Top 10 Best Day Trips From Missouri
Missouri is one of the Midwest's loveliest states, leaning against the west bank of the mighty Mississippi River. Visitors can take a day trip to a number of ... read more...historic sites across the state, including the Mark Twain-related attractions of the charming city of Hannibal and the preserved historic buildings of Carthage. This is a list of the top 10 best day trips from Missouri that you should not miss.
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The Bonne Terre Mine tops the list of the best day trips from Missouri. This one-of-a-kind adventure can be your "Dive to the Center of the Earth". Constant underwater visibility at over 100 feet. Attractions include massive architecture and guaranteed diving conditions all year round. Waterfalls, rowing carts, scaffolding, gratings, stairs, pillars, mud pipes, the famous elevator shaft, and much more can be found here.
In 1860, the Bonne Terre Mine was the first to be developed as part of the St. Joe Minerals, whose mission was to put Missouri at the forefront of lead production in the United States in the nineteenth century. The mine was the target of Price's raid during the American Civil War. Today, it's open to the public for guided tours and has been named one of America's ten best adventure experiences by National Geographic. Tours all go to five scenic levels of the mine, with boat tours traversing the crystal-clear one billion-gallon lake of the mine's three lower levels. Visitors can also experience scuba diving at the 17-mile-long lake, which is the world's largest freshwater diving site.
Google Rating: 4.6 / 5.0
Address: 185 Park Ave, Bonne Terre,
Phone: 888-843-3483
Website: https://www.bonneterremine.com/ -
Hannibal ranks 2nd on the list of the best day trips from Missouri. Hannibal is a popular tourist destination in Missouri and the surrounding area. Hannibal, the childhood home of Mark Twain, is best known as the setting of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. There are also trains and tours, as well as spooky caves and other attractions. Hannibal is best known for housing the Mark Twain Museum and the House of Childhood, which holds the childhood home of the famous 19th-century American author. Visitors can join the tours on their own. Visit with a guide and view its seven preserved buildings, including sites immortalized in the author's novels. In addition, the Mark Twain Cave Complex preserves famous caves from Mark Twain's novels.
Visitors can explore the exhibits of the Hannibal Museum of History, take one-hour narrated city tours on the Hannibal Tram, or enjoy scenic dinner cruises on the Mississippi River. on the historic Mark Twain River Boat. One of the nation's finest Gilded Age residences, the picturesque 1900 Rockcliffe Castle features stunning Art Nouveau decor and period-appropriate furnishings. As part of Mark Twain's theatrical performances, actor Richard Garey's live stage performances recall Mark Twain's life and career.
Google Rating: 4.6 / 5.0
Address: 925 Grand Avenue, Hannibal, MO 63401
Phone: 573-221-0111
Website: https://www.hannibal-mo.gov/ -
The Great River Road is a network of local and state roads that follow the Mississippi River from Minnesota to Louisiana, passing through ten states. Charming Road is home to some of Missouri's most famous historic sites, including the National Registered Mark Twain Cave Complex of National Natural Landmarks, which appear in five of his novels. author. The road leads to several of the state's historic sites, including the Paleoindian Mastodon State Historic Site, which tells the story of the Clovis culture, and the National Historic Bolduc House Museum, built in 1792 and preserved as a living history museum.
The Rosemary Berkel and Harry L. Crisp II Museum celebrates the culture and industry of southeastern Missouri, and historic Main Street St. Charles has been dubbed the "Williamsburg of the West" by Southern Living. Other attractions include Bankhead Chocolates, a 20th-century chocolate shop, Cuivre River State Park, and the award-winning Chaumette Winery and Vineyard.
Google Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Address: PO BOX 7395 | Madison, WI 53707-7395
Phone: 866-763-8310
Website: https://experiencemississippiriver.com/ -
Carthage, Missouri, is a well-known historic town that was founded in 1842. Despite the fact that much of the town was destroyed during the American Civil War, it was completely rebuilt afterward and now houses over 600 National Register of Historic Places-listed buildings, including the beautiful Jasper County Courthouse and the Historic Carthage Square. Carthage has a variety of leisure and group activities available, and it is proud to have the world's only Precious Moments Chapel and Gardens. The Visitor's Center, Gift Shoppe, Royal Delights Café, and attractively manicured gardens ornamented with bronze statues and fountains make the Chapel grounds one of Missouri's most beautiful and inspirational attractions. Every day, the Precious Moments Chapel offers free chapel tours.
