MAIN Travel USA Missouri

Major tourist attractions in Missouri include the iconic Gateway Arch in St. Louis, spectacular musical variety shows featured in Branson, as well as the awe-inspiring natural beauty of the Missouri Ozarks.

Owing to its colorful past, Missouri is also a top draw for those looking for authentic Americana at such attractions as the Arabia Steamboat Museum in Kansas City, Mark Twain's boyhood home in Hannibal, the Harry S. Truman home and library in Independence, the Pony Express Museum and Jesse James Museum in St. Joseph.

Top Missouri tourist attractions include live entertainment and amusement park rides in Branson (left); trips up to the observation area of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis (middle); and the natural beauty of the Missouri Ozarks (right).

2024 Missouri special events and festivals

Welcome to one of the nation's biggest July 4th celebrations at Fair St Louis.

Just up ahead, check out our 2024 Miissouri travel calender featuring memorable events and major festivals happening throughout the state with dates, locations and official links for more information.

Happy travels!

June 14 - June 16, 2024 -- Sikeston Hot Air Balloon Festival Sikeston - There are ethered balloon rides and a ballon glow at dusk, followed by sunrise balloon flight over over Sikeston. Plus don't miss the arts & crafts vendors, food trucks, beer and wine garden, a petting zoo, and live entertainment,

July 4, 2024 -- Fair Saint Louis Gateway National Park St. Louis -- Celebrate the Fourth at the big parade, live entertainment, and topped off with the annual Independence Day fireworks spectacular on the St, Louis riverfront.

Jul 25, 2023 - August 4, 2024 -- Ozark Empire Fair Springfield -- Enjoy carnival rides in the midway plus livestock exhibitions, deep fried fair food, and live music concerts and bull riding competitions.

Kid Friendly Missouri

Zooline Railroad at St. Louis Zoo

When touring with family, most travel experts agree: all the fun starts in Springfield!

For the number and variety of attractions for toddlers to teens, Springfield makes traveling with family fun and effortless, beginning with a tour of Fantastic Caverns, America's only ride-through cave. Or, head straight into town to the Discovery Center of Springfield where kids can dig for dinosaurs and explore the inner workings of a giant eyeball!

For loads of outdoor fun, also make your way to the charming Dickerson Park Zoo proving that big things come in small packages with exhibits perfectly scaled to kids and toddlers.

For teens and older kids, make your way to Pythian Castle offering up an interesting history, a spooky ghost tour, and special events throughout the year. More teen fun awaits at 1984 -- a very cool mix of fun and nostalgia with unlimited play of 80's video arcade games.

.In Kansas City, spend a day exploring Swope Park, the city's largest urban green space where kids get can get up close and personal with more than a thousand different animals at the Kansas City Zoo. Also, check out the Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center (a ten minute walk from the shopping center) featuring 8 acres of gardens, a play area, and educational exhibits.

Toddlers in tow? There's hands-on excitement aplenty at Kaleidoscope where the young ones can create their own arts and crafts projects at free workshops sponsored by Hallmark.

In St. Louis, take a walk on the wild side at the Saint Louis Zoo with a ride aboard the Zooline Railroad for a narrated tour, or spend a pleasant afternoon at the Missouri Botanical Garden where the children's garden (open April to October) offers kid-friendly attractions such as a water slide, a steamboat ride, and a mysterious limestone cave to explore.

DID YOU KNOW? Missouri Travel Fun Facts

Underground nuptials at Bridal Cave

• The Bridal Cave in Camdenton has hosted more than 2,000 weddings since it first opened in 1949, becoming the state's most popular underground venue to tie the knot.

• Missouri is the original home of the ice cream cone, Aunt Jemima pancake mix, iced tea, cotton candy, and and soft drinks Dr. Pepper and 7-Up.

• Open to visitors for touring, the Anheuser-Busch brewery in St. Louis is the largest beer producing plant in the nation.

• Besides beer, the state's rich German immigrant heritage is proudly on display at a variety of wine and wurst festivals in Hermann, MO throughout the year.

• Famous Missourians include writers Mark Twain, Maya Angelou, T.S. Elliot, and Tennessee Williams, actors Brad Pitt, Dick Van Dyke, and Jon Hamm, and singer Cheryl Crow.

also see -> This Christmas in Missouri   |   Missouri Fall Foliage

More about Missouri travel spots around the Web:

Welcome to Missouri - The official travel site with guides to where to go and what to do, restaurants & hotels, outdoor activities, event calendar, trip ideas, travel tips, maps & weather information.

Missouri Tourist Attractions - Check out USA Today's travel guides to places to see in and around Branson, St. Charles, St. Louis and more.