MISSOURI Tour Guide2021 Celebrate the Past, Present and Future in 2021 Missouri Bicentennial will be a festive celebration KANSASAUSCHWITZEXHIBITIONCOMINGTOCITY DISCOVER HEARTLANDMISSOURI’STRIANGLE Historical attractions and landmarks await in this charming region GroupTourGuide
Ste. Genevieve is the state’s first settlement and is home to the Sainte Genevieve National Historical Park, which highlights French Colonial architecture and culture. Before professional baseball was desegregated, black soon-to-be team owners gathered in Kansas City just over 100 years ago to create a league of their own. The game and its influence on American culture are celebrated at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
Stephen Foutes
Hikers and bikers come from all over to experience the Katy Trail, the longest rail-to-trail conversion in the country. Visitors from all over the world rediscover the first true American road trip by driving Route 66. In the southern part of the state, the Ozarks offer everything from spectacular vistas and challenging hiking to fishing for wild trout and family-friendly entertainment in Branson.
www.VisitMO.comDirector
We’re all this – and so much more. Welcome to Missouri, and enjoy the show.
Stephen Foutes Director, Missouri Division of Tourism Welcome to Missouri!
There’s no doubt 2020 was a challenge for the travel business, and although we aren’t out of the woods yet, we’re excited that people are ready to hit the road and discover new adventures here in Missouri. We have so much to offer all year round, with an extensive wine country, agritourism, charming small towns, two big rivers brimming with outdoor activities, breathtaking scenery and all the amenities of big city life.
From the Gateway to the West represented by the Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis with its iconic 630-foot arch to the jumping off point for the Pony Express in St. Joseph – the Show-Me State is a place where history happened and has been celebrated and preserved for your enjoyment.
With Missouri celebrating its bicentennial in 2021, we’d love to invite you to join us in exploring our history.
MISSOURI Tour Guide20 2 0 176 18 10 1421FEATURES 6 Celebrate the Past, Present and Future During Missouri2021 The Missouri Bicentennial is official in August 2021 and there’s going to be a big celebration • By Dave Bodle 10 World’s First Auschwitz Traveling Exhibition Opening in 2021 The exhibition at Union Station Kansas City will include 700 original objects, the majority of which have never been displayed • By Dave Bodle 14 Discover Missouri History and Hospitality in the Heartland Triangle Historical attractions and landmarks await in this charming region • By Jason Paha 17 3 Days to Explore Branson Here’s a sampling of fun to be found in Branson during a three-day visit • By Dave Bodle 18 Fascinating Stories Detail Missouri’s Role in Westward Expansion Missouri’s expansion timeline is a historically rich period filled with intriguing places and people • By Tyler Drag 21 French History and Heritage Along the Mississippi River From the historic architecture and lovely gardens to art and festivals, there’s a rich French connection on the Missouri side of Old Man River GroupTourGuide ON THE COVER: Fair Saint Louis at Gateway Arch National Park
4 2021 MISSOURI GROUP TOUR GUIDE6 MISSOURITOUR GUIDE BransonCape GirardeauCharlestonColumbiaHannibalHermannIndependenceJefferson CityJoplinKansas CityRollaSt. CharlesSte. GenevieveSt. JosephSt. LouisSedaliaSpringfield Branson 0275256201275217205 17010721114425428626425115643 Cape Girardeau 2750 35225217185342 22032135015812661408115279255 Charleston 25635 0258249214375 252319382198166101448147313255 Columbia 20122525809865119 312271269410817518412567162 Hannibal 27521724998086192 10630220115199165194117163237 Hermann 21718521465860181 48250188726012924381107182 Independence 2053423751191921810 14215492042252906324282163 Jefferson City 1702202523110648142 02021486211716820812261133 Joplin 107321319227302250154 202015717828429721128417570 Kansas City 2113503821262011889 14815702102332985525287167 Rolla 1441581989415172204 621782100108112269106123110 St. Charles 2541261661089960225 1172842331080 6629022173220 Ste. Genevieve 28661 101175165129290 16829729811266 035454227232 St. Joseph 26440844818419424363 208211552692903540307144219 St. Louis 25111514712511781242 12228425210622 543070186215 Sedalia 1562793136716310782 61175871231732271441860118 Springfield 43255255162237182163 133701671102202322192151180 At a glance, this handy chart shows distances in miles between popular tourist cities Missouri Driving Distances 2113503821262011889 14815702102332985525287167 Rolla 621782100108112269106123110 At a glance, this handy chart shows distances in miles between popular tourist cities DISTANCESDRIVINGMISSOURI
