Missouri Tour Guide 2018

M I S S O UTourRGuideI 2018

BEAUTIFUL SPACES & FAMOUS FACES of Southwest Missouri

BRANSON

Behind the Scenes

ST. LOUIS RIVERFRONT

Magnificent Makeover

6

Places to Quench Your Thirst

ITINERARIES, TRAVEL TIPS

and more!

I T ’ S S I M P LY G O L D E N

50

th

ANNUAL

DOGWOOD-AZALEA FESTIVAL APRIL 19 -22, 2018 Twice Voted

Top 5 festival@charlestonmo.org • 573-683-6509

www.charlestonmo.org/festival

Spring Flower Festival in the USA

by Fodor’s

A variety of fun and surprising experiences are ready for you in Missouri.

Whether you’re creating lasting memories with the family, seeking live entertainment and nightlife, striving to learn more about regional arts and culture, connecting with Missouri’s great outdoors or rooting on your favorite team, Missouri offers getaways to suit every style, taste and budget.

Your tour may include a trip to one of the Show-Me State’s major metropolitan areas, any of its charming small towns, or a bit of both.

As you travel into and across Missouri, visit one of the Missouri Division of Tourism’s Welcome Centers.

Located in Eagleville, Rock Port, Kansas City, Joplin, Conway, Hayti, St. Louis and Hannibal, these centers are staffed by knowledgeable tourism ambassadors who provide helpful information about the variety of destinations and attractions in the Show-Me State.

While you're here, enjoy the hospitality provided by the 307,000 people who work in the state’s tourism industry. They'll help ensure you have a great vacation experience as you enjoy the show that is the Show-Me State.

Welcome to Missouri. Thank you for visiting us.

Dan Lennon Director

www.visitmo.com

8

10

13

16

M I S S O UTourRGuideI 2018

FEATURES 8

Magnificent Makeover A major renovation enhances St. Louis’ most visible attraction

10

6 Places to Quench Your Thirst in Missouri Sit back, relax and savor a locally crafted beverage

13

3 Behind-the-Scenes Tour Options in Branson Dick’s 5 & 10, Sight & Sound Theatre, College of the Ozarks

16

Beautiful Spaces and Famous Faces Captivating places for group tours in Southwest Missouri

SAMPLE ITINERARIES 21

Central Missouri: Postcards from the Heartland

22

Kansas City: Show-Me the Money

DEPARTMENTS 6

Missouri Map and Driving Distances

23 4 MISSOURI TOUR

GUIDE

Missouri Travel Tips

ON THE COVER: The symbol of St. Louis rises 630 feet into the sky.

(Photo courtesy Gateway Arch)

Missouri Driving Distances At a glance, this handy chart shows distances in miles between popular tourist cities.

Branson Cape Girardeau Charleston Columbia Hannibal Hermann Independence Jefferson City Joplin Kansas City Rolla St. Charles Ste. Genevieve St. Joseph St. Louis Sedalia Springfield

Branson 0 275 256 201 275 217 205 170 107 211 144 254 286 264 251 156 43

6 MISSOURI TOUR

Cape Girardeau 275 0 35 225 217 185 342 220 321 350 158 126 61 408 115 279 255

GUIDE

Charleston Columbia Hannibal 256 201 275 35 225 217 0 258 249 258 0 98 249 98 0 214 65 86 375 119 192 252 31 106 319 227 302 382 126 201 198 94 151 166 108 99 101 175 165 448 184 194 147 125 117 313 67 163 255 162 237

Hermann Independence Jefferson City Joplin 217 205 170 107 185 342 220 321 214 375 252 319 65 119 31 227 86 192 106 302 0 181 48 250 181 0 142 154 48 142 0 202 250 154 202 0 188 9 148 157 72 204 62 178 60 225 117 284 129 290 168 297 243 63 208 211 81 242 122 284 107 82 61 175 182 163 133 70

Kansas City Rolla St. Charles Ste. Genevieve St. Joseph St. Louis Sedalia Springfield 211 144 254 286 264 251 156 43 350 158 126 61 408 115 279 255 382 198 166 101 448 147 313 255 126 94 108 175 184 125 67 162 201 151 99 165 194 117 163 237 188 72 60 129 243 81 107 182 9 204 225 290 63 242 82 163 148 62 117 168 208 122 61 133 157 178 284 297 211 284 175 70 0 210 233 298 55 252 87 167 210 0 108 112 269 106 123 110 233 108 0 66 290 22 173 220 298 112 66 0 354 54 227 232 55 269 290 354 0 307 144 219 252 106 22 54 307 0 186 215 87 123 173 227 144 186 0 118 167 110 220 232 219 215 118 0

Out-of-State Driving Distances From Chicago Dallas Minneapolis Memphis

To St. Louis Kansas City Branson St. Louis

Miles 297 508 643 283

MISSOURI TOUR GUIDE

7

MAGNIFICENT

MAKEOVER

A major renovation enhances St. Louis’ most visible attraction or group planners who have been organizing tours of St. Louis over the years, the iconic Gateway Arch is certainly an “old standby,” but a transformation of the Arch makes your next visit a dramatically new experience. The four-year, $380-million CityArchRiver project is nearing completion, and all the pieces should be in place by summer 2018. Its overarching goal: seamlessly connecting downtown St. Louis with the Arch and riverfront, a plan that was part of renowned architect Eero Saarinen’s winning Arch design.

