2024 Missouri Group Tour Guide

M I S S O UTourRGuideI 2024

Group Tour Guide

Missouri’s Wine Country

Enjoy a wine region getaway without the expensive price tag

Unconventional Missouri Museums and Attractions Your Group Will Love You don’t have to go far in Missouri to discover one-of-a-kind entertainment

Get Your Kicks on Route 66

The highway’s upcoming centennial celebrations will spotlight iconic sites recalling the golden age of automobile travel

Stephen Foutes Director, Missouri Division of Tourism

Every mile traveled in Missouri leads to surprising discoveries, breathtaking views and big adventure for groups of all sizes.

Take in iconic sights in St. Louis and Kansas City. The 630-foot-tall Gateway Arch is the tallest national monument in the U.S. and daring visitors can ride a tram to the top for an unbeatable view of the Mississippi River and downtown St. Louis. See Kansas City from above at the National World War I Museum and Memorial. With its soaring Liberty Memorial Tower and the world’s most comprehensive collection of World War I artifacts, the museum leaves a lasting impression.

Both St. Louis and Kansas City have a lively sports scene, and the newest addition to the athletic family is soccer. St. Louis City Soccer Club and the Kansas City Current (which is moving into a brand new stadium – the first purpose-built women’s sports stadium in the world) have already amassed a loyal following.

In southwest Missouri, Branson is a hub of live music and entertainment. Between shows, make time to visit the area’s intriguing museums, like the Titanic Museum Attraction and the Hollywood Wax Museum. Silver Dollar City, an 1880s theme park, is the place to go for thrills and family fun.

About 40 minutes to the north, the world’s largest Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World offers 500,000 square feet of retail, dining and entertainment space in the heart of Springfield.

Don’t overlook Missouri’s small towns. Hermann, which has a rich German heritage, is known for its excellent wineries. Stone Hill Winery, the oldest in the state, offers free tours of its expansive underground cellars built in the late 1800s. Hannibal is a charming town located right on the Mississippi River. Learn more about its most famous resident, Samuel Clemens, at the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum. You’ll discover that his childhood in the Mississippi River town influenced his writing throughout his life.

And speaking of famous folks, Missouri has connections to Walt Disney, Laura Ingalls Wilder, George Washington Carver and Jesse James, to name a few.

No matter where your interests lie – history, outdoor recreation, or delicious food just to name a few – you’re sure to find it in the Show-Me State. We’ll see you soon.

Welcome to Missouri. Thanks for coming, and travel safely.

Stephen Foutes Director www.VisitMO.com

Learn more about Missouri group travel opportunities!

"This year’s group picture will look a lot better from here."

- Vacation

From family reunions to youth group trips, any outing is better with a dash of a Branson vacation. Plan your next group trip at ExploreBranson.com.

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Group Tour Guide

FEATURES

6 Kansas City Aquarium Makes a Splash

A new attraction brings the ocean to mid-America • By Heather Dale

8 The Road to FIFA 2026:

Missouri’s Rise as the Nation’s Soccer Capital Powerhouse pro teams have catapulted the state into a global soccer Mecca • By Isabella Wilkes

12 Get Your Kicks on Route 66

The highway’s upcoming centennial celebrations will spotlight iconic sites recalling the golden age of automobile travel • By Randy Mink

16 Unconventional Missouri Museums and Attractions Your Group Will Love

You don’t have to go far in Missouri to discover one-of-a-kind entertainment • By Lisa Shames

20 Relax and Savor a Drink in Missouri’s Wine Country

Enjoy a wine region getaway without the expensive price tag • By Grace Condon ON THE COVER: Aquarium at the Boardwalk in Branson, Missouri

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KANSAS CITY AQUARIUM MAKES A SPLASH A new attraction brings the ocean to mid-America

By Heather Dale The Kansas City Zoo recently completed the impressive Sobela Ocean Aquarium.

Photos courtesy of the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

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he Kansas City Zoo, located over 1,000 miles from the nearest seacoast, saw an opportunity to bring the ocean’s wonders to western Missouri and has just completed the impressive Sobela Ocean Aquarium. Being part of an established zoo, it is unlike other aquariums in the state and contributes to a well-rounded zoological experience.

The aquarium was purposefully designed to lead guests “into the depths of the ocean.” Begin at the shallow tide pools where sand meets seawater before heading down in elevation to the vaster parts of the offshore ecosystem to witness sharks and other subaquatic critters. Finally, emerge back up onto the shoreline to see cuttlefish, lobsters and Giant Pacific octopuses.

