Top 10 Weekend Getaways in Missouri

1: St. Louis

Considered the title city of Missouri, St. Louis tops most middle-America bucket lists! This is a sprawling big city with enough attractions to make you want to stay for an extra weekend.

It is mostly known for the 30-foot, towering arch at the entrance to the city. This Gateway Arch was created to honor the 1804 expedition of the famous Lewis and Clark.

Aside from that, there are countless delicious restaurants to explore, sports games to attend, and so much history to be learned in this proud Missouri city.

2: Columbia

Mostly known as the progressive, eccentric college town, Columbia is a great place to go for a Missouri weekend trip.

Here, you can visit some of the most incredible museums in the state or tour one of the great Ivy League colleges of America. Not your cup of thrill-seeking tea?

Then try kayaking on the Finger Lakes State Park, or check out the Eagle Bluffs Reservation. You’re sure to make some memories in Columbia.

3: Lake of the Ozarks

Technically more of a reservoir than a city, locals and tourists alike are raving about the Lake of the Ozarks. Many say you won’t find a prettier sight in all of Missouri!

The lake here is a glistening, natural beauty, and the many outdoor activity spots just add to the fun.

Check out the Bridal Cave with jaw-dropping sights of the underground, or look to the Big Surf Waterpark for a little more family fun. Whatever you choose, you’re sure to love the Lake of the Ozarks.

4: Jefferson City

As the state capital, Jefferson City is one of the best weekend getaways in Missouri you can’t miss. It is home to many options available for families, couples, and backpackers looking to enjoy the weekend away.

Here, you can tour a 19th-century prison with an intimate look at the harrowing past of crime in the city.

Tours here are knowledgeable and interesting and will keep you on your toes the whole way through the Missouri State Penitentiary.

There is also a beautiful State Capitol building in the center and one of the state's best museums: The Missouri State Museum.

5: Springfield

Springfield should be number one on your list of Missouri weekend getaways if you’re looking to appreciate the great outdoors and all it has to offer.

From land to sea to even under-land, Springfield has it all! We’re talking about the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, the Ozark Park Trail, and the Fantastic Caverns (both its name and descriptor are fantastic!).

And this is just a shortlist of all the things to visit in Springfield. There is so much more to explore; all you need to do is look around.

6: Branson

Known as the premier destination for families, Branson is a great place for a weekend trip in Missouri!

There are plenty of outdoor activities to get the blood pumping and just enough historic options to make the weekend educational with being tedious.

Try Table Rock Lake for hiking, boating, fishing, and checking out the Titanic Museum and Branson Scenic Railway for some of the best innovations of the past.

Branson is also the former site of country music history. Here performers from all over would come to celebrate the music. Now, it is a more diverse array of musicians, but no less enticing!

7: Kansas City

Yes, Kansas City is actually in Missouri! The name can be a bit misleading, and while it does reside close to the Kansas-Missouri border, it is still wholly a part of the show-me state.

Here in Missouri City, visitors can go from amusement parks to national world war museums without missing a beat.

It is a lively, populated city with enough to keep the crowds entertained without feeling like a tourist trap or incorporating all that big city noise.

It also has a few sports teams! Check out the local listings to find out if you’ll be in town for a game and enjoy all that Kansas City has to offer.

8: Republic

Known predominantly for the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, this is a great stop on any civil war history tour.

It has a visitor’s center and a wide sprawling expanse of land dedicated to the history that battled it out on this very same plot all those years ago.

Still found here are some of the old canon’s used and a few other memorabilia pieces to connect the modern-day to the plights of the past.

It is also the proud home to J.R. Martin Park, a good place to enjoy a day in the beautiful Republic.

9: Independence

Perfect for a weekend of nothing but relaxation! Here in Independence, you can casually enjoy all the life of small town Missouri.

This is the best place to get away from all the stresses of work, school, or anything back home and simply enjoy your surroundings for a nice weekend getaway in Missouri.

Here, you can take the Little Blue Trace Tail for a nice sunrise walk or visit the Top Hat Winery for some of the best wine in the state.

Check out McCoy Park if the weather is nice, and set up a nice Missouri picnic in the sun.

10: Hannibal

One of the best places to visit in the United States for literature buffs!

Hannibal is most notably known for being the location of Mark Twain’s childhood. It now features his boyhood home, as well as a museum that holds facets and trinkets from his life and work.

Many areas here are even named after him, such as the Mark Twain Cave and Campground and the Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse.

Come here if you’re looking for a relaxing weekend spent learning some things you didn’t know about one of America’s most treasured writers.