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