Highlights

• No trip to Missouri would be complete without a visit to the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. The arch is the largest man-made monument in the United States, standing at 630 feet, and commemorates Thomas Jefferson and the westward expansion of the country. Branson is one of the entertainment destinations in the state, featuring dozens of nightly live entertainment acts and theme parks. Located in Stanton, the Meramec Caverns feature seven levels of natural sculpted caves which are open year-round; they're considered the largest commercial cave system in the state.
  
  

Historical

• As the birthplace of Mark Twain, Missouri has several historical sites dedicated to the well-known author, including the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum in Hannibal and Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site in Florida, Mo. One of the most historic and famous highways in the United States is Route 66, which winds its way 280 miles through Missouri. Other historical sites in Missouri include Bollinger Mill State Historic Site in Burfordville, dating back to the 1860s, or a variety of Civil War destinations.
  
  

Kansas City

• The 202-acre Kansas City Zoo is home to more than 1,000 animals from around the world, and is open year-round for visitors. The Money Museum at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City gives visitors an opportunity to learn about the United States financial system through interactive exhibits. Next door, tour the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial. Several family-oriented dining opportunities in Missouri include such restaurants as the Crayola Cafe in the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City, or the Cook Shack Cafe.
  
  

Springfield

• As the third-largest city in Missouri, Springfield is home to historical and modern attractions. Wilson's Creek National Battlefield features Civil War exhibits, a self-guided tour of the area where the Battle of Wilson's Creek occurred, and a museum featuring Civil War items. One of the most popular visitor attractions in Missouri is Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, which boasts 300,000 square feet of outdoor supplies, apparel, and wildlife exhibits. The store has about 4 million visitors a year, as of 2009.