2019 Missouri Tour Guide by Premier Travel Media

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M I S S O UTourRGuideI 2019

TEMPTING OPTIONS AWAIT GROUPS Towns in the Show-Me State roll out the red carpet

ST. LOUIS RIVERFRONT BOASTS NEW MUSEUM History goes high- tech at the Arch TAKING IN THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF BRANSON Dogwood Canyon, Top of the Rock

QUILT SHOPS IN 15 TOWNS

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Ward Franz Director

                                                            



Ward Franz Director

www.visitmo.com

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M I S S O U RI 2019

FEATURES

Denizens of the Deep Missouri aquariums take guests on voyages under the sea

St. Louis Update: Museum at the Gateway Arch A sparkling addition to the city’s downtown riverfront

Branson Outdoors Dogwood Canyon and Top of the Rock

Missouri Quilt Trail A great itinerary option with 16 quilt shops in 15 towns

Great Missouri Festivals The Show-Me-State is packed with fun the year round

Agritourism Adventures Wineries, farms and zoos spotlight Missouri’s bounty

SAMPLE ITINERARIES 12

River Towns and Famous People: St. Louis Hub & Spoke

Joplin Area: 3 Cities, 2 States, 1 Adventure

DEPARTMENTS 6

Missouri Map and Driving Distances

7 Missouri Welcome Centers 15 Missouri Airports, Amtrak

ON THE COVER: American Jazz Museum, Kansas City. (Photo by Derek Slagle)

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Missouri Driving Distances At a glance, this handy chart shows distances in miles between popular tourist cities Branson Cape Girardeau Charleston Columbia Hannibal Hermann Independence Jefferson City Joplin Kansas City Rolla St. Charles Ste. Genevieve St. Joseph St. Louis Sedalia Springfield

Branson 0 275 256 201 275 217 205 170 107 211 144 254 286 264 251 156 43

6 MISSOURI TOUR

Cape Girardeau 275 0 35 225 217 185 342 220 321 350 158 126 61 408 115 279 255

GUIDE

Charleston Columbia Hannibal 256 201 275 35 225 217 0 258 249 258 0 98 249 98 0 214 65 86 375 119 192 252 31 106 319 227 302 382 126 201 198 94 151 166 108 99 101 175 165 448 184 194 147 125 117 313 67 163 255 162 237

Hermann Independence Jefferson City Joplin 217 205 170 107 185 342 220 321 214 375 252 319 65 119 31 227 86 192 106 302 0 181 48 250 181 0 142 154 48 142 0 202 250 154 202 0 188 9 148 157 72 204 62 178 60 225 117 284 129 290 168 297 243 63 208 211 81 242 122 284 107 82 61 175 182 163 133 70

Kansas City Rolla St. Charles Ste. Genevieve St. Joseph St. Louis Sedalia Springfield 211 144 254 286 264 251 156 43 350 158 126 61 408 115 279 255 382 198 166 101 448 147 313 255 126 94 108 175 184 125 67 162 201 151 99 165 194 117 163 237 188 72 60 129 243 81 107 182 9 204 225 290 63 242 82 163 148 62 117 168 208 122 61 133 157 178 284 297 211 284 175 70 0 210 233 298 55 252 87 167 210 0 108 112 269 106 123 110 233 108 0 66 290 22 173 220 298 112 66 0 354 54 227 232 55 269 290 354 0 307 144 219 252 106 22 54 307 0 186 215 87 123 173 227 144 186 0 118 167 110 220 232 219 215 118 0

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Travel Tips for Your Missouri Tour Local information to get you on your way to the Show-Me State Official Missouri Welcome Centers     (industry.visitmo.com/about-the-division/welcome-centers)

Conway Official Welcome Center 110619 Interstate 44 West Conway, MO 65632 417-589-0023 Tourism.ConwayW@ded.mo.gov Eagleville Official Missouri Welcome Center 11687 Interstate 35 South Eagleville, MO 64442 660-867-5566 Tourism.Eagleville@ded.mo.gov Hannibal Official Missouri Welcome Center 1700 Highway 61 South Hannibal, MO 63401 573-248-2420 Tourism.Hannibal@ded.mo.gov Hayti Official Missouri Welcome Center Interstate 55 North, Mile Marker 20 Hayti, MO 63851 573-359-0330 Tourism.Hayti@ded.mo.gov Joplin Official Missouri Welcome Center Interstate 44 East, Mile Marker 2 Rest Area Joplin, MO 64803 417-629-3030 Tourism.Joplin@ded.mo.gov Kansas City Official Missouri Welcome Center 4010 Bluff Ridge Cutoff Kansas City, MO 64133 816-889-3330 Tourism.KansasCity@ded.mo.gov

Out-of-State Driving Distances From Chicago Dallas Minneapolis Memphis

To St. Louis Kansas City Branson St. Louis

Miles 297 508 643 283

Rock Port Official Missouri Welcome Center 23181 Interstate 29 South Rock Port, MO 64482 660-744-6300 Tourism.RockPort@ded.mo.gov St. Louis Official Missouri Welcome Center Interstate 270 at Riverview Drive St. Louis, MO 63138 314-869-7100 Tourism.StLouis@ded.mo.gov

MISSOURI TOUR GUIDE

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DENIZENS OF THE

DEEP Missouri aquariums take guests on vicarious voyages under the sea

MISSOURI TOUR GUIDE

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                    

                   

St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station plans to open its doors in fall 2019.

