Gateway Arch - St. Louis, Missouri

Venture into Missouri’s eastern region – one of the Show Me State’s premier hubs of activity, culture, and attraction. Whether it be the sporting fun and history of St. Louis, or the nostalgia of the Jefferson City – eastern Missouri’s right on the mark, and rife with sights attractions. Enjoy a sightseeing cruise along the Mississippi with Gateway Arch Riverboat Cruises – you’ve got your choice of the Becky Thatcher or the Tom Sawyer. Spring is a great time to visit the Peaceful Bend Vineyard in Cuba, just an hour and a half from St. Louis. Race fans can venture into Sikeston and experience the June Shootout at SEMO Raceway.

Get things started on a solid note with a trip into St. Louis – the Gateway to the West. Spring and summer are great for sports fans – the St. Louis Cardinals will be defending their World Series trophy as they play their homes games at Busch Stadium. Hockey fans also have much to cheer about as they watch the St. Louis Blues zip around the ice at the Scottrade Center. And near the end of May, don’t miss the St. Louis African Arts Festival, a four-day event at the World’s Fair Pavilion.

Just over two hours to west is Jefferson City, the capital of Missouri, and home to Lincoln University. Intersected by the Missouri River, visitors to this friendly, central Missouri state are delighted by the history of the Missouri State Museum, and the Missouri Vietnam Memorial. Enjoy a light-hearted laugh at the Miller Performing Arts Center, which hosts The Nerd, a live performance, in late April. In mid-June, don’t miss out on Cinderella, also live at the Miller Performing Arts Center.

Deep in the southeast of the state, travelers will find Sikeston. A pleasant little city, Sikeston is situated just above the Missouri Bootheel, and is home to the General Watkins Conservation Area – the fish are jumping during the spring and summer at the nine different fishable ponds and lakes. Continue the outdoor experience with a picnic and more fishing at the nearby Complex Lake. In late April, be sure to check out Sikeston’s Best Barbecue Contest in downtown. And in late June, don’t miss the 68th Annual American Legion Cotton Carnival.

Kansas City from the Missouri River

Missouri’s western region is full of sports, arts and culture, and plenty of history – let the Show Me State show you a good time. From Cameron and Brookfield in the far northwest, to the spellbinding and busy Kansas City along the border – western Missouri is never lacking in excitement for travelers. Lebanon, southeast of KC, is home to the Lebanon I-44 Speedway – races start in April. Make a plan to visit the world’s largest flower box in Neosho, set deep in the southwest corner of Missouri. Make your way around the western part of the state and explore.

Whether on foot, or by car, venture out and explore Kansas City. Home to professional sports, and rich in early American and music history, KC is great for a multi-day stay, or just a quick stop on your way to nearby Independence. Spring and summer are great for sports fans – head to Kauffman Stadium, and watch as the Kansas City Royals slug their way through the American League Central. Soccer fans fear not – head to Arrowhead Stadium and watch as Sporting Kansas City takes on the rest of the MLS in search of another MLS Cup. Take advantage of fine spring weather with a stroll through the Kansas City Zoo, or head inside and tour the American Jazz Museum, or the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

Deep in the southwest of Missouri, you’ll find Branson. A fun, and charming little city, Branson is home to the College of the Ozarks, and is intersected by Lake Taneycomo. Early in February, don’t miss out on a unique event: the Annual Professional Ice Carving Event, at the Titanic Museum. Guests watch as ice carvers create masterpieces on the spot. Be sure to catch the Branson Collector Car Auction, at the Branson Convention Center in downtown. Music fans are in for a real treat, as Andy Williams and Glen Campbell perform at the Moon River Theatre – don’t miss out.

From Branson, head north into Springfield – the Queen City of the Ozarks. Here, revel in the wonderful spring and summer weather with a zip around Fellows Lake, or tour the campus of Missouri State University. Spring visitors can catch the Missouri State Bears Men’s Basketball team take on the rest of the Missouri Valley Conference. In late March into early April, the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds hosts Horsefest – featuring hundreds of horse related exhibits, displays, riding demonstrations and contests.