List of State Attractions

1. National Land
2. State Land
3. Private Attractions
4. Shopping Centers

I. National Land

National Park

• Gateway Arch National Park
  Located on the banks of the Mississippi River in downtown St. Louis, this park is a memorial to the westward expansion of the United States. Its centerpiece is the magnificent Gateway Arch, a 630-foot stainless steel monument that is the world's tallest arch and an icon of the American Midwest.
  • Location: 11 N 4th St, St. Louis, MO 63102
  • Nearest Major City: St. Louis
  • Website: nps.gov/jeff
  • Phone: (314) 655-1600
  • Visitor Interests: Riding the tram to the top of the Gateway Arch for panoramic views, exploring the museum exhibits on westward expansion, taking a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi, visiting the Old Courthouse.

National Scenic Riverways

• Ozark National Scenic Riverways
  The first national park area to protect a wild river system, this park preserves 134 miles of the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers. The crystal-clear, spring-fed rivers wind through a landscape of forested hills and sheer bluffs, offering unparalleled opportunities for floating and outdoor recreation.
  • Location: Multiple access points. Park Headquarters at 404 Water St, Van Buren, MO 63965
  • Nearest Major City: Springfield
  • Website: nps.gov/ozar
  • Phone: (573) 323-4236
  • Visitor Interests: Canoeing, kayaking, and tubing on the pristine rivers; visiting historic sites like Alley Spring Mill; exploring caves like Round Spring Cave; hiking and camping.

National Historic Sites

• Harry S Truman National Historic Site
  This site preserves the longtime home of the 33rd U.S. President in Independence, offering an intimate look into the personal life of Harry and Bess Truman. The simple Victorian house contains all its original furnishings, exactly as the family left them.
  • Location: 219 N Delaware St, Independence, MO 64050
  • Nearest Major City: Kansas City
  • Website: nps.gov/hstr
  • Phone: (816) 254-9929
  • Visitor Interests: Taking a ranger-led tour of the Truman Home, exploring the historic Independence neighborhood where Truman grew up, visiting the nearby Truman Presidential Library & Museum.
• Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site
  This site commemorates the life and career of the 18th U.S. President and famed Civil War general. It includes White Haven, the family home of his wife, Julia Dent Grant, where Grant lived for several years before the Civil War.
  • Location: 7400 Grant Rd, St. Louis, MO 63123
  • Nearest Major City: St. Louis
  • Website: nps.gov/ulsg
  • Phone: (314) 842-3298
  • Visitor Interests: Taking a guided tour of the historic White Haven home, exploring the museum exhibits on Grant's life, viewing the park film.

National Historic Trails

• California, Oregon, and Santa Fe National Historic Trails
  Western Missouri, particularly the city of Independence, was the primary jumping-off point for the great 19th-century migrations west. This area is rich with the history of the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California Trails, offering numerous sites to explore this legacy.
  • Location: Visitor Center at 801 W Pacific Ave, Independence, MO 64050
  • Nearest Major City: Kansas City
  • Website: nps.gov/safe (and others)
  • Phone: (816) 252-2276
  • Visitor Interests: Visiting the National Frontier Trails Museum in Independence, seeing preserved wagon swales, exploring historic sites related to the trails throughout the region.

National Forest

• Mark Twain National Forest
  Covering 1.5 million acres, this vast forest is located primarily in the rugged Missouri Ozarks. It is a diverse landscape of rolling hills, clear streams, and rocky glades, offering a wide array of outdoor recreational opportunities.
  • Location: Multiple districts. Headquarters at 401 Fairgrounds Rd, Rolla, MO 65401
  • Nearest Major City: Springfield / St. Louis
  • Website: fs.usda.gov/mtnf
  • Phone: (573) 364-4621
  • Visitor Interests: Hiking on over 750 miles of trails, floating and fishing on scenic rivers, camping, horseback riding, exploring wilderness areas.

