of this small museum, it really is a great place to visit! We were there for over an hour & a half and still didn’t get to see everything!! We will be going back and hopefully get to see Henry (the triceratops) when we go!!
9. Joplin History & Mineral Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 63 reviews
A collection of five museums including one on history, science, cookies, dolls and sports.
Reviewed By Anaba_Spirit - Deltona, United States
This is a small, yet informative museum with lots of information and displays about Joplin's history and Earth minerals. If I remember correctly, they charge an inexpensive admission fee of $2 per person, which I believe to be worth it. This is not your typical museum. As you enter, you have the choice to start on the left wing of the small building, which consists of educational exhibits of minerals, or the right wing of the building, which has an extensive collection of historical artifacts and information about Joplin's history. There isn't much information here about the tornado that impacted the area, but the memorial located several minutes away does. This is the only thing I wish they had included more of in the museum. Overall, it is a lovely museum with very friendly staff, and two gorgeous cats that you can pet, making your visit even more charming.
10. Bonebrake Center of Nature
The purpose of the Bonebrake Center of Nature and History is to maintain and establish an area with paths through natural settings of prairies and forest plantings, and beside ponds and a spring, to provide a place for people of all ages to stroll, learn and observe plants, animals, and birds. Schools are invited to use the area as an outdoor classroom. The historic home is a peaceful setting w
