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
Top 10 Free Things to do in Missouri, United States
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. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,257 reviews
Drop in for an hour, come for lunch, or spend the entire day wandering through world-class galleries. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is the cultural jewel of Kansas City and just three blocks from the Country Club Plaza, and admission is free. The Nelson-Atkins, recognized as one of America’s finest art museums, strives to be the place where the power of art engages the spirit of community. With 40,000 works of art, the Nelson-Atkins is best known for its new Bloch Galleries, featuring Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, plus its Asian art, photography, American paintings, American Indian and Egyptian galleries. The Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park, a beautiful setting for a walk or picnic, is an oasis in the city and home to notable sculptures.
Reviewed By pamhR1347EY - Kansas City, United States
Love to wander through the Nelson Art Gallery just about any day... Always great on a Sunday afternoon when I'll grab tea and dessert (or full lunch) at the great Rozelle Court. So beautiful. Add a walk down through tree shaded paths, and around art installations surrounding the buildings, ahhh, my idea of a great afternoon.
2. Table Rock Lake
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,309 reviews
Nationally known for its bass fishing, this beautiful clear water lake with gorgeous vistas is also an ideal setting for swimming, boating and water sports, and rivals some Caribbean islands with its excellent scuba diving.
Reviewed By dtw1969 - Fairview Heights, United States
Beautiful , large lake that has a lot of boats running around - but still is nice. Hiking around, walking near, swimming and more here! Bring the family, picnic and just relax. A great place to watch sunset is the boat ramp near Moonshine Beach!
3. Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,034 reviews
The Mother Church of the Archdiocese of Saint Louis, the superstructure of the Cathedral was built between 1907 and 1914. The Cathedral's 100th Anniversary is being celebrated in 2014. It is known for its' beautiful interior mosaics, which took nearly 80 years to create using more than 41 million pieces of glass tesserae. The Cathedral is known for having one of the largest mosaic collections in the Western Hemisphere.
Reviewed By Kat26S - Plainfield, United States
The craftsmanship, the history, the reverence of the Cathedral is so very impressive. Take the free tour! We did go to the museum downstairs, and that helps put in perspective the talents, the time, and the vision that created the mosaic masterpieces you see in the cathedral. It's an amazing place to see no matter your faith is. I've been to St. Louis multiple times and never knew about this place.
4. Alley Spring Grist Mill Historic Site
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 269 reviews
Scenic spring and picturesque mill dating to 1894.
Reviewed By Toucan22
There is so much to do in this area, and lots of springs to visit. Alley Spring is the crown jewel, with lots of parking, and in normal times the store, school, and mill are open to visit in addition to the spring. The spring is a gorgeous blue, and there is a short .3 mile walk around the back of the spring and along the creek/outflow. If you add the Overlook Trail to the loop, it’s 1.5 miles with a great view from above.
5. Forest Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,450 reviews
The site of the 1904 World's Fair, America's second largest urban park is a prime St. Louis recreation spot.
Reviewed By LC95 - Saint Louis, United States
Forest Park is one of the most beautiful and attractive parks around! First of all it is very large, so there is room for everyone. You don't have to be surrounded by other people if you don't want to. It is easy to find a nice quiet spot for reading, meditating, or resting! Or you can hang out with the crowd on Art Hill! Second, there is a lot to do! Picnicking, zoo, art museum, science center, history museum, golf, handball, tennis, picture taking, hiking, walking trails, special events, bird watching, duck watching, fishing, weddings, school outings, boating, baseball, soccer, restaurants, etc. Third, it is easy to get to. Either via street or highway and there is plenty of free on-street parking. You can drive, bike or take the train. However you get there, get there when you can!!
6. Pirtle Winery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 404 reviews
Family-owned and operated since 1978, the Pirtle Winery produces superior, quality wines with a great deal of character and individuality. Our winery is a popular destination for visitors to historic Weston, Missouri and provides a unique escape from everyday distractions. Drop by for a tasting and following your tasting enjoy one of your selections on our new deck, vine covered wine garden, or in The Cellar.
