Missouri: The 'Show-me-state' is sure to show you a good time
When you're thinking about places to get away, Missouri probably isn't the first place that pops into your head. But Missouri vacations offer a wide variety of activities, as the state is home to two of America's largest metropolitan regions, unique natural areas and a couple small towns that have become popular tourist destinations.
With two major metropolitan airports in St. Louis and Kansas City and airlines offering flights into and out of Branson, cheap flights can be had if you are contemplating a getaway to Missouri. Here are a few destinations to consider checking out.
St. Louis: Known for the iconic Gateway Arch, which visitors can ride all the way to the top, St. Louis also has plenty to offer visitors in terms of culture. The St. Louis Art Museum was built for the 1904 World's Fair and is home to a large collection of modern, as well as plenty of ancient artifacts. The Budweiser brewery is also a popular tourist stop.
Kansas City: With more than 100 barbecue joints, Kansas City makes a good argument to be the barbecue capital of the U.S. Only Rome has more fountains than Kansas City, as the city has more than 200, including a walk-through fountain at the Hallmark Center. The amusement park World of Fun and the accompanying Oceans of Fun water park are popular attractions with thrill-seeking visitors. The city is also home to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
The Ozarks: Stretching across much of southern Missouri and into Arkansas, the Ozarks are full of wooded hills, valleys and waterways. A majority of Missouri's 6,000 caves can be found in the Ozarks. The area has plenty of trails for hiking, as well as campgrounds. Boating, fishing, kayaking and canoeing are all popular water activities in the area as well, with a number of natural springs in the area.
Branson: Located in the Ozarks in southeast Missouri, Branson is a bustling tourist city with more than 40 theatres, which on any given night could host entertainment ranging from Wayne Newton to puppet shows to celebrity impersonators. The city is known for its eccentric offerings, with a Titanic Museum and Hollywood Wax Museum among its attractions.
Hannibal: A more quaint tourist town on the Mississippi River in northeast Missouri, much of Hannibal's attractions are centered around its most famous inhabitant, Mark Twain. Visitors can tour Twain's boyhood home, as well as the homes that inspired fictional characters Huck Finn, Becky Thatcher and other iconic characters and settings in Twain's books.
If you're sold on a trip to the Show-Me State, check out packages for Missouri vacations on a travel site like Travelocity.com. There you can find information on flights, car rentals, hotels and other travel offers.
Courtesy of ARAcontent