An impressive assortment of creatures await throughout six different habitats. Within those habitats are 34 exhibits showcasing a diverse array of marine life. Get up close to more than 8,000 animals, including native Caribbean and Australian fish, sand tiger and zebra sharks, stingrays, moray eels, rescued sea turtles, coral, and other exotic species.

Among curious critters at the aquarium is the monkeyface prickleback, which looks like an eel but really is part of the bony fish family. They can grow up to 30 inches long and live up to 18 years. Also on display are Pacific spiny lumpsuckers, which have been known to eat right out of divers’ hands.

Growing 1-3 inches long and sometimes up to 7 inches, they possess very wide mouths, protruding eyes and an inability to swim. See how they latch onto objects using their suctioncupped mouths to keep from floating away!

The upper portion of the aquarium is dedicated to shorelinehugging animals that enjoy shallow water pools. Experience a crash tank where generated waves break against the rocks.

Visit mangrove forest exhibits and beachscapes.

Lagoon tanks feature brightly colored tropical creatures from the Caribbean, while jewel tanks accommodate more delicate lifeforms like seahorses and garden eels. A 10,000-gallon living reef lets visitors get up close to the brilliant live coral with schools of fish swimming overhead. You’ll find numerous shark species in a 350,000-gallon reef tank where these cartilaginous fish take center stage. Visit the cold-water reef to witness sea otters playing and the always-popular touch tank where you can feel slippery specimens.

The new oceanarium, one of the most intriguing aquatic showcases in the country, was 10 years in the making. The $77 million attraction is the largest capital project in Kansas City with a whopping 650,000 gallons of salt water that is carefully monitored using a water system underneath the building. Water quality is critical for the six habitats and their occupants to survive, since each requires specific salt levels.

The zoo prioritizes ethically obtaining and caring for all of the aquarium’s inhabitants. According to Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium Executive Director and CEO Sean Putney, there are several ways they source animals. For example, Sobela Ocean Aquarium serves as a rehabilitation facility for government-owned wildlife. Non-releasable animals like sea otters and sea turtles that sustain injuries or stranding events make their way from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to the aquarium to live out the rest of their lives in safety and comfort, freeing up space for more animals in need of care.

Group trips to the newly renamed Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium can be arranged online. Sign up for a Large Group Program intended for 50-300 participants and choose from one of two options. Cultural Connections focuses on animal and human interactions, while Animal Communication showcases animals’ verbal and non-verbal communication skills. •

This $77 million attraction is the largest capital project in Kansas City.

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The St. Louis City Soccer Club has taken MLS by storm.

THE ROAD TO FIFA 2026:

MISSOURI’S RISE AS THE NATION’S SOCCER CAPITAL Powerhouse pro teams have catapulted the state into a global soccer Mecca

By Isabella Wilkes

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n the heartland of the United States resides a soccer fan base that exhibits an unbridled fervor for the game. As Missouri prepares to host FIFA World Cup games in 2026, the Show-Me State’s passion for the sport grows with each passing year.

Kansas City: A Soccer Hot Spot

Kansas City in recent years has elevated its standing as a soccer stronghold. The Kansas City Current, a women’s professional soccer team in the National Women’s Soccer League, is building a spectacular soccer-specific stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, that is scheduled to open in March of 2024. This will be the first purpose-built women’s professional sports stadium in the world — set in scenic Berkley Riverfront Park.

Following the success of Major League Soccer’s Sporting Kansas City, the Current was founded in 2021. In 2022, the Current achieved a remarkable 13-game winning streak during the regular season. The women obliterated their competition in the playoffs and competed in the 2022 National Women’s Soccer League Championship against the Portland Thorns.

For fans attending either KC soccer club’s matches, there’s a post-game tradition that’s just as exhilarating as the game.

The Power and Light District in downtown Kansas City transforms into a party place after each match. Whether fans are toasting a hard-fought win or finding solace in camaraderie after a tough loss, the vibrant complex of sports bars, restaurants and entertainment venues serves as a perfect backdrop for post-match revelry.

St. Louis: A Soccer Legacy Reborn

In St. Louis, a pivotal moment in sports history is underway with the arrival of a new MLS team, St. Louis City Soccer Club. The brand new CityPark stadium in downtown St. Louis displays a commitment to honoring St. Louis’ rich heritage and supportive community.

