Missouri

Missouri is located in the Midwestern region of the United States and is bordered by Iowa to the north, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee to the east across the Mississippi River, Arkansas to the south, and Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska to the west.

The major cities in Missouri that are popular with tourists include Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield, and Branson. Each city offers a range of attractions, from music and entertainment in Branson to the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.

Missouri is generally considered part of the Midwest, though it has elements of Southern culture as well, particularly in the southeastern part of the state which is part of the Mid-South region.

The best time to visit Missouri is during the spring (April to June) or fall (September to November) when the weather is mild and the scenery is particularly beautiful due to spring blossoms or fall foliage. However, summer is the peak tourist season when most attractions are fully operational.

The two major airports in Missouri are Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL) in St. Louis and Kansas City International Airport (MCI) in Kansas City. These airports offer a wide range of domestic and some international flights.

Yes, Missouri is home to the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, which is part of Gateway Arch National Park. There is also Ozark National Scenic Riverways, which offers beautiful river landscapes, and Harry S Truman National Historic Site, among others.

Missouri offers a variety of outdoor activities including hiking and biking in the state parks, boating and fishing in the Lake of the Ozarks, exploring caves such as Meramec Caverns, and enjoying the scenic rivers and trails in the Ozarks region.

The most convenient way to get around Missouri is by car. Major highways connect the key cities and attractions. While there is some public transportation in larger cities like St. Louis and Kansas City, options may be limited in rural areas, so renting a car is often recommended.

Missouri is rich in history, with notable sites including the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum in Hannibal, the Civil War-era battlefields such as Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, and the historic homes in areas like Independence, the hometown of President Harry S Truman.

Missouri is known for several iconic foods, such as Kansas City-style barbecue, known for its thick, tomato-based sauce. St. Louis is famous for its thin-crust pizza with Provel cheese, toasted ravioli, and gooey butter cake. The state is also known for its contributions to American comfort food, craft beers, and Missouri wine country, which offers wine tastings and tours.