The stainless-steel Gateway Arch, rising 630 feet from a forested park set above the banks of the Mississippi River, is part of Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, the area for which was designated a National Historic Site in 1935. The Arch, built between 1963 and 1965, is the tallest manmade monument in the U.S. and

F

commemorates America’s westward expansion in the 19th century. One of the Midwest’s prime tourist magnets, it stands on the site of the original village of St. Louis established by Pierre Laclede in the 1760s.

Groups visiting the Arch in 2018 will find new landscaping along with a new visitor center and museum.

The project’s “park over the highway,” completed in 2015 to create pedestrian walkways bridging the interstate, allows visitors to walk from downtown’s Luther Ely Smith Square (located across from the Old Courthouse) to the Arch grounds and down to the riverfront in one continuous greenway without a curb, stair or intersection in the way. It eliminates the need for pedestrians to cross six lanes of traffic to get to the Arch. Tour operators are glad to hear that bus drop-offs and parking will be more convenient, too.

The Arch’s new visitor center will lead to a museum with exhibits on the American West. Its curved glass entrance will face the Old Courthouse (top).

8

MISSOURI TOUR GUIDE

Gateway Arch Park Foundation renderings

Top: A gently sloping ramp now connects the riverfront and Arch grounds. Center: A new museum under the Arch, set to open in 2018, will tell the story of westward expansion.

Bottom: A land bridge over the interstate will aid access between downtown and the Arch.

The Old Courthouse, also part of Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, is a free attraction with a magnificent rotunda, historical exhibits, and ranger talks and tours. It’s most famous as the site of the Dred Scott trial, in which slaves Dred and Harriet Scott sued for their freedom in 1846. After 11 years in court, the case was finally settled in a U.S. Supreme Court decision that was not in their favor. A History Channel video explains how the case was a leading cause of the Civil War and a defining moment in the nation’s civil rights struggle. Groups (up to 30 people) can arrange a ranger-led courthouse tour or a re-enactment of the Dred Scott (or another historical) trial in which guests read scripts, argue facts and decide on a verdict. The Old Courthouse features artifacts from the Arch’s former Museum of Westward Expansion in galleries that tell the stories of Colonial St. Louis, Lewis & Clark, American Indians and the fur trade.

When opened, the Arch visitor center’s curved glass entrance will lead to an interactive 21st century museum (under the Arch) with all-new exhibits on the American West and the role St. Louis played in its settlement. Themed areas will include Jefferson’s Vision, Riverfront Era, New Frontier, Manifest Destiny, Colonial St. Louis and Building the Arch.

During construction, the Arch remains open for tram rides to the top, a highlight of any St. Louis trip. The five-passenger, barrelshaped capsules lead to the Arch’s observation deck, where everyone enjoys the views of the city and Mississippi River from little windows in the lofty perch. Landmarks on the horizon include Busch Stadium, home of baseball’s St. Louis Cardinals, and the stately, Romanesque-style tower of the 1894 St. Louis Union Station, which houses a Hilton hotel and in 2019 will host the St. Louis Aquarium. Journey to the Top tickets include admission to Monument to the Dream, a documentary movie on the building of the engineering marvel.

On the north entrance to the Arch grounds, shaded lawns, bike and pedestrian paths, and a natural amphitheater for performances and other events are part of a 7½-acre addition that replaces a parking garage. Also in this quiet area is an interpretive garden featuring flora that Lewis & Clark would have seen on their famed journey west. This greenspace improves access to historic Laclede’s Landing, the adjacent riverfront district with cobbled streets and old industrial buildings housing shops and restaurants.

Those who remember the grand staircase between the Arch and the river will be happy to know that now a gently sloping ramp means there’s no need to trudge up any steps. Food trucks, streetlevel stages, and new walking and bike paths bring more people to the riverfront promenade, which has been raised three feet to make it less susceptible to flooding. On the dock of the Gateway Arch Riverboats, the Arch View Cafe serves cooked-to-order fare.

Groups can order box lunches to enjoy on the dock, aboard the Tom Sawyer or Becky Thatcher sightseeing cruises, or on the go.

Other riverside restaurants are anticipated in the future.

The downtown improvement initiative also has yielded a revitalized Kiener Plaza, an outdoor gathering spot just west of the Old Courthouse. It boasts new trees, event space, an interactive water feature (splash pad) and abundant seating with tables and benches.

A game-changer for St. Louis tourism, the monumental CityArchRiver project surely will add to the experience for the 2.4 million people who annually visit the Gateway Arch, a bucket-list destination by any definition. I MISSOURI GUIDE COLORADO GROUPTOUR TOUR PLANNER

9

6

Places to Quench Your Thirst in

MISSOURI Sit back, relax and savor a locally crafted beverage Visitors to Stone Hill Winery in Hermann, a charming town famous for vineyards and German heritage, enjoy touring the cellars and indulging in the fruit of the vine.