Debuting in 2023, City SC surprised the league with a 5-0 winning streak right out of the gate. The club’s first-season performance marked it as the most successful MLS expansion team in the first eight games. From the inaugural kick to the final whistle, City SC showcased not just their prowess on the pitch (earning an impressive 18 points) but its indomitable spirit. Each match was a reflection of the dedication of the players, coaching staff and unwavering fans who packed the stadium each match.

Fans looking to release their post-match adrenaline need not look further than St. Louis’ downtown entertainment district. The city, known for its cuisine, has an abundance of award-winning restaurants to choose from.

FIFA World Cup 2026

As the world’s gaze turns to North America for the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup 2026, Kansas City stands proudly in the spotlight as one of the host cities. Arrowhead Stadium will transform into a coliseum of soccer brilliance, welcoming teams and fans from around the globe.

The FIFA World Cup is the most widely viewed and attended sporting event in the world, with 3.57 billion viewers and 6.8 million tourists attending the 2018 matches. This monumental event, the largest in Kansas City’s history, presents an opportunity to showcase Missouri’s status as the nation’s soccer capital. •

Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City will host the FIFA World Cup in 2026.

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ITINERARY

SCAN FOR INFO

From world-class wines to memorials known worldwide and from National Parks to National Shrines along with delicious dishes and drinks all served up with downhome hospitality and a Midwest smile, Perryville and Ste. Genevieve have something for everyone.

Experience America’s first French settlement west of the Mississippi River in Ste. Genevieve with its unique French architecture and explore the German heritage found in Perryville with its rich faith that has spanned the globe. Three days, two cities, one amazing experience.

Ste. Genevieve and Perryville, MO

Discover the Charming Heritage of Ste. Genevieve and Perryville Missouri’s National Veterans Memorial

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Saxon Lutheran Memorial

Day 1 Start your trip in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, by exploring the Centre for French Colonial Life Museum and the Bolduc House, which was built back in the 1700s. This National Landmark features original colonial-era furnishings and was lived in by members of the Bolduc family until 1949 when the NSCDA-MO purchased it, restored it and opened it in 1958 as a house museum. Then, make your way to the Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park featuring the Green Tree Tavern, one of the oldest vertical log buildings in the nation. After spending the day in downtown Ste. Genevieve, unwind with a glass of award-winning wine from Chaumette Vineyards and Winery.

The hilltop view from this premier wine resort will be as awe-inspiring as the delicious dinner served at the winery’s Grapevine Grill. Spend a restful night at the Microtel By Wyndham.

Day 2 Begin your morning with a self-guided tour of the beautiful and historic Ste. Genevieve Catholic Church located in the heart of town. Built in 1880, this towering brick house of worship with beautiful stained-glass windows and marble adornments is the third church in this location to serve the community.

Once you are finished, you can walk across the street to the Ste. Genevieve Museum Learning Center, where you can see Missouri’s own dinosaur, Hypsibema missouriensis, among other fascinating artifacts dating from prehistoric times through the 1900s. Grab a bite to eat at Audubon’s Restaurant before traveling to Perryville.

The first stop in Perryville is the Missouri’s National Veterans Memorial, the only full-scale

Bolduc House at the Centre for French Colonial Life Museum

sister wall in the country to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. Then, travel to the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. The shrine and church have welcomed visitors since 1818. The church is a brick-and-mortar masterpiece adorned with breathtaking paintings on the walls and ceiling, multiple altars and an illuminating candle room not to be missed. The outdoor Rosary Walk has statues of Italian marble and bronze and a WWI grotto. It is recognized as the largest rosary walk in North America. Then you will check into the Holiday Inn Express to rest a bit before dinner at Brass + Bone, an artisan cocktail lounge with an uptown atmosphere located in Perryville’s historic downtown.

Day 3 Start the day with a stop at the American Tractor Museum. This amazing collection will walk you through the evolution of the machine that plowed, planted, and harvested the American dream. Then travel to historic Altenburg to the Lutheran Heritage Center which will transport you back in time to 1839 when German immigrants moved to the area in order to create a better life in America. Tour the Concordia Log Cabin College and Trinity Lutheran Church and hear about the immigrants’ trials, triumphs, and tribulations as they tamed the Missouri frontier. Here you will enjoy a wonderful German lunch before visiting the Die Kleine Schule, meaning the “little school” in German. You will feel frozen in time when you enter this little one-room school where students were taught English as a second language for many years. End your German adventure at the Saxon Lutheran Memorial surrounded by an 1800s village of unique log cabins, a barn and granary, a country store, and so much more.

