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Missouri is the “Show Me” state, so this post will show you why you will love Missouri road trips! Follow along to learn about the serious and the whimsical, the historic and the scenic places in Missouri. You’ll find historic places relating to two U.S. Presidents. There are several National Park sites in the state. Route 66 runs southwest from St. Louis to Joplin and beyond. You’ll find reference to the state capital and a famous Old West villain (and they treat him as a hero!) Here’s the route on a recent trip. And here’s a link to a day on Route 66!
First, we’ll get into the Presidents and Parks trip and then write about or create links to other posts. As with other posts, this one will be subject to additional updates over time.
Here’s a link to the Missouri tourism site for more ideas! And if youare heading east into Illinois, here’s a link to places to visit in the state.
Did you know that blogs are typically reader supported? So, buy me a hot chocolate! Or not!.
Presidents and Parks in Missouri
By the way, there’s (obviously) much more to see in Missouri than you’ll see if you replicate this road trip. Or Route 66 through Missouri. But it’ll help you love Missouri road trips!
Gateway Arch National Park
The Gateway Arch in St. Louis opened for tourists and local citizens. After over 30 years of planning, lawsuits, construction delays, and more, the Gateway Arch opened to visitors in 1967. The National Park Service oversaw the construction and operated the park. Finally, in 2018, the Arch received designation as a National Park, after decades of several designations, mainly as a Memorial.
Here’s more explanation and history of the Arch
The Gateway Arch, standing tall on the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri, is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the United States. Its history began in the 1930s when civic leader Luther Ely Smith envisioned a memorial that would both revitalize the St. Louis riverfront and commemorate the city’s central role in the westward expansion of the United States. This vision eventually led to the creation of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, which was later renamed Gateway Arch National Park.
The design of the Arch resulted from a high-stakes architectural competition held in 1947. The winning entry came from Eero Saarinen, a Finnish-American architect who proposed a sleek, stainless steel catenary arch. Saarinen’s design was chosen for its modern aesthetic and its ability to symbolize the spirit of a growing nation. Interestingly, the competition was so competitive that when the judges sent a telegram to congratulate the winner, they initially addressed it to Eero’s father, Eliel Saarinen, who had also entered the contest.
Construction & Opening
Construction of the Arch did not begin until 1963, and it was a monumental engineering feat. The structure is 630 feet tall and 630 feet wide, making it the tallest man-made monument in the Western Hemisphere. Workers had to build the two legs of the Arch simultaneously, using massive cranes and specialized “creeper derricks.” The most tense moment occurred on October 28, 1965, when the final triangular section was placed at the top; if the measurements had been off by even a fraction of an inch, the two sides would not have met.
Want to see a shop for my road trip photos? You can have them printed as wall art or puzzles. They also work on coffee mugs, t-shirts and more! So, take a look. Maybe you'll see something you will like!
The Gateway Arch primarily celebrates the “Gateway to the West.” During the 19th century, St. Louis was the final major outpost for pioneers, explorers, and traders heading into the unknown territories of the Louisiana Purchase. It honors the legacy of Thomas Jefferson, who orchestrated the purchase, and the explorers Lewis and Clark, who began their famous expedition nearby. The Arch serves as a symbolic door through which the cultural and geographic landscape of America was forever changed.
Beyond its role as a monument to expansion, the park also protects and preserves significant American legal history. The park grounds include the Old Courthouse, a site of immense historical importance where the first two trials of the Dred Scott case took place in 1847 and 1850. By including this site, the park protects the memory of the struggle for civil rights and the complex, often painful history of slavery intertwined with the nation’s westward expansion.
.. and it’s a National Park!
In 2018, the site was officially designated as Gateway Arch National Park, further emphasizing its role in protecting the natural and historical integrity of the St. Louis riverfront. The park’s museum, located underground beneath the Arch, offers exhibits that reflect on the diverse perspectives of westward expansion, including those of Native Americans and the many different cultures that shaped the frontier.
Today, the Gateway Arch stands as a testament to American ingenuity and the restless spirit of discovery. It protects the architectural legacy of Eero Saarinen and the historical narratives of the 19th century while offering visitors a literal and figurative “high point” in their understanding of American history. Whether viewed from the ground or from the observation deck at the top, the Arch remains a powerful symbol of a nation looking toward the horizon.
By the way, it’s the smallest National Park at only 91 acres!