F

or an authentic taste of Missouri, take your group straight to the source.

The state abounds with wineries and craft distilleries and boasts breweries big and small. Here are just a few places where you can see the process‌and sample the product.

10

MISSOURI TOUR GUIDE

Stone Hill Winery, Hermann Located in a quaint winemaking town settled by German immigrants, Stone Hill Winery has been around since 1847. In fact, it’s Missouri’s oldest winery. A free, 30-minute tour includes experiencing the largest series of underground arched cellars in North America. For $5 per person, your group can enjoy sampling six wines in the tasting room. If staying for lunch in the winery’s Vintage Restaurant, try wines paired with German specialties like schnitzel, sauerbraten, bratwurst, red cabbage, spaetzle and warm, housemade German potato salad. Housed in the property’s former carriage house/ horse barn, the restaurant has a private dining room that seats 50. (stonehillwinery.com)

Boulevard Brewing Company, Kansas City Enjoy a glass of “Kansas City’s Hometown Beer” in the Beer Hall at Boulevard Brewing Company, the Midwest’s largest specialty brewer and 12th largest craft brewery in the U.S. Located on the second floor of the brewery’s Tour and Recreation Center, the 10,000-square-foot space offers 24 beers on tap, food and an expansive deck with great city views. Groups of 10 to 25 can arrange a private brewery tour ($20 a person) that includes samples in the Tasting Room and one more beer in the Beer Hall afterwards. Boulevard’s Unfiltered Wheat Beer is the best-selling craft beer in the Midwest. On the Beer Hall’s limited menu are meat and cheese boards, pretzel bites with beer cheese sauce, and pretzel dogs, including a sausage made with Bully!Porter beer and served with Pale Ale mustard. (boulevard.com) MISSOURI TOUR GUIDE

11

Anheuser-Busch Brewery, St. Louis One of the largest and oldest breweries in the nation, AnheuserBusch’s St. Louis location is a tour-circuit staple, and its Biergarten is the perfect place to enjoy a cold beer. The 45-minute tour of the brewing plant includes the historic stables housing the famous Budweiser Clydesdales. Wet your whistle with a Budweiser sample during the tour and then choose from 20 different beers (Bud, Michelob, Shock Top, Bass Ale, etc.) on draught at the indoor/ outdoor Biergarten. If your group chooses the Biergarten as a dining or snack option, members can select from a menu that features signature items like the Biergarten Brat poached in Budweiser and served on a pretzel bun with Parmesan-dusted fries and coleslaw.

For lighter fare, try the Bavarian Pretzel Sticks, flash-fried and served with Michelob Golden Light cheddar sauce and Shock Top whole-grain mustard. (budweisertours.com)

St. James Winery, St. James One of the largest wine producers in Missouri, St. James Winery is located in the Ozark Highlands with convenient access to I-44. In 2016 it opened the Gardens, a beautifully landscaped outdoor space between the winery and next-door-neighbor Public House Brewing Company. While enjoying a glass of wine or pint of beer at one of the umbrella-shaded tables, play around on the bocce courts or life-size chess board. The Gardens features a huge fire pit and has live music on occasion. In spring and summer from Thursday to Sunday, the garden kitchen serves wood-fired pizzas and cool, refreshing wine slushies. St. James Winery offers complimentary tours and tastings; the sweet Velvet Red is its best seller. The winery also makes sparkling juices and fruit wines.

Public House Brewing’s St. James Taproom serves farm-to-table food and has an upstairs mezzanine for groups; brewery tours are available. (stjameswinery.com, publichousebrewery.com)

Polly’s Pop, Independence Craft sodas, along with craft beers, are carving out their own market segment, and one of the best places to tap into this trend is Independence, Missouri, home to reborn Polly’s Pop. The new company’s first sodas came off the antique bottling line in August 2016, 39 years after the brand ceased operations and almost a century since L.L. “Polly” Compton and Dorothea Compton started Polly’s Pop. Today, the soft drink made with cane sugar comes in eight flavors (including strawberry, grape, black cherry and cream soda) in glass bottles with parrot-adorned labels. Groups can tour the bottling plant on downtown’s Independence Square and then sample the product at nearby restaurants like Courtyard Exchange and Clinton's Soda Fountain. Hometown boy Harry Truman got his first job at a pharmacy in the 19th-century building that houses Clinton’s, a nostalgiafilled diner where patrons come in to have a sandwich or just treat themselves to Polly’s Pop in a classic phosphate topped with a scoop of ice cream. (pollyssodapop.com, clintonssodafountain.com)

Ozark Distillery, Osage Beach Situated near Lake of the Ozarks, Ozark Distillery invites groups to tour the small, familyrun operation and sample spirits in the tasting room afterwards. Made with Missouri-grown corn and limestone-rich water, the traditional Corn Whiskey Moonshine recreates the drinks produced all over the Ozark Hills region before Prohibition ended in 1933. The distillery also makes bourbon whiskey, vodka and a line of flavored moonshine products infused with apples, blackberries, vanilla beans, cinnamon or butterscotch. (ozarkdistillery.com) I

12

MISSOURI TOUR GUIDE

3

Behind-the-Scenes Tour Options in Branson Greenhouses, a fruit cake kitchen, a full-scale carpentry shop behind the stage and a retail store with so much merchandise you won’t believe it

B

ranson is certainly well known for its music culture and rightfully so.