PERRY COUNTY HERITAGE TOURISM Trish Erzfeld 573-517-2069 trish@perryvillemo.com visitperrycounty.com

CITY OF STE. GENEVIEVE Happy Welch 573-883-5400 hwelch@stegenevieve.gov www.stegenevieve.org/

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GET YOUR KICKS ON

ROUTE 66

The highway’s upcoming centennial celebrations will spotlight iconic sites recalling the golden age of automobile travel

By Randy Mink

National Museum of Transportation in St. Louis

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or a true slice of Americana, few journeys in the Midwest can rival a road trip that retraces the path of our nation’s most storied highway.

Nicknamed the “Mother Road” in John Steinbeck’s classic 1939 novel, The Grapes of Wrath, U.S. Route 66 was the magic carpet to dreams in the mid-20th century.

Symbolizing freedom and mobility, it attracted vacationers, adventurers, hippies and those searching for a better life.

Forming a linear community that spanned more than 2,400 miles from Illinois to California, the concrete corridor became enshrined in popular culture — in music, art, films and television shows as well as literature.

Route 66 became known as the “Main Street of America.”

Cozy motels, mom-and-pop cafes, filling stations, neon signs and roadside oddities were all part of its mystique.

Missouri and seven other states, in cooperation with the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission, will be working on special projects and activities to celebrate the road’s 100th anniversary in 2026. In the coming years, you’ll be hearing a lot about the commemorations planned and the many attractions that preserve the road’s history.

Springfield, Missouri, is considered the birthplace of Route 66. It was from a hotel there in 1926 that Missouri and Oklahoma highway executives sent federal officials a telegram proposing the new road be called U.S. Highway 66, a designation approved a few months later. John T. Woodruff, a Springfield attorney and businessman who promoted roads in the Ozarks and elsewhere, was elected as the first president of the National Route 66 Association in 1927.

Starting in the late 1950s, Route 66 was gradually replaced by high-speed interstates. While the pioneering pathway’s official decommissioning in 1985 marked the end of an era, the legacy of the fabled east-west artery lives on. Interstate 44 may have replaced Route 66 in Missouri, but hundreds of “Historic Byway” signs recognizing the original route can be found across the state.

In Springfield, most reminders of Route 66’s glory days are clustered in the downtown area, mainly along College and East St. Louis streets, which have black-and-white “Missouri Route 66” shields painted on the pavement.

On Park Central Square, downtown’s hub, the History Museum on the Square is the ideal place for Route 66 fans to get their kicks. A 66-foot-long timeline and map traces the highway’s history, showing classic diners, motels, natural wonders and kitschy roadside attention-getters in the eight states through which it traveled.

Artifacts from Springfield include a Standard Red Crown gas pump, a Sunset Drive-In movie theater sign, an A&W Root Beer curbside ordering box, a jukebox, and a sign and menu from Red’s Giant Hamburg, considered America’s first restaurant with a drive-up window when it opened in 1947. (The name originally was meant to be Red’s Giant Hamburger, but the “er” was cut off at the bottom when Red Chaney realized the sign was too tall to fit under overhead power lines.) Museum visitors will

Route 66 is known as the “Main Street of America.”

Springfield’s History Museum on the Square is the ideal place for Route 66 fans to learn about the famous highway.

The Route 66 Car Museum in Springfield is dedicated to showcasing some of the most beautiful automobiles in history.

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The Steak ’n Shake in Springfield, Missouri has served its

steakburgers, fries, chili and milkshakes since 1962.

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see vintage postcards, a Steak ‘n Shake booth and a turquoise Chevrolet convertible from the 1950s.

Car culture naturally is a big part of Route 66, and the Route 66 Car Museum, one mile west of the Square, captures the vibe with antique gas pumps, oil cans, signs and other automotive memorabilia, not to mention aisles of restored vehicles buffed to a shine. Treasures on display include a black 1957 Corvette, a red 1956 Ford Thunderbird and a 1929 Ford Model A. The 1950s-era College Street Cafe, an unassuming diner with auto-themed decor, shares a parking lot with the Route 66 Car Museum. Offering home-cooked fare, the menu features comfort foods like meatloaf with mashed potatoes, a pork tenderloin sandwich with fries and country-fried steak in cream gravy.