Reviewed By 27reginao - Kansas City, United States
In Weston you will find a wonderful little winery in an old church building where you can taste different wines, sit and relax with some wine and cheese and brouse the winery with your friends.
7. Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 419 reviews
The 112-acre Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park contains a number of garden attractions including the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden and Dr. Roston Native Butterfly House; the historic Gray-Campbell Farmstead; picnic pavilions; access to the South Creek Greenway. The park is open sunrise to sunset. The Botanical Center/ welcome center is open Monday-Saturday 8 am - 8 pm and Sunday 11 am - 6pm April - October. The building closes at 5 pm November - March. The majority of the park is free.
Reviewed By jodif773 - Springfield, United States
This is one of the best parks in Springfield!! Beautiful flowers in the spring, great fall colors, and lots of fun areas for kids to play. We also love to ride our bikes along the paved paths.
8. Ozark Distillery and Brewery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 243 reviews
Ozark Distillery is a small family owned and operated craft distillery offering hand crafted spirits. We produce Corn Whiskey Moonshine, Bourbon Whiskey, Premium Vodka, Apple Pie Moonshine, Blackberry Moonshine, Vanilla Bean Moonshine and Butterscotch Moonshine. We offer tastings Tuesday thru Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday. Tours on Saturdays. Tours last approximately 45 minutes. Tour fee is $10 per person for anyone over 12 yrs old. Kids under 12 are free. Ozark Brewery is our newest addition. Craft brewed beers on tap including our bourbon barrel stout. Several varieties of craft brew to sample. We also offer Pizza and cocktails.
Reviewed By willcY9652OX
Stopped in to check out this place during our visit. Very clean and had a good vibe. Staff was great and we picked up their bbq sauce, Bloody Mary mix, apple pie moonshine, and a growler of the blonde ale which was delicious. Can’t wait to come back again and get to stay and enjoy a tour and many drinks! Highly recommend this place!
9. St. Louis Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,479 reviews
Visitors are wowed by this zoo that has 6,600 animals and 15 major exhibit areas.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
As native Chicagoans, we are proud of our two zoos, Lincoln Park and Brookfield, that have earned national and international reputations over the years. My wife and I live a short walk from the Lincoln Park Zoo and regularly take weekend walks through the facility. So it is with admiration and respect that we take notice of the fact that the St. Louis Zoo was named "best zoo in the United States" in 2017 and 2018 by USA Today. I visited the zoo when I worked at the St. Louis Globe-Democrat in 1966-1868 and my wife and I have visited twice. There is always something to see, new attractions. The zoo covers 90 acres of St. Louis' massive Forest Park and annually attracts about three million people to see 18,700 animals. It is the most visited feature in Forest Park, which also includes the St. Louis Art Museum, St. Louis Science Center and Missouri History Museum. Admission is free. Founded in 1910, the city purchased its first exhibit, The Flight Cage or primate house, from the Smithsonian Institution following the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. Before you begin strolling through the zoo and its five animal zones, be advised to take a spin on the park's two-foot narrow gauge Emerson Zooline Railroad than encircles the zoo, stopping at the most popular attractions. They include Lakeside Crossing or Caribbean Cove, which is open during warmer months and is a shallow touch-pool that features cownose rays, southern stingrays, bonnethead sharks and bamboo sharks; River's Edge, which displays rhinos, hippos, cheetahs, hyenas wild dogs, Asian elephants and giant anteaters; Discovery Corner, which displays birds, snakes, frogs, spiders and scorpions; The Wild, home to penguins, polar bears, grizzly bears, gorillas, chimpanzees and orangutans; Historic Hill, the oldest facility in the zoo which features bald eagles, king vultures, sea lions, seals, alligators, iguanas, turtles, frogs, king cobras, Gila monsters, giant tortoise, river otters, monkeys, great egrets and wood ducks; and Red Rocks, home to several species of big cats such as African lions, Amur leopards, Amur tigers, jaguars, cougars and snow leopards. Also see a Bactrian camel, Grevy's zebra, giraffe, gazelle, wallaby and red kangaroo. Interestingly, one of the former directors of the St. Louis was Marlin Perkins, who also was a director of the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago and gained fame as host of the TV show Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom.
10. 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!
