Missouri holds a piece of our heart
Missouri has it all: legendary homes, abandoned castles, caverns of unfathomable beauty, and luxury resorts you’ll want to stay at forever. While we wish we could pack all the amazing things to see and do in Missouri into one blog, we think you should experience it for yourself! Let’s get started.
Basking beside laughing waters
While the waters at Ha Ha Tonka State Park don’t actually laugh, you just may when you see all the amazing things the park offers. Though there are a lot of park activities you can take advantage of, like hiking, boating, enjoying the playgrounds, picnicking, and so much more, it’s really the ruins of a castle that will take your breath away.
Tonka State Park was originally the property of a wealthy business owner who wanted a vast estate for his own home. He bought the 5,000 acres that now comprise the state park and began building his dream home. He never got to see its completion, however. In later years a terrible fire destroyed the castle, and in the 1970s the state claimed the land. While you’re at the park, be sure to explore the ruins of the castle for a truly amazing experience.
A Little House with a big legend
While the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum isn’t the little house the author grew up in, it was a home she loved so much while visiting Missouri that she bought it. She lived the last years of her life in this home and even penned the famous books within its embrace. All kinds of memorabilia are stuffed in the house: many keepsakes fans will recognize, handwritten pages of the books, needlework, and much more. More than Ingalls mementos, the museum has collected its share of artifacts from the pioneering days that fans of the Little House books will absolutely love.
The king of all caverns
Fantastic Caverns in Springfield is so vast that a ride-through is offered. Discovered in 1862 by the dog of a farmer, the cave was explored and mapped by 12 women. Walking in and exploring on your own is prohibited because of the delicate nature of the beautiful caverns, but the ride-through gives you the unique opportunity to experience the cave in its entirety. The women who first explored the cave are still honored within it to this day. Their names have been carved within the cavern so everyone who ventures there will remember the bravery of those who opened the magnificent cave to the world.
A chair you don’t want to sit in
If you’re bold enough, you’ll sit in the Baird Chair in the Kirksville cemetery. It is unknown how such a dark legend sprang up around the chair, but it could be that the father of the man who placed it in the cemetery did a lot of work in eugenics. His work is thought to be what spurred Hitler into action. Whatever the reason behind the curse of the chair, locals believe that whoever sits on it is gambling with their own fate and that when they rise out of the chair, they will be cursed.
Camping near Kansas City
Family fun starts at Basswood Resort Campgrounds and Country Inn. There’s an outdoor theater so you and the family can take in a movie, plenty of trails for walking and hiking, a pool playground, swimming pool, pizzeria, great access to the county fair, and fishing. Wow, that’s a lot! If you forgot anything before your vacation, there’s a store on the premises, and high-speed Wi-Fi is included in all packages.
What an amazing trip through Missouri! If you’re interested in learning about all the places we think you should visit in every state, head over to our blog and check out the state travel articles!