Rock Port Official Missouri Welcome Center 23181 Interstate 29 South, Mile Marker 109 Rock Port, MO
Official Missouri Welcome Centers
Eagleville Official Missouri Welcome Center 11687 Interstate 35 South Eagleville, MO 64442 Tourism.Eagleville@ded.mo.gov660-867-5566
11687 Interstate 35 South, Mile Marker 112 Eagleville, MO
Official WelcomeMissouriCenters
Rock Port Official Missouri Welcome Center 23181 Interstate 29 South Rock Port, MO 64482 Tourism.RockPort@ded.mo.gov660-744-6300
Kansas City Official Missouri Welcome Center 4010 Bluff Ridge Cutoff Kansas City, MO 64133
2021 MISSOURI GROUP TOUR GUIDE 5 TRAVEL TIPS FOR YOUR MISSOURI TOUR Local information to get you on your way to the Show-Me State From ToMiles ChicagoSt. MemphisSt.MinneapolisDallasKansasLouis297City508Branson643Louis283 DrivingOut-of-StateDistances
Tourism.ConwayW@ded.mo.gov417-589-002365632
Tourism.Joplin@ded.mo.gov417-629-303064804
Staffers at Official Missouri Welcome Centers are ready to assist you with information about the surrounding area and the entire state. Picnic areas, vending machines and playground equipment are available at most Official Welcome Centers. (industry.visitmo.com/about-the-division/welcome-centers)
110619 Interstate 44 West, Mile Marker 110 Conway, MO
Joplin Official Missouri Welcome Center Interstate 44 East, Mile Marker 2 Rest Area Joplin, MO Tourism.Joplin@ded.mo.gov417-629-303064803
Hayti Official Missouri Welcome Center Interstate 55 North, Mile Marker 20
110619 Interstate 44 West Conway, MO 65632 Tourism.ConwayW@ded.mo.gov417-589-0023
Joplin Official Missouri Welcome Center
Tourism.Eagleville@ded.mo.gov660-867-556664442
Tourism.KansasCity@ded.mo.gov816-889-3330
Hayti, MO Tourism.Hayti@ded.mo.gov573-359-033063851
2481 Interstate 44 East, Mile Marker 2 Joplin, MO
Tourism.RockPort@ded.mo.gov660-744-630064482
St. Louis Official Missouri Welcome Center Interstate 270 at Riverview Drive St. Louis, MO 63138
Tourism.StLouis@ded.mo.gov314-869-7100
Conway Official Welcome Center
Eagleville Official Missouri Welcome Center
Hayti Official Missouri Welcome Center Interstate 55 North, Mile Marker 20 Hayti, MO Tourism.Hayti@ded.mo.gov573-359-033063851
OUT-OF-STATE DRIVING DISTANCES
S taffers at Official Missouri Welcome Centers are ready to assist you with information about the surrounding area and the entire state. Picnic areas, vending machines and playground equipment are available at most Official Welcome Centers. (industry.visitmo.com/about-the-division/welcome-centers)
Conway Official Missouri Welcome Center
Hannibal Official Missouri Welcome Center 1700 Highway 61 South Hannibal, MO 63401 Tourism.Hannibal@ded.mo.gov573-248-2420
By Dave
Bodle 2021 MISSOURI GROUP TOUR GUIDE Oak Grove Plantation
MISSOURI2021 CELEBRATE THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE DURING The Missouri Bicentennial is officially in August 2021, but celebrations are planned throughout the year, and visitors are invited to join in the fun.
RobertsonJulieofcourtesyPhoto
Statewide Projects Missouri Art Now: A Bicentennial Celebration recognizes Missouri as a significant state for visual art creation. Arts councils and museums from across the state are collaborating to feature an exhibition of 60 Missouri artists in Missouri Art Now from March to November 2021. The collection will be displayed at five venues throughout the state. PostArtLibrary.org Struggle for Statehood is a traveling exhibit that offers insight into the three years prior to Missouri’s statehood and the fierce debates regarding the state’s admission to the Union. The exhibit leads the viewer through the timeline, historical accounts and those the argument impacted. The exhibition will be on the road until December 2021. Claire Bruntrager at 314-781-9660, or claire@mohumanities.org can share dates and locations. Show Me Hooked Rugs 2021 will be on display from MarchAugust 2021 at the Missouri State Museum in Jefferson City. Big Muddy Rug Hookers/Association of Traditional Hooking Artists will host the exhibition of traditional hooked rugs. Past and present artists will be featured.
Local/Regional Projects
Missouri Bicentennial Quilt celebrates the history of quilting. Missouri Statehood Petition
The Missouri Bicentennial Quilt is a project of the State Historical Society of Missouri and Missouri Star Quilt Company, in partnership with Missouri State Quilters Guild.
will have juried artists Aaron Horrell and Barb Bailey assisting Missourians from every corner of the state painting a mural depicting recognizable Missouri state symbols. All skill levels were invited to participate in painting 4 feet by 6 feet aluminum pieces that will make up the 12 feet by 30 feet mural. For its permanent home, the mural will be hung in the Truman Building in Jefferson City.
