“Can we get barbecue?” is usually the first request we get from our out-of-town guests, and for good reason. Missouri is home to unarguably the best barbecue in the country. However, there are a few other places you should take a guest when they’re visiting the Show-Me State.
- Melo’s Pizzeria - St. Louis
Anna B./Yelp
Scott S./Yelp IMO’s tends to be the preferred pizza chain in St. Louis, but indulge in a pizza pie at Melo’s, and you may never want to go to different pizzeria again.
Address: 2438 Mcnair Ave. Saint Louis, MO 63104
- Castor River Shut-Ins - Fredericktown
Kat Stan/flickr Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park is usually flooded with people during the summer. To beat the crowd, head over to Castor River Shut-Ins, which is a bit more low key, far less populated, and just as beautiful.
Address: Fredericktown, MO 63645
- Q39 - Kansas City
Sam T./YElp When out-of-town visitors come to Kansas City, they usually want to try our famous BBQ. Instead of taking them to the expected Gate’s BBQ or Arthur Bryant’s, try this fairly new local favorite. Address: 1000 W 39th St. Kansas City, MO 64111
- Indian Hills Winery - Puxico
Indian Hills Winery/Facebook Missouri is well known for its wine country, which for the most part includes Hermann and its surrounding towns. However, Indian Hills Winery is phenomenal as well and it’s worth heading down a little bit more south for.
Address: 9625 Co Rd 250 Puxico, MO 63960
- Mark Twain’s childhood home - Hannibal
Jimmy Emerson, DVM One of America’s favorite authors, Mark Twain, grew up in Hannibal, Missouri. The town has preserved much of his legacy and visitors can take tours of his childhood home and other notable places in town.
Address: 120 N Main St. Hannibal, MO 63401
- Grand Gulf State Park - Koshkonong
maldenmusic/TripAdvisor Some call this hidden gem in Missouri, “The Little Grand Canyon.” The “Grand Gulf” stretches for more than a mile between 130-foot high walls and visitors can view the gulf from trails on top or from under the natural bridge.
Address: Hwy. W
Koshkonong, MO 65692
- Mother’s Brewing Company Taproom - Springfield
Linda C./TripAdvisor
Mother’s Brewing Company/Facebook When it comes to Missouri breweries, Anheuser-Busch and Boulevard tend to be the usual suspects. But did you know another one of America’s top breweries is located in Missouri? Mother’s Brewery was founded in Springfield in 2009 and distributes nationally. Guests can come in for a drink during the week or get a tour of the brewery on Saturday’s.
Address: 215 S Grant Ave. Springfield, MO 65806
- Current River - Salem
Jim Rhodes Just because we are a landlocked state, doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy our time on the water. Missouri is home to some of the most beautiful rivers and lakes, but the 184-mile Current River takes the cake. Rent a canoe with friends at Aker’s Ferry Canoe Rental and enjoy a relaxing 10-mile float trip.
Address: 36869 State Route K Salem, Missouri 65560
- Graham Cave State Park - Montgomery City
dorsalmo/TripAdvisor Walk through the park’s 386 scenic acres and you’ll be walking through 8,000 to 10,000 years of history. Artifacts retrieved from this park’s caves revealed that people lived here that long ago.
Address: 217 State Hwy TT Montgomery City, MO 63361
- O’Malley’s Pub - Weston
O’Malley’s Pub - Weston, MO This unique underground Irish pub is connected to the Weston Brewing Company in downtown Weston. You’ll have to take a couple flights of stairs underground, but once you do, you’ll have entered a whole new world. They almost always have live music playing on the main stage and serve an impressive lineup of cheap, but delicious craft beers on tap. Address:
500 Welt St. Weston, MO 64098
- Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park - Springfield
Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park/Facebook The St. Louis Botanical Garden is one of the most beautiful gardens in the world and visitors should definitely make a trip there. However, Springfield also offers a pretty brag-worthy natural sanctuary. The 113-acre garden includes 26 themed gardens, a Butterfly House and the Gray/Campbell Farmstead.
