The Hunter-Dawson Mansion: A Glimpse into Pre-Civil War Missouri
The Hunter-Dawson Mansion is a masterpiece of Greek Revival architecture The Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site in New Madrid serves as a stunning time capsule of the state’s Antebellum era. Representing the peak of 19th-century wealth and social standing, this mansion offers a rare look at the lifestyle of prominent Missourians before the onset of the…
The World’s First Skyscraper: St. Louis’s Gift to the Modern Skyline
How The Red Brick Revolution Changed the World If you’ve ever looked up at the glass towers of Manhattan or Dubai and wondered where it all began, you don’t need a plane ticket—you just need a parking spot at 7th and Chestnut. That is where you will find the Wainwright Building. The Wainwright Building isn’t…
St. Patrick’s Day History and Festivities in Missouri
The Luck of the Irish Across the Show Me State Kansas City One of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the entire country takes place every year in the midtown area of Kansas City. We are talking about three-hours long, with dozens of elaborate floats, marching bands, and green as far as the eye…
Best Public Golf Courses in Missouri
Missouri has nearly 400 golf courses across the state as of 2024. That includes approximately 200 public, 68 municipal courses, and nearly 100 private courses. The Show Me State has such a variety of courses as well. There are courses cut through the Ozarks Mountains, some resting on bluffs, others with lakeside holes, and even…
The Bloodiest 47 Acres: Visiting the “Haunted” Missouri State Penitentiary
For 168 years, the Missouri State Penitentiary was a place you’d do anything to avoid. Today, however, “The Walls” stand as one of the most compelling historical sites in the Midwest. Opened in 1836 along the banks of the Missouri River in Jefferson City, the prison was already a veteran institution by the time the…
The History of Soulard Mardi Gras
From a House Party to a Phenomenon While New Orleans may hold the crown, St. Louis officially stakes its claim as the second-largest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States. But before the corporate sponsorships and sea of beads, the festivities in the historic Soulard neighborhood began with a much humbler—and slightly more impromptu—spark. 1980:…
From Scandal to State Park: The Secret History of Echo Bluff
Why Missouri’s Newest State Park Was Once a “Forbidden” Destination For decades, this 476-acre stretch of land along Sinking Creek was a “hush-hush” destination for very different reasons. Long before it was a state park, it was home to Camp Zoe, a legendary youth camp that started in 1929. By the early 2000s, however, the…
How Missouri Saved the World’s Wine Industry
California and France have Missouri to thank for their famous wine industries Missouri’s wine industry has an amazing history and is still thriving today. The area in mid-Missouri known as Wine Country attracts tourists from all over the world to experience a place that is truly special. But this industry is not new. In fact,…
Missouri’s Railroad Museums
Missouri has a rich railroading history. In fact, there are several railroad museums across the state that showcase that history.
Missouri’s Historic Resorts and Hotels
Long before Lake of the Ozarks and Branson, this is where Missourians went on vacation There are dozens of historic resorts and hotels across Missouri that are a part of our legacy. Some of them still exist today. For many of us that grew up in Missouri, family vacations meant a trip to Lake of…
Missouri’s Tower Rock Emerges
A “Once In A Lifetime” Experience, Four Years In A Row Tower Rock is one of Missouri’s most intriguing natural landmarks — steeped in history, legend, and dramatic scenery. And it is attracting tourists once again to Perry County. The rock in the middle of the Mississippi River is normally surrounded by water, jutting 60…
The 100 Year History of Country Club Plaza Christmas Lights
Back in 1925, a string of lights at Country Club Plaza in Kansas City was lit. That small event paved the way for a tradition that continues today. The Country Club Plaza Christmas Lights are just different. In fact, the Plaza in Kansas City is one of the most magical places in the entire state.…
Driving the “Genius Highway”
The Amazing History of Highway 36 in Northern Missouri It’s called the “Genius Highway” — and for good reason. Highway 36 across the northern part of Missouri is one of many great road trips across the state of Missouri to see our legendary people and places. The highway goes from Hannibal on the east to…
Best Towns in Missouri For Christmas
Places in Missouri to get you in the Holiday Spirit Many of us yearn for a place that takes us back in time to a magical moment from our past. During the holiday, that yearning only gets stronger. There is truly something special about Christmas in Missouri. Of course, it is all very subjective because…
Little Talladega Mansion
Missouri Mansions Series There is an Airbnb in southern Missouri that is truly like none other. It’s called the Little Talladega – or The Drift Mansion – and yes, it has its own racetracks. The beautiful home sits on 62 acres near Pomona, which is in Howell County — deep in the Missouri Ozarks, midway…
Brief History of Kimmswick
Discover the captivating history of Kimmswick, Missouri. A 19th-century river town that rose, fell, and revived into one of Missouri’s most charming historic gems.