Exotic marine creatures intrigue guests of all ages at SEA LIFE Kansas City.

                      

                       MISSOURI GUIDE COLORADO GROUPTOUR TOUR PLANNER

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MUSEUM AT THE

GATEWAY ARCH

History fans will find much to cheer about at this sparkling addition to the downtown St. Louis riverfront 10

MISSOURI TOUR GUIDE

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                                                              The glass-walled entrance to the Gateway Arch’s new visitor center leads to its reimagined museum, which vividly tells the   story of westward expansion and the role St. Louis played.                                                          MISSOURI TOUR GUIDE

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ST. LOUIS-AREA ITINERARY

River Towns and Famous People: St. Louis Hub & Spoke Exploring some of the Gateway City’s iconic attractions is only the beginning as this itinerary shows off the region and all there is to experience

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Gateway Arch National Park Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum Lewis & Clark Boat House and Nature Center National Blues Museum Hermann Living History Farm and Museum

Duration: 5 Days Available: Year-round This Itinerary is Ideal For: Adults

MISSOURI TOUR GUIDE

Day 1                      

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Day 2

Day 3

  

     

              

           

 

A cruise on the mighty Mississippi is a tour highlight in Hannibal, Missouri.

Day 4                        National Blues Museum                    MISSOURI TOUR GUIDE

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ST. LOUIS-AREA ITINERARY

Day 5                                                           

Day 6 

MISSOURI TOUR GUIDE

Hermann Living History Museum and Farm offers a glimpse of pioneer days.

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Fly/Drive from These Missouri Airports here are primary commercial airports servicing all regions of Missouri, providing a seamless opportunity for a fly/drive tour of Missouri.

Columbia Regional Airport American Airlines and United Airlines provide direct, non-stop service to Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Hare and Denver International airports. (flycou.com) Joplin Regional Airport American Airlines/American Eagle provides non-stop service to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. (joplinmo.org/693/welcome) Kansas City International Airport Flights from 56 national, Canada, Iceland and Mexico destinations arrive at Kansas City International. Airlines include Aero Mexico/Funjet, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Icelandair, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines and United Airlines. (flykci.com)

Springfield-Branson National Airport American Airlines, Allegiant Airlines, Delta Airlines and United Airlines provide nonstop service from Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Orlando, Tampa/St. Petersburg Phoenix and seasonal service to Punta Gorda/Ft. Myers, and Destin/Ft. Walton. (sgf-branson-airport.com)

Discover Missouri Train Travel Aboard Amtrak

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great way to experience the Show-Me State is the twicedaily Missouri River Runner route. Travel between St. Louis and Kansas City with stops in travel-friendly communities such as Kirkwood, Hermann, Jefferson City, Sedalia, Warrensburg and Independence. (amtrak.com/missouririver-runner-train)

St. Louis Lambert International Airport Flights from 71 national and international destinations, including Canada, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Mexico, arrive at STL. The airport is serviced by Air Canada, Air Choice One, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Cape Air, Charter Flights, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, WOW Airlines and XTRAAirways. (flystl.com)

Amtrak also offers daily service to Missouri aboard the Texas Eagle with stops at St. Louis, the Arcadia Valley station in Arcadia and Poplar Bluff. The Arcadia stop is the closest Amtrak station to the Missouri Ozarks region. (amtrak.com/texas-eagle-train)

Branson Airport Frontier Airlines and VIA Airlines service Branson with flights from Austin and Denver. (flybranson.com)

The Southwest Chief is another option for travelers coming from outside the state. With stops in La Plata and Kansas City, your next adventure is only a ride away. (amtrak.com/southwest-chief-train)

MISSOURI TOUR GUIDE

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BRANSON OUTDOORS

MISSOURI TOUR GUIDE

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Experience the beauty and adventure found at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park and Top of the Rock Ozarks Heritage Preserve

Top of the Rock is a retreat offering a range of options, from golf and fishing to a natural history museum and a nature trail leading to Lost Canyon Cave.

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      

Top of the Rock Ozarks Heritage Preserve                                                  MISSOURI TOUR GUIDE

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Dogwood Canyon Nature Park       

Branson’s Dogwood Canyon Nature Park showcases the beauty of the Ozarks.