Voices of Arrow Rock, Spirit of the Missouri Frontier is a theatrical performance that tells the story of early Arrow Rock citizens – from the early-mid 19th century – on the Missouri frontier. Featuring underrepresented voices, characters include an enslaved man and woman and former enslaved persons freed
Shepherd: The Musical shares a piece of life in the Ozarks as written by Harold Bell Wright, author of The Shepherd of the Hills . Readers and audiences have been moved by the story for decades. Information about performances of this new musical will soon be announced.
Missouri Bicentennial Quilt celebrates the history of quilting from the pioneer days to the present. The State Historical Society of Missouri and Missouri Star Quilt Company has partnered with the Missouri State Quilters Guild. Together, they’re collecting one quilt block from every Missouri county and the independent City of St. Louis, displaying their uniqueness. The Missouri Bicentennial Quilt is completed and has begun traveling throughout the state. The exhibition schedule is online at missouri2021.org/bicentennial-quilt/PaintForACause
2021 MISSOURI GROUP TOUR GUIDE 7 I n 2013, the Missouri General Assembly tasked the Historical Society of Missouri with leading the Missouri 2021 Bicentennial celebration. Work began almost immediately to showcase Missouri’s rich history for visitors and residents. The results include statewide and local/regional projects and Missouri Bicentennial organized events. When planning your 2021 itinerary, see what Missouri happenings are near your destinations of choice. Here are just a few to get you started.
Events Made in St. Joseph from Steam to STEAM, August 20-21, 2021, is a festival that showcases St. Joseph – from a frontier town to an advanced city. There will be interactive exhibits, historical portrayals, folk art exhibitions, side-by-side with today’s industry innovators. StJoeArts.org
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Northeast Missouri Old Threshers Annual Show is a four-day festival offering demonstrations of family life, agriculture, transportation and communications from the past. The event, complete with Nashville recording artists, is set for September 16-19, 2021, in Shelbina.
8 2021 MISSOURI GROUP TOUR GUIDE by emancipation. The premiere will be August 7, 2021. FriendsOfArrowRock.org Show Me To the Stage: A Missouri Bicentennial Season at Maplewood Barn Community Theatre , located in Columbia, will commemorate the bicentennial with four 2021 plays with a Missouri theme. Performance dates will be announced in the future. MaplewoodBarn.comBicentennialBridge to Adrian’s Island puts on full display the historic relationship between Jefferson City and Made in St. Joseph from Steam to STEAM will offer interactive exhibits and folk art exhibitions. the Missouri River. Opening for the August 2021 celebration, the pedestrian/ bike bridge will provide access to a relaxing park on Adrian Island. Along the bridge there will be interpretive stops defining transportation, including the river, rail and highways of the region.
index.htmlNortheastMissouriOldThreshers.com/SouthwestMissouriCattlemen’sTour is scheduled for September 2021 and will introduce visitors to the new and different practices of cattle producers in Missouri’s number one agricultural industry. The tour will go to four farms and ranches in Barry, Dade, Lawrence and Stone counties. MoCattle.org This is just a quick snapshot of Missouri Bicentennial celebrations, and the calendar of events is constant growing. Discover the festivities that await for your next Missouri itinerary. Begin planning at Missouri2021.org
JUST AROUND THE CORNER
Unique
THEDISCOVERDIFFERENCE
Located on the scenic river blu s of the vast “Mighty MO”, St. Joseph, Missouri is a great American city with a fascinating heritage, born of the fur trade, nurtured by the “Westward Expansion”, and brimming with a spirit of adventure as the starting place of the Pony Express, “Ole’ St. Joe is a city you and your group will never forget. St. Joseph is home to 13 distinctive museums, 12 annual festivals, amazing architecture listed on the National Register of Historic Places and personalized itineraries custom made with home-town hospitality. Also enjoy goodie bags for groups and personal welcome from a St. Joseph representative.
#VisitStJoSafely
Located at the crossroads of Interstate 29 and MO Highway 36 and only 30 minutes from North Kansas City puts St. Joseph within easy driving distance of over 17 metropolitan areas. St. Joseph currently has a face-covering order in place that may be modi ed or extended. Pony Express National Museum Remington Nature Center
ShoppingPatee House Museum Walter Cronkite Memorial
For tour ideas, contact: Gracia Pinzino, Group Sales Manager stjomo.com/grouptour | 800-785-0360 | gpinzino@stjomo.com
10 2021 MISSOURI GROUP TOUR GUIDE OPENING IN JUNE 2021 WORLD’S FIRST AUSCHWITZ TRAVELING EXHIBITION The exhibition at Union Station Kansas City will include 700 original objects, the majority of which have never been displayed. By Dave Bodle
The exhibitions will be displayed throughout 30,000 square feet of space.Seven hundred objects will be displayed throughout the museum. The exhibition “Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away” photos © Musealia
The exhibit is set to open at Union Station Kansas City in June 2021. Seven hundred original objects, mostly belonging to the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, will be displayed throughout nearly 30,000 square feet of exhibition space. The aim of this meticulous and poignant exhibition is to explore the complex reality of the Nazi German concentration and extermination camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau within the historical context, as well as examine how such a place came to exist and the terrible historical and human consequences resulting from the Holocaust. A painstaking conservation process readied these artifacts to be presented for the first time to the public. The project also involves specific loans from several international institutions, including Yad Vashem – The World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. and other Holocaust centers in North America and Europe, as well as from survivors and privateAlthoughcollections.objects previously have been loaned to various museums and institutions, this project represents an unprecedented collaboration to create an international traveling exhibition, displaying a large collection of objects within the narrative context of the camp’s history. The exhibit will include an original barrack from Auschwitz III-Monowitz and an original German-made Model 2 freight wagon of the type used by the Deutsche-Reichsbahn (German National
2021 MISSOURI GROUP TOUR GUIDE 11
For the first time, 75 years after the liberation of Auschwitz, a traveling exhibition dedicated to the camp and its historical meaning has been created.