It is home to some of Missouri's first concrete interstate highway sections, which were incorporated into the famed American highway Route 66 in the 1920s. Route 66-related attractions such as the Carthage Civil War Museum, the 66 Drive-In Theater, and the massive Kiddieland children's amusement park are available to visitors. Other attractions include the lovely Precious Moments Chapel, which is themed after the popular collectible angel line.
Google rating: 4.5/5.0
Address: 212 Main Street, Carthage, MS 39051
Phone: 601-267-8322
Website: https://carthagemo.gov/ -
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has named Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, as one of the Dozen Distinctive Destinations. The City of Ste. Genevieve is committed to being a great place to live, work, and play. To accomplish this mission, the City will create and deliver programs, policies, and services that improve the lives of their citizens, employees, and visitors, while also supporting existing businesses and attracting new businesses and industry to the area.
The city, which was founded in 1735, is known today for its impressive collection of beautiful French Colonial-style buildings, which is the nation's largest collection of its kind. More than 150 buildings in the city were built before the nineteenth century, many of which are now open to the public as living history museums showcasing unique French Creole Colonial architectural elements such as vertical wood post construction. Visitors can stay in charming bed and breakfasts housed in National Historic Landmark Buildings or dine at local favorites such as Sirro's Restaurant, Stella and Me, and the Old Brick House. The Jour de Fête French Colonial Festival is one of the city's annual special events.
Google rating: 4.5/5.0
Address: The City of Ste. Genevieve, 165 S. 4th Street, Ste. Genevieve MO 63670
Phone: (573) 883-5400
Website: http://www.stegenevieve.org/ -
Springfield, Missouri's third largest city, is a lovely weekend destination with excellent museums, attractions, restaurants, and shopping. Visit the new Johnny Morris' Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium, the Springfield Art Museum, the Fantastic Caverns, and the Ozarks Air and Military Museum. The Discovery Center of Springfield, Dickerson Park Zoo, Rutledge-Wilson Farm Community Park, and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame are among the best things to do in Springfield, Missouri with kids.
Springfield, known as the "Birthplace of Route 66," combines small-town charm with big-city excitement. The beautiful Ozark Mountains in southwestern Missouri are home to a plethora of family-friendly attractions, including the new Bass Pro Shops Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium, which was voted America's best aquarium by USA Today readers. Dickerson Park Zoo houses animals from all over the world, including Malayan tigers, African elephants, and cheetahs. The Springfield Art Museum celebrates Missouri's diverse cultural heritage, while Wilson's Creek Battlefield preserves the city's Civil War history. Throughout the baseball season, visitors can also attend Springfield Cardinals home games at Hammons Field.
Google rating: 4.5/5.0
Address: Route 66 Springfield Visitor Center815 E. Saint Louis St., Suite 100Springfield, MO 65806
Phone: (417) 881-5300
Website: https://www.springfieldmo.org/ -
Arrow Rock ranks 7th on the list of the best day trips from Missouri. Arrow Rock is a charming historic village in Saline County, situated on the banks of the lovely Missouri River. For generations, the Arrow Rock bluff on the Missouri River was a significant landmark for Native Americans, explorers, and early westward travelers. This flint-bearing, high limestone bluff was first named "pierre a fleche" on a 1732 French map, which translates literally as "rock of arrows." Archaeological evidence indicates that indigenous cultures used the Arrow Rock bluff as a manufacturing site for flint tools and weapons for nearly 12,000 years.
The village has been designated as a National Historic Landmark in its entirety for its connection to the United States' Westward Expansion in the nineteenth century. The village's historic downtown district is associated with 19th-century artist George Caleb Bingham and contains several National Register of Historic Places-listed structures. Several sites in the village are on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and the Santa Fe National Historic Trail. The J. Huston Tavern is the oldest continuously operating restaurant west of the Mississippi River, and the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre is the state's oldest professional regional theatre.
