Your Top 20 Missouri Adventure Destinations For 2020- Pt. 2
- Roger Jones
- Jan 5, 2020
- 12 min read
It’s easy to get caught up in our own immediate surroundings, and to fall into a monotonous life style; however, monotony can be very dangerous. You see, every moment wasted is a moment you will ever get back, and if a moment is “dull”, then is it truly a moment that was lived?
But, what can we do to break the monotony of our everyday lives? Well, that answer is simple: go out and do something new!
When talking about all of the places that someone SHOULD visit, the list can be rather long. There are many amazing sites and experiences that one may need to… Well… Experience. Even further, I did not initially realize how long of an article that “Your Top 20 Missouri Adventure Destinations For 2020” would be when I initially pitched the idea. And thus, I now deliver to you…
“Your Top 20 Missouri Adventure Destinations For 2020”... PART TWO!
All of the places listed are relatively cheap to visit, and you biggest expense may be gas money or meals.
Gateway Arch, St. Louis
The Gateway Arch, also known as the St. Louis Arch, sits on the west bank of the Mississippi River in St. Louis. This iconic national landmark takes its name from the city's role as "Gateway to The West" during westward expansion in the 1800's. Standing at approximately 630 feet tall, the Gateway Arch is the tallest man-made monument in the Western hemisphere; as another feat, it is the tallest man-made arch in the world. The Gateway Arch serves as the centerpiece of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, and serves as an internationally famous symbol of St. Louis.
The Gateway Arch was designed by Eero Saarinen in 1948, who had won a contest to design the structure the year prior, and construction began on February 12th, 1963. Construction of the arch cost approximately $13M, and was completed on October 28th, 1965. The insurance company handling the insurance for the construction of the arch estimated that 13 workers would be killed during construction, however, there were no deaths related to construction of the arch.
Whether you are visiting for the history, great photography opportunities, or just for the sake of visiting a new location, The Gateway Arch is a terrific place to visit. There is no on-site parking, however, there are plenty of paid parking lots nearby. There is a $3 entry fee per person over the age of 15 (any person 15 years old or younger get in for free), but there are admittance free days hosted from time-to-time. And of course, it's typically a good idea to bring some extra money for souvenirs or snacks.
Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, Springfield
The Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, part of the Springfield Botanical Gardens, is the oldest attraction at the gardens. The Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden is 7½ acres of traditional Japanese landscaping and gardening, and includes a large koi lake, a moon bridge, a meditation garden, and a tea house. This park is situated in the southwest part of Springfield, near the Nathaniel Greene Memorial Park.
The park was created in 1985, and in 1986, it became the centerpiece of the Springfield Sister Cities Association's relationship with Isesaki, Gumma Prefecture, Japan. Gardeners from Isesaki helped make the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll garden what it is today, through knowledge, ideas, and information shared with Springfield residents. The garden gained its name from Yuriko Mizumoto Scott, who was instrumental in turning the garden into a reality.
The stroll garden is filled with flora and fauna originating from Japan, as well as authentic building structures. The sheer beauty of this park makes it the perfect escape for me when I need to relax, or if I just need to clear my head. The stroll garden is typically very quiet on any given day, thus making it a great place to sit and read a book on a warm and sunny day.
If silence isn't what you are looking for, the Springfield Botanical Gardens typically hosts three festivals each year: The Cherry Blossom, Kite, and Piñata Festival (typically every April), The Japanese Fall Festival (typically in October), and Gardens Aglow(in November and December). The entry fee to get into the park is $4 per person, and children 12 or younger may enter for free.
Kansas City Zoo, Kansas City
The Kansas City Zoo is situated on 202 acres of land, located in Swope Park, in Kansas City, Missouri. This zoo is home to more than 1,300 animals, and is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In 2008, the Kansas City Zoo was voted one of America's Best Zoos, and it was ranked number one for "African Animals and Exhibits"; the zoo was also ranked among the top ten for "Australian Animals and Exhibits".