Understanding how Auschwitz came to be is a core purpose of the exhibition. Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum Director Dr. Piotr M. A. Cywinski said, “Today, the world is moving in uncertain directions. That is why we need to rely more and more on the strong foundations of our memory. Auschwitz and the tragedy of the Shoah are part of those foundations, which cannot be bypassed in creating a new face of the world.”
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Railway) during WWII for the transportation of troops and prisoners of war and the deportation of Jews to the ghettos and extermination camps in occupied Poland.
Auschwitz is a part of our history and the memory of Auschwitz is a part of our modern world. “Nothing can replace a visit to the authentic site of the biggest crime of the 20th century, but this exhibition can become a great warning cry for us all against building the future on hatred, racism, anti-Semitism and bottomless contempt for another human being,” Cywinski added.
“The exhibition will offer an introspective journey across the very nature of mankind, experienced through the ‘dual’ history of the camp: Auschwitz as a physical location and Auschwitz
The unique items throughout the exhibition will cover the main topics of the history of Auschwitz.
The unique items throughout the exhibition will cover the main topics of the history of Auschwitz, as well as all the victim groups in the camp: Jews deported for termination, Poles, Sinti and Roma, and Soviet POWs. Additionally, some objects will also depict the world of the perpetrators – SS men who created and operated the largest of the German Nazi camps.
Built in 1914, Union Station Kansas City is an architectural masterpiece and a piece of living history. During WWII, an estimated one million travelers, many of them troops, passed through the station. Just as you could more than 100 years ago, you can still catch the train at Union Station KansasToday,City.visitors are drawn to the historic landmark by the KC Rail Experience permanent rail exhibit, a wide variety of visiting exhibits, a planetarium, an interactive science center, and a vibrant theater district, featuring giantscreen movies and live theater. Harvey’s at Union Station and Pierponts are restaurants located off the Grand Hall. There’s also shopping available, from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and Science City store to the Kansas City Store. Plan your visit at unionstation.org/groups. •
2021 MISSOURI GROUP TOUR GUIDE 13 as a symbol and metaphor for the borderless manifestation of human barbarity,” said Luis Ferreiro (Musealia), project director for the exhibition. “It will also place Auschwitz in its historical context, allowing visitors to understand the pre-war years of Polish Oswiecim and the later German occupation and terror system they established,” he added.
Since 1947, Poland has worked to preserve the site and remains of the German Nazi concentration and extermination camp, as well as its history. Those efforts include the creation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum and its exhibitions. By 2016, the museum was attracting two million visitors annually.
14 2021 MISSOURI GROUP TOUR GUIDE HISTORY AND HOSPITALITY DISCOVER MISSOURI IN THE HEARTLAND TRIANGLE Historical attractions and landmarks await in this charming region By Jason Paha The famous columns at the University of Missouri are a popular attraction.
Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City.
The area’s three top destinations, Jefferson City, Columbia and Lake of the Ozarks, reside within an hour of one another in a triangular pattern. All three cities have impressive history and are home to numerous attractions that will appeal to groups of all ages.
Lake of the Ozarks
ith an abundance of natural beauty coupled with a variety of attractions, Central Missouri’s Heartland Triangle is a hospitable region with an interesting past.
Columbia Columbia has been referred to as the cultural hub of Central Missouri and has established itself as a celebrated place for groups to anchor their mid-Missouri sojourns. Much of Columbia’s history and culture is tied to the University of Missouri, established in 1839. It is the oldest state land-grant university west of the Mississippi River. Groups looking to explore the campus will appreciate a visit to the Francis Quadrangle, the university’s historical center. Known as the Quad, it is the oldest part of Red Campus, the university’s original core, and is adjacent to downtown Columbia. The site of Thomas Jefferson’s original tombstone, the Quad is also home to Jesse Hall, whose dome has towered over the campus since 1895, and Switzler Hall, the school’s oldest academic building (constructed in 1867).
