| Missouri is a great place to visit any time | | | | Mountains, head to the Hercules Glades |
| of year, but fall is especially great when | | | | Wilderness. Just an hour outside of |
| the trees are dressed in their best fall | | | | Springfield, Hercules Glades treats travelers |
| colors. If you're considering a weekend road | | | | to panoramic views of the Ozark Plateau, as |
| trip or better yet a week long fall vacation, | | | | well as the St. Francis and Boston mountains |
| consider spending time on the scenic roads in | | | | to the south. |
| Missouri. | | | | |
| | | | No visit to southern Missouri would be |
| If you're near the St. Louis area on the | | | | complete without a stop in Branson. Make sure |
| eastern side of the state, make sure to get a | | | | to see some of the world class shows, take a |
| bird's eye view from the top of the Gateway | | | | paddle boat ride on Table Rock Lake, or shop |
| Arch. Plan a visit to historic St. Charles | | | | at the Outlet Mall. In Springfield stop in at |
| along the Missouri River for great shopping. | | | | one of the state's newest tour attractions, |
| Then travel along scenic highways 94 or 100 | | | | the American National Fish and Wildlife |
| to Missouri Wine Country where you can stop | | | | Museum, Wonders of Wildlife. The $52 million |
| for lunch at one of the wineries near | | | | facility is unique among museums and |
| Hermann, then pick up a few bottles of local | | | | aquariums, featuring a 500,000 gallon |
| wine to take home. Going north from St. Louis | | | | aquarium, 180 different live animal species, |
| make sure to stop in at Hannibal to explore | | | | hunting and fishing displays and videos, and |
| the Mark Twain boyhood home and see the | | | | numerous interactive exhibits. Outside of |
| beautiful fall colors on the river. | | | | Springfield, you can ride through the only |
| | | | drive-through cave in the U.S. at Fantastic |
| For viewing the colors at a slightly slower | | | | Caverns. |
| pace, check out the Katy Trail State Park. | | | | |
| Missouri is home to the nation's longest and | | | | On the northern side of the state, make sure |
| skinniest state park. One of the country's | | | | to visit Jamesport which boasts an Amish |
| first rails-to-trails conversions, the Katy | | | | community of more than 2,000. Step back in |
| Trail follows along the former tracks of the | | | | time for a treasure hunt in more than a dozen |
| Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad through the | | | | quality antique shops frequented by dealers |
| Missouri River valley. The hard-packed gravel | | | | and collectors from across the nation. Sample |
| path offers scenic views, wildlife watching | | | | the fresh baked bread and cinnamon rolls, |
| and access to rural towns from St. Charles to | | | | then start your Christmas shopping by |
| Clinton. | | | | purchasing unique homemade crafts and |
| | | | furniture. Historic St. Joseph and Westin are |
| From the southern end of the state, some of | | | | also great places to include on the itinerary |
| the best views of the Ozark Mountains can be | | | | with unique shopping and plenty of historic |
| seen from Taum Sauk, the state's highest | | | | sites. |
| point. For a breathtaking natural wonder, | | | | |
| visit Big Spring, located south of Van Buren. | | | | On the Western side of the state, make sure |
| Big Spring is the largest single spring in | | | | to stop in Kansas City for some world famous |
| the world, pouring out 277 million gallons of | | | | barbeque. For shopping, The Country Club |
| crystal-clear water each day. There are many | | | | Plaza is a great place to start. If you're a |
| caves and State Parks to explore and you'll | | | | football fan, arrange for tickets to a KC |
| want to make sure to see some of the | | | | Chiefs football game and experience one of |
| beautiful lakes throughout the region. For | | | | the loudest hometown crowds in National |
| another good view of the majestic Ozark | | | | Football. |