As the new year quickly approaches, let’s take a moment to look back on some of the best places Missouri had to offer this year. From wineries to botanical gardens, scenic restaurants to bizarre museums, there were a lot of unique things to do and see this year. If you didn’t have time to visit them all, now’s your chance. Here are 15 of the best from 2016 that you should add to your 2017 bucket list.
- Hermann
Vincent Parsons/flickr It’s hard to pick just one place in Hermann to go to, so I suggest dedicating a full day or weekend to explore this adorable German town along the Katy Trail and Missouri River. To learn more about what this wonderful town has to offer, click here.
- Missouri State Penitentiary
Missouri State Penitentiary/Facebook Once known as the “Bloodiest 47 Acres in Missouri”, the Missouri State Penitentiary holds a haunted past. Today, visitors can go on a tour to see where some of the most vicious criminals were locked up at.
Address: 115 Lafayette St. Jefferson City, MO 65101
- Claverach Farm
Claverach Farm/Facebook This remote restaurant is tucked away in the Ozark foothills and provides one of the most unique culinary experiences in Missouri. Dine in their rustic barn and take a stroll through their on-site farm.
Address: 201 Beckwoods Dr. Eureka, MO 63025
- Missouri Botanical Garden
Missouri Botanical Garden/Facebook The Missouri Botanical Garden has been recognized as one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world, so what’s stopping you from visiting this gorgeous 47-acre garden in St. Louis?
Address: 4344 Shaw Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63110
- Arcadia Academy
Thee Abbey Kitchen - Arcadia Academy/Facebook This former schoolhouse now functions as one of the most beautiful bed and breakfasts in the area. Spend the night or enjoy a meal at their lovely restaurant.
Address: 211 S. College St. Arcadia, MO 63621
- Katy Trail
joneser005/flickr The Katy Trail is the longest continuous rail trail is the country and provides the most beautiful recreational space for walkers, joggers and cyclists, alike.
- Alley Spring
Granger Meador/flickr One of the most unique things that Missouri has to offer would have to be our beautiful water mills and springs. Alley Spring is connected to the Jacks Fork River and can be found in Eminence.
Address: Hwy 106 Eminence, MO
- Redmon’s Candy Factory
Charles J./Yelp Redmon’s is the largest candy factory in Missouri and will make you feel like a kid again. The majority of the candy is made by them and you can buy by the bulk.
Address: 330 W. Pine St. Phillipsburg, MO 65722
- Albonée Winery
Albonee Country Inn/website Once upon a time, Missouri was the highest wine-producing state in the country. We even have our own wine trail. But there’s a little spot off the beaten path that’s worth taking a visit to and that’s Albonée Winery in Independence.
Address: 2200 S. Crenshaw Rd. Independence, MO 64057
- Current River
Missouri Division of Tourism/flickr This 184-mile river features the clearest and coolest waters in Missouri. During the summer, it’s packed with swimmers and floaters looking for a little relief from Missouri’s humidity.
- J. Huston Tavern
J. Huston Tavern/Facebook Stepping into J. Huston Tavern would be stepping into an integral part of Missouri history. Considered the oldest restaurant in Missouri, Huston once served as a major resting stop for westward immigrants passing through Arrow Rock.
Address: 304 Main St. Arrow Rock, MO 65320
- Grand Gulf State Park
Robert H./TripAdvisor We may not be home to the Grand Canyon, but we’re pretty proud of our “Little Grand Canyon.”
Address: State Highway W Koshkonong, MO 65692
- Bonne Terre Mine
Bonne Terre Mine/Facebook Who say’s that for world-class scuba diving you have to go to the west coast? In fact, one of the best places to scuba dive is right here in Missouri at Bonne Terre Mine.
Address: 185 Park Ave. Bonne Terre, MO 63628
- Glore Psychiatric Museum
Missouri Division of Tourism/flickr Bizarre, creepy and just plain weird are a few of the words one would use to describe Glore Psychiatric Museum.
