There is a ton to see and do in the Show Me State. While many people visit our award winning city parks and nationally recognized museums and zoos, there are still many amazing places that just aren’t getting as much hype. These 12 cool attractions across the state are well worth the visit, so check out our list and make plans to see all the amazing attractions across Missouri.
- Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum
Harry S. Truman Library & Museum/Facebook Presidential libraries were created to help preserve the documents and artifacts from those who served our country in the Oval Office. Missouri’s only president, Harry S. Truman, selected his home town of Independence for the location of his presidential library. Visit the library and museum which houses manuscripts, books, and audiovisual materials, a research room, staff offices, an auditorium, and conference rooms at 500 W US Highway 24, Independence.
- Springfield Cardinals - Hammons Field
Springfield Cardinals/Facebook Missouri is home to two Wold Champion baseball teams, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals. However, major league games can get pretty costly. Head to Springfield and you can catch a great high caliber game for half the cost! The Springfield Cardinals are a Double-A Texas League affiliate of the 11-time World Champion St. Louis Cardinals. Catch an up-and-coming baseball star at Hammons Field located at 955 East Trafficway, Springfield.
- Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site
TheRebelArt/Wikimedia John Homer Bothwell constructed this mansion on the hill to help persevere the beautiful countryside near Sedalia. Mr. Bothewell left his vast estate to friends who then donated the property to the Missouri State Parks System in 1969. Today, visitors can tour the lodge and enjoy the many recreational activities throughout the site. Find Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site at 19349 Bothwell State Park Rd., Sedalia.
- The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures
The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures/Facebook The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures houses one of the largest collections of antique toys in the nation. It is also home to the world’s largest collection of contemporary, fine-scale miniatures. Visit museum at 5235 Oak St., Kansas City.
- Jesse James Home
Americasroof/Wikimedia Jesse James was shot and killed by outlaw Bob Ford on April 3, 1882 in this St. Joseph home. The museum houses artifacts from Jesse James’ life and visitors can still see the famed bullet hole left behind after the shooting. Find the Jesse James Home at 1202 Penn St., St. Joseph.
- Missouri State Penitentiary
Missouri State Penitentiary/Facebook The Missouri State Penitentiary opened in 1836 and housed prisoners for 168 years. Many of Missouri’s worst criminals were booked into the prison and it became the oldest continually operating prison west of the Mississippi until it was decommissioned in 2004. Visitors can now take history and ghost tours of the prision and even stay overnight in a jail cell! Find the haunted and historic Missouri State Penitentiary at 115 Lafayette St., Jefferson City.
- Watkin’s Woolen Mill State Historic Site
Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site/Facebook Watkin’s Woolen Mill is the only 19th century textile mill in North America with its original machinery still in place. In addition to the mill and Watkin’s homestead, is a beautiful park perfect for biking, hiking, boating or fishing. Visit the Watkin’s Woolen Mill Historic Site at 26600 Park Rd. N, Lawson.
- Sea Life Kansas City
SEA LIFE Kansas City/Facebook Sea Life in Kansas City has over 30 exhibits housing thousands of marine life. Interact with sea creatures, watch a live feeding, and see sharks up-close and personal in Missouri! You can find Sea Life Kansas City at 2475 Grand Blvd., Kansas City.
- Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum
TimothyMN/Wikimedia Many Americans have read at least some of the children’s classic book series, “Little House on the Prairie.” These short novels were written by Laura Ingalls Wilder and recounted her childhood growing up in the midwest during the 1870s and 1880s. The Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum in Mansfield has the most comprehensive collection of Ingalls Wilder memorabilia in the world. See where she penned her most famous novels at 3060 Highway A, Mansfield.
- Powell Gardens
Powell Gardens/Facebook Powell Gardens serves as Kansas City’s botanical gardens and is located on 970 acres just east of Kansas City on U.S. Highway 50. Powell Gardens host many events and activities throughout the year and is always a great day-trip destination. Find the gardens at 1609 NW US Highway 50, Kingsville.
- Lone Elk Park
scott spaeth/Flickr Lone Elk Park is a wildlife management area, with bison, wild turkey, elk and deer. Visitors are able to drive thought the park to see these amazing animals at no cost. Get a front row view of these beautiful animals (but remember they are WILD so follow the park’s rules and regulations) at 1 Lone Elk Park Rd., Valley Park.