Best Waterfront Restaurants in Missouri – 2025
Missouri is home to some of the best restaurants in the most beautiful locations. We scoured the state, talked with food writers, and checked restaurant rankings from across the web to come up with our “Best Waterfront Restaurants in Missouri” list for 2025. We did our best to find the iconic restaurants in all parts…
Brief History of Cape Girardeau
Cape Girardeau, Missouri, is a city with a rich history. It is the economic hub of southeast Missouri due to it’s location along major highways and the Mississippi River. It is also the educational center thanks to the impact of Southeast Missouri State University. Early History of Cape Girardeau The area that became Cape Girardeau…
Explore the Missouri State Capitol: A Tour of History
The Magnificent State Capitol on the banks of the Missouri River There are some tours that you want to do by yourself and others that are done best with guidance. When it comes to the tour of the Missouri State Capitol, the latter certainly is better. And when it comes to Missouri State Capitol history,…
Best Small Towns in Missouri
There is nothing quite like a small town in Missouri. The beautiful scenery, slow pace of life, and wonderful people all make our small towns some of the best in the country. But there are the places that the web site Far and Wide named to a pair of lists about the Best Small Towns…
Brief History of Branson
On April 1, 1912 the City of Branson was incorporated in the heart of the Ozark Mountains. It has a rich history that has shaped its identity as a popular tourist destination. Here is the brief history of Branson. Early Inhabitants The area that would become Branson was initially inhabited by Native American tribes, including…
Route 66 History in Missouri
March 15, 1931: Celebrations in Missouri as the final section of Route 66 is paved. It was a big party in downtown Rolla as an estimated 8,000 people turned out to commemorate the completion of Route 66 across Missouri. The “Mother Road” dates back to 1922 as Route 14, but it was more of a…
Brief History of Arrow Rock
1829 Philadelphia (Arrow Rock) Established Long before Missouri was a state, a landmark along the Missouri River known as Arrow Rock was a guide for generations of Native Americans and early European explorers. The central Missouri area was a stopping point known as Boone’s Lick country because of a salt spring right across the river…
Missouri’s Wine Growing Regions
In Missouri, there are five recognized American Viticultural Areas (AVA). In fact, Missouri is home to the country’s first AVA, according to the Missouri Wine website. These are regions established by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. They include: The Grapes In Missouri The Norton grape was named the official state grape of…
History of Missouri Wines
Missouri wines are getting more famous. But this overnight success story dates back to the 1830s. This is part 1 of a 3 part story on Missouri’s Wine Country. Click for Part 2 and Part 3 This history of the Missouri Wine industry is like something out of a movie. In fact, it was recently…
A Little Bit of Kirkwood History
Kirkwood was the First Planned Suburban Community West of the Mississippi River Kirkwood is one of the most idyllic towns in the entire state of Missouri. It is like something out of a Hallmark movie, especially during the holidays. From tree-lined streets with historic homes, to a vibrant downtown, a world-class children’s museum, and a…
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
December 11, 1933: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art opened in Kansas City 2023 Marked the 90th anniversary of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art which helped put the Kansas City arts scene on the international map when it opened. It is recognized for the iconic badminton shuttlecocks on the lawn and loved by people around the…
Why Missouri is the “Cave State”
There are over 7,500 caves within Missouri, according to the Department of Natural Resources, giving us the moniker of “the Cave State.” This number makes Missouri one of the most cave-rich states in the United States. An estimated 6,000 of these have been explored, although many of these are on private property or too small…
Red’s Giant Hamburg
Another Missouri First; The Drive-Thru Restaurant! There are some restaurants in Missouri where you “must” go if you want to consider yourself a well-rounded Missourian (and I mean well-rounded in a couple of ways!) Names like Lambert’s Café, Ted Drewes, Shakespeare’s Pizza, Top of the Rock, Arthur Bryant’s BBQ, and Charlie Gitto’s on the Hill…
Most Haunted Places in Missouri
Some people believe in ghosts, others are skeptical. So finding the most haunted places in Missouri can be a difficult task, because believers of the paranormal believe they know where the most haunted places are while others will say there are NO haunted locations. So the best way to go about ranking haunted sites is…
Missouri’s Healing Springs:
Most people may not realize this, but Missouri has been on the forefront of “alternative” health for more than 100 years. Osteopathic Medicine was developed in Kirksville but Dr. Andrew Taylor Still as a way to treat illness within the context of the whole body. A man from Mill Spring named Bernarr MacFadden practically invented…
Best Hometowns in Missouri
What are the Best Hometowns in Missouri? Here are the three towns that made the national list in 2023.