Located in the heart of Missouri on the northern edge of the Ozark Mountains, Lake of the Ozarks is the Midwest’s premier lake resort destination, offering world-class boating, golfing, shopping and fishing.
Dominating the city’s skyline, the Missouri State Capitol covers three acres and has 500,000 square feet of floor space. The structure, built in 1917, rises 238 feet and offers incredible views of the Missouri River. It houses offices for the Governor, Senate and House of Representatives, and is home to a variety of priceless artwork, including a mural by Thomas Hart Benton. Free guided tours are offered year-round and last approximately 45 minutes to an hour.
Columbia’s downtown District is a 50-square-block area that features a lively mix of historic architecture, sidewalk cafes, retail shops, bars, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and art galleries.
2021 MISSOURI GROUP TOUR GUIDE 15 W
Perhaps the university’s most recognized landmark resides in the center of the Quad. The Columns, six limestone pillars standing 43 feet tall in the center of the Quad, were once the supports for the original Academic Hall and are all that’s left after the Hall was destroyed by fire in 1892. They are now one of the most photographed sites in Missouri. A Museum of Art and Archeology and Museum of Anthropology are part of the university, but located off campus at 115 Business Loop 70. A short walk from campus is The District, a 50-square-block downtown area that features a lively mix of historic architecture, sidewalk cafes, retail shops, bars, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and art galleries. With more than 110 unique shops and more than 70 bars and restaurants, The District is the perfect place for your group to enjoy great food, drinks and entertainment.
Jefferson City Decommissioned in 2004, the Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City offers a variety of tours at the site once called “the bloodiest 47 acres in America” for its many riots and executions. Groups can visit the cells of former heavyweight champion Sonny Liston, who learned to box while behind bars; Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd, who wreaked havoc across the Midwest robbing banks; and James Earl Ray, who went on to assassinate Martin Luther King, Jr.
History buffs can find a number of important monuments in Jefferson City, including the Cole County World War I Memorial, a bronze plaque and stone memorial that honors World War I veterans; the Lewis & Clark Monument, honoring the famous explorers in a serene setting featuring waterfalls; and Freedom Corner, which pays homage to members of the U.S. armed services. Another history-filled stop is the Cole County Historical Museum, which collects and preserves records, documents and artifacts directly related to the history of the Jeffersonregion.City’s restaurants, sidewalk cafes, locally-owned coffee shops and live music venues will keep your group satiated and entertained. And don’t forget to save room for dessert with a visit to Central Dairy, a venerable shop that began serving its famous ice cream in Jefferson City in 1934.
With a surface area of 55,000 acres, Lake of the Ozarks is one of the largest man-made lakes in the country. The lake was created by the construction of Bagnell Dam, built between 1929 and 1931. Named for the closest town when construction began, the concrete gravity dam is 148 feet tall, 2,543 feet long and has a 520-foot-long spillway. The dam is an architectural marvel, and the surrounding area is an entertainment destination filled with restaurants, candy stores, ice cream parlors, nostalgic gift shops, music and classic arcades.
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One of the most popular excursions in Lake of the Ozarks are scenic cruises on the famous and picturesque lake. Groups can choose from a variety of cruises, including a lunch lake cruise, an evening sunset cruise and a candlelight dinner cruise.
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Given that the lake is a 92-mile-long outdoor paradise, many of its historical attractions are rooted in nature. One popular destination is Bridal Cave, the lake area’s number one year-round attraction. One-hour guided tours take visitors through the cave’s 60-degree environment, where they will see giant columns of stone, delicate soda straw formations, massive draperies of limestone and pristine Mystery Lake.
Bridal Cave in Camdenton.
The cave has been around for centuries and received its name from an old Osage legend in which a maiden from a local tribe married a brave from another tribe in a room filled with stalactites and stalagmites.
Bagnell Dam is a 148-foot-tall concrete gravity dam.
F rom accommodations to fit any style and budget to great meals and fabulous attractions, there are plenty of options for a short trip to
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On day two, go local for breakfast. You’ll need a delicious, hearty meal to help fuel a busy day.
If you prefer to split your time between numerous fun-filled attractions, you’ll have plenty of choices. There’s mini-golf, go-kart rides and extreme adventure choices. For museum lovers (and perfect for a rainy day) there are more than a dozen options. Finally, there’s no shortfall of ways to enjoy some outdoor activity. There are an abundance of area lakes perfect for boating and fishing. On land, there are great hiking trails and award-winning golf courses. For more than 50 years, live entertainment has been an important part of Branson vacations. A wide variety of live show options are a staple; enjoy rock or country music, hilarious comedy, dinner shows and even shows on boats. Depending on your day three departure time, take in spectacular views of the Ozarks at Top of the Rock. The on-site Osage Restaurant offers weekend brunch options. It’s been a quick three days with many experiences. However, there’s always more to explore in Branson.•
Anchored by Belk department store and Bass Pro Shops, both sides of the promenade are lined with familiar names in apparel and shoes. You’ll also find a great selection of specialty shops featuring women’s jewelry and accessories, home décor, sports and kids stores. There are treats at the candy store, but don’t spoil yourEnjoydinner.agreat meal at any one of the Branson Landing restaurants. If you’re looking for American food, you’ll have some delightful choices. There’s excellent food and 100+ whiskeys on the shelf. A refined but relaxed grill is a favorite of visitors and locals. Other restaurants include famous chefs and television personalities featuring their award-winning recipes. Add some international variety with a visit to the Irish pub or one of the Mexican restaurants.