- Taum Sauk Mountain State Park
Keith Yahl/Flickr Taum Sauk Mountain State Park is Missouri’s highest point of elevation. Take in the sights of the beautiful undisturbed countryside. If you love hiking there are a great number of trails in the area that are perfect for any level of ability. Find Missouri’s most beautiful lookout at Taum Sauk Mountain State Park located on Hwy. CC in Ironton.
Have you visited any of these awesome Missouri attractions? Which do you think should go on someone’s Missouri bucket list? Let us know in the comments below.
Harry S. Truman Library & Museum/Facebook
Presidential libraries were created to help preserve the documents and artifacts from those who served our country in the Oval Office. Missouri’s only president, Harry S. Truman, selected his home town of Independence for the location of his presidential library. Visit the library and museum which houses manuscripts, books, and audiovisual materials, a research room, staff offices, an auditorium, and conference rooms at 500 W US Highway 24, Independence.
Springfield Cardinals/Facebook
Missouri is home to two Wold Champion baseball teams, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals. However, major league games can get pretty costly. Head to Springfield and you can catch a great high caliber game for half the cost! The Springfield Cardinals are a Double-A Texas League affiliate of the 11-time World Champion St. Louis Cardinals. Catch an up-and-coming baseball star at Hammons Field located at 955 East Trafficway, Springfield.
TheRebelArt/Wikimedia
John Homer Bothwell constructed this mansion on the hill to help persevere the beautiful countryside near Sedalia. Mr. Bothewell left his vast estate to friends who then donated the property to the Missouri State Parks System in 1969. Today, visitors can tour the lodge and enjoy the many recreational activities throughout the site. Find Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site at 19349 Bothwell State Park Rd., Sedalia.
The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures/Facebook
The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures houses one of the largest collections of antique toys in the nation. It is also home to the world’s largest collection of contemporary, fine-scale miniatures. Visit museum at 5235 Oak St., Kansas City.
Americasroof/Wikimedia
Jesse James was shot and killed by outlaw Bob Ford on April 3, 1882 in this St. Joseph home. The museum houses artifacts from Jesse James’ life and visitors can still see the famed bullet hole left behind after the shooting. Find the Jesse James Home at 1202 Penn St., St. Joseph.
Missouri State Penitentiary/Facebook
The Missouri State Penitentiary opened in 1836 and housed prisoners for 168 years. Many of Missouri’s worst criminals were booked into the prison and it became the oldest continually operating prison west of the Mississippi until it was decommissioned in 2004. Visitors can now take history and ghost tours of the prision and even stay overnight in a jail cell! Find the haunted and historic Missouri State Penitentiary at 115 Lafayette St., Jefferson City.
Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site/Facebook
Watkin’s Woolen Mill is the only 19th century textile mill in North America with its original machinery still in place. In addition to the mill and Watkin’s homestead, is a beautiful park perfect for biking, hiking, boating or fishing. Visit the Watkin’s Woolen Mill Historic Site at 26600 Park Rd. N, Lawson.
SEA LIFE Kansas City/Facebook
Sea Life in Kansas City has over 30 exhibits housing thousands of marine life. Interact with sea creatures, watch a live feeding, and see sharks up-close and personal in Missouri! You can find Sea Life Kansas City at 2475 Grand Blvd., Kansas City.
TimothyMN/Wikimedia
Many Americans have read at least some of the children’s classic book series, “Little House on the Prairie.” These short novels were written by Laura Ingalls Wilder and recounted her childhood growing up in the midwest during the 1870s and 1880s. The Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum in Mansfield has the most comprehensive collection of Ingalls Wilder memorabilia in the world. See where she penned her most famous novels at 3060 Highway A, Mansfield.
Powell Gardens/Facebook
Powell Gardens serves as Kansas City’s botanical gardens and is located on 970 acres just east of Kansas City on U.S. Highway 50. Powell Gardens host many events and activities throughout the year and is always a great day-trip destination. Find the gardens at 1609 NW US Highway 50, Kingsville.
scott spaeth/Flickr
Lone Elk Park is a wildlife management area, with bison, wild turkey, elk and deer. Visitors are able to drive thought the park to see these amazing animals at no cost. Get a front row view of these beautiful animals (but remember they are WILD so follow the park’s rules and regulations) at 1 Lone Elk Park Rd., Valley Park.
Keith Yahl/Flickr
Taum Sauk Mountain State Park is Missouri’s highest point of elevation. Take in the sights of the beautiful undisturbed countryside. If you love hiking there are a great number of trails in the area that are perfect for any level of ability. Find Missouri’s most beautiful lookout at Taum Sauk Mountain State Park located on Hwy. CC in Ironton.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