Back to top

II. State Land

Top Ten Most Visited State Parks & Historic Sites

• Lake of the Ozarks State Park
  The largest state park in Missouri, it offers extensive shoreline on the state's most popular lake. The park provides a variety of recreational activities, from water sports on the main channel to quiet exploration in undeveloped coves.
  • Location: 403 MO-134, Kaiser, MO 65047
  • Nearest Major City: Jefferson City
  • Website: mostateparks.com/park/lake-ozarks-state-park
  • Phone: (573) 348-2694
  • Visitor Interests: Boating, fishing, and swimming; hiking and horseback riding on numerous trails; visiting the park's two public beaches; exploring Ozark Caverns.
• Table Rock State Park
  Serving as the public's access to the massive Table Rock Lake, this park is a hub for recreation in the Branson area. It features a full-service marina and is a prime spot for water sports and fishing.
  • Location: 5272 Historic Hwy 165, Branson, MO 65616
  • Nearest Major City: Springfield
  • Website: mostateparks.com/park/table-rock-state-park
  • Phone: (417) 334-4704
  • Visitor Interests: Renting boats at the State Park Marina, bass fishing, scuba diving, hiking and mountain biking trails, camping.
• Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park
  One of Missouri's most unique natural wonders, this park features a series of rock chutes, pools, and waterfalls where the Black River has carved through hard volcanic rock. It creates a natural water park for visitors to splash and play in.
  • Location: 148 Taum Sauk Trl, Middle Brook, MO 63656
  • Nearest Major City: St. Louis
  • Website: mostateparks.com/park/johnsons-shut-ins-state-park
  • Phone: (573) 546-2450
  • Visitor Interests: Swimming and scrambling in the rocky shut-ins, hiking, camping, visiting the interpretive center that details the park's geology and history.
• Bennett Spring State Park
  One of America's premier trout fishing destinations, this park is centered around a massive spring that gushes over 100 million gallons of clear, cold water daily. The spring branch is stocked daily during the season, attracting anglers from across the country.
  • Location: 26250 Highway 64A, Lebanon, MO 65536
  • Nearest Major City: Springfield
  • Website: mostateparks.com/park/bennett-spring-state-park
  • Phone: (417) 532-4338
  • Visitor Interests: Trout fishing, visiting the hatchery, hiking, floating the Niangua River, staying in the historic lodge or cabins.
• Elephant Rocks State Park
  This park is named for a string of giant, billion-year-old granite boulders that stand end-to-end like a train of circus elephants. A specially designed Braille Trail allows visitors of all abilities to explore these geological wonders.
  • Location: 7406 MO-21, Belleview, MO 63623
  • Nearest Major City: St. Louis
  • Website: mostateparks.com/park/elephant-rocks-state-park
  • Phone: (573) 546-3454
  • Visitor Interests: Scrambling on the giant granite boulders, walking the Braille Trail, picnicking, rock climbing.
• Ha Ha Tonka State Park
  A geological wonderland featuring the ruins of a turn-of-the-century stone castle overlooking the Lake of the Ozarks. The park also boasts sinkholes, caves, a huge natural bridge, and Missouri's 12th largest spring.
  • Location: 1491 State Road D, Camdenton, MO 65020
  • Nearest Major City: Jefferson City
  • Website: mostateparks.com/park/ha-ha-tonka-state-park
  • Phone: (573) 346-2986
  • Visitor Interests: Exploring the castle ruins, hiking the extensive boardwalks and trails, viewing the natural bridge, photography.
• Meramec State Park
  Located along the beautiful Meramec River, this park is one of the state's most popular for camping and floating. It is also known for its numerous caves, including the guided Fisher Cave.
  • Location: 115 Meramec Park Dr, Sullivan, MO 63080
  • Nearest Major City: St. Louis
  • Website: mostateparks.com/park/meramec-state-park
  • Phone: (573) 468-6072
  • Visitor Interests: Taking a tour of Fisher Cave, floating or fishing on the Meramec River, camping, hiking, visiting the nature center.
• Roaring River State Park
  Located in the rugged Ozark hills of southwest Missouri, this park is another of the state's premier trout fishing destinations. The park is deeply nestled in a narrow valley and offers stunning scenery.
  • Location: 12716 Farm Rd 2239, Cassville, MO 65625
  • Nearest Major City: Springfield
  • Website: mostateparks.com/park/roaring-river-state-park
  • Phone: (417) 847-2539
  • Visitor Interests: Trout fishing, visiting the hatchery and nature center, hiking challenging trails with scenic overlooks, staying at the Emory Melton Inn.
• Katy Trail State Park
  The longest developed rail-to-trail project in the country, the Katy Trail stretches for 240 miles across most of the state. It follows the former corridor of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad and passes through scenic rural landscapes and charming small towns.
  • Location: Multiple trailheads from Machens to Clinton, MO.
  • Nearest Major City: St. Louis / Jefferson City / Columbia
  • Website: mostateparks.com/park/katy-trail-state-park
  • Phone: (573) 449-7402
  • Visitor Interests: Biking, long-distance cycling tours, hiking, exploring the trail towns with their wineries, restaurants, and B&Bs.
• Onondaga Cave State Park
  A National Natural Landmark, this park showcases one of America's most spectacular caves. Known for its abundance of high-quality formations, Onondaga Cave is filled with stunning stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones.
  • Location: 7556 Hwy H, Leasburg, MO 65535
  • Nearest Major City: St. Louis
  • Website: mostateparks.com/park/onondaga-cave-state-park
  • Phone: (573) 245-6576
  • Visitor Interests: Taking a guided tour of the stunning Onondaga Cave, fishing and floating on the Meramec River, camping.