Since the 1960s, this Ozarks community has been welcoming and entertaining groups of all ages. Like any energetic community, Branson continues to grow its brand. Leading the way are sports tourism, student/youth offerings, family and military reunions, and outdoor adventure.

Of course, music certainly fits any Branson itinerary, but there’s also an opportunity for a behind-the-scenes look at three unique Branson sites.

Dick’s 5 & 10, a fixture in downtown Branson, Missouri for more than a half century, offers everything you need along with fond memories of yesteryear.

MISSOURI TOUR GUIDE

13

Dick’s 5 & 10

Nostalgia abounds at Dick’s 5 & 10.

You have to love a retailer that proudly displays a sign that states, “We Got What You Forgot.” Once you walk through the aisles, you might decide that’s an understatement. In the 11 departments you find just about anything, from candy, sports gear, home decor and housewares to toys & games, pop-culture memorabilia, inspirational items and hardware. That’s 10,000 square feet of retail, but just as impressive are the collections found on the walls. Most noteworthy are their baseball “Hall of Fame” signed portraits and collector trains.

Dick Hartley worked for Kresge Company following World War II and after college. Hartley and his wife, June, dreamed of having their own 5 & 10. Their vision became reality in 1961 when, after searching possible locations near their hometown of Springfield, Missouri, they decided on Branson. The original store was small, only 1,500 square feet of retail space. In the early 1970s they moved to their present location and greatly expanded their retail space.

Guided by June Hartley, Dick’s 5 & 10 continues to operate as a family business. Son Steve Hartley joined in 1993 and son-in-law Dave Montgomery came onboard in 2008. The store itself is unlike anything most people have ever seen and certainly well worth the visit. What’s downstairs from the retail space is just as amazing.

How the massive amount of merchandise is organized and inventoried is fascinating, even for the non-shopper. The stairs are narrow, but for those in the group who can handle them, it’s worth the effort. If Steve Hartley is available, he’ll share some wonderful stories about his dad and the store’s history. Make sure he tells you the one about how he and his buddy dug another room in the basement. (dicks5and10.com)

Bible stories come alive at Sight & Sound.

Sight & Sound Theatre The Sight & Sound experience was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 70 years ago with a couple of projectors, slides, a turntable and microphone. The second Sight & Sound Theatre found a home in Branson 10 years ago. Today, Bible stories are brought to life on a 300-foot stage that surrounds the audience. State-of-the-art technology, stunning sets and live animals enhance epic productions in the 2,000-seat theater.

In creating such extravaganzas, no detail is left out. From grand sets to masterfully created period costumes, the result is a delight for guests’ eyes and ears. Vocals are delivered live on stage to original composed and recorded music from world-class orchestras. Outstanding actors perform their craft with commitment and flair. The entertainment is designed to bring families and groups together for a shared experience with an uplifting message. That experience goes far beyond what’s seen and heard when the curtain rises.

The stories begin to be staged in Lancaster at the first Sight & Sound Theatre. The marvelous sets are designed and built there before being shipped by truck to Branson, where carpenters assemble sets and build from scratch the smaller components needed in the stage production.

Seamstresses maintain a large wardrobe of period costumes and create new ones when required. Animals native to biblical lands are used in many productions, and they are well cared for by animal handlers.

When making show reservations for your group, inquire about a backstage tour. Along with the show, this behind-the-scenes peek will be an itinerary highlight. (sight-sound.com)

14

MISSOURI TOUR GUIDE

College of the Ozarks Founded in 1906, College of the Ozarks does not charge students tuition. Full-time students work campus jobs to defray the cost of their education. Most likely that’s why the Wall Street Journal described it as “one of the most unusual little liberal arts colleges in the country.” The college mission is “to provide the advantages of a Christian education for youth of both sexes, especially those found worthy, who are without sufficient means to procure such training.” Groups are more than welcome to visit and enjoy the campus.

There are numerous sights and experiences waiting for visiting groups. You’ll want to begin or end your stay on campus at the Keeter Center. Dobyns Hall, a rustic Maine lodge displayed at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, was relocated to the campus and stood there until 1930. One hundred years after the World’s Fair, the Keeter Center was designed to reflect that original structure. Thirty wonderfully decorated suites are well worth viewing and the facility can accommodate small groups. Some of the best dining in Branson is calling you at the Keeter Center, where groups are given personal attention by their student hosts.

The executive chef, when given notice, is delighted to share creative insights.

