Sights in Missouri
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Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
Under the big green dome of the stunning Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, three blocks east of Forest Park, you'll find a Byzantine interior draped with 83,000 sq ft of mosaics - that's 41.5 million pieces. You can learn about the 80 years of construction (1907-87) downstairs in the church's museum.
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City Museum
Possibly the wildest highlight to any visit to St Louis, City Museum is a frivolous, frilly fun-house in a vast old shoe factory. The Museum of Mirth, Mystery and Mayhem sets the tone. Run, jump and explore all manner of exhibits. A new Ferris wheel on the roof ($5) offers grand views of the city.
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Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Giant badminton shuttlecocks (the building represents the net) surround the encyclopedic Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, which has standout European painting, photography and Asian art collections. Its luminescent and cock-free Bloch Building, designed by Steven Holl, has earned rave reviews.
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Truman Presidential Museum & Library
Just east of Kansas City, Independence was the home of Harry S Truman, US president from 1945 to 1953. The Truman Presidential Museum & Library exhibits thousands of objects, including the famous 'The BUCK STOPS here!' sign, from the man who led the US through one of its most tumultuous eras.
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Magic House Children's Museum
Kids will have a blast at the Magic House Children's Museum, where the hands-on activities are both fun and educational. If the Fitness Safari doesn't tucker 'em out, try the Face Blender, the Gear Wall, or the Kids TV station and recording studio.
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Anheuser-Busch Brewery
The world's largest beer plant, the historic Anheuser-Busch Brewery, gives the sort of marketing-driven tours you'd expect from the company with nearly half of the US market. View the bottling plant and famous Clydesdale horses.
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Gateway Arch
The centerpiece of the Jefferson National Park Service property, the silvery, shimmering Gateway Arch is the Great Plains' own Eiffel Tower. It stands 630ft high and symbolizes St Louis' historical role as 'Gateway to the West.
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Harley Davidson Motorcycles
Harley Davidson Motorcycles hail from Milwaukee, but some are made right here, and you can take a free factory tour at the assembly plant which is 20 minutes north of downtown. No open-toed shoes or children under 12 allowed.
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Truman Home
See the simple life Harry and Bess lived following their life in the White House at the Truman Home, furnished with original belongings. Tour tickets are sold at the visitor center (tel: 816-254-9929; 223 N Main St).
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Arabia Steamboat Museum
The Arabia Steamboat Museum is home to 200 tons of salvaged 'treasure' from a riverboat that sunk in 1856 (one of hundreds claimed by the river). It's in City Market, which is an attraction itself.
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Forest Park
St Louis has the big Forest Park. The superb, 1371-acre spread was the setting of the 1904 World's Fair. It's a beautiful place to escape the city and is dotted with attractions, many free.
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Grant's Farm
Grant's Farm thrills kids with its Clydesdale horses and 1000 other animals from six continents; a tram takes you through the preserve where the beasts roam free. Parking costs $11.
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Old Courthouse & Museum
Facing the Arch, the 1845 Old Courthouse & Museum is where the famed Dred Scott slavery case was first tried. Galleries depict the trial's history, as well as that of the city.
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Elephant Rocks State Park
Elephant Rocks State Park, next to Graniteville on Hwy 21, has enormous billion-year-old rocks - most far larger than any pachyderm. Some stand end-to-end like circus elephants.
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Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum
The Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum presents eight buildings, including two homes Twain lived in and that of Laura Hawkins, the real-life inspiration for Becky Thatcher.
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Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum covers African American teams (eg the KC Monarchs and New York Black Yankees) that flourished until baseball became fully integrated.
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Hallmark Visitors Center
The Hallmark Visitors Center features not-terribly-interesting exhibits on the greeting card giant's history, but hey, Hallmark is one of KC's biggest employers, so cut it some slack.
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Leila's Hair Museum
The remarkable Leila's Hair Museum in Independence holds the world's largest (and only public) collection of wreaths and jewelry made from hair, a popular 19th century art form.
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National Frontier Trails Museum
The National Frontier Trails Museum gives a good look at life for the pioneers along the Santa Fe, California and Oregon Trails; many began their journey in Independence.
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Missouri History Museum
The story of St Louis, starring such worthies as the world's fair, Charles Lindbergh and a host of bluesmen, is presented in the Missouri History Museum.
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St Louis Art Museum
In the grounds is the grand beaux arts St Louis Art Museum, originally built for the fair. A storied institution, its collections span time and styles.
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American Jazz Museum
You'll learn about different styles, rhythms, instruments and musicians - including KC native Charlie Parker - at the interactive American Jazz Museum.
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Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park
At massive Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, 8 miles north of Lesterville on Hwy N, the swift Black River swirls through canyon-like gorges (shut-ins).
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Missouri Botanical Garden
The 150-year-old Missouri Botanical Garden holds a 14-acre Japanese garden, carnivorous plant bog and Victorian-style hedge maze.
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Museum of Westward Expansion
The subterranean Museum of Westward Expansion, under the Arch, chronicles the Lewis and Clark expedition.
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