Planning for the Kansas City Zoo began in 1907, and the zoo opened its doors to the public on December 13th, 1909, with a $32,000 construction budget and 60 acres of property. During the first 40 years of operation, the zoo evolved and grew very slowly; it wasn't until the 1950's and 1960's that expansion really began to boom. I'm 1991, a $50M bond was able to increase the zoo's land size from the original 60 acres to its current 202 acres. Today, the Kansas City Zoo estimates that it receives approximately one million visitors annually.
The Kansas City Zoo is divided into five areas: KidZone, Tiger Trail, The Valley, Africa, and Australia, and features quite a few interesting exhibits. The Kansas City Zoo is a bit more expensive than the zoo in St. Louis, however, it is still definitely worth a visit; tickets cost $16 for adults, children between 3 and 11 years old cost $13, and children 2 and under are free.
The Titanic Museum, Branson
The Titanic Museum, located in Branson, Missouri, is self-proclaimed as the "world's largest museum attraction", and hosts quite an impressive number of guests each year. The Titanic Museum is one of the world's best museums centered around the history of the Titanic, due primarily to the authenticity of the artifacts held in the museum, interactive exhibits, and the impressiveness of detail that the museum puts into the experience for its guests.
Upon entering the museum, each guest is given a "boarding pass", which has the name of an actual passenger, or crew member, of the original Titanic. This is a self-guided tour, so you are in full control of how much time you spend at each exhibit, meaning you won't be rushed. Inside the museum, you are surrounded by $4.5M worth of artifacts, which were actually pulled from the Titanic wreckage. The Titanic Museum even boasts an exact replica of the Titanic's Grand Staircase.
I highly recommend this tour spot if you are a history buff, or if you are looking for an experience which is "off the beaten path". This location doesn't only serve as an educational "memorial" to the victims of the Titanic; this is a terrific place to take your spouse or romantic interest, as the radiance of the Grand Staircase has been the site of many wedding proposals (or, for some couples, a place to renew their wedding vows).
Tickets for adults are $27, children from 5-12 are $13, and children 4 and under are free.
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, St. Louis
The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, also known as The St. Louis Cathedral, is a Roman-Catholic cathedral in the central west end of St. Louis, and serves as the seat of the archbishop. This cathedral stands out among other similar cathedrals, thanks to the elaborate mosaics inside the church; combined, all of the mosaics located in the cathedral contain 41.5 million glass tiles, in more than 7,000 colors, and cover a total of 83,000 square feet.
Planning for the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis began with Archbishop Peter Richard Kendrick in the 1870's, however, the actual groundbreaking for the church did not happen until 1907. The architecture firm chosen for the construction of the building, Barnett, Haynes, and Barnett, laid the first cornerstone for the church in 1908, and construction was finally finished on June 29th, 1926. The mosaics inside the church were a continuous work of construction until 1988.
Photography is the primary reason tourists visit this location, as the mosaics lining the walls and ceiling are quite ornate and beautiful. There is a museum located inside the cathedral, which showcases many artifacts found inside the church, as well as some more mosaic work; a $2 entry donation is requested before entering the museum. Reservations must be made for guided tours of the cathedral, but I truly feel that this may be the best way to learn the history of the cathedral, versus a self-guided tour.
Missouri State Penitentiary, Jefferson City
The Missouri State Penitentiary is a, now closed, prison located in Jefferson City, Missouri, and was also known by a more sinister name: "The Bloodiest 47 Acres in America". Although this prison once some of the nastiest and most dangerous criminals in the state of Missouri, today, the walls mostly just contain shadows of the past, as most of the previously opened structure still stands in the heart of Jefferson City, not too far from the State Capital Building.
The prison was constructed in the 1830's to help serve the newly admitted state of Missouri (which was in 1821). The governor at the time, John Miller, had suggested that the prison be built in Jefferson City to help the city protect its title of "State Capital" form any other Missouri town that was trying to obtain the title for themselves. James Dunnica, the stonemason that built the Missouri State Capitol in 1826, was chosen to also build the Missouri State Penitentiary, with an allotted budget of $25k. The penitentiary opened its doors and began accepting inmates in 1836.