Ulyssys S. Grant Home
The Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, located in St. Louis, Missouri, preserves “White Haven,” the ancestral home of Grant’s wife, Julia Dent. This historic plantation served as a central fixture in Grant’s life from the time he first met Julia in 1843 until the end of his presidency. In the mid-1850s, after resigning from his initial military commission, Grant lived and worked on this land as a farmer, even famously hand-building a log cabin nearby known as “Hardscrabble.” Today, the beautifully restored green-painted main house offers visitors a rare glimpse into Grant’s private life and his deep devotion to his family during his most formative and challenging years.
The site also features a state-of-the-art museum housed in the historic 1872 stable designed by Grant himself. The museum provides a comprehensive look at Grant’s extraordinary trajectory from a struggling Missouri farmer to the General-in-Chief of the Union Army and the 18th President of the United States. Exhibits explore his military strategy, his leadership during the Civil War, and his significant efforts to protect the rights of African Americans during Reconstruction. Crucially, the site also interprets the lives of the enslaved people at White Haven, offering a nuanced and honest look at the complex social and political environment that shaped Grant’s evolution as a leader.
Meramec Caverns
Meramec Caverns near Route 66 in Missouri. The caverns provided a hiding place to Jesse James and his gang during their lawless days.
Meramec Caverns, located in Stanton, Missouri, is one of the most famous cave systems along the historic Route 66. Formed over millions of years by the erosion of limestone, these “miracle” caverns boast spectacular geological formations, including the world-famous “Stage Curtain,” a massive flowstone wall. Long before it became a major tourist attraction in the 1930s, promoted by Lester Dill, the cave served practical purposes: Native Americans used it for shelter, and later both Union and Confederate forces used it to mine saltpeter for gunpowder. Today, it remains a subterranean marvel, drawing visitors from across the globe to explore its cool, echoing chambers and intricate mineral displays.
Beyond its natural beauty, Meramec Caverns is steeped in American outlaw lore as a reputed hideout for Jesse James and his gang during the 1870s. According to local legend, the notorious bandit used the cave’s complex network of passages and its underground river to evade law enforcement after daring robberies. The cave provided a perfect natural fortress, with multiple exits and a constant temperature, making it an ideal sanctuary for men on the run. Visitors today can see the “Jesse James Room,” where artifacts such as an old iron kettle and a horse’s bridle were reportedly found, fueling the enduring mystery of whether the James-Younger Gang truly used these limestone depths to vanish into the Missouri hills.
Here are a few more pictures from “down below.”
There you go!!! Inside Meramec Caverns. If you drive Route 66, this one’s worth a stop. Or if you are in this part of Missouri for another reason.
Do you Love Missouri road trips yet?
Uranus Town Center and more
Be prepared for all the juvenile jokes you can imagine….., and more!
In the link below regarding Route 66, you’ll find a link to learn more about Route 66 from my trip. Here’s the link to the “town” of Uranus. It’s not really a town, it’s an attraction. So don’t leave your head in Uranus!
Buc-ee’s
Buc-ee’s was founded in 1982 by Arch “Beaver” Aplin III and Don Wasek, with the first location opening its doors in Lake Jackson, Texas. The name was a creative combination of Aplin’s childhood nickname and the name of his beloved Labrador Retriever, Buck. From its inception, the brand focused on a simple but revolutionary philosophy for gas stations: providing exceptionally clean restrooms, friendly service, and a massive selection of snacks. Over the next several decades, Buc-ee’s became a cultural phenomenon within the Lone Star State, evolving from small convenience stores into massive “travel centers” that catered specifically to road-tripping families and travelers rather than 18-wheelers.
For nearly forty years, Buc-ee’s remained a Texas-exclusive treasure, but in 2019, the company began an ambitious expansion across the American South. The first location outside of Texas opened in Loxley, Alabama, marking a new chapter for the brand. Since then, the smiling beaver logo has appeared in states such as Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee, often bringing world-record-breaking store sizes and massive numbers of gas pumps. These travel centers have become destinations in their own right, famous for their signature “Beaver Nuggets,” fresh brisket sandwiches, and wall-to-wall merchandise, proving that the brand’s “everything is bigger” Texas roots resonate far beyond the state’s borders.
Recent expansions include Colorado and Kansas. A store is also planned in Wisconsin near Milwaukee. Why can’t they build one in my state?!?!
Springfield
Springfield, MO, is sometimes called the Birthplace of Route 66. The meetings to establish the route and the initial word from Washington, DC, on the official act reached this town.
Below, you’ll see the World’s Largest Fork!
My link below to Route 66 has more about Springfield.
Wilson Creek Battlefield
Here’s the link to the National Park unit site.
