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 Zoos & Aquariums 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. Big Joel's Safari
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 78 reviews
Walk through petting zoo and educational park where guests can get up close and personal with over 60 species of animals. Guests can feed and touch a majority of the animals at the park. Big Joel's Safari also has a gift shop with snacks, novelties, and handmade gifts. Big Joel's Safari also offers a playground area, camel/ Pony rides (weekends), parakeet feeding experiences, and more. Birthday parties also available with private room. Guided tours and fieldtrips available for schools, scouts, camps, etc. See website for more information. Our 2019 season ends November 3rd. Normal days of operation are Thursday-Saturday 9am to 5pm and Sundays 11am to 5pm. We will be open Mondays 9 am to 5pm Memorial Day thru Labor Day!
Reviewed By shelly_t0
I’ve got to repeat my title here, because it truly was such an amazing and fun time! I didn’t know what to expect but WOW. My boyfriend and I were passing through and decided to stop by because we love animals, learning about them and being able to really interact with them. For COVID precautions, there were plenty of hand washing stations around and social distancing; we went around noon and there weren’t too many people so social distancing was easy. The place was a lot bigger than expected with way more animals that I didn’t expect to be there - like the gorgeous white peacock, among many other peacocks! The large feed cup truly was large (not like when places advertise large and it isn’t actually a large or it’s filled halfway) and you can feed almost every animal there, from camels to deer to alpacas. We had a blast and it was definitely worth visiting!
2. Where Pigs Fly Farm & Pigs Aloft Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By doeo2016 - New Orleans, United States
Huge undertaking by a very hard working, strong woman. If you love animals, this is THE place to put on your to do list if you travel through Missouri !! Yes the entry is a mere $3 -- but we eagerly donated more prior to leaving, as this was the most hands-on animal encounters you will experience this day and age. Having lived on a farm as a young child, I missed that certain smell, and sound --- this was so nostalgic for me. My 20 yr old keeps getting asked what was her favorite thing about our 2 week road trip from south Louisiana thru MO and back -- she raves about the PIG FARM every time !! Had it not been literally 100 degrees the entire time we were there, we would have stayed even longer --- we made memories to cherish for a lifetime, still chatter about the amount of pig memorabilia displayed so eloquently throughout the original structure, and smile when discussing how capable and full of hospitality both the owner and her sidekick Kennedy where for us that day ! I hope someone with the financial means gives this place a huge boost one day, as it brings a connection to nature that has been LOST in the era of technology, and I truly wish for it to be maintained for years to come, so many others can enjoy what it offers !!!
3. 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.
4. Kansas City Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,518 reviews
Explore the Kansas City Zoo, with more than 1,700 animals on 202 acres, it's the most affordable family fun for kids of all ages. For weekend activities and events, visit the Zoo website.
Reviewed By VickiK2739 - Kansas City, United States
The Zoo has recently upgraded their exhibits. They have tremendous animal displays and a new Penguin house with Penguins
5. Wild Animal Safari
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 397 reviews
Your ticket is an all day pass to our park which includes the drive through, walk through, and our reptile house. You can go through each section of the park as many times as you would like. In the drive through, you can ride through in your vehicle or you can feed and interact with the drive through animals on the complimentary bus tour. It is an hour and fifteen minute tour on the bus and covers about 250 acres. The walk through section is a zoo/petting zoo area where guests can interact with primates with treats, see our lions, tiger, ligers and feed goats, pigs, sheep, zebus and giraffes. Giraffes can now be fed inside a warm barn during the colder winter months! The reptile house is a separate building that houses snakes, lizards, frogs, tortoises, and other reptiles species. We also have amusement rides that you can purchase tickets for. There are rides: a carousel, a swing ride, a kiddie roller coaster, and a set of airplanes that fly in a circle.