Address:
2400 S Scenic Ave. Springfield, MO 65807
What’s your favorite spot to take visitors? Let us know! Even locals can enjoy these non-touristy hidden gems.
Anna B./Yelp
Scott S./Yelp
IMO’s tends to be the preferred pizza chain in St. Louis, but indulge in a pizza pie at Melo’s, and you may never want to go to different pizzeria again.
Address: 2438 Mcnair Ave. Saint Louis, MO 63104
Kat Stan/flickr
Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park is usually flooded with people during the summer. To beat the crowd, head over to Castor River Shut-Ins, which is a bit more low key, far less populated, and just as beautiful.
Address: Fredericktown, MO 63645
Sam T./YElp
When out-of-town visitors come to Kansas City, they usually want to try our famous BBQ. Instead of taking them to the expected Gate’s BBQ or Arthur Bryant’s, try this fairly new local favorite. Address: 1000 W 39th St. Kansas City, MO 64111
Indian Hills Winery/Facebook
Missouri is well known for its wine country, which for the most part includes Hermann and its surrounding towns. However, Indian Hills Winery is phenomenal as well and it’s worth heading down a little bit more south for.
Address: 9625 Co Rd 250 Puxico, MO 63960
Jimmy Emerson, DVM
One of America’s favorite authors, Mark Twain, grew up in Hannibal, Missouri. The town has preserved much of his legacy and visitors can take tours of his childhood home and other notable places in town.
Address: 120 N Main St. Hannibal, MO 63401
maldenmusic/TripAdvisor
Some call this hidden gem in Missouri, “The Little Grand Canyon.” The “Grand Gulf” stretches for more than a mile between 130-foot high walls and visitors can view the gulf from trails on top or from under the natural bridge.
Address: Hwy. W
Koshkonong, MO 65692
Linda C./TripAdvisor
Mother’s Brewing Company/Facebook
When it comes to Missouri breweries, Anheuser-Busch and Boulevard tend to be the usual suspects. But did you know another one of America’s top breweries is located in Missouri? Mother’s Brewery was founded in Springfield in 2009 and distributes nationally. Guests can come in for a drink during the week or get a tour of the brewery on Saturday’s.
Address: 215 S Grant Ave. Springfield, MO 65806
Jim Rhodes
Just because we are a landlocked state, doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy our time on the water. Missouri is home to some of the most beautiful rivers and lakes, but the 184-mile Current River takes the cake. Rent a canoe with friends at Aker’s Ferry Canoe Rental and enjoy a relaxing 10-mile float trip.
Address: 36869 State Route K Salem, Missouri 65560
dorsalmo/TripAdvisor
Walk through the park’s 386 scenic acres and you’ll be walking through 8,000 to 10,000 years of history. Artifacts retrieved from this park’s caves revealed that people lived here that long ago.
Address: 217 State Hwy TT Montgomery City, MO 63361
O’Malley’s Pub - Weston, MO
This unique underground Irish pub is connected to the Weston Brewing Company in downtown Weston. You’ll have to take a couple flights of stairs underground, but once you do, you’ll have entered a whole new world. They almost always have live music playing on the main stage and serve an impressive lineup of cheap, but delicious craft beers on tap. Address:
500 Welt St. Weston, MO 64098
Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park/Facebook
The St. Louis Botanical Garden is one of the most beautiful gardens in the world and visitors should definitely make a trip there. However, Springfield also offers a pretty brag-worthy natural sanctuary. The 113-acre garden includes 26 themed gardens, a Butterfly House and the Gray/Campbell Farmstead.
Address:
2400 S Scenic Ave. Springfield, MO 65807
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: 215 S Grant Ave. Springfield, MO 65806Address: 9625 Co Rd 250 Puxico, MO 63960Address: 2438 Mcnair Ave. Saint Louis, MO 63104Address: 217 State Hwy TT Montgomery City, MO 63361