Silver Dollar City is an all-day adventure. In this year’s 10Best/USAToday Readers’ Choice Awards, Silver Dollar City took the crown for No. 1 amusement park in the land. In total, Silver Dollar City was awarded three amusement-related awards in this nationwide poll of USA Today readers. The two additional awards go to the 2015 Guinness World Record-holding wooden roller coaster Outlaw Run, which ranks in the Top 10 Best Roller Coaster poll (No. 10) and Buckshot Annie’s, home of the park’s favorite skillet meals, which ranks as the No. 5 Best Restaurant.
3 DAYS TO BRANSONEXPLOREByDaveBodleHere’sasamplingoffuntobefoundinBransonduringathree-dayvisit Branson Landing
RegardlessBranson.ofthetime you arrive, settle into your lodging of choice before departing for Branson Landing. Located on Lake Taneycomo, the Landing is a one-stop shopping, dining and entertainment destination.
18 2021 MISSOURI GROUP TOUR GUIDE The Patee House Museum in St. Joseph was one of the best-known hotels west of the Mississippi River. Park Central Square Fountain, Springfield Necklaces recovered from the hideout apartment after Bonnie & Clyde fled. JoplinVisitofcourtesyPhoto
M
2021 MISSOURI GROUP TOUR GUIDE 19 WESTWARD EXPANSION
It’s fascinating to see where the ride-or-die couple of the 1930s, Bonnie and Clyde, stopped in Joplin. Their chaotic marathon of crime led them to the city, where the couple and their gang decided to stay in a little garage apartment for several weeks before they were involved in a shooting. Two local officers lost their lives as a result of the shootout, and the lovers managed to escape. Although the infamous couple fled, they left behind a camera with some of their most iconic photos. A local newspaper, the Joplin Globe, had the film developed and the Dorothea B. Hoover Historical Museum displays the photos along with additional artifacts, including jewelry that was left behind.
Tracing Missouri’s past at historic destinations is educational and inspirational. Here are a few of the Show-Me State’s most intriguing chapters.
SantaCaliGon Days is looking forward to drawing crowds in 2021. Visitors can expect plenty to do with food vendors, craft beer tents, arts and crafts vendors, and music. • Missouri’s expansion timeline is a historically rich period filled with intriguing places and people.
By Tyler Drag
FASCINATING STORIES DETAIL MISSOURI’S ROLE IN
St. Joseph Following the gold rush in California, St. Joseph was chosen to be the headquarters of the Pony Express. Although short-lived, the Pony Express was a surprisingly efficient mail delivery service. The idea of men delivering mail via a horseback relay system was slow to gain traction with the government at first, but once the company secured a government contract and the route, its stations, horses and employees were ready to start in just three months. You can learn more about this historical delivery service at the National Pony Express Museum in St. Joseph. St. Joseph is also where famous outlaw Jesse James met his demise at the hands of Robert Ford. After years of stagecoach, bank and train robberies, James finally settled down. He moved to St. Joseph with his family but made the mistake of turning his back on Ford, who shot him just below his right ear. Today, James’ home still stands and is a popular tourist destination in the town. It operates as a museum detailing the life and death of the famous outlaw, as well as artifacts, including a bullet removed from his body and the handles from James’ coffin.
Springfield Springfield’s Park Central Square is the birthplace of one of the most iconic actions in the “wild west” – the quick draw duel. The nation’s first one-on-one shootout took place in the town square between the famous J.B. “Wild Bill” Hickok and Davis K. Tutt, on July 21, 1865. The story goes that Wild Bill owed a gambling debt to Tutt, so as insurance, Tutt took a valued watch from the now-legendary folk hero. Although he was warned against it, Tutt decided to wear the watch in public to degrade Wild Bill. This was a huge mistake. The men failed at negotiating the debt and the return of the watch, so when Wild Bill saw Tutt, the gunslinger gave his final warning. Instead of backing down, Tutt actually doubled down by putting a hand on his gun. The two were already about 75 yards apart and in dueling positions, but when they drew their guns and shot, Wild Bill’s aim proved quicker and truer. Wild Bill killed Tutt and won the first quick draw duel. This historic moment left its mark on American culture. The city of Springfield provides a downtown audio tour where visitors can listen to eyewitness accounts of the notorious event. An exhibit inside the nearby History Museum on the Square offers visitors the opportunity to test their own dueling skills.