Back to top

III. Private Attractions

Zoos, Botanical Gardens & Aquariums

• Saint Louis Zoo
  Consistently ranked as one of the top zoos in the nation, the Saint Louis Zoo is renowned for its innovative habitats, extensive animal collection, and its commitment to conservation. Located in Forest Park, general admission is free.
  • Location: 1 Government Dr, St. Louis, MO 63110
  • Nearest Major City: St. Louis
  • Website: stlzoo.org
  • Phone: (314) 781-0900
  • Visitor Interests: The Sea Lion Sound with its underwater tunnel, the primate house, the Penguin & Puffin Coast, the Emerson Zooline Railroad.
• Kansas City Zoo
  This 202-acre zoo is known for its expansive and award-winning Africa exhibit, where visitors can view animals from a safari-like boat ride or an overhead sky ride. It also features a large Australian section and a new aquarium.
  • Location: 6800 Zoo Dr, Kansas City, MO 64132
  • Nearest Major City: Kansas City
  • Website: kansascityzoo.org
  • Phone: (816) 595-1234
  • Visitor Interests: The Africa exhibit, the Helzberg Penguin Plaza, the Sobela Ocean Aquarium, the sky ride and tram.
• Missouri Botanical Garden
  A National Historic Landmark, this is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the United States and a world-class center for science and conservation. It features the Climatron, a geodesic dome conservatory with a tropical rainforest, and a stunning Japanese Garden.
  • Location: 4344 Shaw Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63110
  • Nearest Major City: St. Louis
  • Website: missouribotanicalgarden.org
  • Phone: (314) 577-5100
  • Visitor Interests: The Climatron conservatory, the Seiwa-en Japanese Garden, the Tower Grove House (founder's original home), the Children's Garden, seasonal events like the Garden Glow.
• Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium
  Voted America's Best Aquarium and Best New Attraction by USA TODAY readers, this massive complex in Springfield is a stunningly immersive experience. It features a huge aquarium dedicated to game fish and incredibly detailed wildlife dioramas from around the world.
  • Location: 500 W Sunshine St, Springfield, MO 65807
  • Nearest Major City: Springfield
  • Website: wondersofwildlife.org
  • Phone: (888) 222-6060
  • Visitor Interests: The Great Oceans Hall with its bait ball aquarium, the Swamp at Night exhibit, the detailed wildlife galleries, its connection to the flagship Bass Pro Shops store.

Major Museums

• City Museum
  A one-of-a-kind museum in St. Louis, the City Museum is an eclectic mix of a children's playground, funhouse, and architectural marvel made from reclaimed objects. Its whimsical, artist-built environment is an adventure for all ages.
  • Location: 750 N 16th St, St. Louis, MO 63103
  • Nearest Major City: St. Louis
  • Website: citymuseum.org
  • Phone: (314) 231-2489
  • Visitor Interests: The multi-story slides, the outdoor climbing structure called MonstroCity, the rooftop with its Ferris wheel, exploring the enchanted caves.
• National WWI Museum and Memorial
  America's official museum dedicated to World War I, this Kansas City institution offers a comprehensive and moving look at the Great War. The complex includes a stunning memorial tower with panoramic city views and extensive underground exhibits.
  • Location: 2 Memorial Dr, Kansas City, MO 64108
  • Nearest Major City: Kansas City
  • Website: theworldwar.org
  • Phone: (816) 888-8100
  • Visitor Interests: The main exhibit hall with its glass-floor poppy field, the realistic trench displays, ascending the Liberty Memorial Tower, special exhibitions.
• Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
  One of the premier art museums in the Midwest, the Nelson-Atkins in Kansas City is known for its encyclopedic collection spanning all cultures and periods. Its iconic "Shuttlecocks" on the vast lawn are a city landmark. General admission is free.
  • Location: 4525 Oak St, Kansas City, MO 64111
  • Nearest Major City: Kansas City
  • Website: nelson-atkins.org
  • Phone: (816) 751-1278
  • Visitor Interests: The extensive Asian art collection, European painting masterpieces, the modern Bloch Building, the Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park.

