Tourist attractions are popular for a reason; most of them are genuinely interesting places. However, after a while, they tend to get old to locals or just too overcrowded with out-of-town visitors. Here’s a few alternatives to the common tourist hot spots found in Missouri.
- Do NOT go to Johnson Shut-Ins
Brad Kebodeaux/flickr
DO go to Castor River Shut-Ins
Kat Stan/flickr Sure, Johnson Shut-Ins have some of the most pristine waters in the state. But on a hot day, it starts to feel like a kiddie pool with how packed it gets. Head over to the lesser known Castor River Shut-Ins before that secret gets out, too. Address: Fredericktown, MO 63645
- Do NOT take a selfie at the Gateway Arch
Kelsey/flickr
DO take a selfie at City Museum
City Museum/Facebook The Gateway Arch is a pretty neat architectural feature of St. Louis, but did you really come to one of the greatest cities in the world just to snap a selfie? I sure hope not. I definitely recommend a more interactive activity in the city, such as City Museum, the most unique playground museum in the state.
Address: 750 N 16th St. St. Louis, MO 63103
- Do NOT go to Liberty Memorial for skyline views
D Wright/flickr
DO go to The Scout
Rodney T./flickr Standing at the Liberty Memorial gives visitors probably the best view in the city, but it is often crowded with other professional photographers and selfie aficionados, alike. Not too far from the memorial, is the Kansas City Scout. Every time I’ve gone there to take city skyline photos, I’m usually the only one around.
- Do NOT go to Fantastic Caverns
Fantastic Caverns/Facebook
DO go to Onondaga Cave State Park
management/TripAdvisor If you’ve ever driven anywhere near Springfield, chances are you’ve seen signs on the highway for Fantastic Caverns. But as a local and state park fanatic, I suggest you check on Onondaga Cave State Park. Adult admission at Fantastic Caverns is almost $8 more than Onondaga State Park and by paying admission at Onondaga, you’ll be making a contribution to Missouri’s state park system as a whole.
Address: 7556 Hwy H Leasburg, MO 65535
- Do NOT go to the National World War I Museum
National World War I Museum and Memorial/Facebook
DO go to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
psychrnm/TripAdvisor I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the National World War I Museum. In fact, it’s so big, you could easily return another day and learn something new. But to learn a little bit about African-American history and baseball, you should check out the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. As a bonus, it’s also in the same building as The American Jazz Museum. Address: 1616 E 18 St. Kansas City, MO 64108
- Do NOT go to Jack’s Stacked for BBQ
Jack’s Stacked/Facebook
DO go to Danna’s Barbecue And Burgers
Danna’s BBQ/Facebook I’ll admit, when I first moved to Kansas City, Jack’s Stack was the first place I went to for BBQ and I loved it. But contrary to popular belief, amazing BBQ exists outside of Kansas City. Take a trip to Branson and dine at Danna’s Barbecue which could rival any of Kansas City’s BBQ joints.
- Do NOT go to Missouri Botanical Garden
Renee W./Trip Advisor
DO go to Powell Gardens
Kelly Garbato/flickr We can’t ignore the fact that the Missouri Botanical Garden is considered one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. That being said, we also can’t ignore that Missouri is home to a lot of other stunning gardens as well. Powell Gardens in Kingsville is just 30 miles outside of Kansas City and features 6,000 varieties of plants, with 225,000 plants in seasonal display.
Address: 1609 N.W. US Highway 50 Kingsville, MO 64061
What hidden secrets do you know about that haven’t reached the mainstream tourist yet? Let us know!
Brad Kebodeaux/flickr
Kat Stan/flickr
Sure, Johnson Shut-Ins have some of the most pristine waters in the state. But on a hot day, it starts to feel like a kiddie pool with how packed it gets. Head over to the lesser known Castor River Shut-Ins before that secret gets out, too. Address: Fredericktown, MO 63645
Kelsey/flickr
City Museum/Facebook
The Gateway Arch is a pretty neat architectural feature of St. Louis, but did you really come to one of the greatest cities in the world just to snap a selfie? I sure hope not. I definitely recommend a more interactive activity in the city, such as City Museum, the most unique playground museum in the state.
Address: 750 N 16th St. St. Louis, MO 63103
D Wright/flickr
Rodney T./flickr
Standing at the Liberty Memorial gives visitors probably the best view in the city, but it is often crowded with other professional photographers and selfie aficionados, alike. Not too far from the memorial, is the Kansas City Scout. Every time I’ve gone there to take city skyline photos, I’m usually the only one around.
Fantastic Caverns/Facebook
management/TripAdvisor
If you’ve ever driven anywhere near Springfield, chances are you’ve seen signs on the highway for Fantastic Caverns. But as a local and state park fanatic, I suggest you check on Onondaga Cave State Park. Adult admission at Fantastic Caverns is almost $8 more than Onondaga State Park and by paying admission at Onondaga, you’ll be making a contribution to Missouri’s state park system as a whole.
Address: 7556 Hwy H Leasburg, MO 65535
National World War I Museum and Memorial/Facebook
psychrnm/TripAdvisor
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the National World War I Museum. In fact, it’s so big, you could easily return another day and learn something new. But to learn a little bit about African-American history and baseball, you should check out the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. As a bonus, it’s also in the same building as The American Jazz Museum. Address: 1616 E 18 St. Kansas City, MO 64108
Jack’s Stacked/Facebook
Danna’s BBQ/Facebook
I’ll admit, when I first moved to Kansas City, Jack’s Stack was the first place I went to for BBQ and I loved it. But contrary to popular belief, amazing BBQ exists outside of Kansas City. Take a trip to Branson and dine at Danna’s Barbecue which could rival any of Kansas City’s BBQ joints.
Renee W./Trip Advisor
Kelly Garbato/flickr
We can’t ignore the fact that the Missouri Botanical Garden is considered one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. That being said, we also can’t ignore that Missouri is home to a lot of other stunning gardens as well. Powell Gardens in Kingsville is just 30 miles outside of Kansas City and features 6,000 varieties of plants, with 225,000 plants in seasonal display.
Address: 1609 N.W. US Highway 50 Kingsville, MO 64061
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Address: 1616 E 18 St. Kansas City, MO 64108Address: 1609 N.W. US Highway 50 Kingsville, MO 64061Address: 7556 Hwy H Leasburg, MO 65535Address: 750 N 16th St. St. Louis, MO 63103