Google rating: 4.3/5.0
Address: 716 Main StArrow Rock, MO 65320
Phone: 660.837.3608
Website: https://arrowrock.org/ -
Eureka is a respite unto itself, located 20 minutes west of downtown St. Louis and conveniently located along Interstate 44. It is a popular staycation for St. Louisans and vacation for visitors alike. Eureka, known as the Gateway to the Missouri Ozarks due to its rolling hills and early settler status, offers a stunning array of citywide nature trails, paths, and waterways spread across more than 164 acres of parks and public land, including a state park — Route 66 State Park — and four conservation areas. Remember to visit the Endangered Wolf Sanctuary, where you can take a tour and feed the rescues. Bring your camera; an expert guide will lead you through various habitats for up-close encounters.
The 323-acre park, known as "Missouri's Coaster Capital," is home to over 40 rides and attractions, including the Batman: The Ride inverted roller coaster, the Mr. Freeze: Reverse Blast launch coaster, and the American Coaster Enthusiasts designated landmark wooden coaster Screamin' Eagle, which was known as the fastest, longest, and tallest wooden coaster in the world when it first opened in 1976. Visitors can also explore the city's charming historic business district, which is home to landmark buildings dating back to the 1880s, or meander through over 164 acres of public park lands, which provide excellent year-round recreation opportunities.
Google rating: 4.0/5.0
Address: 100 City Hall DriveP.O. Box 125Eureka, MO 63025-0125
Phone: 636-938-5233
Website: https://www.eureka.mo.us/ -
Jefferson City is the capital of the state of Missouri and the county seat of Cole County. The city is named after the third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, and is home to many government-related attractions, including the Capitol Building which is listed on the National List of Historic Places. can be visited as part of regular guided tours. For decades, every state governor lived in the Missouri Governor's Mansion, while the Missouri State Prison preserves a historic state prison facility. The preserved buildings of the Jefferson Landing State Historic Site, including the 1839 Lohman Building, the 1855 Union Hotel, and the historic Christopher Maus House, can also be explored on self-guided tours.
Visitors to Jefferson City, MO are captivated by the majestic Missouri River and its shady trees. The Missouri State Capitol, the Supreme Court Building, the Governor's Mansion, and the charming Downtown are just a few of the architectural treasures that anchor this one-of-a-kind community, a true hidden gem. in the heart of the country. Don't miss the many museums, fine dining establishments, charming boutiques, beautiful parks, and the Katy Trail just waiting to be discovered. Visit Jefferson City to see first-hand why it has been dubbed "America's Prettiest Small Town!"
Google Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Address: 320 E. McCarty StJefferson City MO 65101
Phone: 573-634-6410
Website: https://www.jeffersoncitymo.gov/ -
Kansas City, Missouri's largest city, is located directly on the state's border with neighboring state Kansas. The city is well-known throughout the world for its delectable cuisine, earning it the unofficial title of "Barbecue Capital of the World." Kansas City, Missouri, provides visitors with a diverse range of museums, gardens, breakfast spots, hotels, restaurants, and nightlife options. Top things to do in Kansas City include visiting the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, relaxing in the Kauffman Memorial Garden, and eating delicious barbecue. On a sunny morning, families on a weekend getaway or day trip can stroll through the farmers market, which is rated as one of the best in the Midwest and offers a wide variety of local produce and gifts.
Its rich jazz music history can be discovered throughout its Historic Jazz District, which launched the careers of music legends such as Count Basie, Charlie "Bird" Parker, and Big Joe Turner. The American Jazz Museum shares a space with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in the city's historic 18th and Vine Jazz District, making for a great family-friendly double-header visit. The Toy and Miniature Museum, the Arabia Steamboat Museum, the National World War I Museum, and the prestigious Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, which is known for its impressive historic collections of world art, are also located throughout the city.
Google rating: N/a
Location: Missouri
Phone: 816-513-1313
Website: https://www.kcmo.gov/