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, located near Republic, Missouri, preserves the site of the Battle of Wilson’s Creek, one of the first major engagements of the American Civil War fought west of the Mississippi River. The park protects more than 1,700 acres of rolling farmland, wooded hills, and historic structures that give visitors a sense of what the landscape looked like on August 10, 1861, when Union and Confederate forces clashed in a fierce battle. This area safeguards not only the physical terrain but also significant cultural and historical resources, including the Ray House—an original structure used as a field hospital during the conflict—and several battlefield markers and trails that help tell the story of the soldiers and civilians affected by the war.
The site was designated a protected national battlefield in recognition of its importance to Civil War history. Efforts to preserve the land began in the early 20th century when local citizens and veterans’ groups worked to ensure the battlefield was not lost to development. Their dedication led to its designation as a National Battlefield under the care of the National Park Service in 1960. Since then, Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield has served as both a memorial to those who fought and a place of education and reflection, helping visitors understand the complex history of the Civil War and its lasting impact on the nation
Bronson
The road trip to see Presidents and Parks took me to Branson, Missouri, which is a vibrant entertainment and vacation destination nestled in the scenic Ozark Mountains. Known for its warm hospitality and family-friendly atmosphere, Branson offers a unique blend of natural beauty and lively attractions. The city’s charming downtown area, along with the picturesque Table Rock Lake and surrounding hills, provides a perfect backdrop for outdoor recreation, including boating, hiking, and fishing. Branson has grown from a small Ozark town into one of the Midwest’s most popular getaways, while still maintaining its welcoming small-town feel.
The main reasons people visit Branson include its world-class live entertainment, family attractions, and outdoor adventures. The city is famous for its more than 100 live shows, ranging from country and rock tributes to comedy, magic, and theatrical performances, earning it the nickname “Live Music Show Capital of the World.” Visitors also enjoy attractions like Silver Dollar City, a renowned 1880s-themed amusement park, the Titanic Museum, and scenic rides on the Branson Scenic Railway. Combined with shopping outlets, dining options, and beautiful natural settings, Branson offers something for every type of traveler—making it a favorite year-round destination for families, couples, and adventurers alike.
Continue after the Presidents and Parks trip (and Love Missouri Road Trips!)
Upon leaving Branson, I traveled into Arkansas. The next stop was Fort Smith National Historic Park, then on to Little Rock. See more when that post is available.
So, let’s get on with more of Missouri! It’s more than just the Presidents and Parks trip!!!
Great River Road
The Great River Road runs on both sides of the Mississippi River from northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana. Here’s a link to a section in Missouri.
Route 66
This Trail of Tears Memorial was being restored when I visited in 2018. I haven’t been through this part since then and can’t find new references to the area. That’s just an example of places to see along Route 66 in Missouri. Here’s a link to Roadside America for more about it.
Here are links to three days on Route 66.
- The first day in Missouri takes you from St. Louis to Rolla (link). (It was Day 4 of the overall trip.) By the way, that’s an early post on The Driveby Tourist, as is much of the Route 66 trip. I left it without too many updates for “old times’ sake!”
- Day 2 in Missouri (Day 5 overall) runs from Rolla to Springfield, MO, not Illinois! Here’s the link. The highlights are the light-hearted Uranus, MO, and the much more serious Trail of Tears memorial.
- Day 3 (Day 6 overall) includes Springfield and more until Route 66 enters Kansas. A few more museums, a “kind of” restored town, and a couple of historic small towns. Here’s the link to “Springfield to Claremore, OK.”
Route 66 will give you a great opportunity to love Missouri road trips!
Harry S. Truman
More on Harry Truman later. Still updating the post. And you’ve “gotta” see the Truman museum to help you love Missouri Road Trips!
Kearney, MO & Jesse James
Kearney, MO, is the birthplace and home of the outlaw Jesse James. His family favored the Confederacy during the Civil War. Since Missouri was a hotbed for action between the sides, he stayed in the forefront. And he continued to rob banks all over the Midwest.
Of course, there’s more to Kearney than Jesse James! Here are the posts from that visit.
- Kearney, MO – Not just Jesse James! (<—Link)
- Here’s a post about Unique Shops in Kearney
- Here’s a post featuring great eateries in Kearney.
By the way, Kearney is on the northeastern edge of the Kansas City metro area along I-35.
Kansas City MO
I’ll update this post later.
Kansas City, KS … I know, but it’s “next door.”
I know this is a Missouri post, but here’s a link about a visit to Kansas City, KS.
Summary
As I travel in Missouri or become aware of more attractions, I’ll add to this post. If you have something to add, please let me know!!
There! Do you think you will love Missouri road trips?
Classic Rock Recollection
“Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry (He’s from St. Louis.)
Deep down in Louisiana, close to New Orleans
Way back up in the woods among the evergreens
There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Goode
Written by: Chuck Berry
#thedrivebytourist
