Missouri is located in the Midwest region of the USA. Although its capital is Jefferson City, the largest town is Kansas City. Missouri is also referred to as the “Show me state”. The northern part of Missouri lies in dissected till plains which are formed by glacial scouring and deposition by ice sheets.
Missouri borders eight different states and receives more than 17 million visitors in 2005. It has a generally humid continental climate with hot and humid summers and cold winters. The southern part of the state may experience hotter summers due to the influence of the humid air from the Gulf of Mexico. The northern part may be influenced by the cold Arctic air. Summers are generally very pleasant. April through October is a good time to visit this state.
Jefferson City Attractions
Governor’s Mansion
Visitors can enjoy candlelit tours held in the evenings during holiday season when the State’s first family can show off their home and its beautiful architecture.
Carnahan Memorial Garden
This garden is behind the Governor’s Mansion and was constructed by thousands of skilled craftsmen who were jobless due to the Great Depression. Although the construction came to a halt for lack of funds, the first lady Mrs. Juanita Flower Donnelly took it under her wing and the gardens came to life with elegant terraces, walkways and even a sunken garden.
Also in Jefferson City are other attractions such as Jefferson Landing, State Capital Building, Missouri State Museum, Runge Nature Center, Cole county historical museum, etc.
Kansas City
Kansas City offers every visitor the chance to see Football, Baseball, Golf or other sports. It also has excellent shopping malls, restaurants and exciting nightlife.
There are many attractions in Kansas City. The National Frontier Trails Museum is devoted to the historical trails to Santa Fe, Oregon and California. All of these trails began in western Missouri. Most of the wagons that took the pioneers to the West were furnished with supplies in this area.
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art and Design boasts a magnificent collection of international and local art. It also offers films, lectures, performances and conferences. There is a local restaurant and a gift shop.
Explore the city Zoo where you and your family can experience a Kenyan Savannah, the wild Australian outback or the darkest jungle in the Congo. There are over 1500 animals including elephants, polar bears and other exotic animals in their natural habitat.
Nelson Atkins Museum of Art is another not-to-miss attraction. This museum has a brilliant collection of rare art from Asia, the Americas and Europe. Additionally, there is a remarkable collection of bronze sculptures featuring designs from Africa and the Americas.
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is another attraction which chronicles the league’s history and players. There is also an interactive playground which allows visitors to play the game inside a 44 foot batting cage.
One of Kansas City’s most popular attractions is the American Jazz Museum which records the history of Jazz and its contributors. A visitor to this Museum can learn about great jazz legends such as Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie Bird Parker, Duke Ellington, etc.
Millions of people visit the Lake of the Ozarks with its magnificent scenery and two state parks named Ha Ha Tonka and Lake of the Ozarks. Here, people on vacation can enjoy boating, photography, hiking, picnicking and just enjoying the scenery for family get-togethers.