A block east of the Square contains the Gillioz Theatre, a movie/vaudeville house that debuted on Route 66 in 1926.

After closing its doors in 1980, the grand old theater sat unused until a massive restoration was completed in 2006. The Spanish Colonial Revival gem is now a venue for music acts, comedians, plays and movies.

The Steak ’n Shake on East St. Louis Street has served its steakburgers, fries, chili and milkshakes to hungry travelers since 1962. Sporting the original signage, it is one of three Steak ’n Shakes still located on old Route 66, offering both

car-side service and a dining room with red vinyl seats, neon signs and old photos.

The retro theme continues in Springfield with three vintage, Route 66-themed motels that offer modern amenities — Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven, Rockwood Motor Court, and Rest Haven Court.

In the southwest corner of Missouri, the legend of Route 66 lives on in Joplin, whose name is mentioned in the lyrics of the famous song “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66.” Route 66 Mural Park on Main Street features two large tile murals and a red mock 1964 Chevy Corvette, a popular photo stop.

Northeast of Springfield in Lebanon, the public library includes a free-admission Route 66 Museum complete with recreations of a ’50s diner and gas station, along with an antique car and other memorabilia.

Cuba, another town that maintains its Route 66 heritage, is home to the Wagon Wheel Motel, a restored tourist court that has put up road trippers in its stone cabins since the 1930s. Its neon sign dates back to 1947. Visitors to Cuba, about 75 miles southwest of St. Louis, also seek out the 14 supersized outdoor murals that showcase the highway’s heyday and local history.

For the best in comfort food, try Cuba’s Missouri Hick Bar-B-Q. Outside of town, don’t miss the Route 66 Rocker. Standing more than 42 feet tall next to Fanning Outpost General Store, the bright orange rocking chair is the world’s second-largest.

Since the 1930s, motorists in Missouri have seen the name Meramec Caverns emblazoned on barns and billboards. An early fixture on Route 66, the quintessential show cave is located near Stanton, an hour or so outside of St. Louis via I-44.

Delivering relief from the summer heat, the cave is a constant 60 degrees year-round. In a natural theater on the fourth level, tours conclude with a patriotic sound-and-light spectacle projected onto the Stage Curtains, a 70-foot-tall rock formation.

In Eureka, west of St Louis, I-44 exits take you to Route 66 State Park, situated along the Meramec River. One exit leads to the visitor center, a former 1935 roadhouse where museum exhibits tell the stories of Route 66 and Times Beach, a Route 66 community that occupied the riverfront from 1925 until the early 1980s.

In St. Louis, the largest city on Route 66 between Chicago and Los Angeles, Ted Drewes Frozen Custard has been a favorite stop since 1929.

For more nostalgia in St. Louis, there’s Crown Candy Kitchen, a landmark diner known for its handmade malts and hefty BLTs. The spirit of Route 66 also shines at the National Museum of Transportation, which, in addition to acres of railroad equipment, displays classic cars and features a replica facade of the 1941 Art Deco-style Coral Court Motel, a Route 66 landmark that met the wrecking ball in 1995.

Route 66 fans in metro St. Louis also gravitate to Maplewood, a suburban community with an old-school bowling alley and other businesses that date back decades. The Route 66 Tribute Walk features sidewalk plaques that celebrate Mother Road history in the neighborhood and elsewhere in St. Louis.•

The Wagon Wheel Motel is a restored tourist court that has

put up road trippers in its stone cabins since the 1930s.

For the best in comfort food, try Cuba’s Missouri Hick Bar-B-Q.

Delivering relief from the summer heat, Meramec Caverns is a constant 60 degrees year-round.

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The Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City opened in 1836.

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UNCONVENTIONAL MISSOURI MUSEUMS AND ATTRACTIONS

YOUR GROUP WILL LOVE

You don’t have to go far in Missouri to discover one-of-a-kind entertainment

By Lisa Shames

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ordered by eight states, Missouri isn’t lacking when it comes to interesting neighbors. But the Show-Me State has plenty of enticing charms all its own. From a beloved country music star’s dinner theater and a museum dedicated to vintage appliances to ghost tours in a former jail, Missouri is an experience-lover’s dream.

St. Joseph Museums

With five museums under one roof, the St. Joseph Museum Complex more than lives up to its tagline: “something for everyone.” Started by an employee of the Missouri Department of Mental Health, the Glore Psychiatric Museum chronicles the early history of psychiatric treatment. Housed in what was formerly the medical unit of St. Joseph State Hospital, the museum features dioramas, models and reproductions.

