Summer is hands-down the greatest time to get out and have a blast. And boy, does Missouri offer a lot of unforgettable things to do. Explore some of the season’s best below.
- Get your thrills.
Six Flags St. Louis/Facebook.com Visit Six Flags in St. Louis, Worlds of Fun in Kansas City or Silver Dollar City in Branson for scream-worthy roller coasters.
- Eat concrete.
Phillp Leara/Flickr.com No, not that kind! Ted Drewe’s in St. Louis has been a local hotspot for decades, thanks to its thick concretes, creamy custard and rich chocolate sauce.
- Visit Meramec Caverns.
Speedygroundhog/Flickr.com Missouri is the Cave State, so get underground at Meramec Caverns. Make sure to visit its ‘Wine Room,’ which features the world’s largest cave formation.
- Take a blues cruise down the Mississippi.
Susan Smith/Flickr.com Listen to live local blues, take in the St. Louis skyline and have a drink (or two).
- Go on a float trip.
Missouri Division of Tourism/Flickr.com Summer float trips are practically a requirement of growing up in Missouri. There are tons of rivers to choose from, so grab some pals, pack some beers and get ready to relax.
- Catch a game.
Keith Allison/Flickr.com Whether you root for the Royals or the Cardinals, baseball is a hallowed Missouri summertime tradition.
- Sip some suds at Boulevardia.
Boulevardia.com Put on by Boulevard Brewery, this is one of Kansas City’s best annual festivals. Come thirsty (and hungry!), the weekend combines beer, food and music.
- Go on a zipline adventure.
Missouri Division of Tourism/Flickr.com Soar above the trees at thrilling speeds. Eco Zipline Tours in Hannibal, Eagle Falls Ranch in Eminence and Branson Zipline and Canopy Tours are a few great options for adventurous speed-junkies.
- See a Shakespeare play.
James Bashkin/Flickr.com Each summer, St. Louis’ Shakespeare Festival puts on a world-class Shakespeare play in Forest Park. Bring a picnic (and don’t forget the wine).
- Spend a weekend at Lake of the Ozarks.
Missouri Department of Tourism/Flickr.com Whether you’re into speed boating, sailing, fishing, swimming, partying or lazing in the sun, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Lake of the Ozarks.
- Celebrate Mark Twain.
Missouri Division of Tourism/Flickr.com In honor of one of our state’s most beloved authors, Hannibal puts on Tom Sawyer Days every summer, complete with a parade, a fence-painting contest and fireworks.
- Catch an outdoor flick.
Chris Yunker/Flickr.com Bring the bugspray and arrive early, because movie nights on Art Hill, sponsored by Saint Louis Art Museum, are some of the most popular summer events in town. If you’re closer to Kansas City, check out the Off the Wall film series hosted by the Kansas City Public Library.
- Attend the Missouri State Fair.
Missouri Division of Tourism/Flickr.com There’s everything from tractor pulls, deep-fried deliciousness, carnival rides and live entertainment at the fair in Sedalia.
- Camp out at Johnson’s Shut-Ins.
Missouri Division of Tourism/Flickr.com This state park offers hiking, horseback riding, swimming and camping.
- Sample the world at Festival of Nations.
Dave Herloz/Flickr.com Held at Tower Grove Park in St. Louis every August, Festival of Nations offers food from all around the globe, live music and more.
- Get crafty at Jour de Fete.
Charles Houchin/Flickr.com Ste. Genevieve hosts Jour de Fete, the largest outdoor crafts fair in the state.
These are just some of the fun activities you can do in the summer in Missouri. Did we miss any of your favorites? Let us know in the comments below!
Six Flags St. Louis/Facebook.com
Visit Six Flags in St. Louis, Worlds of Fun in Kansas City or Silver Dollar City in Branson for scream-worthy roller coasters.
Phillp Leara/Flickr.com
No, not that kind! Ted Drewe’s in St. Louis has been a local hotspot for decades, thanks to its thick concretes, creamy custard and rich chocolate sauce.
Speedygroundhog/Flickr.com
Missouri is the Cave State, so get underground at Meramec Caverns. Make sure to visit its ‘Wine Room,’ which features the world’s largest cave formation.
Susan Smith/Flickr.com
Listen to live local blues, take in the St. Louis skyline and have a drink (or two).
Missouri Division of Tourism/Flickr.com
Summer float trips are practically a requirement of growing up in Missouri. There are tons of rivers to choose from, so grab some pals, pack some beers and get ready to relax.
Keith Allison/Flickr.com
Whether you root for the Royals or the Cardinals, baseball is a hallowed Missouri summertime tradition.
Boulevardia.com
Put on by Boulevard Brewery, this is one of Kansas City’s best annual festivals. Come thirsty (and hungry!), the weekend combines beer, food and music.
Soar above the trees at thrilling speeds. Eco Zipline Tours in Hannibal, Eagle Falls Ranch in Eminence and Branson Zipline and Canopy Tours are a few great options for adventurous speed-junkies.
James Bashkin/Flickr.com
Each summer, St. Louis’ Shakespeare Festival puts on a world-class Shakespeare play in Forest Park. Bring a picnic (and don’t forget the wine).
Missouri Department of Tourism/Flickr.com
Whether you’re into speed boating, sailing, fishing, swimming, partying or lazing in the sun, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Lake of the Ozarks.
In honor of one of our state’s most beloved authors, Hannibal puts on Tom Sawyer Days every summer, complete with a parade, a fence-painting contest and fireworks.
Chris Yunker/Flickr.com
Bring the bugspray and arrive early, because movie nights on Art Hill, sponsored by Saint Louis Art Museum, are some of the most popular summer events in town. If you’re closer to Kansas City, check out the Off the Wall film series hosted by the Kansas City Public Library.
There’s everything from tractor pulls, deep-fried deliciousness, carnival rides and live entertainment at the fair in Sedalia.
This state park offers hiking, horseback riding, swimming and camping.
Dave Herloz/Flickr.com
Held at Tower Grove Park in St. Louis every August, Festival of Nations offers food from all around the globe, live music and more.
Charles Houchin/Flickr.com
Ste. Genevieve hosts Jour de Fete, the largest outdoor crafts fair in the state.
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