A guided tour of the greenhouses includes a look at the vegetables grown on campus. Also, be certain to visit the 7,000plant orchid collection, much of which was donated by one of

College of the Ozarks greenhouse

the school’s first students. Nearby Edwards Mill has students grinding whole-grain meal and flour on a 12-foot wheel. The finished products are available for sale along with items created in the upstairs weaving studio and downstairs basket-weaving area. Visitors also are welcome in the Fruit Cake and Jelly Kitchen, where students have been producing their famous fruitcakes since 1934.

There are numerous other sights to see on campus, but don’t miss Williams Memorial Chapel and its impressive stainedglass windows. Remember that the students you encounter are working for their education and providing your group a special behind-the-scenes look. (cofo.edu) I

MISSOURI TOUR GUIDE

15

Beautiful Spaces and Famous Faces Idyllic landscapes, first-class attractions and shrines to great Americans are captivating for group tours in Southwest Missouri

16

MISSOURI TOUR GUIDE

Springfield, Missouri’s newest attraction is Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium.

I

t seems logical to begin this story with an attraction that combines a famous face with a beautiful place. The George Washington Carver National Monument in Diamond, Missouri, is the childhood home of educator, scientist and humanitarian George Washington Carver. Carver was born into slavery in 1864 on the Moses and Susan Carver farm. Caught in the chaos of the Civil War on the Missouri-Kansas border, he was kidnapped as an infant along with his mother.

He was found in Arkansas years later and returned to the Carvers, orphaned and ill. His poor health spared him from regular chores, allowing him to explore and develop a love for flowers and all things that grew from the earth. Much of what he learned during those years cemented his love of nature and commitment to education.

Today, the Carver Trail leads you through the park’s woodlands, streams and a tall prairie grassland restoration that reflects the beauty from Carver’s childhood. The Carver statue sits in a natural setting similar to what Carver enjoyed exploring. The Visitor Center is both a museum and an educational center with interactive exhibits on history and science. Allow time for viewing the film. (nps.gov/gwca/index.htm) Next up is Carthage and a bite to eat at Carthage Deli & Ice Cream, located in the former Bank of Carthage. It has great sandwiches, and if you aren’t ready for lunch, at least enjoy an ice cream cone before touring the city. The centerpiece of the dozen Grand Avenue historic homes is Phelps House. Headquarters for the Historical Society, the late-Victorian mansion offers guided tours.

Stations of the Cross, depicted in 13 scenes, represents the final days of Jesus Christ. The statues were created in Vietnam and feature a narrative in both English and Vietnamese. The landscaping enhances the statues’ beauty. Each year Carthage takes on a festival atmosphere as 14,500 residents welcome 80,000 visitors. The annual Marian Days festival and pilgrimage has been bringing Vietnamese Catholics to Carthage since 1978. (visit-carthage.com) In Joplin, the crossroads of I-44, I-49 and Historic Route 66, there’s no shortage of famous (and infamous) people associated with the area. The notorious Bonnie and Clyde hid out in Joplin, the city where poet and novelist Langston Hughes (a primary contributor to the 1920s Harlem Renaissance) was born.

George Washington Carver National Monument

MISSOURI TOUR GUIDE

17

outside Joplin they are nameless and faceless, but in a special In addition to George Washington Carver, artist/muralist way they are famous to the residents of Joplin.

Thomas Hart Benton, from Neosho, also has roots in the area.

The TV show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition was in town to The best place to begin your Joplin visit is the Murals at City restore seven homes near Cunningham Park and took on the Hall. Joplin at the Turn of the Century, 1896-1906 was Thomas task of building a play area and basketball court at the park. Since Hart Benton’s final signed mural and considered by many as his that initial restoration, another feature, a reflecting finest. Benton focused on Route 66 and its impool connected by waterfalls that honors the lives portance to Joplin’s Main Street success. In adof children lost, has been constructed. The north dition to his masterful creation, the “Evolution of end of the park features a tribute to volunteers a Mural” display is located on the mezzanine of and a stainless-steel sculpture depicting a City Hall. With accompanying documents, it wristband. Many volunteers wore wristbands chronicles Benton’s thought process. during the recovery and for those in the area, The Joplin Museum Complex combines it symbolizes hope. The Butterfly Garden and the Everett J. Ritchie Tri-State Mineral Museum Overlook offers a history of the horrific event and and Doretha B. Hoover Historical Museum. the recovery that followed. It took many dedicated Joplin was a boomtown and the mining center faces to create this beautiful place. of five counties in Kansas, Oklahoma and Southwest Missouri has no shortage of Missouri. At one time 50 percent of the nation’s beautiful places. Among the scenic destinations zinc and lead were mined from the area. The in the Ozarks is Grand Falls, a great photo mineral museum tells the story of Joplin mining opportunity. The largest continuously flowing and showcases a variety of minerals found waterfall in Missouri, it cascades 12 feet along a in the area. The historical museum includes Phelps House is the centerpiece of the Grand Avenue mansions in Carthage.