Notable "residents" of the Missouri State Penitentiary included:
Robert Berdella (serial killer and torturer)
Emma Goldman (an anarchist)
Kate Richards O'Hare (imprisoned for 5 years for a anti-war speech)
Charles Aurther "Pretty Boy" Floyd (robbery)
Charles "Sonny" Listin (a robber who learned to box in prison, and became a professional boxer upon his release)
James Earl Ray (assassinated Martin Luther King Jr after escaping from prison)
Today, the eerie ambiance of the retired prison serves as a terrific your spot, as the Missouri State Penitentiary still hosts scheduled tours (including ghost hunting tours) throughout the year. Tickets may cost from $15-$100 per person, depending on the type of tour you wish to take, however, I still highly recommend this tour for the history perspective.
Dickerson Park Zoo, Springfield
The Dickerson Park Zoo, located on the north side of Springfield, Missouri, is a zoological park that is home to more than 500 animals, that represents 160 different species. This zoo covers approximately 100 acres of land, and was accredited as a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The Dickerson Park Zoo is managed by the City of Springfield, and is affiliated with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board.
In late 1800’s, the property that would become the Dickerson Park Zoo was home to a resort hotel and private zoo. In 1897, when the original owners (H.S. Hefferman and James Reilly) closed the resort and zoo, it was purchased in the same year by Jerome Dickerson Sr., and was then known as the Interstate Fair Association and Zoological Gardens. In 1922, the land changed hands again, when Dickerson sold the zoo to the Springfield Park Board, and in 1923, the zoo was established as Dickerson Park Zoo. The zoo began to slowly expand, and add new exhibits, until it became what it is today.
Upon entering the zoo, the first thing that you tend to notice is that it is far less crowded than most other zoos; this is because the Dickerson Park Zoo serves a much smaller metropolitan area than the Kansas City Zoo or the St. Louis Zoo. The pure beauty of “nature blending with modern amenities” can be a bit overwhelming, but in a very positive way, especially when visiting in the late spring or fall. Many of the well maintained trails enter heavily wooded areas when traversing between exhibits, which offers a certain type of relaxation. The animals, every time we have visited, have been quite active and healthy. There is even an area where you can feed the giraffes, a petting zoo for the kids (I’ll always remember the small goat with one horn that followed me from side-to-side of the petting zoo), and an otter enclosure that is sure to entertain.
Admission to the Dickerson Park Zoo is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $10 for children age 3-12, so the price is definitely good for the adventure. If you need to burn several hours in Springfield, this is definitely a site that I recommend visiting.
National WWI Museum and Memorial, Kansas City
The National WWI Museum and Memorial, located in Kansas City, is just a stone’s throw from Union Station (mentioned in part one of this article), and was originally named The Liberty Memorial Museum when it opened to the public in 1926. In 2004, the National WWI Museum and Memorial was designated by Congress as America’s official museum dedicated to World War I. The museum and memorial are managed by a not-for-profit organization, with the assistance of the Kansas City Park Board.
Shortly after the end of World War I, some 40 Kansas City residents formed the Liberty Memorial Association to create a memorial to those who served in the war. In 1919, the Association raised over $2.5M in funds (in less than 2 weeks), to fund the museum and memorial, which was plenty of money to fund the construction of the site. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on November 1st, 1921, and included the vice president at the time, Calvin Coolidge. Construction of the monument was completed on November 11th, 1926.
The museum itself has two main galleries, which houses exhibits and artifacts from the war; the first gallery focuses on the beginning of the war, before the U.S. became involved, and the second gallery focuses on the United States’ military and civilian involvement in the war. The museum is also home to two theaters, the Edward Jones Research Center, the R.A. Long Education Center, and a museum store, as well as many other exhibits that are definitely sure to strike the interest of any history buff. The exterior scene from the museum and memorial is definitely something to take note of if one is a big fan of photography, as the landscape is quite beautiful.
Entry into the National WWI Museum and Memorial is $18 for adults, $14 for seniors and military personnel, $10 for youths between 6-18, and children younger than 6 are free.