Joplin
Independence Just east of Kansas City is the town of Independence, which hosts the massive SantaCaliGon Days Festival. The festival dates back to 1940, and features a beard and mustache contest, the Miss Independence pageant and a pioneer costume contest. Today, the festival celebrates the important legacy of the City of Independence as the starting point of the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon Trails. Experience life on the trail with a wagon tour of Independence. Pioneer Trails Adventures will regale your group with the town’s extensive history as you retrace the steps of pioneers. Groups can even opt for a chuck wagon dinner following their tour.
issouri is home to a wealth of history – from the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, a symbol of our country’s westward expansion, to the opposite side of the state, once the edge of the nation.
There are 4,000 square feet of man-made caves and tunnels, an enchanted forest with sky tunnels, an aquarium, a working shoelace factory, daily circus performances and much more. There’s even a rooftop adventure that includes a Ferris wheel, a giant slide and a school bus hanging over the edge.
The World Chess Hall of Fame celebrates one of the world’s oldest and best-loved games. The organization presents exhibitions that explore the history of the game as well as its remarkable impact on arts and culture. (Free) (1 – 1.5 hours)
Day 1
Dinner: The MX District or Washington Ave. Downtown Day 2
Union Station is a balance of nostalgia and renovation. The sophisticated Grand Hall features elegant historic touches like the original terrazzo floor, green glazed terracotta bricks, stained glass windows and wooden carpentry detailing. An innovative and breathtaking 3D light show set to music projects across the Grand Hall’s entire 65-foot vaulted ceiling, every day at 5 p.m., for an exciting mix of Anchoringold-meets-new.theUnion Station development is the stunning St. Louis Aquarium. The 120,000-squarefoot attraction features one-of-a-kind exhibits and tanks housing thousands of aquatic species from the rivers and oceans of the world. Also, available at St. Louis Union Station: Mirror Maze, Rope Course, The Carousel, Mini Golf, Fire and Light Show and the Grand Hall Light Show. Food options at St. Louis Union Station: Soda Fountain, Train Shed, 1894 Café, Landry’s Seafood House, Station Grille and the Grand Hall.
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Grand Center Arts District invites you to immerse yourself in St. Louis’ epicenter for the arts. Here, world-class talent performs, and aspiring artists hone their craft. Eclectic venues line the streets offering everything from Broadway to Black Box Theater, Bebop to Beethoven, street art to galleries and pub-fare to fineThedining.Fabulous Fox Theater is a magnificently restored theatre in the Grand Center Arts and Entertainment District. The perfect venue to see the hottest Broadway shows and concerts. Prices vary; see website for performance schedule. Tours offered. (1 – 3 hours) Jazz St. Louis offers the best in live jazz in a newly renovated, intimate 200 seat listening room featuring reserved tables, exceptional sound, clear sight lines, and optional dinner or drinks.
20 2021 MISSOURI GROUP TOUR GUIDE EXPLORE ST. LOUIS Renee M. Eichelberger, CTP, CTIS, www.explorestlouis.com800-637-9829314-992-0643reichelberger@explorestlouis.comCSTP
St. Louis, MO
Soldiers Memorial Military Museum a state-ofthe-art museum facility in downtown St. Louis honors military service, veterans and their families. Soldiers Memorial shares American military history through the lens of St. Louis. (Free) (1 – 2 hours) Standing 630 feet tall, the Gateway Arch, our nation’s tallest man-made monument, stands as the iconic monument symbolizing the westward expansion of the United States. The Gateway Arch National Park experience includes the Tram Ride to the Top, the all-new Museum and cruises aboard the Gateway Arch Riverboats. (2+ hours) Explore the unexpected at the City Museum.
French History and Heritage Along the Mississippi River
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Missouri’s oldest town, Ste. Genevieve, was settled on the west bank of the Mississippi River in the early 1700s. In 1764, St. Louis was established and named after a sainted French King. More than 200 years ago, Cape Girardeau began its evolution from a tiny trading post. From the historic architecture and lovely gardens to art and festivals, there’s a rich French connection on the Missouri side of Old Man River. Arch National Park All trips to St. Louis should begin at Gateway Arch National Park. When built, the Arch was dedicated to Thomas Jefferson and westward expansion. The footprint includes the Old Courthouse and a group of extraordinary dioramas showcasing French Colonial architecture in early St. Louis. For a panoramic view of the city, take a tram ride to the top of the Arch. Be sure to call ahead to make reservations.
3 EXPERIENCESUNIQUE ■ Gateway
The Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, or Old Cathedral as the locals call it, was built in 1764 on land reserved for Roman Catholic worship. A larger Log Church was built in 1776 and was
■ Lafayette Square ■ The Centre For French Colonial Life Homes of Lafayette Square Day 1:
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Much like Paris’ Musee Rodin, Citygarden is a downtown public sculpture garden. More than 20 sculptures are on display. A stunning plant palette includes 20 species of trees and 89 species of plants.