163-foot ledge. Just a few minutes upstream is Route 66 history, the adventures of Bonnie Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon and Clyde and the quirky National Cookie Center. Along with Shoal Creek, some of the last remaining Cutter Museum. chert glades combine to make the area a favorite of migratory On May 22, 2011, an EF5 tornado roared through Joplin, claiming birds. More than four miles of walking trails wind through the 161 lives and leaving a path of destruction. In response to the center. Nature exhibits in the visitor center are highlighted by a devastation, thousands of volunteers arrived to rebuild the area 1,300-gallon fresh water aquarium with native species. The center and create a memorial honoring those who were lost. To most

or dinner, Metropolitan Farmer in Springfield and Chef Wes Johnson welcome groups with a menu inspired by fresh, local ingredients.

You cannot beat breakfast at the Aviary Creperie and Cafe (one of two) in Springfield.

Try Hurts Donuts if you’re in a rush. Wilder’s Steakhouse in Joplin features a fine selection of hand-cut steaks and fresh seafood. Co-owner Marsha Pawlus is happy to share the building’s history of craftsmanship and gambling. For the authentic local experience in Joplin, small groups paying in cash should try Mary Lee’s Cafe for breakfast.

Springfield, MO CVB

TOUR NOTES

F

Springfield, positioned in the heart of the Ozarks, is the April has a variety of fun and educational programs tailored for groups.

30, 1926, birthplace of Historic Route 66. If there’s any doubt (visitjoplinmo.com) about that fact, begin your visit at the Springfield Visitor Center.

A 45-minute drive north brings you to the Harry S. Truman (springfieldmo.org) Birthplace State Historic Site in Lamar. Truman was born in this Well before Route 66, Springfield helped give birth to the small house on May 8, 1884, and in 1885 the family moved Wild West as the site of the nation’s first to Kansas City. The home and grounds are recorded shootout. Right in the town square furnished with items that would be typical in “Wild Bill” Hickok faced off with David Tutt, western Missouri at the time of Truman’s birth. who had taken a watch as collateral for Take a few minutes at the visitor center where Hickok’s poker game loss. As the story goes, you see the signature of the only Missouri-born Tutt pranced around town showing off the president, who signed the guest list when he watch, claiming Hickok did not pay his debts. returned for the 1953 dedication of his birthplace.

Tutt fired and missed from 75 yards. Hickok Lamar, with just over 4,200 residents today, returned fire and killed Tutt. The event made was where Wyatt Earp began his law-enforcenational news. ment career as the city’s constable.

Your group cannot visit Springfield without No matter where you’re from, you’ll enjoy spending time at the original (and still biggest) the beauty and solitude of Prairie State Park.

Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World. In addition Imagine at one time a fourth of Missouri being to all your outdoor recreation needs, from covered by tall grasses (in ever-changing colors) fishing and boating to hunting and camping, growing to eight feet. Envision early settlers the Grandaddy of All Outdoor Stores, as it’s coming to the area and encountering that land Bison inhabit Prairie State Park, which preserves the area’s native vegetation. often called, features regular fish-feeding inhabited by bison, elk, prairie chicken, and other shows, the National Archery Hall of Fame, native birds and animals. Only 4,000 acres of National Rifle Association Sporting Arms Museum, John A. and this scenic wonder remain at Prairie State Park. The elk are gone, Genny Morris Conservation Education Center and Hemingway’s but a small bison herd and numerous bird species can be seen from Blue Water Cafe. The much-anticipated Wonders of Wildlife the park’s four trails. Before venturing into the prairie grasses, begin National Museum & Aquarium, a world-class fish and wildlife at the visitor center for a session that prepares you for your trail attraction, opened in September 2017. I walk. (mostateparks.com/park/prairie-state-park)

MISSOURI TOUR GUIDE

19

Order your free digital copy of the

2018 Missouri Tour Guide!

Downloaded directly to your desktop, the enhanced digital version of the Missouri Tour Guide is a handy year-long planning reference.

Get your copy today! bit.ly/2yiJ25B

20

MISSOURI TOUR GUIDE

CENTRAL MISSOURI ITINERARY

Postcards from the Heartland: A Tour Through Missouri’s Picturesque Towns Discover all there is to see and do in Boonville, Fulton, Jefferson City and Hermann, Missouri’s “Pretty as a Postcard” towns

5

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Warm Springs Ranch National Churchill Museum Missouri State Penitentiary Stone Hill Winery Hermann Living History Farm and Museum

Duration: Three days Available: April through October This Itinerary is Ideal For: Adults 21+

Day 1 Your tour begins in Boonville at Warm Springs Ranch, a breeding farm for the Budweiser Clydesdales. Resting on 300-plus acres of lush, rolling hills in the heart of Missouri, the facility is home to more than 70 Clydesdales ranging from foals to stallions.

Lunch in Boonville or Columbia Travel east to Fulton and the National Churchill Museum. Located inside the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury, an English church designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1667, the museum has permanent exhibits dedicated to Sir Winston Churchill, who made his famous "Iron Curtain" speech on the Westminster campus in 1946. The grounds also are home to the Breakthrough sculpture, which was created by Churchill’s granddaughter, Edwina Sandys, and features sections of the Berlin Wall.