MISSOURI TOUR GUIDE

                               

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DISCOVERING THE

MISSOURI QUILT TRAIL

With 16 quilt shops in 15 towns, the trail has become an attractive itinerary option for group tour planners

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Missouri Star Quilt Company in Hamilton is a popular destination for groups.

20 MISSOURI TOUR

GUIDE

                                       

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Hannibal

Rayville

Cameron

               

            

                   

Lathrop

Helena

            

Shelbina               

Salisbury  

Kirksville                    

             

Jamesport               

                      

St. Joseph

Smithville

           

     

For more information about Missouri Highway 36 The American Genius Highway and Quilt Trail, log on to visitmo.com/things-to-do/the-american-geniushighway-quilt-trail.

Marceline               

Wheeling          

Chillicothe                  

Hamilton                              MISSOURI TOUR GUIDE

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Great Missouri Festivals The Show-Me-State is packed with fun celebrations the year round

Christmas Traditions in St. Charles makes the season bright.

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    

APRIL Dogwood-Azalea Festival Charleston                                                                       

JUNE Old Time Music, Ozark Heritage Festival West Plains                                                       

MISSOURI TOUR GUIDE

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER Christmas Traditions St. Charles                                                                     

Ozark Mountain Christmas Branson                                                                                               

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                    

Whirlwind Ranch, Lebanon

Shatto Milk Company, Osborn            Rutledge-Wilson Farm Community Park

                

Agritourism Adventures Wineries, farms and zoos spotlight Missouri’s agricultural bounty

24 MISSOURI TOUR

GUIDE

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Lazy L Safari Park, Cape Girardeau             

Rutledge-Wilson Farm Community Park, Springfield           

Chaumette Vineyards, Ste. Genevieve              

City Market, Kansas City

City Market, Kansas City            

Heartland Creamery, Newark       MISSOURI TOUR GUIDE

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crossroads of culture lies tucked away in the Ozarks of Southwest Missouri, where Interstate 44, Interstate 49 and historic Route 66 meet.

Joplin, Missouri

3 Cities, 2 States, 1 Adventure Day 1 Begin in the Civil War-era town of Carthage, which is located on original Route 66. On the Carthage Square, groups will visit the Jasper County Courthouse, Carthage City Hall and Civil War Museum. They may opt for a historic homes drive-by tour or choose to walk through a historic home. Groups can choose to dine on the square or head to Red Oak II for lunch. Red Oak II is a re-creation of an early 20th century country village. It includes a general store, church, one-room schoolhouse, town hall, 1920s cottage-style Phillips 66 gasoline station and Belle Starr's home. George Washington Carver National Monument, a 240-acre park located about 20 minutes south of Carthage, encompasses the site where renowned African-American agronomist, educator and humanitarian George Washington Carver was born into slavery. The visitor center highlights Carver’s contributions to science, and includes a museum, theater, discovery center and gift shop. Experience Carver’s outdoor “lab” by walking the nature trails and visiting the 1881 Moses Carver house and Carver cemetery. Check into one of Joplin’s dozen group-friendly hotels for a two-night stay. Conclude your day at Wilder’s Steakhouse.

Day 2 VISIT JOPLIN Patrick Tuttle info@visitjoplinmo.com 800-657-2534 or 417-625-4789 VisitJoplinMO.com

October 2018

Kick off your morning with a step-on guide who will share stories about what made Joplin the fourthlargest metropolitan area in Missouri. Stops will include Shoal Creek Conservation Area, Cunningham Park and Downtown Joplin Historic Building Tour

(this is only available for bus groups and must be booked through a Visit Joplin staff member). Next is the Joplin History Museum, which includes the national cookie cutter museum and Merle Evans Miniature Circus room. Head over to the mineral wing and view Smithsonian-quality specimens that made this area the world’s largest producer of lead and zinc ore. During lunch at the museum, hear stories from the museum director about what it was like working in the mines. Jump the Missouri border to Kansas by traveling original Route 66. In Galena, learn about how this quaint Kansas town was the inspiration for the Disney Pixar Cars movie. Continue west to Baxter Springs to view the iconic Rainbow Bridge and visit Baxter Springs Heritage Center & Museum to learn about America's first cow town and its ties to the Civil War. Then check out the area’s newest classic car museum, Decades of Wheels, and grab a treat from the onsite restaurant. After a busy day, relax in the countryside of Southwest Missouri watching a beautiful sunset while sipping wine at Keltoi Winery. Enjoy a catered meal accompanied by a musical group like the Ozark Bards.

Day 3 You can't leave Joplin without a visit to Candy House Gourmet. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the factory and be sure to pick up a few treats at the retail shop. Before heading home, wander through the showroom at Sandstone Gardens, one of the Midwest’s premier home and garden destinations. Finish up your shopping adventure with a gourmet lunch at the Sandstone Bistro.

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573-751-1907