One such model is the “Bath of Surprise,” which was used to quickly submerge patients into a bath of ice water. Looking for something a little more light-hearted? The Doll Museum features more than 1,500 dolls, toys and unique dollhouses from all over the world. The achievements and contributions of St. Joseph’s African American citizens are spotlighted in the Black Archives Museum, which includes civic and community leaders as well as jazz legends. Additional museums include Native American and History Galleries, The Eckel Collection and the off-site late1800s Wyeth-Tootle Mansion.

Built in 1879 by William and Eliza Wyeth, the Wyeth-Tootle Mansion in St. Joseph was designed to emulate castles in Germany.

Missouri State Penitentiary (Jefferson City)

Opened in 1836 and decommissioned in 2004, the Missouri State Penitentiary, located near downtown Jefferson City, has seen its fair share of famous inmates, some of whom are rumored to still wander the historic structure as ghosts. The penitentiary offers a variety of tours of the prison once called “the bloodiest 47 acres in America,” ranging from history and

The Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson allows you to traverse the largest model of the famous British passenger liner.

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photography tours to ones focused on ghosts and paranormal activity. Should you want to spend more time exploring spooky stuff, there’s an overnight investigation tour.

JR’s Appliance Museum (Diamond)

Explore the history of this Americana item at the Corn Cob Pipe Museum in Washington, Missouri.

City Museum in St. Louis sports exhibits that consist mostly of repurposed architectural and industrial objects.

Ever wonder what happened to the toasters, percolators, waffle irons and other appliances from years gone by? Odds are they ended up at JR’s Appliance Museum, which features some 4,000 rare electrical gadgets in its modest home inside JR’s Western Store (it’s not referred to as “the world’s largest small electrical appliance museum” for nothing). Located in southwest Missouri, the out-of-the-ordinary museum is the brainchild of Richard Larrison, who began collecting small electric appliances some 35 years ago—and never stopped. ​

Branson Attractions

An Ozark town located in southwest Missouri, Branson is packed full of activities and adventures that you’d be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. From world-class entertainment and stunning outdoor landscapes to a top-rated theme park, Branson aims to please. An 1880s theme park in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, Silver Dollar City offers an intriguing mix of thrilling roller coasters, live shows and artisan demonstrations with plenty of tasty Ozark Mountain signature dishes to boot. With some 250 different animal species, a 24-foot kelp forest climbing structure and an original 5D submarine adventure, Aquarium at the Boardwalk brings the sea to the heart of the U.S. If exciting horseback riding stunts, musical productions and a delicious home-style meal is more your speed, head to Dolly Parton’s Stampede. Or experience life on the infamous “unsinkable” ship at the Titanic Museum Attraction, which allows you to climb the iconic grand staircase, meet the crew, and interact with artifacts and displays as you traverse the largest model of the famous British passenger liner.

Corn Cob Pipe Museum (Washington)

For many who grew up in rural America, odds are the corn cob pipe crossed your path at one time or another. In Washington, Missouri, Missouri Meerschaum Company, the oldest and largest corn cob pipe manufacturer in the world, offers a historic look into this Americana item. Step into the past and allow your museum guide to share the fascinating story of how corn cob pipes came to be manufactured in Washington by local resident Henry Tibbe.

You’ll see historical documents and photos of literary personalities and U.S. military leaders who enjoyed Missouri Meerschaum pipes.

City Museum (St. Louis)

The National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City is America’s leading institution dedicated to learning about the Great War.

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Located in a 100-year-old warehouse in downtown St. Louis, City Museum’s exhibits consist mostly of repurposed architectural and industrial objects. While that may not sound like fun, City Museum was designed to give visitors a good time. The venue contains some 30 slides, ranging from a dragon slide and a rebar slide to a massive 10-story slide. It also houses a Ferris wheel, tunnels, bridges, castles, secret passages, playgrounds, a circus

and a train. It’s also home to an architecture hall, art center and the world’s largest pencil, which weighs 21,500 pounds.