Depart for Jefferson City and dinner after check-in.

Cap your day – and perhaps ensure a sleepless night! – with a Ghost Tour at the Missouri State Penitentiary. Decommissioned in 2004, the penitentiary is open for a variety of tours. Before it closed, MSP was the oldest continually operating penitentiary west of the Mississippi. The tour showcases housing units and cells, including those of inmates such as heavyweight champion Sonny Liston, who learned to box during his time in the big house, and James Earl Ray. In 1967 the prison was called the “bloodiest 47 acres in America” by Time magazine because of the high number of serious assaults on the grounds between 1963-1964. Operates, weather allowing, March through November.

Day 2 After breakfast, depart Jefferson City for Hermann.

Nestled among the rolling hillsides of the Missouri River, in a countryside reminiscent of Germany's Rhine Valley, is the little town of Hermann. Your outing can include shopping tours, a village tour with music or a visit to Swiss Meat and Sausage Company. The arts and crafts of yesteryear are well preserved in Historic Hermann Museum at the German School. Built in 1871, the building served as Hermann's elementary school until 1955. The town clock, a favorite subject for photographers, has been operating since 1890.

While in Hermann, enjoy lunch and wine tasting at Stone Hill Winery.

Take the winery tour to see the largest series of underground cellars in North America. Stone Hill’s Vintage Restaurant is situated on the winery grounds in a beautifully restored carriage house and horse barn.

Hermann Living History Farm and Museum brings more than 160 years of farming experience, exhibits of early trades and history to its nearly 200-acre living history farm. Tours include the restored Hussmann home and outbuildings, Trading Post, Distillery Log House and Office, Tinsmith Shop and Gardens. Tram rides are available to see more of the farm and its place in history.

Return to Jefferson City by 6 p.m. to enjoy a stop at Central Dairy. The dairy is an excellent stop any time of year and is a longtime favorite of locals and many throughout the Midwest.

Overnight: Jefferson City

Day 3 Start your morning inside the Missouri State Capitol, where you find the Missouri State Museum, which features exhibits of outstanding historical significance. The 45-minute guided Capitol tour is the best way to experience the historic and decorative features of the building, including the Thomas Hart Benton mural A Social History of Missouri.

From there, take the 10-minute drive east to the Missouri National Guard’s Ike Skelton Training Center, home of the Museum of Missouri Military History. It offers exhibits dating back to 1808. Learn about Missouri’s role in various wars and humanitarian relief efforts.

Enjoy lunch at one of Jefferson City’s locally owned restaurants.

Depart for home with rich memories of Central Missouri’s gems!

MISSOURI TOUR GUIDE

21

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI ITINERARY

Show-Me the Money

Day 1

It’s easy to spend a few days in Kansas City indulging yourself in its varied attractions, exciting shopping, entertainment and flavorful dining options

It doesn’t take winning the lottery to see what $40 million looks like.

A stop at the Money Museum at Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City offers an insider’s view of the economy through hands-on exhibits. Your visit is complete with a free souvenir bag of shredded U.S. currency!

5

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Money Museum at Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City Hallmark Visitors Center Arabia Steamboat Museum American Jazz Museum Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

Duration: Three days Available: Year-round This Itinerary is Ideal For: Adults 21+

At the Hallmark Visitors Center, learn the Hallmark story, from J.C. Hall’s humble beginning in 1910 to the creation of the world’s largest greeting-card company. See a demonstration of the processes used in the manufacturing of Hallmark cards and a collection of 12 unique Christmas trees created by Hallmark employees.

The Arabia Steamboat Museum tells the story of a group of men that uncovered the Arabia, which had been lost more than 100 years earlier when it sank in the Missouri River just north of Kansas City. The river had changed courses and the steamboat was buried and ultimately discovered, with remarkably preserved cargo, under a cornfield. The museum features a massive collection of pre-Civil War artifacts.

Check in at your Kansas City hotel before ending the day at the Power and Light District, an $850 million entertainment district. From retail therapy and diverse cuisine to nightclubs and live entertainment, this hot spot has everything for a fun night on the town.

Day 2 Coffee connoisseurs “perk” up with a tour of The Roasterie Air Roasted Coffee. Get a behind-the-scenes look at their factory and learn about the cupping, roasting and blending processes.

Nearby Boulevard Brewing Company has been producing popular beers since 1989. Your visit starts at the Tours & Recreation Center where you find a gift shop and exhibits about the company’s history. A walking tour of the brewery gives you more insight on the creation process and you get a chance to sample the end result in the Tasting Room.

And what goes better with beer than BBQ? Kansas City-style BBQ is known for its well-rounded tomato/molasses-based sauce that is sweet, tangy and spicy. You’ll become a believer, too, after having lunch at one of these local favorites: Arthur Bryant’s Barbecue, Gates Bar-B-Q, Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue and Q39 are just a few.