Amusement & Water Parks

• Silver Dollar City
  An 1880s-themed amusement park in Branson that combines thrilling rides with traditional Ozark crafts and culture. The park is built around Marvel Cave, a National Natural Landmark.
  • Location: 399 Silver Dollar City Pkwy, Branson, MO 65616
  • Nearest Major City: Springfield
  • Website: silverdollarcity.com
  • Phone: (417) 336-7100
  • Visitor Interests: Modern roller coasters and thrill rides, watching craftspeople at work (blacksmiths, glassblowers), live music shows, seasonal festivals.
• Six Flags St. Louis
  A major theme park offering a wide variety of roller coasters, thrill rides, and family attractions. The park admission also includes access to the adjacent Hurricane Harbor water park.
  • Location: 4900 Six Flags Rd, Eureka, MO 63025
  • Nearest Major City: St. Louis
  • Website: sixflags.com/stlouis
  • Phone: (636) 938-5300
  • Visitor Interests: A large collection of DC Comics and Looney Tunes themed rides, thrill rides and roller coasters, Hurricane Harbor water park.
• Worlds of Fun / Oceans of Fun
  A large amusement park in Kansas City with themed areas based on the Jules Verne book "Around the World in Eighty Days." Admission includes access to the adjacent Oceans of Fun water park, creating one of the largest entertainment complexes in the Midwest.
  • Location: 4545 Worlds of Fun Ave, Kansas City, MO 64161
  • Nearest Major City: Kansas City
  • Website: worldsoffun.com
  • Phone: (816) 454-4545
  • Visitor Interests: Thrill rides like the Mamba hypercoaster, Planet Snoopy for kids, the Oceans of Fun water park with its slides and pools.

Back to top

IV. Major Shopping Centers

• Country Club Plaza
  A beautiful, Spanish-themed outdoor shopping district in Kansas City, renowned for its stunning architecture, fountains, and sculptures. It was the first suburban shopping center in the U.S. designed to accommodate shoppers arriving by car and is filled with upscale retailers and restaurants.
  • Location: 4706 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64112
  • Nearest Major City: Kansas City
  • Website: countryclubplaza.com
  • Phone: (816) 753-0100
  • Visitor Interests: High-end shopping, numerous dining options with patio seating, the beautiful architecture and art, the annual Plaza Lights holiday display.
• Saint Louis Galleria
  An upscale indoor shopping mall in the St. Louis suburbs, featuring a mix of high-end retailers, popular brand-name stores, and several anchor department stores.
  • Location: 1155 Saint Louis Galleria, St. Louis, MO 63117
  • Nearest Major City: St. Louis
  • Website: saintlouisgalleria.com
  • Phone: (314) 863-6633
  • Visitor Interests: Upscale shopping (Nordstrom), popular retailers, a large food court and several restaurants, a multi-screen movie theater.
• Branson Landing
  A vibrant outdoor shopping and entertainment district on the shores of Lake Taneycomo in Branson. It features a wide variety of shops and restaurants, as well as a scenic boardwalk and a spectacular water, fire, and light fountain show.
  • Location: 100 Branson Landing Blvd, Branson, MO 65616
  • Nearest Major City: Springfield
  • Website: bransonlanding.com
  • Phone: (417) 239-3002
  • Visitor Interests: A variety of retail stores, numerous dining options with lake views, the spectacular fountain show, live music and events.
• The Delmar Loop
  A vibrant, six-block entertainment and shopping district in St. Louis, known for its eclectic mix of independent shops, restaurants, and live music venues. It is recognized as one of the "10 Great Streets in America" and features the St. Louis Walk of Fame.
  • Location: Delmar Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63112
  • Nearest Major City: St. Louis
  • Website: visittheloop.com
  • Phone: N/A
  • Visitor Interests: Unique boutiques and record stores, diverse international cuisine, live music venues like The Pageant, the St. Louis Walk of Fame, the vintage trolley.
• Tanger Outlets Branson
  A popular outlet mall in Branson offering significant savings on a wide variety of brand-name and designer merchandise.
  • Location: 300 Tanger Blvd, Branson, MO 65616
  • Nearest Major City: Springfield
  • Website: tangeroutlet.com/branson
  • Phone: (417) 337-9328
  • Visitor Interests: Outlet shopping for numerous brand-name stores, finding deals on clothing, accessories, and home goods.

Back to top