Reviewed By loriy180
We took our Grandsons 2 & 3 yrs old. We all loved it!! We bought a couple of bags of food & the animals would come right up to your car & get the food out of your hand!! Sometimes they would stick their heads in your window. It was AWESOME!!
6. Eureka Springs Safari Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 194 reviews
Home to over 500 rare and endangered animals from all over the world representing 56 species. We have camels, kangaroos, lemurs, buffalo, omnivores, deer and we are home to many rescued large reptiles and tropical birds too! We have just added some cats to our park including Caracals and Servals. There is plenty to see in our 4 mile drive thru and petting zoo with walk thru area too! Newly added this past summer we opened a new wing to the Walk Thru to include a Ring-tailed Lemur Exhibit, an American Alligator Pool and the Prarie Dog Town! Open Saturdays and Sundays.
Reviewed By amberk278
We had a great time here at the zoo. The EMUS had us rolling in the car. you can tell that they know that a car means food is coming. They literally stalk the car and watch you as you are driving around. The deer were beautiful. Peacocks were fighting on top of the cage. Wish we would have seen the kangaroos, but somehow missed them.
7. Lost Valley Fish Hatchery & Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Lost Valley Fish Hatchery and Visitor Center *An free admission Visitor Center with views of hatchery production room and aquarium. *Kids fishing pond free to ages 15 and under. *Warm and cool water fish species reared in 77 production ponds. *969 acres of land containing glades, prairies, and wooded areas
Reviewed By 310beverlyf
Very friendly, welcoming and informative staff. Fantastic aquarium and interesting exhibits inside. Kids can borrow a fishing pole and go fishing in the hatchery pond by the visitor center and you can walk around all the ponds of the hatchery.
8. Branson's Promised Land Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,927 reviews
Branson’s Top Rated Animal attraction is open 7 days a week! Every admission includes the New 2 Mile Drive Thru, Parakeet Paradise, Foot Safari & Animal Adventure Building. Want to GET CLOSER to the animals? Try our VIP Adventure which includes everything in Basic Admission with the addition of the VIP Tram Feeding Tour as well as the VIP Encounter at the VIP Lounge where we bring out 3 animals not on display for you to hold, learn and take photos with. VIP is our MOST POPULAR admission choice. Just want to view the animals? Try our Basic Admission where you get to see Parakeet Paradise, Foot Safari and Drive Tbru! Our recently opened Drive Thru Safari is a free addition to every admission where you can view animals from around the world from the comfort of your own vehicle (animals do not approach the cars in the general admission loop as per new federal regulations). Want to do it all? Try our Ultimate Excursion complete with atv tour and lots of hands on interaction.
Reviewed By Swinston0314
My husband and I experienced the ultimate excursion encounter with a private guide and RTV vehicle ride through the property. We both can't wait to go back. We love animals, and our hobby is animal photography. We came home with incredible photos of the animals. We both said this visit to Promised Land Zoo was the highlight of our trip to Branson this past weekend. It really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We had one-on-one encounters with feeding and petting sloths, giraffe, emus, bison, camels, etc. Also, we held a baby kangaroo, fed many, many parakeets (hundreds in one room) with a stick that had attached seeds, and held huge owls on our gloved hands. Incredible to be sitting in RTV with bucket of food and have a handful of bison approach the vehicle. One bison stuck his head inside and ate from my food bucket on my lap while I petted its head. I always felt safe. At the end, our guide asked us what part of the zoo experience was our favorite. Honestly, I could not pick just one since there were so many special moments. Unforgettable experience!
9. Critter Lane
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By meganmB9110CJ
The staff is super friendly and informative and my 2 year old loves it here! Such a great place to come to just to get out of the house with her for a little bit, and only $6 plus $3 for a good size cup of food is really reasonable considering how many animals they have that she gets to see. She has fun every time we go. I love coming just as much as she does.
10. Funny Farm Petting Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By Dylanhs - Pasadena, United States
The people who work here obviously love the animals, and the animals are all healthy and happy. A wonderful experience
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