National WWI Museum and Memorial (Kansas City)

The National WWI Museum and Memorial is America’s leading institution dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding the Great War and its enduring impacts on the global community. Encompassing the most comprehensive collection of World War I objects and documents in the world, this downtown Kansas City museum takes visitors of all ages on an epic journey through a transformative period and shares deeply personal stories of courage, honor, patriotism and sacrifice.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (Kansas City)

From ancient Egyptian burial objects to Monet’s Water Lilies, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art showcases works from across time and cultures. At this free museum located in the heart of Kansas City, visitors are invited to explore at their own pace or as part of any number of tours offered each day. In the original Nelson-Atkins Building, discover a world-class Chinese collection, American and Native American art, and paintings from the Renaissance to Impressionism.•

Enjoy some of the country’s finest art at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City.

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Augusta, Missouri, has become a premier destination for oenophiles.

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RELAX AND SAVOR A DRINK IN MISSOURI’S

WINE COUNTRY Enjoy a wine region getaway without the expensive price tag

By Grace Condon

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ugusta, Missouri, has become a premier destination for oenophiles. Though the region already has a wellestablished history of creating rich wines – after all, it is where the wine industry began in the 19th century – it hasn’t always been known for attracting groups of tourists.

Over the past several years, investment in the town by the Hoffmann Family of Companies has created buzz around Augusta as it transforms into one of the country’s go-to wine destinations. Located 45 miles west of St. Louis, Augusta has a high concentration of wineries in a small area. The town’s free wine trolley service runs on Saturdays during season and allows visitors to get a taste of a wide variety of wines.

The fun stretches beyond touring the vineyards. The community’s old-time charm is organic and inimitable — alive with weekly and annual gatherings celebrating arts, culture and history. Gallery Augusta is the town’s space for sharing work of American artists. And many of the town’s cafés and coffee shops offer local farm-fresh ingredients.

How the sweet little farm town made its way onto the radar as a go-to destination for groups is the work of Missouri native David Hoffmann who saw the area’s potential to attract travelers. His company invested millions of dollars in Augusta property: buying and renovating six vineyards, four wineries, a restaurant and coffee shop, a clothing boutique and Miss Augusta — a sightseeing yacht that offers wine and cruises on the Missouri River.

Hoffmann’s wineries, Augusta Winery, Balducci Vineyards, Montelle Winery, and Mount Pleasant Estates, are among some of the town’s most popular. The Augusta Area Trolley travels between the wineries, Klondike Park and Augusta Emporium, a classic general store filled with curated décor, gifts and food. Trolleys run on Saturdays during season, require no reservation and are completely free. The current trolley schedule can be found at VisitAugustaMO. com/wine-trolleys.

For an even deeper dive into this wine region’s history, groups can book a tour through century-old, hand-carved

cellars. A new appreciation may take root during this educational tour, especially for the hand-pruned vines and the wine makers who wait five years for their harvest of grapes to mature before converting them to wine.

Augusta Winery offers award-winning wines ranging from sweet to dry and locally produced cheese and sausage.

These can be enjoyed on the outdoor wine terrace or in the Wine & Beer Garden — complete with a fountain and a 10foot grape arbor.

Balducci Vineyards has received the Missourian’s Readers’ Choice Award for the best winery for 17 years straight. It has a whimsical setting of rolling hills that can be enjoyed seven days a week from spring to fall. Balducci Vineyards also offers an assortment of snacks that pair with the wines as well as picnic and dining areas. The winery hosts weekly events like

Augusta Winery offers award-winning wines ranging from sweet to dry.

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Noboleis Vineyards

open mic night, live music performances and a painting class at sunset.

Atop Osage Ridge sits Montelle Winery. From its outdoor terrace you can see the sweeping Missouri landscape and can catch a breathtaking sunset. Stop by Klondike Café for charcuterie boards, mouthwatering starters and a full menu of pizza, wraps and salads.

Mount Pleasant Estates has been producing wine for over a century. The winery honors its history in its design and décor, keeping with the vintage style of the region’s first winemakers.

Every September the annual Augusta Harvest Festival kicks off with Swingin’ in the Vines, an event at Honey Bee Vineyard. Attendees can ride on a vintage hay wagon for a tour of the private estate, then collect a picnic basket packed with a gourmet meal for two complete with a bottle of wine. The picnic is followed by live music and dancing amongst beautiful scenery — carefully tended gardens, rolling farmland and a 200-year-old tulip tree.

The festival continues with events throughout the weekend: a pie eating contest, a parade, games for kids and live music. Augusta Harvest Festival concludes with the Fruit of the Harvest Dinner at Noboleis Vineyards, a fivecourse meal with wine pairings. •

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