Things to do in Missouri
-
A
Eden Alley
Healthy eating never tasted better. The 'ultimate grilled cheese sandwich' is a work of art with four cheeses bubbling under an aioli sauce. Other options handle every variation on veggie eating and range from salads to falafel.
reviewed
-
B
Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbeque
KC's own style of BBQ is pit-smoked and slathered with heavily-seasoned vinegar-based sauces. Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbeque in Country Club Plaza is for people who'd rather dress up before dripping sauce on their pants.
reviewed
-
C
Gates Bar-B-Q
Another famous KC sauce shack is Gates Bar-B-Q, where it is assumed you'll want a frosted mug of locally-brewed beer with your hickory-smoked, sauce-slathered beef.
reviewed
-
D
Cherokee Antique Row
If you love antiques, you'll love Cherokee Antique Row in the appropriately historic Cherokee-Lemp neighborhood.
reviewed
-
E
d' Bronx
d' Bronx is a classic deli with 50 whopping hot and cold sandwiches to choose from, though the shining star is the crispy pizza.
reviewed
-
F
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.
reviewed
-
G
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.
reviewed
-
H
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.
reviewed
-
I
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.
reviewed
-
J
Terrene
This bright, contemporary space defines itself both through its food (pan-roasted chicken with wilted spinach, chickpeas, roasted garlic, natural jus and chive butter, for example) and its dedication to environmentalism. It serves meat, but Terrene is also a vegetarian favorite.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Katy Trail State Park
For cyclists, St Charles is the eastern gateway to Katy Trail State Park, a superb 225-mile trail that cuts across Missouri to Clinton, 65 miles southeast of Kansas City, along the former Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad (the 'Katy').
reviewed
-
K
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.
reviewed
-
L
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.
reviewed
-
M
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.
reviewed
-
JJs
A long-running steak house in the Plaza that stays busy by serving nearly flawless timeless classics like French onion soup and perfectly grilled meats. The bar buzzes with local glitterati, and the wine list sparkles with hundreds of choices.
reviewed
-
N
1111 Mississippi
Supplying the food and drink to help the local revival continue, this wildly popular bistro and wine bar fills an old shoe factory. Options on the seasonal menu include sandwiches, pizzas, steaks and many veggie options. Excellent wine bar.
reviewed
-
O
Crown Candy Kitchen
An authentic family-run soda fountain that's been making families smile for decades. Malts come with spoons, the floats, well, float, and you can snack on chili dogs where the wiener groans under the toppings. Homemade candies top it off.
reviewed
-
P
Crown Center
Crown Center is home to a number of theater companies, including the American Heartland Theatre (www.ahtkc.com) which, mounts Broadway-style shows, and the Coterie Theatre (www. coterietheatre.org) an acclaimed children's theater.
reviewed
-
Le Fou Frog
Take a trip to Paris without leaving the prairie at this small bistro that's authentic right down to the at-times brusque service. The food is superb, especially hearty stalwarts like cassoulet. Tables outside are to be cherished.
reviewed
-
Q
Bailey's Chocolate Bar
It's pure brilliance. Bailey's specializes in chocolate desserts and alcoholic beverages (with some brilliant combos: white chocolate raspberry martini, anyone?), with cheese plates and pizzas thrown in to conceal the decadence.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
R
Truman Sports Complex
Major League Baseball's Royals (www.kcroyals.com), Major League Soccer's Wizards (www.kcwizards.com) and the NFL's Chiefs (www.kcchiefs.com), the top ticket in town, play at side-by-side stadiums in the Truman Sports Complex.
reviewed
-
S
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.
reviewed
-
T
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).
reviewed
-
U
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.
reviewed
-
V
City Cycling Tours
City Cycling Tours offers narrated rides through the park (bicycles and helmets included) starting at the visitor center. Bike rental from the visitor center costs $10/25 per hour/half-day.
reviewed