Next stop is the 18th & Vine District to acquaint yourself with the jazz that made Kansas City famous. The American Jazz Museum offers a plethora of interactive exhibits that help you truly appreciate the music genre.

At night, the neighborhood comes alive with music. The Blue Room, a working jazz club within the museum, features live music four nights a week.

Dedicated performances can be seen at The Gem Theatre. But music isn’t the only lure of this district; America’s favorite pastime and some of the game’s greats are honored at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

Day 3 After breakfast let out your inner-child at the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. Fine-scale miniatures and hands-on exhibits conjure memories of the good old days. You’re sure to recognize a beloved toy.

Shopping enthusiasts can't miss the Country Club Plaza, a premier retail area designed after Seville, Spain. Interesting architecture and fountains abound on every corner. Spend some time exploring the Plaza and grabbing a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants.

After three days exploring Missouri’s largest city, you depart Kansas City with fond memories…and plans to return soon.

22

MISSOURI TOUR GUIDE

Travel Tips for Your Missouri Tour Local information to get you on your way to the Show-Me State.

Fly/Drive from These Missouri Airports

S

taffers at Official Missouri Welcome Centers are ready to assist you with information about the surrounding area and the entire state. Picnic areas, vending machines and playground equipment are available at most Official Welcome Centers. (visitmo.com/official-welcome-center.aspx) Joplin Official Missouri Welcome Center Interstate 44 East, Mile Marker 2 Rest Area Joplin, MO 64803 417-629-3030 Tourism.Joplin@ded.mo.gov

Eagleville Official Missouri Welcome Center 11687 Interstate 35 South Eagleville, MO 64442 660-867-5566 Tourism.Eagleville@ded.mo.gov

Kansas City Official Missouri Welcome Center 4010 Bluff Ridge Cutoff Kansas City, MO 64133 816-889-3330 Tourism.KansasCity@ded.mo.gov

Hannibal Official Missouri Welcome Center 1700 Highway 61 South Hannibal, MO 63401 573-248-2420 Tourism.Hannibal@ded.mo.gov

Rock Port Official Missouri Welcome Center 23181 Interstate 29 South Rock Port, MO 64482 660-744-6300 Tourism.RockPort@ded.mo.gov

Hayti Official Missouri Welcome Center Interstate 55 North, Mile Marker 20 Hayti, MO 63851 573-359-0330 Tourism.Hayti@ded.mo.gov

St. Louis Official Missouri Welcome Center Interstate 270 at Riverview Drive St. Louis, MO 63138 314-869-7100 Tourism.StLouis@ded.mo.gov

Discover Missouri Train Travel Aboard Amtrak

t

great way to experience the Show-Me State is the twice-daily Missouri River Runner route.

Travel between St. Louis and Kansas City with stops in travel-friendly communities such as Kirkwood, Hermann, Jefferson City, Sedalia, Warrensburg and Independence. (amtrak.com/missouri-river-runner-train) Amtrak also offers daily service to Missouri aboard the Texas Eagle with stops at St. Louis, the Arcadia Valley station in Arcadia and Poplar Bluff. The Acadia stop is the closest Amtrak station to the Missouri Ozark region. (amtrak.com/texas-eagle-train) The Southwest Chief is another option for travelers coming from outside the state. With stops in La Plata and Kansas City, your next adventure is only a ride away. (amtrak.com/southwest-chief-train)

A

Charter and Tour Services

T

here are primary commercial airports servicing all regions of Missouri, providing a seamless opportunity for a fly/drive tour of Missouri.

T

Conway Official Welcome Center - Westbound 110619 Interstate 44 West Conway, MO 65632 417-589-0023 Tourism.ConwayW@ded.mo.gov

v

he American Bus Association lists 38 Missouri Tour and Bus Operator members on its website. Motorcoach operators provide a variety of services, including charters, sightseeing and local receptive operations. (buses.org).

v

Official Missouri Welcome Centers

Columbia Regional Airport American Airlines and United Airlines provide direct, non-stop service to Dallas/ Fort Worth, Chicago O’Hare and Denver International airports. (flycou.com) Joplin Regional Airport American Airlines/American Eagle provides non-stop service to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. (joplinmo.org/693/welcome) Kansas City International Airport Fifty-three national, Canada and Mexico flights arrive at Kansas City International.

Airlines include Aero Mexico/Funjet, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines and United Airlines. (flykci.com) Springfield-Branson National Airport American Airlines, Allegiant Airlines, Delta Airlines and United Airlines provide non-stop service from Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Orlando, Tampa/St. Petersburg Phoenix and seasonal service to Punta Gorda/Ft. Myers, and Destin/Ft. Walton. (sgf-branson-airport.com) St. Louis Lambert International Airport Sixty-five national and international flights, including Canada, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Mexico, serve STL. The airport is serviced by Air Canada, Air Choice One, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Cape Air, Charter Flights, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and XTRAAirways. (flystl.com) Branson Airport VIA Airlines services Branson with flights from Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago, Austin, Denver and Houston. (flybranson.com) MISSOURI TOUR GUIDE

23