Continue your driving tour with a visit to the Soulard Neighborhood, St. Louis’ oldest neighborhood. Brick row houses, blues clubs and corner taverns are the neighborhood’s signature.
Named for Pierre Laclede, French founder of St. Louis, historic Laclede’s Landing was a warehouse district for steamboats and barges transporting trade goods. Today, the restored warehouses are an entertainment district with restaurants, bars and clubs. Enjoy dinner before checking into your group-friendly St. Louis accommodations.
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When Marquis de Lafayette visited St. Louis in 1836, the young contributor to the American Revolutionary War effort so impressed the locals, they named the city’s first designated park after him. The oldest public park west of the Mississippi River is surrounded by one of the country’s finest and largest grouping of Victorian-era architecture. Your next stop is Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, or New Cathedral. Plans for a new cathedral for the St. Louis Parish were underway as early as 1905 and, after numerous challenges, it was ready for consecration on June 29, 1926. Guided tours of the cathedral’s one-of-a-kind art, glorious architecture and rich history are available.
Day 2: Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before a drive-by of the 1893 St. Louis City Hall. The grand structure sports a style similar to the Paris Hotel de Ville. Look for St. Louis founder Pierre Laclede’s statue at the west entrance to City Hall.
The New Cathedral, Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
22 2021 MISSOURI GROUP TOUR GUIDE
Operating Wednesday through Saturday, the Soulard Farmers Market is the oldest public market west of the Mississippi River. The neighborhood’s French heritage and lively vibe are on display during Mardi Gras celebrations. Your morning windshield tour concludes at Lafayette Square.
The Old Cathedral, Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France the only church of any denomination until 1816. The fourth church to grace the site, and the one you can see today, was built in 1834 and was the first cathedral west of the Mississippi River.
The town has a wide variety of accommodations and after check-in continue the French theme and enjoy dinner at Broussard’s Cajun Cuisine.
Welcoming visitors to the Saint Louis Art Museum is a sculpture of the city’s patron saint, Louis IX, titled “Apotheosis of St. Louis.” The museum offers an impressive collection of French Impressionism, furnishings and decorative arts.
Day 5: After breakfast at your hotel and check out, begin your day at Bollinger Mill State Historic Site. Standing on a site that represents 200 years of milling history, the present mill dates back to the Civil War. The Burfordville Covered Bridge sits alongside the mill and stretches across the Whitewater River. Returning to Cape Girardeau, stop at the Glenn House. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the house features many original architectural details and has been fully restored to reflect successful life on the Mississippi River during the Victorian era. You cannot leave Cape without experiencing a signature driving tour. Choose from the Gone Girl, Civil War, Rush Limbaugh’s Hometown, African American History or the Exploring the Lewis & Clark Trail driving tours. After lunch, depart for home with some wonderful memories of Missouri and its French history.Union Station Grand Hall
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Day 4: Check out of your lodging and begin the day at Beanik Café and Pastry, with baked-from-scratch pastries and individually brewed coffees. Then, get serious about shopping. Ste Genevieve’s charming downtown area is the place to be. From clothing, jewelry and antiques to art, wine and heirloom gifts, you’re certain to find exactly what you need. Naturally, there’s a shop to satisfy your sweet tooth. Depart for Cape Girardeau with a stop at Trail of Tears State Park along the way. The visitor center tells the tale of one of America’s darkest chapters, the forced march of Native Americans to Oklahoma. Located on the Mississippi River, the park’s location is ideal for spotting migratory birds.
Day 3: After breakfast and checkout, begin today’s adventure with a visit to the Missouri History Museum. The museum’s permanent Currents Gallery displays the French fur trading past, culture and customs of the early settlers and the popular Parisian fashions of the time.
Tonight, it’s dinner and fun at St. Louis Union Station. Opened in 1894, the one-time world’s busiest station was modeled after the French fortress of Carcassonne. Enjoy dinner at one of six restaurants. Afterward, watch a panoramic light show on the huge ceiling in the Grand Hall.
Lunch is in the Central West End Neighborhood followed by free time for shopping at a variety of boutiques, antique shops and appropriately, Left Bank Books. After a busy morning, relax during the one-hour drive to historic, charming Ste. Genevieve. Begin your experience at The Centre for French Colonial Life , a campus of historic buildings preserving America’s French colonial heritage. Start your visit at the orientation, exhibits and education facility. Continue your tour at four historic homes, each with its own story to tell. Following your lodging check-in, head to Grapevine Grill at Chaumette Vineyards and Winery , one of the top winery restaurants in the nation, for dinner. Following a wine tasting, enjoy a meal prepared with locally sourced, fresh ingredients.
Arriving in Cape Girardeau, your first stop is the Red House Interpretive Center. Located on the site of Old St. Vincent’s Church, the Red House tells the story of the city’s founder, French-Canadian Louis Lorimier, and how the Old Cape Girardeau District started.