Saint Louis Art Museum, St. Louis
The Saint Louis Art Museum, located in Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri, is one of the largest art museums in the United States. The building which is the museum is three stories tall, and is visited by up to half a million people every year. This museum houses paintings, sculptures, cultural objects, and ancient works of art from all over the world.
The Saint Louis Art Museum was founded in 1879, under the name The Saint Louis School and Museum of Fine Arts, and was an independent entity within Washington University, with its physical location being in downtown St. Louis. After the 1904 World’s Fair, the museum moved to the Palace of Fine Arts, which was specifically built for the fair. In 1908, the director of the museum arranged for local taxes to fund the museum, and in 1909, the museum disbanded from Washington University. Over the following years, many additions were made to the art museum to help improve its appearance and functionality, and finally, in 1972, the museum was given its current name: The Saint Louis Art Museum.
The Saint Louis Art Museum is definitely a must-see for any art or history enthusiast, as there are many great exhibits located within the museum’s walls. Admission to the museum is free to all visitors, and the museum is adjacent to the St. Louis Zoo (again, mentioned in part one of this article).
Meramec Caverns, Stanton
Meramec Caverns is a collective of 4.6 miles of cavern systems located near Stanton, Missouri. The formation of these caves occurred via erosion through the large limestone deposits in the ground, forming a very impressive natural display of beauty. Meramec Caverns contains some quite impressive natural exhibits, such as “The Wine Room”, which contains a very rare geological structure, known as a “Wine Table”; this structure appears to be shaped like a three legged table that is surrounded by small circular structures, resembling grapes. As an added joke, staff of Meramec Caverns say that the room is also named as such because of the “whining” from guests who have to climb the stairs to reach the attraction.
Meramec Caverns came into existence approximately 400 million years ago, and has served as a shelter, a mining facility, and finally, a tourist attraction.The main cave was first discovered and explored in 1722 by Philip Renault, a French miner, with the assistance of an Osage Native American guide. The cave was shortly there after used as a mining facility for saltpeter, which was used to make gunpowder. Later, during the Civil War, the Union set up a full saltpeter plant inside the cave, until it was discovered by Confederate guerrillas, and destroyed. Local legend also states that the cave systems were used by Jesse and Frank James as a hideout, and although, these rumors are unconfirmed, there have been artifacts discovered in the caverns that may support these claims.
It wasn’t until 1933 that an extended system of caves was discovered off of the main cavern, and in 1935, the site was opened as a tourist attraction by Lester Dill; as another fun fact, Dill was the inventor of the bumper sticker, when he needed a way to promote Meramec Caverns.
Although it has been years since I have visited Meramec Caverns, my first visit will forever be in my memories. The deep history provided by the cave’s staff was very informative, and the cave had some pretty amazing sites. Other than the Wine Room that I mentioned earlier, Meramec Caverns has a display of other very impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations, large open rooms, and a concrete walkway that provides easy of traverse throughout the tour areas. One natural exhibit, “The Greatest Show Under The Earth”, features a natural wall formed when stalactite and stalagmite formations met and grew together, forming what appears to be a giant natural curtain. The visitor center also features a restaurant and a gift shop.
Admission for this attraction is $22 for adults, $12 for children between the ages of 5-11, and children 4 and under are free. Make sure to bring some spare cash for souvenirs and food.
You see, the main idea and purpose behind this article is to tell you about some of my favorite places in Missouri to visit… Not so much in great detail, but enough to explain a bit of the history, the price of admission (if available), and some of the sights and exhibits you may be able to partake in. And the biggest purpose for this article? Well, to hopefully inspire you to travel!
Remember, try to take the time to go out and explore your local areas, and create your own adventures. The locations mentioned in this article, and the previous article, are only recommendations that I can offer; however, you may discover locations that you prefer for adventure. All that this article should do is give you a nudge in the right direction, as no two people’s adventures or experiences are exactly the same.
The most important thing to do is get out, go someplace new, and make some memories. You only have one life. Go out and live it.
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