There are so many things that make Missouri a great state to both live in and travel to. There is no better time to highlight all of these fantastic attributes within the Show Me State than National Missouri Day. 

The Best Food

You can’t visit Missouri without trying St. Louis style pizza. The thin and crispy crust cut into squares can be a polarizing dish for sure, but it could be just the crust to toppings ratio you’ve been craving all your life. Try this famous Missouri dish at Imo’s Pizza at one of their 99 locations!

Kansas City, Missouri, is known for many things: The Chiefs, several art museums, and Union Station to name a few. Maybe most notably, however, Kansas City is known as the Barbeque Capital. Try Harp Barbeque, Fiorella’s Jack Stack, or Q39 South, among many, many more finger-licking destinations.

Planning a trip to the southwest corner of the state? Don’t end your visit through without getting a taste of Springfield style cashew chicken! This dish, though attempted all over the country, originated in Springfield, Missouri. Anyone who has tasted it will tell you that nowhere else in the world makes it as good. Chef David Leong invented the dish in the 1960s, and that recipe is still alive and well today at Leong’s Asian Diner. 

The Best Entertainment

Whether you have kids or simply are a child at heart, the City Museum in St. Louis is unlike any museum experience you’ve ever had. This multi-story, indoor playground is complete with crawling caves, slides, rooftop experiences, and so much more packed into a hundred year old structure that will keep you entertained for hours. 

The ruins of Ha Ha Tonka State Park in Camdenton, Missouri, is the perfect place to visit for history buffs, photographers, explorers, and everyone in between. These castle ruins are a sight that can really only be appreciated in person, inspired by 16th century European castle designs. Wear comfortable clothes to fully appreciate the day, and make sure to visit the rocky glades and natural bridge around the park.

Calling all bibliophiles! Don’t pass through Kansas City, Missouri, without visiting the Giant Bookshelf. This giant piece of outdoor art features enlarged paintings of books from authors like J.R.R. Tolkien, Gabriel Garcia-Marquez, and Ray Bradbury. Get a picture of yourself next to your favorite books! 

The State’s Superlatives 

Missouri is definitely known for a lot (see above), but it also holds many world records for the “biggest” things. If you are a superlative connoisseur, you may want to check out some of these bizarre items around the state, that just happen to be the largest of their kind!

In St. Louis, you can find the world’s biggest chess piece, coming in at 14 feet tall, along with a 76 foot long pencil and a 6 foot tall pair of undies!

Kansas City is the home of many things, including a 18 foot tall badminton shuttlecock. You may also find the world’s largest needle and button, a sculpture designed by Dan Stevens to commemorate the historic garment district. 

If you’re a foodie, you may be intrigued by the largest fork in the world, which can be found in Springfield, Missouri. This sculpture is 35 feet tall and weighs in at a whopping 11 tons. 

Whatever brings you to or through this great state, we hope you enjoy your time in the Show Me State!