Address: 3408 Frederick Ave. St. Joseph, MO 64506
- Big Cedar Lodge
Big Cedar Lodge/Facebook Enjoy a weekend of luxury when you stay the night at this amazing lodge in Ridgedale.
Address: 190 Top of the Rock Rd. Ridgedale, MO 65739
With so much to do, 2017 is already looking to be a great year. What are you most looking forward to in the new year?
Vincent Parsons/flickr
It’s hard to pick just one place in Hermann to go to, so I suggest dedicating a full day or weekend to explore this adorable German town along the Katy Trail and Missouri River. To learn more about what this wonderful town has to offer, click here.
Missouri State Penitentiary/Facebook
Once known as the “Bloodiest 47 Acres in Missouri”, the Missouri State Penitentiary holds a haunted past. Today, visitors can go on a tour to see where some of the most vicious criminals were locked up at.
Address: 115 Lafayette St. Jefferson City, MO 65101
Claverach Farm/Facebook
This remote restaurant is tucked away in the Ozark foothills and provides one of the most unique culinary experiences in Missouri. Dine in their rustic barn and take a stroll through their on-site farm.
Address: 201 Beckwoods Dr. Eureka, MO 63025
Missouri Botanical Garden/Facebook
The Missouri Botanical Garden has been recognized as one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world, so what’s stopping you from visiting this gorgeous 47-acre garden in St. Louis?
Address: 4344 Shaw Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63110
Thee Abbey Kitchen - Arcadia Academy/Facebook
This former schoolhouse now functions as one of the most beautiful bed and breakfasts in the area. Spend the night or enjoy a meal at their lovely restaurant.
Address: 211 S. College St. Arcadia, MO 63621
joneser005/flickr
The Katy Trail is the longest continuous rail trail is the country and provides the most beautiful recreational space for walkers, joggers and cyclists, alike.
Granger Meador/flickr
One of the most unique things that Missouri has to offer would have to be our beautiful water mills and springs. Alley Spring is connected to the Jacks Fork River and can be found in Eminence.
Address: Hwy 106 Eminence, MO
Charles J./Yelp
Redmon’s is the largest candy factory in Missouri and will make you feel like a kid again. The majority of the candy is made by them and you can buy by the bulk.
Address: 330 W. Pine St. Phillipsburg, MO 65722
Albonee Country Inn/website
Once upon a time, Missouri was the highest wine-producing state in the country. We even have our own wine trail. But there’s a little spot off the beaten path that’s worth taking a visit to and that’s Albonée Winery in Independence.
Address: 2200 S. Crenshaw Rd. Independence, MO 64057
Missouri Division of Tourism/flickr
This 184-mile river features the clearest and coolest waters in Missouri. During the summer, it’s packed with swimmers and floaters looking for a little relief from Missouri’s humidity.
J. Huston Tavern/Facebook
Stepping into J. Huston Tavern would be stepping into an integral part of Missouri history. Considered the oldest restaurant in Missouri, Huston once served as a major resting stop for westward immigrants passing through Arrow Rock.
Address: 304 Main St. Arrow Rock, MO 65320
Robert H./TripAdvisor
We may not be home to the Grand Canyon, but we’re pretty proud of our “Little Grand Canyon.”
Address: State Highway W Koshkonong, MO 65692
Bonne Terre Mine/Facebook
Who say’s that for world-class scuba diving you have to go to the west coast? In fact, one of the best places to scuba dive is right here in Missouri at Bonne Terre Mine.
Address: 185 Park Ave. Bonne Terre, MO 63628
Bizarre, creepy and just plain weird are a few of the words one would use to describe Glore Psychiatric Museum.
Address: 3408 Frederick Ave. St. Joseph, MO 64506
Big Cedar Lodge/Facebook
Enjoy a weekend of luxury when you stay the night at this amazing lodge in Ridgedale.
Address: 190 Top of the Rock Rd. Ridgedale, MO 65739
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: 185 Park Ave. Bonne Terre, MO 63628Address: 211 S. College St. Arcadia, MO 63621Address: 201 Beckwoods Dr. Eureka, MO 63025Address: 304 Main St. Arrow Rock, MO 65320
